Russia Ukraine Crisis Highlights | Israel called on Wednesday for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis and said it was concerned about the country's large Jewish community but avoided any mention of Russia, a major player in the conflict in Syria. "Israel shares international concern over the steps in eastern Ukraine and the severe escalation in the situation (and) hopes that a diplomatic solution will be found," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden, while speaking to reporters at the White House, said the United States would impose sanctions against two large Russian financial institutions and Russian sovereign debt. Sanctions were imposed against Russian elites and their family members as well, administration officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday told Russia's defense ministry to deploy what he called peacekeeping forces into two breakaway regions of Ukraine after recognizing them as independent, raising fears of imminent war in Europe.
"This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine," Biden said. "Russia has now undeniably moved against Ukraine by declaring these independent states."
The United States had promised severe sanctions against Russia if it invaded Ukraine, which the White House previously defined as any movement of troops across the border.
The United States deployed its most powerful sanctioning tool, placing Russian elites and two banks on the Specially Designated Nationals list, effectively kicking them out of the U.S. banking system, banning them from trading with Americans, and freezing their U.S. assets.
Biden said the sanctions in the initial tranche applied to VEB bank and Russia's military bank - Promsvyazbank, which does defense deals. He said the sanctions against Russia's sovereign debt meant the Russian government would be cut off from Western financing.
"As Russia contemplates its next move, we have our next move prepared as well," Biden said. "Russia will pay an even steeper price if it continues its aggression, including additional sanctions."
Putin did not watch Biden's speech and Russia will first look at what the United States has outlined before responding, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, cited by Russian news agencies.
Biden said the United States would continue to provide "defensive assistance" to Ukraine but had no intention of fighting Russia. He said he authorized additional movements of U.S. forces already stationed in Europe to strengthen Baltic allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Biden, who is facing concerns at home about inflation and high energy prices, said his administration was closely monitoring energy supplies for disruptions and working on a "collective investment to secure stability and global energy supplies" with major oil producers and consumers.
"This will blunt gas prices. I want to limit the pain the American people are feeling at the gas pump. This is critical to me," he said.
SANCTIONS TRIGGERED
On Monday a senior administration official said Russia sending troops to the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine did not represent a further invasion because Russia had troops there previously. But on Tuesday, White House officials changed their language to say an invasion had begun.
Washington slapped sanctions on VEB and Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company, as well as 42 of their subsidiaries, accusing the two banks of being "state-owned institutions that play specific roles to prop up Russia's defense capability and its economy."
The sanctions on the banks come on top of designations of Russian "elites" the Treasury Department accused of being close to Putin, including Aleksandr Bortnikov, director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), and Petr Fradkov, the chairman and chief executive of Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company.
Also hit with sanctions was Sergei Kiriyenko, a former prime minister of Russia.
"They share in the corrupt gains of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well," Biden said of Russian elites.
Brian O'Toole, a former Treasury Department official now with the Atlantic Council, said Tuesday's sanctions will have impact, but questioned whether it would be immediate enough.
"I think the risk they run by not going after a big state-owned commercial bank is that Putin thinks that the West is not going to be willing to bear the pain of big economic sanctions, and therefore that he can safely expand his ambitions," he said.
Russia's Sberbank and VTB would face American sanctions if Moscow proceeds with its invasion of Ukraine, a senior U.S. administration official told reporters.
The official also said Russian elites not sanctioned on Tuesday should be on notice and noted that the Biden administration was fully prepared to implement export control measures with a large number of countries if Russia invades further.
"Further Russian assault into Ukraine remains a severe threat in the days ahead," Biden said. "The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy if it is serious."
The live blog session has concluded. For more news, views and updates, stay tuned with Moneycontrol.com.
What possible trade sanctions against Russia can mean for India and China
India and Russia are almost insignificant trade partners. Neither exports nor imports exceed 2 percent in the total outbound and inbound merchandise of both countries.... Read More
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Israel urges diplomatic solution in Ukraine, avoids mention of Russia
Israel called on Wednesday for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis and said it was concerned about the country's large Jewish community but avoided any mention of Russia, a major player in the conflict in Syria."Israel shares international concern over the steps in eastern Ukraine and the severe escalation in the situation (and) hopes that a diplomatic solution will be found," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It said it supported "the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine" but offered no comment on Russia's actions in ordering troops into two breakaway regions in the east of the country.
