The European Union should work to cut off all economic ties with Russia because of its criminal war in Ukraine, said German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, but questioned the immediate embargo on Russian gas imports, Reuters reported.

“We are dealing with a criminal war,” Lindner in Brussels before talks with his EU colleagues. “It is clear we must end as quickly as possible all economic ties to Russia. Gas cannot be substituted in the short term.”

All options are being considered, he said, but a comprehensive ban on all energy imports from Russia would cause more economic damage to EU member states than to Russia. Therefore, the EU should separately consider the possibility of banning oil, coal or gas, which can be replaced at different rates.