German chancellor warns NATO against direct confrontation with Russia

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned that NATO must avoid a direct military confrontation with Russia that could lead to a third world war.

Scholz, who is facing growing criticism at home and abroad for his government's apparent reluctance to deliver heavy battlefield weapons to Ukraine, made the remarks in an interview with Der Spiegel.

"To avoid an escalation towards NATO is a top priority for me. That's why I don't focus on polls or let myself be irritated by shrill calls. The consequences of an error would be dramatic," he said. "That's why it is all the more important that we consider each step very carefully and coordinate closely with one another." 

He went on to say that he would continue to strive “to prevent an escalation that would lead to a third world war.” noting, “There must be no nuclear war.” 

Scholz also defended his decision not to immediately end German imports of Russian gas in response to Russia' military operation in Ukraine.

"I absolutely do not see how a gas embargo would end the war. If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin were open to economic arguments, he would never have begun this crazy war," he said.

"Secondly, you act as if this was about money. But it's about avoiding a dramatic economic crisis and the loss of millions of jobs and factories that would never again open their doors."

Russia's defense ministry said on Saturday that its forces had shot down a Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet and destroyed three MI-8 helicopters at an airfield in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. 

In a phone call to President Vladimir Putin Friday, EU chief Charles Michel appealed for humanitarian access to Mariupol.

"Strongly urged for immediate humanitarian access and safe passage from Mariupol and other besieged cities all the more on the occasion of Orthodox Easter," Michel tweeted.

SS