The carefully worded statement reflected the balance Israel has long maintained over Russia, with which it maintains a coordination mechanism to avoid unintentional clashes in Syria, where Russian forces have been present since 2015. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Stock rally fades, oil turns higher on Russia-Ukraine jitters
Investors around the world lost their appetite for risk shortly after the U.S. market open on Wednesday with stocks turning lower and oil prices rallying as Ukraine declared a state of emergency and investors worried about a bigger Russian invasion.
After rising as much as 0.7% earlier on Wednesday the MSCI World Index, a leading gauge of equity markets globally, reversed course after Ukraine announced a cyber attack and declared the state of emergency. It was last down 0.5%.
Meanwhile oil futures prices higher on concerns about supply stemming from heightened fears about Ukraine. After falling as much as 1%, Brent crude reversed course and was trading at $97.91, up 1.1%, while West Texas Intermediate was up 1.11% at $92.93 per barrel after earlier falling as much as 1.85%. (Reuters)
Oil rises as Ukraine issues state of emergency, suffers cyber attacks
The potential return of more Iranian crude to the market weighed on prices, as Tehran and world powers inch closer to reviving a nuclear agreement.... Read More
Russia-Ukraine LIVE Updates | Efforts on to arrange more flights for Indians wishing to return from Ukraine: MoS External Affairs
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Wednesday said efforts are being made to arrange more flights, as per requirement, for bringing back Indians from Ukraine in view of the escalating political tensions there. Muraleedharan, speaking to reporters at Kottayam, said the central government was responsible for ensuring safety and welfare of nearly 20,000 Indians, majority of them students, presently in Ukraine and towards that goal the External Affairs Ministry was working with the Civil Aviation Ministry to arrange more flights for those wishing to come back.
He said efforts are being made to arrange more flights in view of the situation that many Indians there do not have the requisite means to return and added that no one was being forced to come back presently. Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP K Sudhakaran shot off a letter on Wednesday to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for ensuring more flights out of Ukraine for Indians. (PTI)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Of all sanctions, only US action has 'stung Putin', says expert
U.K.-based financier and anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder said that of all the international sanctions announced so far, only the American ones would have “stung Putin.”
“To put the Russian central bank, the Russian Ministry of Finance and the Russian Sovereign Wealth Fund on the sanctions list, and to put three oligarchs whose fathers are government officials on the sanctions list is good,” he said. “Thank God for the U.S, because nobody else is doing anything of any value.
“Putin is banking on the fact that we won’t be able to agree with each other, we’re not going to be bold, we’re all going to do the same things we’ve done in previous times,” Browder added. (AP)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Europe in largest security crisis since World War II, says Ukraine
"We are currently in middle of the largest security crisis in Europe since World War 2. This crisis was created & is being escalated by one side unilaterally by Russian Federation. Russia's accusations of Ukraine are absurd,"said Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Ukraine crisis threatens sunoil supply, fuels vegoils rally
Uncertainty over sunflower oil supplies due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is spurring demand for rivals palm oil and soyoil, fuelling a red-hot vegetable oil market.
The Black Sea accounts for 60% of world sunoil output and 76% of exports, so the uncertainty over how the crisis in the region may impact crop production and movement has prompted buyers to seek alternative oils.
Surging palm oil and soyoil prices could hit new record highs in the short term, and squeeze price-sensitive Asian and African consumers already reeling from spiralling fuel and food costs, analysts and traders said. "We are facing a perfect storm," James Fry, chairman of commodities consultancy LMC International, told Reuters.
Reuters
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | UK PM Johnson denies his party receives donations from Russian oligarchs
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied on Wednesday that his Conservative Party took donations from Russian oligarchs, saying all those who fund the governing party were registered in Britain.
