On Monday, amid rapidly deteriorating tensions in Donbass, with Kiev’s forces intensifying shelling against local settlements, Russia announced its recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and ordered to deploy a peacekeeping mission in Donbass. The situation in Donbass remains tense with Ukrainian forces building up in the region.Following an appeal from the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Moscow recognised them as independent nations. President Vladimir Putin noted the move should have occurred “long ago”, and also urged Kiev to “immediately stop hostilities” in the region, saying that otherwise, the Ukrainian regime would be responsible for any possible bloodshed.The recognition prompted a response from an array of Western countries, including the US and the UK, threatening to impose sanctions against Russia. The White House said it will announce a new round of sanctions during the day.Follow Sputniks Live Feed to Find Out More!New firstOld first17:32 GMT 22.02.2022Russia to Evacuate Embassy Staff From Ukraine ASAP, Foreign Ministry SaysRussian diplomats in Ukraine received threats, Kiev did not react, the Foreign Ministry added.17:19 GMT 22.02.2022EU Foreign Ministers Agree on Sanctions Against RussiaThe European Union foreign ministers have unanimously agreed on a package of sanctions against Russia, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday.”We see that there is clear action against the territorial integrity of Ukraine. That is something we agreed on and we also unanimously agreed on a package of sanctions,” Le Drian said following the informal meeting of EU top diplomats.
EU Foreign Minister: European Sanctions to Hit Russian Gov’t’s Access to Capital, Financial Markets17:33 GMT17:18 GMT 22.02.2022Johnson, Macron Agree to Coordinate Further Sanctions Against Russian Banks, IndividualsUK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to coordinate work on imposing sanctions against Russia during a phone conversation on Tuesday, the UK government said.”The Prime Minister updated President Macron on the new sanctions he unveiled against Russia today, and the leaders agreed they needed to continue to work in lockstep to target Russian individuals and entities bankrolling President Putin’s aggressive approach,” the government said in a statement.17:07 GMT 22.02.2022Biden Administration Discussing Russia Sanctions Package With Asian Nations – ReportsThe Biden administration is in talks with Asian nations to join Western efforts to implement a sanctions package on Russia in response to their actions regarding Ukraine, Foreign Policy reports on Tuesday, citing three US sources.Singapore, Japan and Taiwan have so far supported export control measures on Russia, the sources reportedly said. The countries are major producers of important technological exports including semiconductors and computer chips, the report added.The United States, its partners and allies have been developing a sanctions package against Russia to implement in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, prompted by the alleged buildup of Russian forces near the Ukrainian border.16:42 GMT 22.02.2022Putin: Best Solution Would be Kiev Refusing to Join NATO and Adhering to NeutralityRussian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the best solution to the current crisis would be Ukraine refusing to join NATO and adhering to neutrality.”The best solution to this issue would be for our colleagues in Western countries not to lose face, so that the current Kiev authorities themselves refuse to join NATO, in fact, adhere to neutrality,” Putin told reporters.In addition, Putin said that Ukraine getting tactical nuclear weapons would be a “strategic threat” for Russia.When asked about the Federation Council’s approval of the use of military abroad, Putin said that Russia will fulfill its obligations “if necessary.””Firstly, I didn’t say that the troops would go there right after our meeting with you here … Secondly, it’s impossible to predict any specific outline of possible actions at all, it depends on the specific situation that is developing on the spot, on the ground,” Putin told reporters.
Putin Says Kiev’s Actions ‘Killed’ Minsk Agreements Long Before Recognition of LPR, DPR16:36 GMT16:29 GMT 22.02.2022Putin Speaks to Press After Upper House Approved Use of Military Abroad
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16:27 GMT 22.02.2022Biden to Provide Update on Russia, Ukraine on Tuesday at 1 p.m. – White HouseUS President Joe Biden will deliver a statement on Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon, according to the White House schedule.”2:00 p.m. The President provides an update on Russia and Ukraine,” the schedule said but the term was later revised to 1:00 pm EST.Biden will speak about US and Western sanctions with regard to Russia’s move into the Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics, the Washington Post reported.Biden’s address will be the first one since Russia decided to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.16:26 GMT 22.02.2022Putin to Talk to Media After Upper House Approved Use of Military AbroadRussian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that he will talk to the media after the Federation Council approved the use of the Russian military abroad.Putin is meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday.”I’ll see off the guest, and then I’ll come back to you,” Putin told reporters.Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov has presented the president’s request to the Federation Council earlier in the day. The defense ministry official mentioned that the situation in the Donbas republics is tense, and Russia needs to protect the local population.16:25 GMT 22.02.2022Russian Federation Council Approves Use of Military AbroadThe upper house of Russia’s parliament, the Federation Council, on Tuesday approved Russian President Vladimir Putin’s request for the use of military abroad.Earlier in the day, Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said that the federation council received such a request.
