UK, Germany agree Russia needs punishing if Ukraine invaded

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson pose for media prior to a meeting during the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany February 19, 2022. Matt Dunham/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met on Saturday and agreed on the need for more diplomacy to stop Russian leader Vladimir Putin from ordering an invasion of Ukraine, and strong responses if Russia does attack.

"The Prime Minister and Chancellor Scholz resolved to redouble efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution to prevent unnecessary bloodshed," Johnson's office said in a statement.