After Russia heightened fears of a full-scale offensive against Ukraine, some opposition lawmakers have accused the government of failing to impose tough sanctions against Moscow because of donations of what one called "dirty Russian money".
Asked whether the prime minister would commit to giving up donations from Russian oligarchs, Johnson told parliament: "I just think it's very important ... to understand that we do not raise money from Russian oligarchs ... we raise money from people who are registered to vote on the UK register of interests."
According to the Electoral Commission, the Conservative Party has received funds from some donors who have earned much of their wealth in Russia. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates |
Russian state-run news agency Tass reports Russia has started evacuating diplomatic personnel from Ukraine, the Associated Press reported. This comes barely two days after Moscow took the unprecedented decision of recognising two pro-Russia frontier regions of Ukraine as "independent".
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | UK asks regulator to review licence of Russian channel RT
Britain has asked the media regulator to review the broadcast licence of Russian news channel RT after the Kremlin recognised two rebel regions of eastern Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries expressed concerns to the media regulator that RT was part of Moscow's information armoury and would spread misleading disinformation about the Ukraine crisis, according to a letter leaked to The Times newspaper.
Asked about the matter in parliament, Johnson said he believed Dorries had asked the regulator, known as Ofcom, to review the licence but cautioned that it should be given the space to make its own decisions. "We live in a country that believes in free speech," Johnson told parliament. "And I think it's important that we should leave it up to Ofcom rather than to politicians to decide which media organisations to ban - that's what Russia does." (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Donetsk leader says he wants talks with Ukraine but may need Russian help
The Russian-backed leader of the breakaway Donetsk region said on Wednesday he wanted to peacefully settle its borders with Ukraine but reserved the right to ask Russia for help.Denis Pushilin, who heads the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic that was recognised by Russia this week, said he favoured dialogue with Ukraine in the first instance.
But he told a news conference the situation in their long-running conflict had become critical, and the separatists would win with support from "big Russia".Russia's recognition of Donetsk and the neighbouring self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic on Monday was declared illegal by Western countries, which have imposed new sanctions against Moscow. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates: Moody's says global oil, natural gas prices may see sharp rise
Global oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) prices are likely to see a sharp rise in the event of a Russia-Ukraine conflict, which would have negative implications for net energy importers, Moody's Investors Service said on Wednesday. Moody's Investors Service Managing Director Michael Taylor said trade effects are likely to arise from import diversion and diversification, although there may be opportunities for commodities producers in Central Asia to increase supply to China. Supply chain bottlenecks will also be aggravated, adding to inflation pressures in the region. (PTI)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Some Ukrainian lawmakers urge govt to impose martial law
Ukraine has introduced a series of measures including the conscription of reservists as it braces for a possible military offensive from Russia, which sent troops into eastern Ukraine this week to prop up two breakaway regions.Some lawmakers have urged the government to impose martial law - a move that could trigger a response from Russia.
Martial law would impose harder restrictions, which could include bans on meetings, movements and political parties. The state border guards service said new measures had been introduced regarding the stay of foreigners near the border zone, the use of radios, flights of drones and the filming and photographing of certain people and buildings.
The state of emergency applies to all of Ukraine except the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where it has been in place since 2014. Russian-backed fighters have controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014. Russia recognised them as independent states and approved use of its troops abroad this week. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Ukraine to impose state of emergency but no martial law yet
Ukraine will introduce a nationwide state of emergency in which special restrictions will apply in order to keep the country calm and protect its economy amid fears of a Russian invasion, a senior Ukrainian security official said on Wednesday.
The state of emergency will last for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days, Oleksiy Danilov told a briefing. Parliament must now vote to enact the decision.
Introducing a state of emergency gives powers to the authorities, who can choose which ones to implement. These could include restrictions on transport, extra protection for critical infrastructure and a ban on strikes.
Regional authorities can make decisions on whether to introduce curfews and other measures, Danilov said.
