Sec Blinken & FM Lavrov will likely speak this week, @UnderSecStateP says on CBS
U.S. senators are close to a deal on a Russia sanctions bill that could include some penalties even if President Putin doesn't send troops into Ukraine
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand says all Canadian military trainers in Ukraine have been moved west of the Dnieper River "to keep our Canadian armed forces safe and secure" amid Russian invasion threat. Story coming soon to @globeandmail
2 year ago4 project 03160 Raptors moving south near Rogachevka, Voronezh Oblast
2 year agoMilitary convoy in Klintsy
2 year agoSatellite images showing military leaving base near Yelnya
2 year agoProbably Northen Fleet's 200th MRB headed south near Ukraine
2 year agoMilitary echelon filmed in Bryansk region
2 year agoMilitary filmed guarding street in Valuyki
The authorities began the evacuation of the population in the areas of the city of Pyatigorsk in the Stavropol Territory, located near the burning cold storage facility
2 year agoMilitary convoy filmed in Tula
In the Novgorod region, the MiG-31 fighter skidded off the runway, the crew was not injured
New State Dept warning issued for Ukraine: "The security situation continues to be unpredictable due to the increased threats of Russian military action. U.S. citizens should consider departing now”
US senior admin official on Russia's UNSC presidency: "I think the bigger issue and maybe the question is how Russia wants to use the events that it puts on the calendar in February to address or potentially distract from the situation in Ukraine and its own actions”
2 year agoUK prime minister Boris Johnson will speak to Russia's president Putin in coming days on Ukraine crisis. - Coming week could be important one for Johnson on foreign policy stage as he looks to assert UK role in mediating crisis
2 year agoRep. Gregory Meeks, who is leading a congressional delegation in Ukraine, says there must be a "plan A and a plan B, because we don't know what Putin will do" as Russia's troop buildup near Ukraine continues. Meeks added he's "confident" Ukrainians will defend their country
Russia's statistics agency Rosstat reports that the nation's population fell by over 1 million in 2021
"If war were to break out on a scale and scope that is possible, the civilian population will suffer immensely," Gen. Milley warns. He tells @barbarastarrcnn if the forces massed by Russia were unleashed on Ukraine, "it would be horrific, it would be terrible”
U.S. military's top officer: "We strongly encourage Russia to stand down." Gen. Milley says Ukraine has the "right to be independent”
Russia's military buildup near Ukraine has expanded to include supplies of blood along with other medical materials that would allow it to treat casualties, a key indicator of Moscow's military readiness, three U.S. officials tell @Reuters
Zelensky says the White House is making the Russian invasion threat "as burning as possible" - "in my opinion, this is a mistake." Again criticizes withdrawals of staff/families from Western embassies - says the moves were "redundant and wrong"
Zelensky: "I don't think the White House is going very wrong in their analysis. I think that they are participating in this informational situation that is created around our borders"
Zelensky says "we do see" the 100,000 Russian troops. "If it happens, it will be open war. A horrible war, and we understand these things"
Zelensky says it was a "mistake" for Western embassies - the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia - to withdraw families and non-essential staff. "In these circumstances, everyone is essential"
Zelensky says Putin invited him to Sochi, asks why there: "Do you want me to ski there?" Suggests Odessa instead. "Let's swim in the sea."
Zelensky, still asking questions to Putin: "Why are you proposing things that won't work? This is just blunt cynicism at high level."
2 year agoZelensky: I don't want Ukraine to be a result between president Biden and President Putin. President Biden assured me that nothing will be decided behind Ukraine's back about the destiny and future about our country
Zelensky says he'd ask Putin: "Why do you need so many soldiers there?.... Why do you need to have drills specifically on that territory, on that border?... What is this sado-masochism? What is the pleasure of someone being afraid?"
Zelensky says he hopes to see three-way negotiations between the US, Russia and Ukraine
Zelensky: "I don't want Ukraine to be the result of an agreement between President Biden and President Putin"
