Western countries do not exclude any of the options for responding to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, including disconnecting Russia from the international interbank information transfer system and making SWIFT payments and sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, said the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

She recalled that the European Union is the most important trading partner and the largest foreign investor in Russia, accounting for about 40 percent of Russian foreign trade.

These figures show that we have a strong instrument of pressure and that it will be very painful for Russia if the aggression against Ukraine intensifies, the head of the European Commission said, DW reports.

Ursula von der Leyen also noted that along with attempts to resolve the conflict diplomatically, preparations are underway for the worst possible scenario.