Reuters
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Oil falls as Russia, Ukraine supply fears wane
Oil prices fell on Wednesday, retreating from seven-year highs hit the previous day as it became clear that the first wave of U.S. and European sanctions on Russia were unlikely to disrupt oil supplies. Brent crude was down 59 cents, or 0.6%, to $96.25 a barrel at 1027 GMT, after hitting $99.50 on Tuesday, the highest since September 2014.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 76 cents, or 0.8%, to $91.15 a barrel, after reaching $96 on Tuesday. Prices jumped on Tuesday on worries that Western sanctions on Russia for sending troops into two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine could hit energy supplies. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Taiwan says must raise alertness over Ukraine crisis
Taiwan's security and armed forces must increase their surveillance and alertness on military activities in the region, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday during a meeting to discuss the Ukraine crisis.
Taiwan and Ukraine are fundamentally different in terms of geostrategic, geographical environment and importance of international supply chains, but government units must tackle possible "cognitive warfare" and misinformation by foreign forces, Tsai's office cited her as saying. (Reuters)
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates |
The United States and its allies sought on Wednesday to step up sanctions pressure on Russia on Wednesday over the deployment of troops in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, in one of the worst security crises in Europe in decades.
The Ukrainian military said one soldier had been killed and six wounded in increased shelling by pro-Russian separatists using heavy artillery, mortar bombs and Grad rocket systems in the two breakaway regions over the previous 24 hours. Russian President Vladimir Putin has massed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, according to U.S. estimates, and signed a decree on the deployment of troops in the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk enclaves to "keep the peace" - a justification the United States says is "nonsense".
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Pope tells politicians to examine their consciences before God over Ukraine actions
Pope Francis on Wednesday said the threat of war in Ukraine had caused "great pain in my heart", and urged politicians to make a serious examination of conscience before God about their actions.
Speaking in a sombre tone at the end of his weekly general audience, Francis urged leaders to abstain from any moves that would cause further suffering for people and proclaimed Ash Wednesday, March 2, as an international day of fasting and prayer for peace. (Reuters)
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Facing Russia threat, Ukraine calls up reserves
The Ukrainian military issued an order to mobilise reservists on Wednesday after Russia ordered its forces to prepare to secure rebel-held areas in the country's east. "Reservists aged 18 to 60 will be called up... The call will start today. The maximum service life is one year," Ukrainian Ground Forces said, in a Facebook message.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | China accuses US of raising tensions on Ukraine issue
China on Wednesday accused the United States of "raising tensions" and "creating panic" over the Ukraine crisis, shortly after Washington announced sanctions against Moscow and said it would continue to supply weapons to Ukraine against a Russian invasion. Beijing has trod a cautious line on Ukraine as Moscow has massed thousands of troops on the borders, and criticised the West for new sanctions after Russia ordered troops into two breakaway Ukrainian regions it now recognises as independent.
US President Joe Biden earlier stressed that the penalties were only a "first tranche", adding that more sanctions would come if Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his country's military grip beyond the two territories in the eastern Donbas region. China lashed out at Washington over the sanctions on Wednesday and said it was raising tensions by sending weapons to Ukraine.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | European stocks open higher with all eyes on Ukraine
European stock markets climbed at the open on Wednesday, as investors tracked the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. London's benchmark FTSE 100 advanced 0.5 percent to 7,531.42 points compared with Tuesday's closing level. In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX added 0.8 percent to 14,814.86 points and the Paris CAC 40 won almost one percent to 6,854.16.
Asian equities also pushed higher after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared. "Market mood is not cheerful but the softer-than-feared sanctions somewhat help," said SwissQuote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya. Trading floors remain on edge after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure the self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk rebel republics, with Western leaders warning that a war could break out imminently.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Ukraine urges citizens to leave Russia 'immediately'
Ukraine on Wednesday urged its citizens to leave Russia immediately, citing the threat of a Russian invasion that could complicate the provision of consular services. "Because of the escalating Russian aggression against Ukraine, which can lead to a substantial reduction in possible consular assistance in Russia, the foreign ministry urges the citizens of Ukraine to refrain from travel to Russia, and for those in that country to leave its territory immediately," the ministry said.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Ukraine's economy is another victim of Russia's hybrid war
One by one, embassies and international offices in Kyiv closed. Flight after flight was cancelled when insurance companies balked at covering planes arriving in Ukraine. Hundreds of millions of dollars in investment dried up within weeks.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Vladimir Putin 'highly likely' to attack Kyiv, says UK foreign minister
Russian President Vladimir Putin is highly likely to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and attack Kyiv, the UK foreign minister said Wednesday. "We think it's highly likely that he (Putin) will follow through on his plan for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine", minister Liz Truss told Sky News.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Russia welcomes India's position
Russia on Wednesday welcomed India's "independent position" on the Ukraine crisis and said its views on the issue at the UN Security Council was reflective of the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries. Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said India has been playing a vital role as a responsible global power and it takes an "independent and balanced" approach to global affairs.
