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The international community is on heightened alert and is watching the latest moves by the Kremlin with obvious concern. Russian President Vladimir Putin is now openly challenging the sovereignty of Ukrainian territories, as he announced in a speech, in which he dynamited the already tense atmosphere on the Russian-Ukrainian border. European leaders are engaged in feverish discussions, expressing their support for Ukraine, denouncing unilateral acts of territorial disputes, while the Commission is preparing a package of sanctions.
French President Emmanuel Macron is convening an emergency meeting of the country's National Security Council tonight to discuss recent developments in the Ukrainian crisis, it was reported today from Elise.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, also said, for his part, that he had convened the National Security and Defence Council.
The EU and its partners will respond with unity, stability and determination in solidarity, says European Council President Charles Michel.
"The recognition of independence of two Ukrainian provinces is a violation of international law, Ukraine's sovereignty and the Minsk agreements. The EU and its members will react with unity, determination and solidarity towards Ukraine," wrote Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a comment following Putin's speech.
In the same vein as von der Leyen, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who also, through her Twitter comment, spoke of a violation of international law while expressing her commitment to support Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced earlier at Russia's National Security Council that his meeting with his US counterpart Anthony Blinken is scheduled for February 24 in Geneva.
"With your approval, this meeting is scheduled for this week on February 24 in Geneva," Lavrov told Russia's National Security Council, chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Major international media outlets commenting on Putin's remarks are calling it an aggressive move, with the BBC in particular writing of an open threat and the US-based CNN referring to a message with a strong element of complaint with a whiff of the past. The New York Times, commenting on the diatribe, described Putin's speech as angry, in which he "stepped on history."
In the afternoon, the German chancellor spoke with the Russian president about Russian troops on the border with Ukraine and Belarus, in another attempt by the West to drive the dialogue towards finding a solution, i.e. de-escalating tensions.
Johnson: We will probably step up military aid to Ukraine
"Things are moving in the wrong direction. Britain will continue to stand by Ukraine," Boris Johnson said, referring to the possibility of stepping up military aid to Kiev following the latest rapid developments.
The UN has appealed to "all concerned persons to refrain from any unilateral decision or action that could affect the territorial integrity of Ukraine", its spokesman said today, when asked about a possible recognition by Moscow of the independence of Ukrainian separatist regions.
"We underline our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, for maximum restraint to all parties in order to avoid any actions and statements that would further exacerbate tensions," Stefan Duzarich said, stressing that all disputes should be "resolved through diplomacy".
The European Union is ready to react strongly in case Moscow recognizes the independence of the breakaway regions, EU High Representative Josep Borel said during a press conference shortly after the conclusion of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.
"We followed the Russian Security Council debate with great concern," said Borrell, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to respect international law and the Minsk agreements.
"The EU is ready to react strongly and in unity if Putin recognises the independence of these regions," said Josep Borrell. This means that sanctions will be imposed that are ready if necessary, Borel explained. "Certainly, if there is an annexation of these regions there will be sanctions, and in case these regions are recognised by Moscow, I will put on the table of the EU Council the sanctions we have prepared," the High Representative said, noting that the sanctions would have to be approved by unanimity of the "27". The head of European diplomacy also stressed that if Belarus allows Russia to invade Ukraine from its territory, the EU will respond with sanctions that will be as severe as those imposed on Russia.
Source: Proto Thema
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