Russian President Putin recognises independence of two regions in Ukraine, paving way to provide them with military support and raising fears of invasion of Ukraine. Here're the latest updates:
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
US, allies lambast Russia over Ukraine at UN Security Council
The United States and its allies rounded on Russia during an emergency Security Council session, denouncing Vladimir Putin's recognition of rebel-held areas in Ukraine.
They termed Russian deployment of troops in the two breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as a gross violation of international law and "pretext for war."
Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya insisted that his country's borders remain "unchangeable" despite Russia's actions.
Addressing the council, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield heaped scorn on Putin's assertion that the Russian troops would take on a peacekeeping role in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas.
Pro-Russian sepratists in Donetsk celebrate on the streets after decrees were signed pic.twitter.com/TuNZWVh0P9
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) February 22, 2022
China at UN urges restraint by all sides
China has called for restraint by "all sides" to avoid further escalation in the Ukraine crisis, urging a diplomatic solution during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting.
"All parties concerned must exercise restraint and avoid any action that may fuel tensions. We welcome and encourage every effort for a diplomatic solution," said Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN.
US to announce sanctions against Russia
The United States is coordinating with allies and will announce new sanctions against Russia.
"Tomorrow, the United States will impose sanctions on Russia for this clear violation of international law and Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity," US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thom as-Greenfield, said after a UN Security Council meeting.
Russia remains 'open to diplomacy': envoy
Russian envoy to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow remains "open to diplomacy" but stressed the need to defend separatist areas from what he dubbed Ukrainian aggression.
"We remain open to diplomacy for a diplomatic solution," he said during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
"Allowing a new bloodbath in the Donbass is something we do not intend to do."
Türkiye urges its citizens to leave eastern Ukraine
Türkiye has "strongly" urged its citizens to leave eastern regions of Ukraine.
"In the light of the latest developments, we strongly urge our citizens to leave the Eastern regions of Ukraine. We recommend our citizens to contact our Embassy in Kiev when necessary," said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement.
Japan says its ready to join US-led sanctions on Russia
Japan said it stood ready to join the United States and other G7 industrialized nations in slapping sanctions on Russia, should President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine.
The confirmation by the world's No. 3 economy comes as the crisis in Europe deepens, with the Russian leader on Monday ordering troops into two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now recognises as independent states.
READ MORE: World reacts to Russia's recognition of Ukraine regions as 'independent'
Military vehicles including tanks, APCs seen on Donetsk outskirts
Columns of military vehicles including tanks and armoured personnel carriers have rolled on the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised them as independent states.
Reuters news agency, citing its witness, said no insignia were visible, but the appearance of the vehicles came hours after Putin signed friendship treaties with the two separatist regions and ordered Russian troops to deploy on what Moscow called a peacekeeping operation.
Reuters reporters in Donetsk had not seen tanks on the streets in previous days.
Ukraine's borders remain 'unchangeable' despite Russian action
Ukraine's borders remain "unchangeable" regardless of Russia's recent actions, Kiev's ambassador to the United Nations has told the Security Council.
"The internationally recognised borders of Ukraine have been and will remain unchangeable regardless of any statements and actions by the Russian Federation," Sergiy Kyslytsya said during an emergency meeting called after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of two rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine.
He demanded Russia "cancel recognition" of two eastern breakaway regions and end occupation of Ukrainian territories.
Russia tells UN it won't allow 'bloodbath' in Ukraine's Donbass
Russian envoy to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya has said Moscow remains "open to diplomacy" but stressed the need to defend separatist areas from what he dubbed Ukrainian aggression.
"We remain open to diplomacy for a diplomatic solution," he said during an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
"However, allowing a new bloodbath in the Donbass is something we do not intend to do."
Nebenzya also warned Western powers to "think twice" and not worsen the situation in Ukraine.
Russia's order to deploy 'peacekeepers' in eastern Ukraine is 'nonsense'
Russia's order to deploy "peacekeepers" in eastern Ukraine is "nonsense," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the United Nations has told Security Council meeting, adding that Moscow's recognition of the breakaway eastern regions was a part of its attempt to create a pretext for a further invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine, Greenfield said the consequences of Russia's actions will be dire across Ukraine, Europe and worldwide and that the humanitarian toll will expand significantly if Moscow invaded further.
Putin wants the world to travel back in time, to a time when empires ruled, this is not 1919
Zelenskyy: Russia has destroyed peace efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions in an address to the nation.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was committed to peace and diplomacy after Russia formally recognised two Russian-backed separatist regions as independent on Monday evening.
He said Ukraine is "not afraid of anything or anyone."
The president said Ukraine was expecting "clear and effective" steps from its allies to act against Russia and called for an emergency summit of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France.
We are committed to the peaceful and diplomatic path, we will follow it and only it. But we are on our own land, we are not afraid of anything and anybody, we owe nothing to no one, and we will give nothing to no one
I have signed an Executive Order to deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law. We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on next steps. pic.twitter.com/ZS81ivAPgs
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 22, 2022
Australia asks Russia to move its troops behind its own borders
Australia will be in lockstep with its allies on any sanctions on Russia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said.