"We welcome the independent position of India which it took twice at the UN Security Council," he said at an online media briefing. "The Indian activities at the UN Security Council are fully reflecting the merit of our special and privileged strategic partnership," he added. Amid escalating tension between Moscow and the West after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway Ukrainian regions as independent states, India at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday night called for "restraint on all sides".
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Vladimir Putin 'highly likely' to attack Kyiv, says UK foreign minister
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Indians in Ukraine: Approxiamately, 20,000total number of Indians in Ukraine of which appeoxiamately 18,000 are students
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Markets rise, oil dips after Russia sanctions but traders on edge
Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices eased as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared. However, trading floors remain on edge after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure the self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk rebel republics, with Western leaders warning that a war could break out imminently.
Wall Street, which was closed for a holiday Monday, tanked in early trade but saw a noticeable bounce after US President Joe Biden unveiled a series of sanctions against Russia. The measures included moves against two Russian banks, cutting the country off from Western financing by targeting Moscow's sovereign debt, and penalising oligarchs and their families who are part of Putin's inner circle. That came after a series of announcements in Europe with Germany halting certification of the lucrative Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, while Britain targeted five banks and three billionaires.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | World is facing 'biggest global peace and security crisis' in recent years: UN chief on Ukraine crisis
The world is facing the "biggest global peace and security crisis" in recent years, UN chief AntonioGuterreshas said as he slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin for sending troops into eastern Ukraine, describing the move as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and a death blow to the Minsk Agreements.
The Secretary-General, whocancelleda scheduled visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in light of the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, said he was deeply troubled by the latest developments in Ukraine, including reports of increased ceasefire violations across the contact line and the real risk of further escalation on the ground. Our world is facing the biggest global peace and security crisis in recent years certainly in my tenure as Secretary-General. We face a moment that I sincerely hoped would not come,Guterrestold reporters here on Tuesday.
He reiterated that Russia's decision torecognisethe so-called independence of certain areas of Donetsk andLuhanskregions is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Such a unilateral measure conflicts directly with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and is inconsistent with the so-called Friendly Relations Declaration of the General Assembly which the International Court of Justice has repeatedly cited as representing international law, he said, adding that it is also a death blow to the Minsk Agreements endorsed by the Security Council.
The Minsk agreements were a series of international agreements which sought to end the war in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The first agreement, known as the Minsk Protocol, was drafted in 2014 by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine, consisting of Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and theOrganisationfor Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), with mediation by the leaders of France and Germany. After extensive talks in Minsk, Belarus, the agreement was signed on September 5, 2014.
Guterresalso stronglycriticisedPutin's decision to send troops into eastern Ukraine and his use of the term peacekeepers to describe those troops. I am also concerned about the perversion of the concept of peacekeeping. I am proud of the achievements of UN Peacekeeping operations in which so many Blue Helmets have sacrificed their lives to protect civilians, he said. I am also concerned about the perversion of the concept of peacekeeping.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | New Zealand condemns Russian actions in Ukraine
New Zealand's government summoned Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev to meet Wednesday with top diplomatic officials who are urging Russia to return to diplomatic negotiations over Ukraine.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta is currently out of the country but said in a statement that the ambassador was called in "to hear New Zealand's strong opposition to the actions taken by Russia in recent days, and condemn what looks to be the beginning of a Russian invasion into Ukraine territory."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon that the meeting had taken place but declined to provide any further details.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Vladimir Putin says Russia's interests 'non-negotiable'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow was ready to look for "diplomatic solutions" amid raging tensions with the West over Ukraine but stressed that the country's interests were non-negotiable. "Our country is always open for direct and honest dialogue, for the search for diplomatic solutions to the most complex problems," Putin said in a video address to mark the Defender of the Fatherland Day, a public holiday in Russia. But he added: "The interests of Russia, the security of our citizens, are non-negotiable for us."
