U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday that any Russian troops deployed to eastern Ukraine would not be "peacekeepers" as Moscow has asserted and rejected President Putin's claim that a genocide of ethnic Russians was being committed there
Per a Schumer spox: Leader Schumer has requested an all-Senators briefing on Russia-Ukraine
1 year agoMilitary camp seen at Maxar image at Krasny Oktyabr
1 year agoVideo uploaded an hour ago allegedly from a Russian tank operator (previous videos seem to indicate this as well) as part of a large convoy of tanks in the Belgorod region of Russia, per video author
1 year agoSpeech by the Keyan ambassador regarding Africa's history & views on the Ukraine crisis
Trudeau announces first round of economic sanctions on Russia over Ukraine crisis
"The world is standing with the United States" against the action taken by Russia President Putin, says @PressSec
"We see this as the beginning of a further invasion (by Russia) of Ukraine," says @PressSec
1 year agoVideo uploaded this evening showing tanks driving in the direction of the Ukrainian border in the Kursk region, Russia
Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Our security guarantees are our army and our diplomacy
Ukrainian FM Kuleba: Plan A is diplomacy to avert war. But if that fails, "Plan B is to fight for every inch of our land and every city and every village. To fight until we win, of course"
Minister Kuleba tells: "No, we do not have such plans to evacuate Mariupol or Kharkiv"
"He attacked the world order" per Ukraibe FM @DmytroKuleba on Putin's actions
"To the extent that we can do anything to avert a worst case scenario," including a potential attack on Kyiv, "we will always pursue that," Blinken says when asked about diplomacy. "But Moscow needs to demonstrate that it's serious
Sec Blinken says his meeting with Lavrov is off because Russia is now beginning its invasion of Ukraine & making clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy. He says a meeting with Lavrov does not make sense. He sent Lavov a letter informing him of this today
Sec Blinken clearly states that "because of the invasion" by Russian into Ukraine the US is moving on its swift response, he details sanctions & says the US will continue to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates its aggression towards Ukraine"
A senior administration official says just now some of the Russian elites the Biden admin is sanctioning include: -Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the FSB, and son Denis -Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Admin of Russia, and son Vladimir
1 year agoUkraine's Foreign Minister Kuleba (who is in town for meetings with Secs. Austin and Blinken) has met with President Biden. "President Biden reiterated the readiness of the United States. to respond swiftly and decisively to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine
EU ambassadors took a preliminary decision on the EU sanctions on Russia tonight. final adoption at around 11am tomorrow. then written procedure till 15 and finally the sanctions will be published in the EU official journal later that afternoon
In Volnovakha, Donetsk region about 30,000 people cut from water supply as a result of attacks by Russians, - Ukraine's ombudsman Denisova
1 year agoSentinel-2 imagery taken this morning 08:36 UTC shows at least nine Ilyushin Il-76 military cargo aircraft departing Taganrog-Central Air Base near Taganrog in Russia, located on the shores of the Sea of Azov, 40 km from Ukraine (DPR). Three of them airborne, six taxiing
Putin's speech recognizing Ukraine's breakaway regions is a "rewrite of history": President Biden. Nothing in Russian President's speech indicates that Kremlin is interested in dialogue
Biden says Putin has a "twisted" sense of history. "He explicitly threatened war unless his extreme demands were met. There's no question that Russia is the aggressor"
Putin "directly attacked Ukraine's right to exist," Biden says. "He explicitly threatened war unless his extreme demands were met.nonetheless, there is still time to avert the worst-case scenario." Biden says US and allies still remain open to diplomacy
Biden says he's also authorized additional movements of US forces and equipment already in Europe to reinforce Baltic allies. Notes this is totally defensive and "we have no intention of fighting Russia," he says
Biden "In response to Russia's admission that it will not withdraw its forces from Belarus, I have authorized the additional movements of U.S. forces and equipment already stationed in Europe, to strengthen our Baltic allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
"None of us should be fooled. None of us will be fooled. There is no justification." - @POTUS on Russia's moves on Ukraine
Biden says he still thinks Russia is planning a major invasion of Ukraine. He says he hopes he's wrong but points to Russia's military presence around Ukraine, including blood supplies. He says: "You don't need blood unless you're starting a war"
US President Joe Biden says: "This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine."