Russian Parliament’s Upper Chamber Greenlights Use of Military Abroad After DPR, LPR Recognition16:10 GMT16:15 GMT 22.02.2022It’s Never Too Late to Not Attack: NATO Chief on Russia-Ukraine TensionsThis is the most dangerous moment in security in a generation, Stoltenberg said.Stoltenberg said he believes that Russia continues to plan for a full-scale attack on Ukraine. “We see the ongoing provocations in Donbass,” he said.Urging on Russia to choose the path of diplomacy, NATO chief said it’s never too late to not attack. “We have 100 jets a high alert,” he noted.At the same time he assured the press that NATO will continue to do whatever is necessary to shield the alliance from aggression.We will continue to provide Ukraine with strong political support, NATO chied pointed out.16:08 GMT 22.02.2022Live From Lugansk as LPR Citizens Celebrate Recognition by Russia
Live From Lugansk as LPR Citizens Celebrate Recognition by Russia16:01 GMT16:08 GMT 22.02.2022NATO Chief Stoltenberg Holds Briefing After Extraordinary Meeting on Ukraine
NATO Chief Stoltenberg Holds Briefing After Extraordinary Meeting on Ukraine16:04 GMT15:53 GMT 22.02.2022Swiss Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Ambassador Over Moscow’s Decision to Recognise DPR, LNR15:52 GMT 22.02.2022Borrell Confirms Sanctions Against Russian Lawmakers Voting for DPR, LPR RecognitionEU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Fontelles on Tuesday confirmed that the EU sanctions will impose sanctions against all Russian lawmakers who voted for the recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.”Individual sanctions will be adopted against those who are responsible for these decisions, against Russian lawmakers in particular, and also against those in charge of the military sector,” Borrell told Franceinfo.He stressed that sanctions will be imposed on all Russian lawmakers, who voted for the recognition of the republics’ independence.The EU chief said that economic sanctions against the breakaway Donbas region will also follow, adding that “these concern the exports from Donbas under the same scheme as it was done at one time with regard to Crimea.”Borrell noted that “sanctions against banking institutions that finance oligarchs, those in the government of the country and its entourage” will also be imposed.15:43 GMT 22.02.2022Biden to Make Statement on Russia, Ukraine at 2 PM ESTUS President Joe Biden will deliver a statement on Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon, according to the White House schedule.”2:00 p.m. The President provides an update on Russia and Ukraine,” the schedule said.15:23 GMT 22.02.2022Ukrainian FM Kuleba Says Severing Diplomatic Ties With Russia Now Serves Interests of UkraineSevering diplomatic relations between Moscow and Kiev now serves the interests of Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday.”I think, and always thought so, that this should have been done back in 2014, unfortunately, it was not adopted then, but now we have analyzed all the possible consequences and scenarios for the development of events in the event that such a decision was made and came to the conclusion that it is timely and thoughtful and meets the interests of Ukraine,” Kueba told reporters.15:21 GMT 22.02.2022UK FM Truss Signs First Package of Sanctions Against Russia15:20 GMT 22.02.2022Russia Regrets Scholz’s Statement About Halting Nord Stream 2 CertificationRussia regrets German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s statement about halting the certification of the Nord Stream 2 project, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.”We regret [this statement], because we constantly said that this project has nothing to do with politics and should not have [to do anything with politics]. This is a purely economic, commercial project, which, in addition to just mutual benefit, is also intended to become such a stabilizing element for the gas market in Europe,” Peskov told reporters.15:14 GMT 22.02.2022Ukrainian FM Kuleba Asked UK for Additional Defensive Weapons, Plans to Ask for Weapons Also From USUkrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday that he has asked the United Kingdom to deliver addition defensive weapons to Kiev, and that he will make the same request to the United States.”This morning I have sent a letter to the UK Foreign Secretary asking for additional defense weapons for Ukraine. I will make the same request to my US counterparts today,” Kuleba told a briefing.15:05 GMT 22.02.2022German FM Baerbock Says Nord Stream 2 Project is Frozen
Sourse: sputniknews.com
