Russia Ukraine News Highlights: Russia on Wednesday said that military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons, a day after it announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine's borders.
On Tuesday some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine and mocked repeated Western warnings about a looming invasion, but NATO said it had yet to see any sign of de-escalation on the ground.
Russia did not say how many units were being withdrawn, and how far, after a build-up of some 130,000 Russian troops to the north, east and south of Ukraine that has triggered one of the worst crises in relations with the West since the Cold War.
"We've always said the troops will return to their bases after the exercises are over. This is the case this time as well," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden made an impassioned appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from war with Ukraine on Tuesday, speaking starkly of the "needless death and destruction" Moscow could cause and international outrage Putin would face.
In a nationally televised speech, Biden said the United States estimates that 150,000 Russian troops now encircle Ukraine, a higher number than previous estimates of about 100,000. He said reports that some forces had withdrawn were welcome, but they were unverified and an invasion remained very much a possibility.
Russia Ukraine Conflict LIVE Updates | Russia 'likely' to launch 'limited' military attack against Ukraine, says Estonian intelligence
Russia is continuing to move troops to the Ukrainian border and will likely launch a "limited" military attack against the country, the head of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service said on Wednesday. The attack would include missile bombardment and the occupation of "key terrain" in Ukraine, said Mikk Marran, director general of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service.
"Right now, our assessment is that they would avoid cities with large populations, as it takes a lot of troops to control those areas. But there is no clear understanding of what avenue the Russian troops might exploit," he told a media briefing held to introduce the service's annual report. Another possibility could be intensified fighting out of the two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, according to Estonian intelligence. Such escalation is "highly likely," and this way “Russia likely gets plausible deniability and avoids sanctions,” said Marran.
“If Russia is successful in Ukraine, it would encourage it to increase pressure on the Baltics in the coming years," he said. “The threat of war has become main policy tool for Putin.” Estonian intelligence is aware of approximately 10 battle groups of Russian troops moving toward the Ukrainian border, where 100 Russian military battle groups, or about 170,000 soldiers, are already deployed, the intelligence chief said.
The numbers include soldiers usually deployed in regions around Ukraine, but also troops in Belarus which Russia sent for a military exercise near Ukrainian border. Some of the soldiers are likely to stay in Belarus beyond the Feb. 20 end of the exercise, a significant worry for the NATO alliance which the Baltics belong to, said Marran. "That would reduce preparation time for an attack against the Baltics.”
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Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates |
How Russia uses sarcasm as weapon in Ukraine crisis
“Wars in Europe rarely start on a Wednesday.”
That’s how a top Russian diplomat brushed off speculation in the West that Russia could invade neighboring Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, Feb. 16.
As the U.S. and other NATO members warn of the potential for a devastating war, Russia is not countering with bombs or olive branches -- but with sarcasm.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates |
US stocks lower amid Ukraine uncertainty
Wall Street stocks retreated early Wednesday, giving back some of the prior session's gains amid skepticism over Russia's latest statements on Ukraine, while investors digested strong US retail sales data.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg indicated that major questions persist about Russia's announcement Tuesday that it was pulling troops back from the Ukrainian border.
"It remains to be seen whether there is a Russian withdrawal," Stoltenberg said.
Meanwhile, US retail sales rose 3.8 percent last month, the Commerce Department said, double what was expected and a dramatic reversal of the 2.5 percent decline in December, which was worse than originally reported.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates |
Europe needs to defend its sovereignty in space, says Emmanuel MacronEurope needs a bolder space policy, French President Emmanuel Macron declared Wednesday, warning that Europe's sovereignty is at stake if it falls behind rival powers in a key field for technology, science and military competitiveness.
Speaking at a meeting in Toulouse, France, Macron said recent events had shown how crucial it is to be able to monitor troop movements from orbit — a reference to satellite images showing Russia's mass military deployment near Ukraine that raise fears of an imminent invasion.
“There is no full power or autonomy without managing space,” Macron said. "Without (it) you can’t conquer new frontiers or even control your own.”
Europe has a strong record when it comes to launching satellites for telecommunications, global positioning services and scientific research. But it has lagged behind rivals such as the United States, Russia and China on human spaceflight, having no ability to launch crewed missions of its own.
SOURCE: AP
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates |
Ukraine stages drills as NATO and US see no Russia pullback
Ukraine staged military drills and defiant displays of flag-waving patriotism on Wednesday as Western powers warned Russia is continuing to mass forces for a possible invasion.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky watched troops training with some of their new Western-supplied anti-tank weapons on a range near Rivne, west of the capital.