Putin spoke after parliament's upper house, the Federation Council, on Tuesday gave him unanimous approval to deploy "peacekeepers" to two breakaway Ukrainian regions now recognised by Moscow as independent, and potentially into other parts of Ukraine. In the video address, Putin congratulated the country's men and said he was certain of the "professionalism" of the Russian military and that they will stand up for the country's national interests. He praised the battle-readiness of the Russian army and said the country would continue to develop state-of-the-art weapons.
"We will continue to develop advanced weapon systems, including hypersonic and those based on new physical principles, and expand the use of advanced digital technologies and elements of artificial intelligence," the Kremlin strongman added. "Such complexes are truly the weapons of the future, which significantly increase the combat potential of our armed forces." Western officials have been warning for weeks the Russian leader has been preparing an all-out invasion of Ukraine. On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announced tough new sanctions against Russia for "beginning" an invasion of Ukraine but said there was still time to avoid war.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates
| Today Donetsk & Luhansk applied officially to Russia for recognition of their independence. But from the very beginning,US started its internal influence in domestic affairs in countries on all post-Soviet space, including Ukraine: Russian Embassy's Dy Chief of Mission, New Delhi
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Amid Russia-Ukraine crisis, here’re five best books that explain the conflict between the two countries
-Ukraine and Russia: From civilized divorce to Uncivil war by Paul D'Anieri
-Ukraine: Everyone needs to know (2nd edition) by Serhy Yekelchyk
-Ukraine's Nuclear Disarmament: A History by Yuri Kostenko
-Ukraine in Histories and stories: Essay by Ukraininan intellectuals by Volodymyr Yermolenko
-The Orphanage: A Novel by Serhiy Zhadan
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Taiwan nervous that China may take advantage amid Russia-Ukraine crisis
Taiwan is nervous that Beijing may take advantage of a distracted West to ramp up pressure on the island amid the crisis in Ukraine, but there have been no unusual manoeuvres by Chinese forces in recent days, officials in Taipei say. The government, always on alert to what they view as Chinese provocations, last month set up a Ukraine working group under the National Security Council. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has stepped up military activity near the self-governing island during the past two years.
President Tsai Ing-wen told a meeting of the working group on Wednesday that Taiwan must increase its surveillance and alertness on military activities in the region and tackle foreign misinformation, though she did not directly mention China. Although Taiwan's government says the island's situation and that of Ukraine's are "fundamentally different", Tsai has expressed "empathy" for Ukraine's situation because of the military threat the island faces from China.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu warned in two foreign media interviews this month that they were watching very closely to see whether China would take advantage of the Ukraine crisis to attack. "China may think about using military action against Taiwan at any moment, and we need to be prepared for that," he told Britain's ITV News.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Indian-American economic advisor leads Joe Biden administration in executing sanctions on Russia
Indian-American economic advisor Daleep Singh is leading the efforts of the Biden administration to impose punitive sanctions on Russia over its actions against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed decrees to recognise Ukraine's regions of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as independent, escalating the tension in the region and increasing fears of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
He also ordered Russian troops into eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a "peacekeeping" mission in the Moscow-backed regions. Singh, who is Deputy National Security Advisor for international economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, made his second appearance in the White House Press Room in a matter of days. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that he is back by popular demand given the key role Singh is playing in this Russia policy of the administration. Russia's long previewed invasion of Ukraine has begun and so too has our response.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Oil pulls back on fading supply worries over Ukraine crisis
Oil prices took a breather on Wednesday after surging to seven-year highs the previous session as it became clear the first wave of U.S. and European sanctions on Russia for sending troops into eastern Ukraine would not disrupt oil supplies. At the same time, the potential return of more Iranian crude to the market, with Tehran and world powers close to reviving a nuclear agreement, also kept a lid on prices.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Russia says it will evacuate its diplomats from Ukraine
Russia has made a decision to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. "Our first priority is to take care of Russian diplomats and employees of the Embassy and Consulates General. To protect their lives and safety, the Russian leadership decided to evacuate staff of Russian missions in Ukraine, which will be implemented in the very near future," it said in a statement
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | New Zealand condemns Russian actions in Ukraine
New Zealand's government summoned Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev to meet Wednesday with top diplomatic officials who are urging Russia to return to diplomatic negotiations over Ukraine.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta is currently out of the country but said in a statement that the ambassador was called in "to hear New Zealand's strong opposition to the actions taken by Russia in recent days, and condemn what looks to be the beginning of a Russian invasion into Ukraine territory."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon that the meeting had taken place but declined to provide any further details.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Most Asian markets rise after Russia sanctions but nerves on edge
Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices stabilised as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared. However, trading floors remain on edge after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure the self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk rebel republics, with Western leaders warning that a war could break out imminently.
Global markets have been in turmoil since the move this week, with oil soaring towards the $100 mark not seen since 2014 and other commodities also hitting multi-year highs. Wall Street, which was closed for a holiday Monday, tanked in early trade but saw a noticeable bounce after US President Joe Biden unveiled a series of sanctions against Russia.
The measures included moves against two Russian banks, cutting the country off from Western financing by targeting Moscow's sovereign debt, and penalising oligarchs and their families who are part of Putin's inner circle. That came after a series of announcements in Europe with Germany halting certification of the lucrative Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, while Britain targeted five banks and three billionaires.
Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices stabilised as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared. However, trading floors remain on edge after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure the self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk rebel republics, with Western leaders warning that a war could break out imminently.
Global markets have been in turmoil since the move this week, with oil soaring towards the $100 mark not seen since 2014 and other commodities also hitting multi-year highs. Wall Street, which was closed for a holiday Monday, tanked in early trade but saw a noticeable bounce after US President Joe Biden unveiled a series of sanctions against Russia. The measures included moves against two Russian banks, cutting the country off from Western financing by targeting Moscow's sovereign debt, and penalising oligarchs and their families who are part of Putin's inner circle.
That came after a series of announcements in Europe with Germany halting certification of the lucrative Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, while Britain targeted five banks and three billionaires. Canada, Japan and Australia have since followed up with their own punishments. The sanctions were not as bad as feared -- crucially not aiming at Russia's crude exports -- providing some much-needed breathing room for investors and halting the surge in oil prices that has seen both main contracts pile on more than 20 percent so far this year. Brent, which touched $99.50 on Tuesday, and WTI were slightly higher in early Asian trade.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Australia sanctions top Russian officials for 'unprovoked' Ukraine invasion
Australia announced sanctions on eight of President Vladimir Putin's top security advisors on Wednesday following Russia's "unwarranted, unprovoked, unacceptable" invasion of Ukraine. Pillorying Putin's decision to order troops into breakaway Kremlin-backed statelets in Ukraine's east, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a suite of sanctions that closely echoed moves from other US allies.
Eight members of Russia's security council will face sanctions, including travel bans, and Australia will move to target military-linked Russian banks. "They are behaving like thugs and bullies," Morrison said, predicting a full-scale invasion was likely "in the next 24 hours." Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing bloc, which includes the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. "Australians will always stand up to bullies, and we will be standing up to Russia," Morrison said. Morrison also announced he would accelerate visa applications for some 430 Ukrainians looking to enter Australia.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | West unveils sanctions with more ready if Russia launches full-scale Ukraine invasion
Western nations and Japan on Tuesday punished Russia with new sanctions for ordering troops into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine and threatened to go further if Moscow launched an all-out invasion of its neighbour. The United States, the European Union, Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan announced plans to target banks and elites while Germany halted a major gas pipeline project from Russia in one of the worst security crises in Europe in decades.
Bitter about Ukraine's long-term goal to join NATO and claiming it as historic Russian land, Russian President Vladimir Putin has amassed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, according to U.S. estimates, and ordered soldiers into the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions to "keep the peace". The United States dismisses that justification as "nonsense".
Satellite imagery over the past 24 hours shows several new troop and equipment deployments in western Russia and more than 100 vehicles at a small airfield in southern Belarus, which borders Ukraine, according to U.S. firm Maxar. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian cancelled separate scheduled meetings with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday as weeks of frantic diplomacy failed to end the crisis.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Gold flat as higher US yields counter safe-haven bids
Gold was flat on Wednesday, holding near a nine-month high hit in the last session, as safe-haven demand was offset by a rise in Treasury yields following the first wave of U.S. and European sanctions on Russia for sending troops into eastern Ukraine.
The United States, the European Union and Britain announced plans to target banks and elites while Germany halted a major gas pipeline project from Russia, which they say has amassed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. Moscow has denied planning an invasion.
Actions the Joe Biden administration took on Tuesday and may take soon to punish Russia's economy over its aggression in Ukraine are not intended to hit global energy markets, a senior U.S. State Department official said.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Asian stocks regroup as investors hold their breath on Ukraine
Asian stocks steadied on Wednesday and demand for safe-havens waned a little as investors regarded Russian troop movements near Ukraine and initial Western sanctions as leaving room to avoid a war, while a rate hike lifted New Zealand's dollar.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Indian-American economic advisor leads Joe Biden administration in executing sanctions on Russia
Indian-American economic advisor Daleep Singh is leading the efforts of the Biden administration to impose punitive sanctions on Russia over its actions against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed decrees to recognise Ukraine's regions of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as independent, escalating the tension in the region and increasing fears of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
He also ordered Russian troops into eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a "peacekeeping" mission in the Moscow-backed regions. Singh, who is Deputy National Security Advisor for international economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, made his second appearance in the White House Press Room in a matter of days. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that he is back by popular demand given the key role Singh is playing in this Russia policy of the administration. Russia's long previewed invasion of Ukraine has begun and so too has our response.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Beginning of Russian invasion, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken; cancels meeting with Sergei Lavrov
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday cancelled his scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov later this week in protest against what he said was the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who jointly addressed a news conference with Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, said that the world must respond with all its economic might to punish Russia for the crimes it has already committed and ahead of the crimes it plans to commit.
Hit Russia's economy now and hit it hard, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed decrees to recognise Ukraine's regions of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as independent, escalating the tension in the region and increasing fears of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Russia says it will evacuate its diplomats from Ukraine
Russia has made a decision to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. "Our first priority is to take care of Russian diplomats and employees of the Embassy and Consulates General. To protect their lives and safety, the Russian leadership decided to evacuate staff of Russian missions in Ukraine, which will be implemented in the very near future," it said in a statement
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Donald Trump says if he were in power, 'genius' Vladimir Putin wouldn't threaten Kyiv
Former US president Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed Russian leader Vladimir Putin's aggression against Ukraine as "genius" but said the crisis would not have happened under the Republican firebrand's administration. During an appearance on a rightwing radio program, the hosts asked Trump about Putin recognizing two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.
"I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, 'This is genius,'" Trump responded. "Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine -- of Ukraine -- Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that's wonderful." Russia is facing an international backlash after Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure the self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk rebel republics.
The move came with tens of thousands of Russian soldiers on Ukraine's borders and amid warnings of an all-out invasion. Trump said Putin's tactics had been "smart" and argued, without elaborating, that the United States could replicate them on its border with Mexico.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Japan imposes sanctions on Russia over actions in Ukraine
Japan is imposing sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, including prohibiting the issuance of Russian bonds in Japan and freezing the assets of certain Russian individuals, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday. Kishida, who also called on Russia to return to diplomatic discussions, said he did not see a significant impact on energy supplies in the short term from the current situation and said further steps would be considered should the situation worsen. Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered troops into two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now recognises as independent states
