German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday that Moscow has understood that the West is united in its determination to impose tough sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine, but he said the situation remains tense, Reuters reported.

"It is too early to say the problems are solved. They are so serious and will remain for some time yet, so they deserve our attention," Scholz told a news conference after holding talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Scholz added that the United States, the European Union and NATO are acting together on potential sanctions that are being prepared.

He believes that a dual strategy should be resorted to in resolving the conflict over Ukraine, combining dialogue with Russia and a policy of containment of Moscow at the same time.

In addition, Olaf Scholz declared progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, explaining that he sees it in negotiations in several platforms at once: within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Russia-NATO Council and the Normandy format.

The German prime minister is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 15 February and visit Kyiv the day before.