Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he ordered his country's military to carry out a special operation in the Donbass region, in eastern Ukraine, after the leaders of the breakaway republic asked Moscow for military assistance in response to what they described as an increase in “Ukrainian aggression.”

U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he would impose new sanctions on the company behind the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was built to ferry natural gas from Russia to Germany. The announcement follows Russia’s recognition of two separatist-controlled regions east of Ukraine that led to harsh anti-Moscow bans by the West.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned Moscow will respond strongly to new anti-Russia sanctions imposed by Washington. It stressed the measures taken by the White House run counter to American interests.

Ukraine’s parliament has approved imposing sanctions on 351 Russians, including lawmakers who supported the recognition of independence of the two separatist-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine and the use of Russian troops there.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Moscow's recognition of the "independence" of the two breakaway Ukrainian regions. He has called on Russia to fully comply with the global body's charter.

Australia, Canada and Japan have issued sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. The have joined the growing list of countries that have taken economic action after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two Ukrainian regions as independent states and moved Russian forces into eastern Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden has announced Washington would sanction Russian sovereign debt and Russian elites as well as their family members in response to Moscow’s deployment of troops to regions in eastern Ukraine.

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to sanction 27 Russians and entities, as well banks, the defense sector and limiting Russian access to European capital markets. It comes after Moscow recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Following a request from President Vladimir Putin, the upper house of Russia’s parliament granted permission for the country’s military to be deployed abroad. This follows Putin’s recognition of the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

The United Kingdom has announced a series of sanctions against Russia, imposing asset freezes on five major Russian banks and three high net worth individuals. The measures come after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the two breakaway regions in Ukraine.

Berlin has taken steps to halt the process of certifying the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday. The West started taking punitive measures following Moscow’s recognition of the two Ukrainian breakaway regions.

Iran’s foreign ministry says the United and NATO’s “interference and provocative measures” are to blame for the escalation of tensions in eastern Ukraine and between Kiev and Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine has drawn condemnation across the globe.

Moscow has recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday.

Russia’s army says its troops have opened fire on a “Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group” that attempted to cross into the country, killing five servicemen and destroying their vehicles.

Ex-Iranian ambassador to Baku: U.S. trying to drag Russia into war with Ukraine

The US has intelligence indicating orders have been sent to Russian commanders to proceed with an attack on Ukraine, according to two US officials and another source familiar with the US intelligence. Moscow denies any such plan.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov says Russia has no plan to invade anyone, and given its history is the last country in Europe which wants to even speak the word "war”.

A shell has exploded on the Russian territory, close to the border with Ukraine, local media reported.

Russia has expelled US deputy ambassador to Moscow, according to the American mission. Washington has emphasized that it would respond to American diplomat’s expulsion.

The units of the tank army of Russia’s Western Military District (WMD) are returning to the site of permanent deployment after conducting planned exercises, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Russia has announced military drills in Crimea have ended and that soldiers are returning to their garrisons. It comes a day after Moscow announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine’s borders.

Moscow does not want any war and this is why it proposed holding negotiations on equal security in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. Putting was referring to the Russia-Ukraine tensions.

Russian troops have completed their training drills in Belarus, close to neighboring Ukraine, and will begin returning to their places of regular deployment, the Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday. It comes amid fears in the West that the exercises could have been a precursor to an invasion.

World powers have warned Moscow that they stand ready to impose sanctions that would have a huge and immediate impact on Russia's economy, should it pursue any military aggression against Ukraine. Moscow rejects any plan to attack Ukraine, despite mass military deployment on borders.