Russia should unconditionally move its troops behind its own borders and stop threatening its neighbours, Morrison said during a media briefing.
"It's unacceptable, it's unprovoked, it's unwarranted ...some suggestion that they are peacekeeping is nonsense," Morrison said.
Tanks seen in Donetsk
A Reuters news agency witness has seen columns of military vehicles including tanks on the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of the breakaways east Ukraine regions.
Russia's troops remain massed along Ukraine's borders and President Putin is on the brink of recognising breakaway Ukrainian regions in the east as "independent", putting the key Minsk accords at risk.
— TRT World (@trtworld) February 21, 2022
Here we look at Russian military positions: https://t.co/YifIDaEYfO pic.twitter.com/73hUtX97PE
UNSC to meet urgently on Ukraine crisis
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting over Ukraine.
The meeting comes at the request of Ukraine, the United States and six other countries. Russia, which currently holds the rotating council presidency, has scheduled it for 9 pm [New York time.]
Yet undetermined is whether the meeting will be open or closed.
Ukrainian UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said in a letter to his Russian counterpart that Kiev is requesting the urgent meeting because Putin's actions violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the UN Charter, and a 2014 UN General Assembly resolution.
It is virtually certain the Security Council will not take any action or issue any statement because Russia has veto power.
A dozen mortar shells fell within a few hundred metres of Ukraine’s interior minister as he met journalists on a tour in the trench line separating government forces from Russian-backed rebels in the Donetsk Region. There was no report of injuries pic.twitter.com/lj3QxOBlCH
— TRT World (@trtworld) February 21, 2022
Türkiye: Russia's recognition of Ukraine regions 'unacceptable'
Türkiye has assailed Russia's recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent, calling it a violation of international agreements and Ukraine's territorial integrity.
"The decision of Russia to recognise the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics amounts to a clear violation of not only the Minsk agreements but also Ukraine's political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
"We find Russia's so-called decision to be unacceptable and reject it," the ministry said, calling on all sides to respect international law.
NATO member Türkiye, which shares a maritime border with both Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has good ties with both its neighbours, and has offered to mediate the crisis, while warning Moscow against invading Ukraine. Ankara also opposes sanctions on Russia.
We find Russia's so-called decision to be unacceptable and reject it
US, allies request emergency UNSC meeting on Ukraine
The United States and allies including France have requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Russia's recognition of separatist territories in Ukraine as independent, diplomats told the AFP news agency.
The countries behind the request for the meeting, based on a letter from Ukraine to the UN, also include the United Kingdom, Ireland and Albania, the same sources said.
It is up to the rotating presidency of the Council, currently held by Russia, to formally schedule the meeting.
Canada strongly condemns Russia’s recognition of so-called “independent states” in Ukraine. This is a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and international law. Canada stands strong in its support for Ukraine – and we will impose economic sanctions for these actions.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 21, 2022
OSCE reports more than 3,000 ceasefire violations
Monitors from the OSCE European security body have reported more than 3,000 new ceasefire violations in east Ukraine, a high for the year that came ahead of Russia's decision to recognise separatist regions there.
In a daily report based on information received by Sunday evening, the OSCE reported 2,158 new violations in the Donetsk region and another 1,073 in neighbouring Luhansk.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine urges citizens not to publish information about the whereabouts of the Ukrainian troops on social media. https://t.co/96d2uhHSB2
— Misha Komadovsky (@komadovsky) February 21, 2022
Russia now has right to build military bases in eastern Ukraine
Russia has acquired the right to build military bases in Ukraine's two breakaway regions under new agreements with their separatist leaders there, according to a copy of an agreement signed by President Putin published on Monday.
Russia and the breakaway regions also plan to sign separate agreements on military cooperation and protection of borders, according to draft laws that Russia's State Duma lower house of parliament will consider on Tuesday.
US assures support to Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has condemned a decision by Russian President Putin to recognise two breakaway regions of Ukraine as he spoke to world leaders following the latest developments in the crisis.
"Biden strongly condemned Russian President Putin's decision to purportedly recognise the "independence" of the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine," on a call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the White House said.
Biden also "updated President Zelenskyy on the United States' response, including our plan to issue sanctions. President Biden reiterated that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, in lock-step with its Allies and partners, to further Russian aggression against Ukraine."
Biden also discussed with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Olaf Scholz "how they will continue to coordinate their response on next steps", according to another statement.
Russia's President Putin recognises Ukraine's rebel-held territories in Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics after a highly anticipated speech in which he accused Ukraine of developing nuclear warheads and the West of plans to impose unconditional sanctions pic.twitter.com/LuHf9TpPGV
— TRT World (@trtworld) February 21, 2022
Putin orders Russian troops to eastern Ukraine's breakaway regions
President Vladimir Putin has ordered his Defence Ministry to dispatch Russian peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine's two breakaway regions, according to a decree published after Moscow recognised their "independence" from Kiev.
In two official decrees late on Monday, Putin instructed the ministry to assume "the function of maintaining peace" in so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
Russia recognised both regions as independent statelets, defying Western warnings that such a step would be illegal and kill off long-running peace negotiations.
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(With input from news agency language)
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