Russia-Europe

The West is seeking to disregard objective historic processes, which may slow down the forming of a multipolar world but will never stop it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Zvezda television channel.

European Union ambassadors in Brussels moved closer to consensus on a significant package of sanctions targeting broad sectors of the Russian economy and individuals on Thursday. But they were debating whether to keep President Vladimir Putin off their list for now, diplomats who participated in or were briefed on the talks say.

Iran’s foreign minister has blamed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for the Ukraine crisis.

Leaders of several countries rushed to condemn a Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday night, warning of heavy sanctions to come for the attack announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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.

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”.

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.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that UK's plans to target Russia with sanctions are not legitimate. He noted any such aggression will bring about countermeasures from Moscow.