The demonstration of Ukrainian firepower contrasted with images on Russian state media that were said to show Moscow's forces bringing an end to a major exercise in occupied Crimea.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Moscow mocks West over Ukraine 'invasion date'
The Kremlin, officials and Russian public figures on Wednesday made fun of Western media for running with February 16 as the "invasion date" when Russia might attack Ukraine."I'd like to ask if US and British sources of disinformation ... could publish the schedule of our upcoming invasions for the year. I'd like to plan my holidays," Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on social media.Western intelligence had warned that Moscow could choose Wednesday to escalate an ongoing separatist conflict in Ukraine, after building up a force estimated at more than 100,000 troops around Ukraine's borders.They said however that the date could be part of a Russian disinformation efforts.Some media, citing intelligence reports, specified Russian attacks could begin early Wednesday morning.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | US sees no sign of Russian pullback near Ukraine: Antony Blinken
USSecretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said the United States has not seen any pullback of Russian troops from Ukraine's borders and that Moscow has been moving critical units closer to the area. Russia said more of its forces surrounding Ukraine were withdrawing on Wednesday but NATO said the troop buildup was continuing, questioning Moscow's stated willingness to negotiate a solution to the crisis. Blinken backed NATO's assessment in a morning television interview. "There's what Russia says and then there's what Russia does. And we haven't seen any pullback of its forces," Blinken told MSNBC. "We continue to see critical units moving toward the border, not away from the border." "So what we need to see is exactly the opposite. We need to see these forces moving away." U.S. President Joe Biden made an impassioned appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from war with Ukraine on Tuesday, speaking starkly of the "needless death and destruction" Moscow could cause and international outrage Putin would face. Biden said the United States estimates that 150,000 Russian troops now encircle Ukraine, a higher number than previous estimates of about 100,000. He said reports that some forces had withdrawn were welcome, but they were unverified and an invasion remained very much a possibility.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | EU leaders to discuss Ukraine-Russia crisis Thursday: Official
European Union leaders will meet to discuss the buildup of troops by Russia on the Ukrainian border on Thursday at 1130 GMT, EU officials said, not in reaction to any particular developments but to exchange views and update each other.The ad-hoc meeting will be held just before the start of a long-planned EU-Africa summit. There will be no formal conclusions. "The leaders are meeting in Brussels for the Africa summit and they wanted to meet and discuss the crisis on the Ukrainian border, get updated, exchange information and views," one of the EU officials said. NATO accused Russia on Wednesday of sending more troops to a massive military build-up around Ukraine, even as Moscow said that it was withdrawing forces and was open to diplomacy. Separately, a senior Western intelligence official warned that Russian military exercises were at their peak stage and the risk of Russian aggression against Ukraine would remain high for the rest of February. "The meeting is not because of any particular development, but it would have been hard to imagine that EU leaders would be for two days in Brussels and not discuss the issue that has been in the global spotlight for weeks," the official said.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | US troop reinforcements arrive near Poland-Ukraine border
Dozens of US paratroopers landed at a Polish airport near the Ukrainian border on Wednesday as part of a deployment of several thousand to bolster NATO's eastern flank amid tensions with Russia.AFP reporters saw the soldiers leaving a Boeing C-17 military transport plane and boarding buses at Rzeszow Airport, located around 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border with Ukraine.Another group of soldiers, around a dozen, boarded two Black Hawk helicopters which then took off. Two Chinook helicopters were also seen landing.Armoured cars, military trucks, containers and dozens more soldiers were seen at a makeshift camp set up in and around a glass-covered conference centre opposite the airport terminal."We don't know yet," a sergeant manning a checkpoint into the camp, who declined to be named, told AFP when asked how long they might stay.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russia says tanks move away from Ukraine, West says risk still high
Russia said more of its forces surrounding Ukraine were withdrawing on Wednesday but NATO said the troop buildup was continuing, questioning Moscow's stated willingness to negotiate a solution to the crisis.In Ukraine, where people raised flags and played the national anthem to show unity against fears of an invasion, the government said a cyber attack that hit the defence ministry was the worst of its kind that the country had seen. It pointed the finger towards Russia, which denied involvement. The Russian defence ministry said its forces were pulling back after exercises in the southern and western military districts near Ukraine - part of a huge Russian build-up that was accompanied by demands for sweeping security guarantees from the United States and NATO. It published video that it said showed tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery units leaving the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014. But a senior Western intelligence official said Russian military exercises were at their peak and the risk of Russian aggression against Ukraine would remain high for the rest of February.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | US condemns Russian bid to recognize Ukraine separatist provinces: Anthony Blinken
The United States on Wednesday strongly condemned a Russian parliament proposal to recognize Ukraine's two separatist republics as independent.Such a move would "constitute a gross violation of international law," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.Russian parliament on Tuesday voted to urge President Vladimir Putin to recognize the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as "sovereign and independent states" amid soaring tension with the West over Moscow's troop build-up."Kremlin approval of this appeal would amount to the Russian government’s wholesale rejection of its commitments under the Minsk agreements," Blinken said, referring to a landmark 2014 deal meant to settle the Ukraine conflict.He added that such a decision would undermine Moscow's "stated commitment to continue to engage in diplomacy to achieve a peaceful resolution of this crisis, and necessitate a swift and firm response from the United States in full coordination with our allies and partners."
