Ukraine and Russia, live the last hour of conflict

The Assembly’s Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, claims that “after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations, the protection of civilians in Ukraine must now be the absolute priority”.

In addition, Amnesty International warns of the deployment of Russian forces estimated at 150,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine.

At the same time, he emphasizes that Putin’s decision is to protect the civilian population in those areas, noting that 60,000 people have fled in recent days from the bombing of the Ukrainian army.

The announcement comes after Russian assets were exposed to geopolitical concerns after Moscow sent “peacekeepers” to eastern Ukraine.

Likewise, applicable sanctions from the European Union and the United States are also suspended.

According to the documents, the Russian army “guarantees peace” in those regions until the signing of agreements of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two entities and Moscow.

The decrees also stipulated the start of consultations between Moscow and the recognized republics in order to establish diplomatic relations.

Wang had a phone call with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in the past few hours.

For his part, Blinkin stressed the need to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian “aggression”.

But Kiev denied these reports and accused the separatists and Russia of deliberately circulating false information.

“I am sure that the decision will be taken unanimously,” said Josep Borrell, the union’s high representative for foreign affairs.

German government spokesman, Stephen Hebestreet, has already indicated that Putin’s decision represents a “clear break” with the Minsk agreements that “cannot go unanswered”.

In turn, the three leaders agreed to “not abandon their commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity”, as well as to use “with all their might” to prevent a new escalation.

In total, as reported by the army, there were 84 cases of shelling by separatists who opened fire on about 40 positions along the front line with heavy artillery.

That is why, in statements on Sky News, he made it clear that the country will punish Russia.

For his part, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday that Russia’s recognition of the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk is a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine”, as well as a “violation of international law.”

The head of government, Pedro Sanchez, showed on social networks that Russia’s unilateral recognition of the pro-Russian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk “is a violation of the Minsk agreements and international legality. We will respond in a coordinated manner with our partners.”

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Alparís, stated that “Russia’s recognition of the separatist territories in eastern Ukraine is a flagrant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the Minsk agreements and international law.”

In Donetsk, for example, 2,158 ceasefire violations, including 1,100 explosions, were recorded between Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

The President of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2022, the Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, and the Secretary-General of the multilateral organization, Helga Schmid, condemned that “recognition will only lead to more tensions and separate the population living in these regions from the rest of its country, Ukraine.” .

Ukraine was the first to request the urgent meeting of the Security Council, a request which was later joined by France. However, Russia happens to be chairing the council in February.

All day long, European heads of government appeared in public to express their rejection of the idea of ​​Russia’s possible recognition of the rebellious population of Donbass by Russia, as it finally happened.

Among the measures being considered are sanctioning Russian industry, gas exports, or access to international financial transactions.

The European Union’s response to Putin’s statements was short-lived. The statement said that the European Union “will respond by imposing sanctions on those involved in this illegal act.”

This was stated by the President of the European Council Charles Michel. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative for EU foreign policy, Josep Borrell simultaneously in three identical tweets.

For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accused Moscow of “continuing to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine” and “looking for a pretext to invade Ukraine again.”

The Ukrainian president also urgently called for a meeting of the UN Security Council, another for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Normandy Forum summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia today of violating his country’s territorial integrity by recognizing the independence of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.

“All responsibility for the consequences of such a decision rests with Russia’s leaders,” Zelensky said, stressing that Russia’s “statements and actions” will not succeed in changing Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.

Putin also referred to the “hollow words” of NATO, which has vowed not to expand in the east.

In his opinion, the lack of resources, the state of war in the east of the country, corruption and economic dependence on countries such as the United States do not allow Ukraine to act as an independent state.

“Ukraine is controlled from the outside, it is a puppet colony,” he said.

Vladimir Putin asserted that “modern Ukraine was a creation of Russia” and that it was “madness” to give national republics the right to leave the Russian Empire.

In turn, he pointed out that “the collapse of the Soviet Union meant plundering Russia’s wealth and leaving the country in a very difficult situation.”

The White House issued a statement within hours of recognizing the Donetsk and Lugansk republics. “We were expecting such a move and we are ready to respond immediately,” he added.

In this way, he stated that “new additional measures related to the violation of international agreements of Russia” were planned, such as investments, trade and financing by the Americans towards Donetsk and Lugansk.

In addition, they asserted that it would “grant the power to impose sanctions on anyone who is determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine.”

Recognizing as independent the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, which are not currently recognized by Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin could serve as an excuse for its forces to advance their lines in the Donbass and possibly invade Ukraine.

This decision represents a new scenario in his battle with NATO and the end of the Minsk peace treaties, signed in 2014 and 2015. It also means another step by Putin in escalating tension.

Good morning, and welcome to a new day of observing the escalation of tension between Ukraine and Russia and all the reactions that result from it.