BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday western sanctions would ensure Russia paid a "bitter price" for its attack on Ukraine and make it clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a "serious mistake".

       "Putin is bringing suffering and destruction to his direct neighbours, he is violating the sovereignty and borders of Ukraine," Scholz told reporters in Berlin.

       "He is endangering the lives of countless innocent people in Ukraine – a brother people of Russia. Finally, he is endangering the peace order on our continent. For all that there is no justification. This is Putin’s war."

       (Reporting by Thomas Escritt and Sarah Marsh)