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | G7 foreign ministers to hold talks on Ukraine crisis Saturday: Germany
Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven most developed nations will hold talks on the Ukraine crisis on Saturday in Munich, a spokesman for the German foreign ministry said Wednesday.German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will host the talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, said the spokesman, adding they will "focus on the crisis that has arisen due to the Russian troop deployment near Ukraine".Smaller huddles on the issue are also expected between France, Germany and Ukraine, as well as France, Germany, Britain and the United States.Such talks, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visits to Kyiv and Moscow this week, are "closely coordinated and part of a whole offensive of dialogues that Western allies have carried out in the last weeks" to defuse the tensions over Russia's troop buildup.Both Scholz and Baerbock are expected to address the Munich Security Conference, which US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are also due to attend.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still hopes to host three-way Ukraine summit with Vladimir Putin
Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his desire to host his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts for a three-way summit in Turkey to ease tensions in Ukraine in comments published Wednesday.Erdogan earlier this month visited Kyiv and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he offered to host a peace summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.He said Zelensky looked "favourably" on a three-way summit in an interview with Turkish journalists on board his plane returning to Turkey from a United Arab Emirates visit."And if Mr Putin also looks on this positively, we can, God willing, come together in Istanbul or Ankara," Erdogan said, quoted by NTV broadcaster.He also said he would "personally find out" Putin's view on a meeting in a phone call but did not say when they would speak. He previously said Putin had agreed to visit Turkey but the Russian side never provided a date."It is not a good omen for war to really start in this region. It will not be good for the health of the region," said Erdogan who has tried to maintain good relations with Russia and Ukraine throughout the latest crisis.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | NATO says Russia still adding troops to Ukraine build-up
NATO accused Russia on Wednesday of sending more troops to a massive military build-up around Ukraine, even as Moscow said that it was withdrawing forces and was open to diplomacy. At the start of two days of talks among NATO defence ministers, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg appeared unconvinced the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine had lessoned, and voiced guarded hopes for diplomacy. "We have not seen any withdrawal of Russian forces. And of course, that contradicts the message of diplomatic efforts," Soltenberg said. "What we see is that they have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way. So, so far, no de-escalation." World powers are engaged in one of the deepest crises in East-West relations for decades, jostling over post-Cold War influence and energy supplies as Moscow wants to stop the former Soviet state from ever joining the NATO military alliance. NATO has refused to concede that demand from Moscow.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Ukraine marks 'Day of Unity' as NATO warns on Russia pullback
Ukraine staged military drills and defiant displays of flag-waving patriotism on Wednesday as NATO warned Russia is continuing to mass forces for a possible invasion.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky watched troops training with some of their new Western-supplied anti-tank weapons on a range near Rivne, west of the capital.The demonstration of Ukrainian firepower contrasted with images on Russian state media that were said to show Moscow's forces bringing an end to a major exercise in occupied Crimea.In Rivne, a row of vehicles was destroyed by simultaneous missile test strikes and armoured vehicles manoeuvred and fired on the yellowing moorland, while in Kyiv hundreds of civilians marched in a stadium with an enormous national banner.The "Day of Unity" displays came as the Kremlin called for "serious negotiations" with Washington, and European leaders pushed hard for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, hosting the alliance's defence ministers in Brussels, dismissed suggestions that the threat on the border had diminished."It remains to be seen whether there is a Russian withdrawal," he said."We are of course monitoring very closely what Russia does in and around Ukraine. What we see is that they have increased the number of troops and more troops are on their way."