U.S. will impose a first set of sanctions on Russia for moving onto Ukraine's territory: POTUS; - Full blocking sanctions on VEB and military bank; - Sanctions on Russian sovereign debt.; - U.S. will apply sanctions on Russia's elites tomorrow
Biden: "Who in the Lord's name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries?"
Biden: "Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states. So today I'm announcing the first tranche of sanctions to impose costs on Russia in response to their actions yesterday"
1 year agoSmoke rising from Russian Embassy In Kyiv, Ukraine. People were seen carrying in boxes earlier. Embassy was ordered to evacuate
Russian Foreign Ministry says Russia establishing diplomatic relations with Donetsk and Luhansk
1 year agoGood catch from @BVasylchenko. Most of the "Z" markings seen thus far have been inside a square, but this Ural truck with a Msta-B howitzer has one inside a triangle. Possibly indicating different task forces within a larger formation or echelon. This is in Valuyki
1 year agoVideo uploaded a couple hours ago shows a large amount of Russian forces off-road in the Belgorod region of Russia, per video author
At the start of the meeting with FM Kuleba, Austin says: "Russia's latest invasion is threatening the peace and security and prosperity of Ukraine and transatlantic community"
French foreign minister Le Drian offers robust rebuttal to question over French president's mediation efforts on Ukraine, saying he did all in his power to avoid war but Putin's signature and word is now shown to be worthless
Le Drian defending Macron against Putin's humilation says 'what is new is that Putin no longer honours Russia's signature.'
1 year agoUkrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has arrived at the Pentagon for a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Austin
French FM Le Drian says he's not planning to meet Lavrov on Friday in Paris. That had been discussed yesterday on basis of no Ukraine invasion. Le Drian implies that when discussed with Lavrov, the latter must have known about Putin's looming move
Russia to evacuate embassy staff from Ukraine, - Russian Foreign Ministry says
Borrell confirms the numbers of people/entities sanctioned: 351 Duma members and 27 officials, entities and commanders
EU ministers unanimously agree package of sanctions on Russia says French FM Jean-Yves Le Drian
Even tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is a strategic threat for Russia - Putin
An armed "anti-Russia" represented by Ukraine is unacceptable for the Russian Federation, especially in view of Kyiv's current nuclear ambitions, - Putin said
Putin: Ukraine should recognize Crimea as part of Russia
Putin: Ukraine should abandon NATO path and declare neutrality
Russia stands for demilitarization of Ukraine - Putin
Putin: we recognized Donetsk and Luhansk in the borders as described in their constitutions
Putin: Minsk agreements are no longer exist
1 year ago"There is the real risk" of an all-out war between Russia and Ukraine, warns NATO chief Stoltenberg
1 year agoBiden remarks moved up to 1pm EST
NATO Secretary General: There is still a possibility to avoid an all-out war
This is the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation, says @jensstoltenberg. He adds "every indication" is that Russia continues to plan a full-scale attack on Ukraine: forces continue buildup, moving to strike positions & the Donbas declaration is a pretext
1 year agoPresident of Kazakhstan Tokayev had a phone call with Putin
1 year ago"This is the most dangerous moment for European security in a generation," says NATO chief Stoltenberg. "We commend Ukraine for its restraint in not responding to Russia's repeated provocations," he adds. "We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its government"
Russian Federation Council allowed Putin to use the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation abroad
Senator of Russian Federation Council Klishas: The total number of formations of the Armed Forces, the duration of their stay and the territory of stay will be determined by Putin
Putin signed agreements on official military help to occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine
Deputy Defense minister of Russia Pankov explaining senators of Federation Council why Putin asking to deploy troops to Ukraine: Ukraine deployed 60 000 troops in Eastern Ukraine, NATO is providing Ukraine with weapons, also citing false accusations of latest days circulated by Russian media
At 2 p.m., President Biden will make remarks on Russia and Ukraine. The White House has teased more sanctions in light of Putin's moves yesterday
Head of Russian Federation Council Matvienko before closed meeting: Putin asked to allow using army abroad
Meeting of Aliyev and Putin lasted for over 4 hours. Signed an agreement on allied cooperation
1 year agoMilitary convoy filmed in Tomarovka, Belgorod region
