World Powers Impose Fresh Sanctions after 'Russia's Invasion of Ukraine', Germany halts gas pipel...
Responding swiftly to Russian President Vladimir Putin's order sending troops to separatist regions of Ukraine, world leaders hit back with non-military actions against Moscow in hopes of averting a full-blown war in Europe.
Germany made the first big move, taking steps to halt certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, a massive, lucrative deal long sought by Moscow but criticized by the US for increasing Europe's reliance on Russian energy supplies.
US President Joe Biden announced financial sanctions as punishment for what he called 'the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.'
The European Union announced sanctions taking aim at the 351 Duma legislators who voted in favour of recognizing separatist regions in Ukraine, as well as 27 other Russian officials and institutions from the defence and banking world.
Putin Announces Ukraine Military Operation
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences you have never seen".
Putin accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia's demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees. He said Russia doesn't intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to demilitarise it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.
President Vladimir Putin Asks West for Recognition of Crimea as Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for international recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, an end to Ukraine's NATO membership bid and a halt to weapons shipments there.
Putin claimed that Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula should be internationally recognised as a legitimate reflection of the local population's choice, likening it to a vote for Kosovo independence. The annexation has been widely condemned by Western powers as a breach of international law.
Feb 23, 2022
Putin Gets No Support from UN Security Council over Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin received no support from members of the U.N. Security Council at an emergency meeting for his actions to bring separatists in eastern Ukraine under Moscow's control.
The U.S. called his moves a pretext for a further invasion, many members condemned his violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and even close ally China urged diplomacy and a peaceful solution.
Ukraine called for the rare evening session along with the U.S., five European countries and Mexico to condemn Putin's actions to recognize the independence of the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, scenes of an eight-year war, and order his military to maintain peace there.
Russia happens to hold the Security Council's rotating presidency this month and wanted the meeting to be closed, but diplomats said they agreed to an open session under intense pressure from Western and other members.
Libya's Embattled Prime Minister Says Replacing him could Trigger War
Libya's embattled Prime Minister warned that the appointment of a new interim government could set off war and chaos in a Mediterranean country already mired in a decade-old turmoil. Addressing Libyans Prime Minister Abdul Hamdi Dbeibah reiterated his insistence that he will hand over power only to an elected government. He mapped out a likely unrealistic plan to hold elections in June.
Dbeibah called any plan to install an interim government "reckless" and a ''farce" that could lead to more wars. He was referring to ongoing efforts by the House of Representatives to confirm a new government chaired by Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashaga.
Feb 22, 2022
US, Egypt Launch Working Group to Prepare for COP27 Climate Summit
The United States and Egypt launched a joint working group to prepare for the next climate change summit in November.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said that the group is focused on the United Nations' COP27 conference in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. He said the country has already begun its preparations for the meeting.
Vladimir Putin Recognises Ukraine Rebel Regions as Independent
In what could accelerate the ongoing crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent and ordered the Russian army to launch what Moscow called a peacekeeping operation into the area.
Putin, who was joined by Russia-backed separatist leaders, signed a decree recognising the independence of the two Ukrainian breakaway regions -- the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic - along with agreements on cooperation and friendship.
There was no word on the size of the force the Russian President was dispatching, but the decree said Russia now had the right to build military bases in Donetsk and Lugansk.
Moscow, however, denies any plan to attack its neighbour, but has threatened unspecified "military-technical" action unless it receives sweeping security guarantees, including a promise that Ukraine will never join NATO.
Feb 21, 2022
President Vladimir Putin Observes Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces Exercises
Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the Russia's strategic nuclear forces exercises on screens with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko from a situation centre.
Meanwhile, White House said U.S President Joe Biden's national security team told him they still believe that Russia could launch an attack in Ukraine "at any time" and he planned to convene his top advisers today to discuss the crisis.
On the otherhannd, foreign ministers from the G7 group of rich nations said they had seen no evidence Russia is reducing its military activity in the area and remained "gravely concerned" about the situation.
Biden, Putin agree 'in principle' to Ukraine Summit on condition of no invasion
US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed "in principle" to a summit over Ukraine, as long as that country holds off on what U.S. officials believe is an imminent assault on Ukraine, the White House has confirmed.
In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: "We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war. And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon."
The announcement was first made by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron, who assisted in brokering the potential talks between the two leaders. The Elysee Palace stated that Macron had pitched both leaders on a summit over "security and strategic stability in Europe."
Feb 20, 2022
France Joins China to Build $1.7 Billion Global Infra Projects
France became the first country to join China to jointly build seven infrastructure projects worth over USD 1.7 billion in Africa, South East Asia and Eastern Europe, in a boost for Beijing in the face of its growing hostility with the US.
Following up on the virtual meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the two countries signed the Fourth Round China-France Third-Party Market Cooperation Pilot Project List.
The list includes seven projects in areas like infrastructure, environmental protection and new energy with a total value of over USD 1.7 billion.
France is the first country to establish the third-party market intergovernmental cooperation mechanism with China.
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