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Indian govt looking at possibility of increasing flights from Ukraine
The government is exploring the possibility of increasing the number of flights between India and Ukraine to facilitate the return of Indians from the eastern European nation in view of its tense situation with Russia. Discussions are underway with civil aviation authorities and various airlines on how to increase the number of flights between India and Ukraine, official sources said.The Indian embassy in Ukraine on Tuesday advised Indian citizens, especially the students, to temporarily leave that country in view of the uncertainties of the current situation. It also asked Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.The sources said the Indian embassy continues to monitor developments in that country. 'We are aware that many Indian students are presently in Ukraine, and their families are anxious about their wards, particularly about getting flights to India,' a source said.The sources said control rooms in the Indian embassy in Kyiv as well as in the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi are being set up to respond to queries of Indian nationals in Ukraine and their families in India.The embassy issued the advisory amid escalating tension between Moscow and the NATO countries over Russia's increasing military build-up close to the Ukrainian border. (PTI)
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Ukraine-Russia crisis: What to know as NATO eyes Russia move
Fears among Western governments that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is imminent have eased, but not disappeared.Diplomatic efforts to avert war got new energy this week after President Vladimir Putin said Russia was willing to discuss security issues with NATO, andRussia said it was withdrawing some of its troopsgathered near Ukraine’s borders.The United States and its allies have welcomed the diplomatic overture, but say they have seen little evidence of a military de-escalation.US President Joe Bidensaid late Tuesday there were 150,000 Russian troops massed to the north, south and east of Ukraine, and Western officials said an invasion could still happen at the drop of a hat.NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels as the West tries to deter an invasion — one Russia insists it has no intention of starting.Here’s a look at what is happening where and why.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | China says U.S. is exaggerating Russian threat to Ukraine
China accused the United States of "playing up the threat of warfare and creating tension", as U.S. President Joe Biden warned that more than 150,000 Russian troops were still massed near Ukraine's borders following Moscow's announcement of a partial pullback. Western nations have suggested arms control and confidence-building steps to defuse the stand-off, which has prompted them to urge their citizens to leave Ukraine because an attack could come at any time. Russia denies it has any plans to invade. "Such persistent hyping up and disinformation by some Western countries will create turbulence and uncertainty to the world full of challenges, and intensify distress and division," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. "We hope relevant parties will stop such disinformation campaigns and do more to benefit peace, mutual trust and cooperation." China has been criticised for its stance on Ukraine by some Western leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison."The leadership of the two heads of state, China and Russia, always work to develop long term good neighbourliness and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship on the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third countries," spokesman Wang added.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Kremlin says 'positive' that Joe Biden wants to continue talks
The Kremlin said Wednesday it was "positive" that US President Joe Biden wanted to continue talks on the Ukraine crisis, as Moscow said it was pulling back some troops from its neighbour's border."It is positive that the US president is also noting his readiness to start serious negotiations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.A day earlier Biden had vowed to push for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.But he also warned that a Russian invasion remained "very much a possibility" and that retaliatory sanctions were primed and ready.
"We can welcome that the president of the United States, one of the most powerful countries, thinks about the Russian nation," Peskov said. "Of course, we would rather not hear the threats about what will happen to us if we do something or not do something," he added."We are tired of these threats."The Kremlin spokesman said negotiations would be "very complex and will require flexibility on both sides". Russia this week announced the end of some of its massive military drills on Ukraine's borders. But Biden said that despite Russian claims, Washington and its allies had yet to verify the withdrawal of any of the 100,000 troops he says Moscow has now mustered along Ukraine's border.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Kremlin denies responsibility for Ukraine cyberattack
The Kremlin on Wednesday denied responsibility for a cyberattack on Ukraine a day earlier that hit the websites of the country's defence ministry and armed forces as well as two state banks."As expected, Ukraine continues blaming Russia for everything. Russia has nothing to do with any DDOS attacks," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters after Ukraine said the attack could have come from Russia.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Belarus says 'not a single' Russian soldier will stay after joint drills
Belarus's foreign minister Vladimir Makei said Wednesday that "not a single" Russian soldier will remain in the country after the massive joint manoeuvres by Minsk and Moscow on Ukraine's border end."Not a single (Russian) soldier or a single unit of military equipment will stay on the territory of Belarus after the drills with Russia," Makei told a press conference in Minsk.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Discussions underway with airlines to increase flights between India, Ukraine
Discussions are underway with civil aviation authorities & various airlines on how to increase number of flights b/w India & Ukraine. Control Rooms in Embassy as well as in MEA are being setup to respond to queries of Indian nationals in Ukraine & their families in India, news agency ANI has reported citing Sources.Embassy of India in Kyiv issued advisory on Feb 15 for Indians in Ukraine. Embassy continues to monitor developments. We're aware that many Indian students are presently in Ukraine & their families are anxious about their wards, particularly about getting flights to India, it said.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russia will be judged on de-escalation actions: UK
Russia will be "judged by its actions" after announcing a troop pullback from Ukraine's borders, British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Wednesday. "What we haven't seen is evidence of withdrawal that has been claimed by the Kremlin," Wallace told Sky News. "In fact, we've seen continued build-up of things like field hospitals, and strategic weapons systems such as Iskander missiles deployed," he said, adding Britain "will judge them on their actions." "Until we see a proper de-escalation, I think we should all be cautious about the direction of travel from the Kremlin." Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons, a day after it announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine's borders.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates |
Embassy of India in Kyiv issued advisory on Feb 15 for Indians in Ukraine.Embassy continues to monitor developments. We're aware that many Indian students are presently in Ukraine & their families are anxious about their wards, particularly about getting flights to India: Sources
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Parliamentary panel expresses concern for Indians in Ukraine, asks Centre to prioritize their safe return
The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Transport, Tourism and Culture on Wednesday expressed deep concern for Indians including students residing in Ukraine amid a looming threat of war with Russia, and urged the Union government to prioritize their safe return.This comes after the Indian Embassy in Ukraine issued an advisory stating the nationals, particularly students whose stay is not essential, “may consider leaving temporarily” on Tuesday.A member of the committee raised the issue of Ukraine in the meeting and urged the committee chairman to take up the issue of the safe return of Indians from Ukraine with concerned ministries.“All the committee members agreed on this and they were of the view that the process of the safe return of Indians in Ukraine should be expedited,” a member present in the meeting told ANI. (ANI)
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | EU chief urges Russia to take 'concrete' steps towards de-escalation
The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, on Wednesday urged Russia to take "concrete" steps to ease tensions around Ukraine, as Moscow said it was pulling back more forces from the border."Russia has signalled that it may be open to diplomacy and we urge Russia to take concrete and tangible steps towards de-escalation because this is the condition for sincere political dialogue," Michel told lawmakers.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | European stocks steady at open
European stock markets steadied at the open Wednesday after a volatile start to the trading week, as investors track developments surrounding the Ukraine crisis.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dipped 0.1 percent to 7,599.26 points.In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX index gained 0.1 percent to 15,431.88 points and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.2 percent to 6,997.24.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro visits Moscow for Putin talks
Brazil's far-right PresidentJairBolsonarowill hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on his first official trip to Moscow on Wednesday, defying US concerns over the visit amid the Ukraine crisis.Bolsonarois in Moscow as Western leaders remain fearful of a Russian attack on itsneighbourUkraine.He had brushed off pressure from Washington, Brazil's traditional ally, and his own cabinet to cancel the trip.He justified the visit by saying it will be focused largely around trade.The Kremlin said the pair will discuss "strengthening the Russian-Brazilian strategic partnership", as well as trade, scientific and cultural ties.They will also "exchange views on the key problems of the international agenda".Brazil's foreign anddefenceministers are also to hold talks with their Russian counterparts.Before the South American set off for Moscow, Brazil publicly reaffirmed its diplomatic ties withKyiv."The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Franca, spoke by phone today with the Ukrainian Foreign MinisterDmytroKuleba," the foreign ministry said on Twitter ahead of the trip.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Oil prices recoup losses as Russia-Ukraine tensions ease
Oil prices recouped losses on Wednesday after slipping more than 3% in the previous session, as investors gauged the impact of easing Russia-Ukraine tension against a taut balance of tight global supplies and recovering fuel demand. Brent traded at $93.90 a barrel by 0722 GMT, up 62 cents, or 0.7%, having slid 3.3% overnight after Russia announced a partial pullback of its troops near Ukraine, yet to be verified by the United States. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $92.71 a barrel, up 64 cents, or 0.7%, after the contract ended Tuesday's session down 3.6%. Both benchmarks had hit their highest since September 2014 on Monday, with Brent touching $96.78 andWTIreaching $95.82. The price of Brent jumped 50% in 2021, whileWTIsoared about 60%, as a global recovery in demand from the COVID-19 pandemic strained supply. Moscow's Tuesday announcement of a partial pullback in troops from Ukraine's borders was met withscepticism, as U.S. President Joe Biden warned that more than 150,000 Russian troops were still massed near the borders. But beyond the Ukraine tension, the oil market remains tight and prices are still on course for a move towards $100 a barrel, analysts said. "Technically we could see prices heading back to $90 a barrel on profit-taking, but they will trend higher towards $100 as the economy is getting back on track and more demand is coming through in a tight market," said JonathanBarratt, chief investment officer atProbisGroup. While the Ukraine crisis simmered, the U.S. Labor Department reported producer prices increased by the most in eight months in January, a reminder that high inflation could persist through much of this year.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russia says video shows tanks, military equipment leaving Crimea
Russia'sdefenceministry published video on Wednesday that it said showed a column of tanks and military vehicles leaving annexed Crimea across a railway bridge after drills, adding that some troops would also return to their permanent bases. USPresident Joe Biden said on Tuesday that more than 150,000 Russian troops were still amassed near Ukraine's borders after Moscow's announcement of a partial pullback was met withscepticism. Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russia announces end of Crimea military drills, troops leaving
Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons, a day after it announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine's borders."Units of the Southern Military District, having completed their participation in tactical exercises, are moving to their permanent deployment points," Moscow'sdefenceministry said in a statement, as state television showed images of military units crossing a bridge linking the Russian-controlled peninsula to the mainland.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Risk of a Ukraine war spreading in Europe rests on unknowns
A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be devastating, and a wider European war even worse. Whether a larger war happens would depend partly on President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, partly on the West’s military response, and partly on plain luck.Although U.S. and European officials have said for days that a Russian invasion appeared imminent, Putin’s government on Tuesday publicly welcomed further security talks with the West. It also announced that some of its forces bracketing Ukraine will be returning to their regular bases, although U.S. and other Western officials said it was too early to tell whether the invasion threat had receded.War by its nature is unpredictable, and the stakes are enormous, not just for an overmatched Ukraine but for Europe and the United States. At risk, arguably, is the European security order established after World War II and then altered peacefully with the reunification of Germany, the demise of communism in Eastern Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the expansion of NATO. (AP)
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Tokyo's Nikkei ends up over 2% on eased Ukraine fears
Tokyo stocks closed sharply higher on Wednesday, extending Wall Street rallies on easing fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.The benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended up 2.22 percent or 595.21 points at 27,460.40, while the broaderTopixindex gained 1.67 percent or 31.93 points to 1,946.63.After Wall Street stocks cheered Russia's announcement that some of its troops on the countries' border had started pulling back, "excess worries over the Ukraine situation eased," supporting the Tokyo market,OkasanOnline Securities said in a note.Investors were now awaiting a release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's meeting, due later in the day, for clues of the US central bank's policy direction.The dollar fetched 115.67 yen in Asian trade, against 115.62 yen in New York late Tuesday.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | What are Europe's options in case of Russian gas disruption?
Concern has mounted over the possible disruption of supplies from Russia, Europe's biggest gas provider, following the buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine and heightened tensions between Moscow and the West.Russia said on Tuesday some of its troops were returning to base after exercises near Ukraine and mocked repeated Western warnings about a looming invasion, but NATO said it had yet to see any evidence of de-escalation.The U.S. administration and the European Union have asked other countries such as Qatar and Japan to help provide extra liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments should Russia attack Ukraine and sanctions be imposed on Russia.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | US ready to respond 'decisively' to Russian attack on Ukraine: President Joe Biden
The US is ready to respond “decisively” to a Russian attack on Ukraine which is still very much a possibility, President Joe Biden has said, urging Moscow to step back from the brink of war.Providing an update on the crisis involving Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, Biden said the United States was prepared no matter what happens.“We are ready with diplomacy — to be engaged in diplomacy with Russia and our Allies and partners to improve stability and security in Europe as a whole. And we are ready to respond decisively to a Russian attack on Ukraine, which is still very much a possibility,” he said.“An invasion remains distinctly possible. That’s why I’ve asked several times that all Americans in Ukraine leave now before it’s too late to leave safely. It is why we have temporarily relocated our embassy from Kyiv to Lviv in western Ukraine, approaching the Polish border,” Biden said as his Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin left for a trip to the region amidst an escalating crisis in Europe.Biden said the US is still open for diplomacy to resolve the issue while stressing that more than 150,000 Russian troops remain on the Ukrainian border.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russia-Ukraine conflict explained in 5 points
After weeks of tensions, Russia announced today that it was withdrawing some of its troops near the Ukraine border in first signs ofde-escalationwith the West.In what can be called the worst crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War, US had a stern warning of a full-scale invasion and an assault on Ukraine capitalKyivlast week as tensions refused to simmer down. Russia launched its biggest naval drills in years across the Black Sea after the warning.This morning, Russiandefenceministry spokesman told AFP said that some forces deployed near Ukraine had completed their exercises and were packing up to leave.This comes a day after US PresidentJoe Bidenand his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks via video conference. Biden said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would cause “widespread human suffering” and that although the West wants to end the crisis diplomatically, they are “equally prepared for other scenarios.” Read more here
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Ukraine marks 'Day of Unity' as US warns Russian may yet attack
A defiant Ukrainian leader urged citizens to celebrate a "Day of Unity" on Wednesday, as Washington warned once again that Russia remains poised to launch a devastating assault.President Volodymyr Zelensky chose the date for what he hoped would be a patriotic outpouring after US reports suggested Russian forces could attack as early as February 16.An intense diplomatic campaign is underway to head off the crisis triggered when Russia deployed more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders, backed with fleet reinforcements and powerful artillery and missile systems.On Tuesday, there were hopes for a breakthrough as President Vladimir Putin met Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz to explore a route to a negotiated solution and Moscow said it had begun to pull back some forces.But US President Joe Biden -- who has ordered Washington's embassy in Kyiv closed and urged Americans to leave Ukraine -- demanded that Russia prove its good intentions with a verifiable withdrawal.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Asia stocks rally as fears of Russia invading Ukraine ease
Asian shares rallied on Wednesday as fears of a Russian invasion of the Ukraine this week dissipated after Moscow indicated it was returning some troops to base from exercises, delivering investors a measure of relief.The tension between world powers over the Ukraine situation, which has developed into one of the deepest crises in East-West relations for decades, has beenfront-and-centreof investors' minds.
MSCI'sbroadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan surged 0.9% in early regional trade on Wednesday, playing catch-up with a rally in U.S. and European stocks on Tuesday."If we continue to see signs that diplomacy is working and ade-escalationof tensions, I think we'll see a kind of reversal trade," said KyleRodda, a market analyst at IG in Melbourne."We'll probably see stocks boosted on the fact that implied volatility is a little bit lower,"Roddasaid, adding that it would likely weigh on oil and gold prices.Japan's Nikkei soared 1.9% to rebound from two days of falls, while Australia's S&P/ASX200 gained half a percent.Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong's HangSengIndex jumped 1.1% early in the session, and China's CSI300 Index was up 0.4%.Investors' attention was likely to turn to economic and monetary policy developments amid ongoing speculation the U.S. Federal Reserve might raise rates by a full 50 basis points in March.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | US, allies ready to retaliate for Russian cyberattacks, say officials
The United States and its allies are prepared to respond to Russian cyberattacks amid escalating tensions over Ukraine, with the scope of retaliatory actions or sanctions depending on the severity of the hacks, U.S. and European officials said on Tuesday.U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking hours after Ukraine reported its defense ministry and two banks had been hacked, told reporters that Washington was coordinating closely with NATO allies and other partners to expand defenses against threats in cyberspace.The attacks, believed by Western security experts to have been carried out by Russia, were not unexpected, U.S. and European officials said, requesting anonymity.Russia's Federal Security Service did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Reuters."The president has said we will respond to Russian actions short of a military invasion," said one U.S. official. "But what is decided depends on the extent of the cyberattacks. There are so many ranges, it's hard to go into specifics."
One European diplomat said cyberattacks were a longstanding component of Russian strategy, and had been used by Moscow in past military confrontations with Georgia and Ukraine."It's part of their playbook," the official said, underscoring Western resolve to use concerted action to hold Moscow accountable for cyberattacks and other "misbehavior."While U.S., European and Canadian officials have worked out a detailed package of sanctions if Russian forces invade Ukraine, there is no similarly detailed plan for how to respond to cyberattacks, the sources said.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Step back from the brink of war with Ukraine: Joe Biden to Vladimir Putin
U.S. President Joe Biden made an impassioned appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from war with Ukraine on Tuesday, speaking starkly of the "needless death and destruction" Moscow could cause and international outrage Putin would face.In a nationally televised speech, Biden said the United States estimates that 150,000 Russian troops now encircle Ukraine, a higher number than previous estimates of about 100,000. He said reports that some forces had withdrawn were welcome, but they were unverified and an invasion remained very much a possibility.Biden said diplomacy remains a live option to wind down the crisis and urged Russia to engage. If Russia invades Ukraine, the United States and its allies are prepared to respond with penalties aimed at exacting economic pain and global isolation, he said."The United States is prepared no matter what happens," he said.Much of Biden's remarks were aimed squarely at Putin, who has demanded that NATO not accept Ukraine as a member and stop any further eastward expansion. Biden's threats of repercussions for Russia have yet to persuade Putin to back down. Read more here
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russian invasion of Ukraine distinct possibility: Joe Biden
A Russian invasion of Ukraine remains a distinct possibility, said US President Joe Biden as his Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lefty for a trip to the region amidst an escalating crisis in Europe.Stating that any such move by Russian President Vladimir Putin will prove to be a "self-inflicted wound", Biden warned Moscow that the US and its allies will respond "decisively". Biden said the US is still open for diplomacy to resolve the issue while stressing that more than 150,000 Russian troops remain on the Ukrainian border.The Kremlin has repeatedly denied it has plans to attack Ukraine but demanded that NATO never admit Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations as members and the military alliance roll back troop deployments in former Soviet bloc nations."Invasion remains distinctly possible. That's why I've asked several times that all Americans in Ukraine leave now before it's too late to leave safely. It is why we have temporarily relocated our embassy from Kyiv to Lviv," Biden told reporters at the White House here on Tuesday. Drawing a parallel with the World War II, Biden said, "World War II was a war of necessity. But if Russia attacked Ukraine, it would be a war of choice or a war without cause or reason.""I say these things not to provoke but to speak the truth. Because the truth matters, accountability matters. If Russia does invade in the days and weeks ahead, the human cost for Ukraine will be immense," the US President added.
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | US has not verified claim of Russia troop withdrawal: Joe Biden
President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the US has not yet verified" Russia's claim that some of its forces have withdrawn from the Ukraine border and said an invasion of Ukraine remains a distinct possibility.Biden made the remarks at the White House hours after Russia announced that some units participating in military exercises near Ukraine's borders would begin returning to their bases.Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier Tuesday said Russia was ready for talks with the United States and NATO on military transparency, missile deployment limits and other security issues. But Biden continued to express skepticism about Russia's intentions. Biden warned again that if Russia invades Ukraine the US will rally the world to oppose its aggression."Putin had said Tuesday he welcomed a security dialogue with the West as his military reported pulling back some of its troops near Ukraine signals that may indicate the Kremlin has opted for a diplomatic path for now despite Western fears of an imminent Russian invasion of its neighbor.Putin said he doesn't want war and would rely on negotiations as he presses his demand for the West to halt Ukraine's bid to join NATO. At the same time, he didn't commit to a full pullback of troops, saying Russia's next moves in the standoff will depend on how the situation evolves. Read more here
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Ukraine defence ministry, state banks websites under cyberattack
Ukraine said on Tuesday that the sites of the country's defence ministry and armed forces as well as two state banks were hit by a cyberattack that could have Russian origins.The announcement from Ukraine's communications watchdog comes with the former Soviet republic fearing a possible attack from Russian forces conducting massive military drills at its frontiers.The affected sites include the Oschadbank state savings bank and Privat24 -- two of the country's largest financial institutions.The defence ministry site showed an error message saying the site was "undergoing technical maintenance."
Russia Ukraine Conflict Live Updates | Russia says some troops pull back from near Ukraine, West says no proof yet
Russia said on Tuesday some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine and mocked repeated Western warnings about a looming invasion, but NATO said it had yet to see any sign of de-escalation on the ground.Russia did not say how many units were being withdrawn, and how far, after a build-up of some 130,000 Russian troops to the north, east and south of Ukraine that has triggered one of the worst crises in relations with the West since the Cold War."We've always said the troops will return to their bases after the exercises are over. This is the case this time as well," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.NATO's chief welcomed signals from Russia in the past two days that it may be looking for a diplomatic solution but urged Moscow to demonstrate its will to act."There are signs from Moscow that diplomacy should continue. This gives grounds for cautious optimism. But so far we have not seen any sign of de-escalation on the ground from the Russian side," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters.
