Ukraine-Russia war: last minute live

Putin says Russia is ready to look for “diplomatic solutions” in Ukraine crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, on Wednesday, that he is ready to search for “diplomatic solutions” to the current crisis with Ukraine and the West, despite his insistence that his country’s interests and security are non-negotiable. Putin said in a televised speech on Defender of the Fatherland Day. Putin spoke after the Federal Council unanimously agreed to send Russian “peacekeepers” to two separate Ukrainian regions that Moscow now recognizes as independent. In the video message, Putin said he was confident that the Russian army would defend the country’s national interests. He added: “We will continue to develop advanced defense systems, including hypersonic type and based on new physical principles, and will expand the use of advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence.” “These are truly the weapons of the future, which greatly increases the combat capability of our armed forces,” he said. Western governments have warned in recent weeks that Putin is preparing to invade Ukraine. Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announces new sanctions against Russia In order to “start” the invasion of Ukraine, although he said there was plenty of time to avoid war