Ukraine
Russia vows 'strong response' to new US sanctions
Following Moscow's recognition of the two "republics" in east Ukraine's Donbas, the US announced a package of restrictions targeting Russia's financial sector, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement said the sanctions are in line with Washington's ongoing attempts to "change Russia's course".
EU set to announce wide-ranging sanctions on Russia
The measures, which need to be signed by EU foreign ministers, would go further than those announced by the US and a significant distance beyond Boris Johnson's Russia sanctions, the report said. If approved, the EU will impose asset freezes and travel bans on 23 people, three banks and a notorious internet "troll factory" in St Petersburg, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.
Ukraine asks its citizens to leave Russia immediately
Up to three million Ukrainians are believed to be living in Russia and many have family in both countries. In addition, a state of emergency is to be declared in Ukraine, lasting 30 days, the country's top security official said. Ukraine is also conscripting reservists into the regular military as it braces for a possible invasion by its neighbour, Russia.
Current Ukrainian crisis has roots in post-Soviet politics, NATO exlansion and other complex circumstances: FM Jaishankar
“The situation in Ukraine is the result of a complex chain of circumstances over the last thirty years. Most countries, such as India and France, which is very active, are seeking a diplomatic solution… In the case of Ukraine, a lot of it derives from the post-Soviet politics, the expansion of NATO, the dynamics between Russia and Europe, and Russia and the West broadly,” Minister Jaishankar said in an interview to French newspaper Le Figaro.
Germany suspends certification of Nord Stream 2 pipeline
"The situation today has fundamentally changed," he told the media on Tuesday. "We will reassess the situation that has evolved over the past few days." "I asked the Economy Ministry on Tuesday to withdraw the existing report on the analysis of supply security at the Federal Network Agency," Scholz said, adding that it was a necessary administrative step to prevent the certification and thus the operation of Nord Stream 2, Xinhua news agency reported.
NATO Chief urges Russia to choose diplomacy in Ukraine crisis
"This is the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation," NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg said at the conclusion of an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in Brussels on Tuesday. "Europe and North America continue to stand strong together in NATO, committed to defend and protect each other," he added.
Ukrainian Prez expects no conflict with Russia
"We believe that there will be no large-scale war against Ukraine, and there won't be a wide escalation from the side of the Russian Federation," Zelensky said on Tuesday, adding that Kiev stands ready to impose a martial law if there is aggression against Ukraine. Earlier on Tuesday, Zelensky said he was weighing a request from the Foreign Ministry to sever diplomatic ties with Russia.
EU agrees Russia sanctions package, warns of further action
In a statement, von der Leyen on Tuesday said EU member states had given their political consent to a new package of sanctions against Russia following its recognition of the independence of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The package contains a number of "calibrated measures" targeting banks that finance the Russian military apparatus and contribute to the destabilisation of Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.
Russia's parliament ratifies friendship treaties with 2 'independent republics' in Ukraine
Under the two treaties on Tuesday, Russia will foster closer cooperation with the "republics" when it comes to "strengthening peace", "enhancing security", and coordinating efforts aimed at settling regional conflicts. The agreements with both "republics" are concluded for a period of 10 years, and will be automatically renewed for successive periods of five years unless either party decides not to do so, Xinhua news agency reported.
Russia's upper house approves use of military abroad
"Senators unanimously supported the adoption of the relevant Resolution," said a statement published on the website of the Federation Council on Tuesday. Putin on Tuesday submitted a proposal that the Federation Council approve a resolution authorising the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation abroad on the basis of the generally accepted principles and norms of international law, according to the Kremlin.
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