Obama and Merkel want to shed any notion of disagreement on how to handle Russia. Germany says it's on same page with U.S.

The German government is very concerned with shooting down any suggestion of daylight between Berlin and Washington on Ukraine, arguing that it could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But on one key issue — whether there will be lasting consequences for the invasion of Crimea, as President Barack Obama has promised — the Germans say they’re not on board.


American officials have made clear that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the key world leader in helping them find an end to the crisis, given her country’s extensive economic relationship with Russia and leading role in the European Union. She’s done that: Merkel has spoken to Putin several times in recent days, senior German official told reporters in Washington on Thursday.

( WATCH: Obama: Crimea referendum would violate international law)

Thursday, as Obama announced new sanctions authority against those involved with the crisis and went before the cameras at the White House to say that he would not accept a referendum on Crimea’s independence, Merkel did the same. The German government is also preparing parallel travel restrictions as those initiated by the State Department Thursday, and is expected to coordinate with the American government in matching names.

“There seems to be a sentiment that Germany and the United States are not on the same page – that would make Mr. Putin very happy,” the German official said. “It’s important that we are very clear that we are on the same page.”

But as to the idea of some diplomatic or economic retaliation staying in place even if Putin pulls back entirely as a way of demonstrating American unhappiness and fulfilling Obama’s promise of “costs,” Merkel’s government does not agree.

( See POLITICO's full coverage of Ukraine)

“We want Russia to de-escalate,” the German official said. “Punishment is not a category that applies to foreign policy.”

The Germans stressed that there is no set plan, with no set dates or consequences, given the rapidly changing situation.

They’re considering, in concert with their fellow European Union countries, putting their trade relationship with Russia in the balance, and looking at way to reverse the flow of the gas pipeline that runs to Western Europe from Russia through Ukraine so that Western countries would be able to supply Ukraine with energy, should Putin cut them off.

Though Russia supplies one-third of the natural gas to Germany, the official said that given the mild winter and national stockpiles, they’re not concerned about the consequences of Putin retaliating by cutting them off.

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Not in consideration, the German official said, are sanctions on international banking. German banks do extensive business with Russia, but restrictions aren’t seen by Berlin as realistic.

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