Breaking News English

Germany closes gas pipeline amid Ukraine crisis

Ukraine Crisis - Level 0

Germany has closed a gas pipeline from Russia to Europe. This is because Russia said two parts of eastern Ukraine were independent countries. Germany's leader said: "We must reassess the situation." He warned that Europe faced difficulties. He said there might be a new war in Europe, 80 years after the end of WWII.

Closing the gas pipeline is one action Western nations have taken against Russia. The U.K. took action against Russian banks and billionaires after Russia said it might enter eastern Ukraine. The USA will take action soon. Russia said it would not go into Ukraine. It said: "If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Ukraine Crisis - Level 1

Germany has closed a pipeline made to transport gas from Russia to Europe. This is because President Vladimir Putin said two regions in eastern Ukraine were independent countries. He said the Donetsk and the Lugansk People's Republics were separate nations. Germany's leader said: "We must reassess the situation." He warned that Europe faced difficulties, and that, "80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in…Europe".

The gas pipeline is under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of the sanctions Western nations have made against Russia. The U.K. announced sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will take actions against Russian banks and billionaires. The USA said it would announce sanctions soon. Russia said it was not planning to invade Ukraine. It said: "If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Ukraine Crisis - Level 2

Slowest

Germany has closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was made to transport gas from Russia to Europe. This is because of Russia's actions in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin recognised two regions in eastern Ukraine as independent countries. He said the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics were separate nations. Germany's leader said: "In light of the most recent developments, we must reassess the situation." He warned that Europe faced "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in…Europe".

Nord Stream 2 is a pipeline under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of the sanctions that Western nations have made against Russia. The U.K. announced the first of its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze the assets of Russian banks and billionaires. Some have been given travel bans. U.S. President Joe Biden said he would announce sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister said Russia was not planning to invade Ukraine. He told reporters: "If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Ukraine Crisis - Level 3

Germany has announced it has closed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was due to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe. It did this because of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent countries. President Putin claimed the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic were separate nations. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "In light of the most recent developments, we must reassess the situation…regarding Nord Stream 2." He warned that Europe faced "difficult hours," and that, "almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in Eastern Europe".

Nord Stream 2 is a 1,200-km-long pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of many sanctions that Western nations have made against Russia. The United Kingdom announced the first of its sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter the two rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will freeze the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires (who have also been given travel bans). U.S. President Joe Biden has said the USA would announce sanctions soon. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said Russia was not planning to invade Ukraine. He told reporters: "No one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson