The live blog...............
G7 call Russian invasion "serious threat to international order"
In a joint press release, the G7 states sharply criticized Russia and called on President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from eastern Ukraine. The attack on Ukraine is a violation of the international order and a breach of all treaties that Russia has signed in recent years. These include the Paris Agreement, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Budapest Memorandum. The coalition of the most important industrial nations declared that they were preparing "sharp and coordinated economic and financial sanctions" in order to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine.
The escalation in Ukraine is a "serious threat to the international order" beyond the borders of Europe . Putin brought the war back to the European continent and thus placed himself "on the wrong side of history". The G7 also sharply criticized Belarus, from whose territory attacks were also carried out. They called on Russia and Belarus to stop the attacks and withdraw soldiers from Ukrainian territory. In addition, the security of the OSCE observer mission should be ensured.
The Business Association also called on Putin to reverse his February 21 decision, in which he recognized the independence of the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk. The step is a serious violation of the UN Charter and the Minsk Agreement. "We affirm our unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty and its territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders." "Despite numerous offers," Putin would turn down any opportunity for diplomatic talks.
The G7 also announced that they would monitor the effects of the war on the international oil and gas market. This should ensure a stable energy supply.
Russia announces "tough retaliatory measures" for new EU sanctions
Russia has criticized the new proposed sanctions by the European Union as "unfriendly" measures. The sanctions would "not prevent Moscow" from supporting the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. According to the "principle of reciprocity" of international law, Russia will "take severe retaliatory measures".
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously announced that she would hand the heads of state and government of the 27 member countries another package of "massive and targeted sanctions" over the Russian attack on Ukraine .suggest. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell spoke of the toughest sanctions the EU has ever imposed. They are intended to affect both specific sectors and individuals and will be discussed with the EU's partners, most notably the United States. According to circles, the EU states have already agreed on the main features of the new sanctions package.
According to the Russian army, it has destroyed more than 70 military targets
So far, the Russian army claims to have destroyed 74 Ukrainian military infrastructure facilities, including 11 military airfields . The spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, said on television. In addition, a Ukrainian military helicopter and four drones were shot down.
Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission expects a large number of refugees. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels that "emergency plans" had been agreed with all eastern EU countries to take in people from Ukraine immediately.
"You are welcome."
The human rights organization Pro Asyl is calling on the federal government of Germany to make it easier for Ukrainians to enter Germany immediately. "The possibility for Ukrainian citizens to enter the EU without a visa, which has existed since 2017, is vital right now," says a position paper.
EU increases EUFOR mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina
The European Union is increasing the peacekeeping mission EUFOR (European Union Force) in Bosnia-Herzegovina with 500 soldiers. The deployment almost doubles the force. This is the EU's response to fears that Serbian separatists who sympathize with Russia could be motivated to take action by developments in Ukraine.
"The deterioration in the international security situation has the potential for instability to spill over into Bosnia and Herzegovina, " EUFOR said. With the measure, the EU wants to underline that it is committed to the territorial unity of Bosnia-Herzegovina. in theIn December 2004, EUFOR began its largest mission to date there. With 6,300 soldiers, it replaced SFOR, which until then had overseen the implementation of the 1995 Dayton Agreement . In recent years, the number of soldiers has been massively reduced.
EU Parliament: "The attack is aimed at our model of democratic society"
The leaders of the parliamentary groups in the EU Parliament condemned the Russian attack "strongly" in a statement. "The invasion is unjustified and illegal," it says. It poses a threat to European and regional stability and the entire world order and is aimed "at our model of democratic society". Parliament therefore supports an "unprecedented European and international response".
New sanctions would have to ensure that the Kremlin is held accountable. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on Twitter: "In these dark hours our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who are facing this unprovoked attack and who are fearing for their lives." The chairman of the conservative EPP group in the EU Parliament, Manfred Weber (CSU), was even clearer: "Putin is a criminal and a murderer," he told the radio station BR24 of the Bayerischer Rundfunk. The sanctions against Russia should now be tougher than Putin had calculated. The federal government's appeasement policy, i.e. the attempt to take Russian concerns seriously, has failed as of today. Among other things, Weber demanded that Russian banks be excluded from the international financial system and that the delivery of high technologies to the country be stopped.
Air alert triggered in Kiev
The Ukrainian capital of Kiev has issued an air alert because of the Russian attack. On Thursday, the city administration called on all citizens to get to safety in air raid shelters.
Latvia bans three Russian TV channels
Latvia has banned three Russian TV channels from broadcasting. Broadcasters Rossija RTR, Rossija 24 and TVCI will be banned for three to five years, the Latvian Audiovisual Media Regulatory Authority (NEPLP) said. The broadcasters posed a " threat to national security ," the statement said. The agency called on all EU countries to "use the evidence collected by the NEPLP and follow Latvia's example".
Russia has financial reserves
After the announcement of severe sanctions by the West because of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is demonstratively calm. The Russian government said it had sufficient financial resources to ensure the stability of the Russian financial system despite sanctions, according to the TASS news agency. According to the latest data, as of February 11, financial reserves were $ 639.6 billion. The Russian financial market and the largest companies also have plans to protect against sanctions.
Champions League final will not take place in St. Petersburg
Uefa will deprive St. Petersburg of the Champions League final. The final is so far scheduled for May 28 in the World Cup arena in Vladimir Putin's hometown . The decision to withdraw is to be taken tomorrow at an extraordinary meeting of the Uefa Executive Committee. A decision on a replacement location is not yet expected.
Russian troops advance into the Kiev region
A few hours after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the troops are apparently already close to the capital Kiev. According to the Ukrainian border guard, they have advanced into the northern part of the region and attacked Ukrainian positions with rockets . According to reporters from the AFP news agency, several low- flying helicopters were also seen flying on the outskirts of Kiev.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian troops had seized Hostomel airfield, some 30 kilometers north-west of Kiev- attacked. Reports that Russian troops have taken the airport have not yet been independently confirmed.
Online Protest
Russian lawyer and human rights activist Marina Litvinovich called on the people of Russia to protest the war across the country tonight at 7 p.m. on Facebook. "I know that many of you are now in despair, feeling powerless, ashamed in the face of Vladimir Putin's attack," she said. But the Russian people are against the "war that Putin instigated." "We do not support this war. It will not be held in our name," Litvinovich said in the video. She ran as an independent politician in a Moscow constituency in the 2021 Duma elections.
Shortly after she published this video, Litvinovich was arrested. She reported with a tweet from the police station: She was intercepted on her doorstep. Repeating her call, she wrote: "If we are many, they will not arrest everyone."
Ukrainian military plane apparently crashed near
Kiev According to the Ukrainian rescue service, a military plane crashed near the Ukrainian capital Kiev. As the state civil protection announced, at least five people died. The plane crashed about 50 kilometers south of downtown Kiev. The reason for the crash was initially unclear.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Border Guard reported that Russian troops were advancing into the Kiev region. According to reports, Russia has shelled an airfield and several military facilities in the Kiev region.
Hungary stays out of military conflict
The Hungarian government has condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine. However, his country will not send any military equipment, said Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a video published on his Facebook page. Hungary must stay out of this military conflict as the safety of the Hungarian people is the most important thing. However, Orban promised the government in Kiev humanitarian aid. His country has adjusted to refugees from Ukraine.
Boris Johnson is set to unveil possible sanctions against Russia later today
Britain cannot and will not turn a blind eye to Russia 's "vile and barbaric" attack on Ukraine, the British Prime Minister said in a televised address. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a "major invasion by land, sea and air" without provocation.
Johnson announced "massive sanctions" against Russia's economy, which Britain would adopt together with its allies. According to the BBC, Johnson will outline what these sanctions might look like this afternoon in the British House of Commons.
Russian opposition politician Navalny condemns invasion During a court session
Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than a year, accused the Russian leadership of instigating the war against Ukraine. This should distract from the problems of the country such as the economic decline. "This war will lead to an enormous number of victims, destinies destroyed, and it will prolong the impoverishment of Russian citizens," Navalny said in a video that the Russian broadcaster TV Rain, including the text of the speech, posted on Twitter.
Navalny is a prominent opponent of Putin. In 2020, Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent and treated in Germany. In early 2021, a Moscow court sentenced him to three and a half years in a prison camp, the trial was considered unfair and politically motivated. Another trial against Navalny has been underway since Tuesday of this week in the Pokrov penal colony, about 100 kilometers from Moscow . The video is said to have been made during the negotiations. Observers like the journalist Max Seddon, head of the Moscow office of the Financial Times, therefore consider it to be authentic. "I am against this war," Navalny said.
Chinese government shows understanding for Russia
The Chinese government's position on the Russian attack on Ukraine remains ambiguous. Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed understanding for Russia's "legitimate concerns about security issues". According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Yi said that China has always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. At the same time, however, the Ukraine question has "complex and special historical aspects". China called for abandoning the Cold War mentality completely and finally forming a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through dialogue and negotiations.
Russia blamed Ukraine for the escalation. "The ministers expressed their common belief that the reason for the current crisis is Kiev's refusal, encouraged by the United States and its allies, to implement the Minsk package of measures approved by the UN Security Council," the Foreign Ministry said in Moscow. However, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, made it clear: "China is not happy about what happened in Ukraine."
China and Russia have moved closer together under Chinese President Xi Jinping. He received Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in Beijing this month. They released a joint statement supporting Russia's opposition to further eastward expansion of NATO to include former Soviet states and backing the Chinese view that Taiwan is part of the People's Republic.
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