CzechRepublic Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon Russia ambassador on Wednesday. Demands explanation of recent development in Ukraine. Ambassador will meet deputy MFA
1 year agoVideo uploaded an hour ago shows a large amount of military ambulances in the Belgorod region of Russia, per video author
Zelensky: Had a phone conversation with @RTErdogan. Expressed gratitude for supporting of Ukraine position on the latest provocative decisions of Russia
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said Britain would sanction five Russian banks and three high net worth individuals including Gennady Timchenko
1 year agoTroops at Gusev, Rostov Oblast
Putin denies to Aliyev that Russia is going to restore Russian Empire
Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia is not going to send troops to the Donetsk and Luhansk so far
Russian Federation Council ratified agreements with Donetsk and Luhansk on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, including military assistance
1 year agoTanks filmed in Valuyki today
Putin to President of Azerbaijan Aliyev: Russia supports sovereignty of former Soviet Republics, except of Ukraine, situation there is different cause of "external influence"
Johnson: We will immediately impose a package of sanctions targeting Russian economic interests
President of Azerbaijan met Putin in Kremlin
1 year agoInfantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery near Sambek close to the border with Donbas.
Ukraine Foreign Ministry recalls Chargé d'Affaires of Ukraine in Russia for consultations
Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia realized that the time of the Minsk agreements has passed
Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia does not want to break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Clarifies the recognition only of areas of Donetsk and Luhansk region without control of Ukraine
Zelensky just now — announced he's considering a proposal to sever diplomatic ties with Russia
Ukraine's President @ZelenskyyUa says western sanctions on Russia for its action in separatist-held eastern Ukraine must include a shutdown of the Nord Stream 2 Russian gas pipeline
The Russian Federation expects that the UN, before making statements on the Donetsk and Luhansk, will rely on the basic principles of the organization, - Russian FM Lavrov
Czech Republic PM @P_Fiala about Russia: "Western approach hasn't been tough enough so far." . „We have already sent 152-millimeter artillery shells to Ukraine. We are ready to discuss providing more help if Ukraine asks for"
It's propaganda
Russian FM Lavrov says that government of Ukraine after 2014 is not representing all people living in Ukraine
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: agreements with the authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk allow the deployment of Russian military bases there, but we are not planning to do so yet
President of Azerbaijan Aliyev has arrived in Moscow to meet Putin
1 year agoNew camp: Barvinok 50.20683, 37.78898. 10 kms from Ukraine Analysis based on high resolution imagery
1 year agoA column of the National Guard of Russia's troops (Rosgvardiya) was seen yesterday (21.02) in Rechitsa district. The convoy included: armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, KamAZ trucks and "Tigr"
Sajid Javid tells @skynews this morning the "invasion of Ukraine has begun" as the PM chairs an emergency COBR meeting to authorise a package of sanctions on Russia. Health Sec says PM will make statement to parliament later
Russian stocks fall more than 8% at opening amid Ukraine tensions
Poland's minister of defense @mblaszczak: we can confirm that Russian forces entered the territory of so-called 'republics'. So they violated Ukraine's borders
Russia has thrown out the diplomatic playbook for peace in Ukraine with recognition of breakaway regions, top U.S. diplomat to United Nations tells Security Council. "Today, President Putin has torn the Minsk agreements to shreds," Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said
U.S. believes a further Russian invasion of Ukraine will create a refugee crisis across Europe with "millions of displaced people." U.S. envoy to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells Security Council (chaired by Russia) that Putin is "testing our international system”
United States envoy: Putin tests the international system and reduces the value of the United Nations
"In essence Putin wants the world to travel back in time.when empires ruled the world..It's not 1919, it's 2022," @USAmbUN tells the emergency session of the UN Security Council. "The consequences of Russia's actions will be dire
"Not true," as Putin claimed Monday, that Ukraine is seeking nuclear weapons from the West, states @USAmbUN
The envoy of the United States: Russia has deployed forces in Ukraine, which it calls "peace forces", which is an incorrect description
UN Under-Secretary-General: We regret the deployment of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine
