Ukraine
Ukrainian president, British PM meet on security issues
In a joint statement after their talks, Zelensky and Johnson warned that any further Russian incursion in Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake and have a stark humanitarian cost, Xinhua news agency reported. The leaders said that Ukraine and Britain agreed to work together to strengthen Ukraine's security and the ability to defend itself. They also expressed their commitment to strengthen Ukraine's energy security and support its efforts toward a green transition.
Ukraine, UK, Poland to set up tripartite alliance: Zelensky
"We are creating a new format of political cooperation in Europe between Ukraine, Great Britain, and Poland," Zelensky told the parliament. Later in the day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Facebook that the new alliance is aimed at boosting the cooperation between the three countries in such areas as security, trade, investment and energy, Xinhua news agency reported.
Russia has no plans to invade Ukraine: Ambassador
"This deployment of Russian troops in our own territory is getting our Western and US colleagues to say that there's going to be a planned military action and even an act of aggression ... A military action of Russia against Ukraine that they're all assuring us is going to take place in just a few weeks, if not a few days," he told the Security Council.
As US, Russia clash at UNSC, India calls for diplomacy that upholds 'legitimate security'
"India's interest is in finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond," India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti said. "It is our considered view that the issue can only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue," he said, adding: "Quiet and constructive diplomacy is the need of the hour."
No plans to send combat troops to Ukraine if Russia invades: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg
“We have no plans to deploy NATO combat troops to Ukraine…we are focusing on providing support…there is a big difference between being a NATO member and being a strong and highly valued partner as Ukraine. There’s no doubt about that,” Stoltenberg said in a BBC interview when asked about NATO’s response if Russia invades Ukraine.
Ukraine's NATO membership would hurt bloc's ties with Russia: Lavrov
"Everyone understands that Ukraine is not ready (to join NATO) and will not make any contribution to strengthening NATO's security," Lavrov told a Russian TV programme.
Commenting on statements that NATO is defensive, the top diplomat recalled how the US-led military bloc "bombed Yugoslavia for almost three months, invaded Libya in violation of a UN Security Council resolution, and behaved in Afghanistan", Xinhua news reported.
Canada withdraws more staff from embassy in Ukraine
Canada has made the decision to temporarily withdraw non-essential Canadian employees and remaining dependants from the Canadian embassy in Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the statement. The highest priority remains the safety and security of Canadians, the statement added. "Together, they will increase our diplomatic capacity and allow us to continue to assess and respond to the evolving situation in support of Ukraine."
International military assistance for Ukraine optimistic: Defence Minister
Ukraine has already received three batches of military assistance from the US aid package worth $200 million and anti-tank weapons from Britain, Reznikov said, adding that Kiev is also waiting for support from Baltic countries, Canada and Denmark, reports Xinhua news agency.
Russia bans more EU officials from entry
These "representatives of law enforcement agencies, legislative and executive authorities" are personally responsible for promoting anti-Russian policies and measures that infringe on the legitimate rights of Russian-speaking residents and the media, the Ministry said in a statement.
Putin, Macron discuss security guarantees over phone
Putin told Macron that Russia will carefully study the written responses from the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to Moscow's draft agreements on security guarantees, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by Kremlin. Putin stressed that the US and NATO responses did not take into account such fundamental concerns of Russia as stopping NATO's expansion and refraining from deploying offensive weapons near Russian borders, among others.
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