Tension remains very high in Eastern Europe. In these hours, the G7 countries, at the end of the Munich Conference, have again asked Moscow to withdraw the troops on the border with Ukraine, fearing an attack which, according to US intelligence, is increasingly "imminent".
And according to NATO secretary Jens Stoltenberg, such an attack would be "complete". Words that suggest that, in the event of an invasion, Russia would not be satisfied with the Donbass, but would instead aim for the fall of Kiev.
Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have invited the population to "general mobilization" and new incidents have occurred in Donbass, where two soldiers from Kiev were killed in combat.
In this situation of continuous escalation, while France and Germany invite their compatriots to leave Ukraine, the leader of Kiev Zalenski warns the West: “We are Europe's shield against the Russian army. Defend us or we will do it alone ".
Latest news.
NATO: "Signs of a full attack" - All signs suggest that Russia plans a "full" attack on Ukraine. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. NATO itself has transferred its Ukrainian staff from the capital Kiev to the city of Lviv and to Brussels for "security reasons".
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G7: "We see no evidence of the reduction of military activities in Moscow"
"As a first step," G7 ministers say, "we expect Russia to implement the announced reduction in its military activities along Ukraine's borders. We have seen no evidence of this reduction. We will judge Russia by its actions. ".
The G7 "took note of the latest announcements from Russia that it is willing to engage diplomatically. We underline our commitment to Russia to continue the dialogue on issues of mutual concern, such as European security, risk reduction, transparency, confidence building and arms control ".
Foreign ministers reaffirm "the unshakeable commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters". And "they reaffirm the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future and its own security arrangements".
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France and Germany to compatriots: "Leave the country"
France and Germany are asking their citizens in Ukraine to leave the country as the risks of an imminent attack increase.
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G7 Foreign: "Moscow withdraw troops"
G7 foreign ministers remain "gravely concerned by the threatening build-up of Russian military presence around Ukraine, Crimea and Belarus" and ask Moscow to "choose the path of diplomacy", "substantially withdraw military forces from the borders of Ukraine and fully respect international commitments ". And what we read in the final document of the Munich summit. In which Moscow warns that "any further military aggression against Ukraine will have enormous consequences, including coordinated financial and economic sanctions on a wide range of sectoral and individual objectives".
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Di Maio: "High road diplomacy"
At the G7 Foreign Affairs meeting in Munich "I updated my colleagues on what I had discussed with Ministers Kuleba and Lavrov in my missions in Kiev and Moscow. Both confirmed their desire to find a diplomatic solution". Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio writes it on Fb, underlining that "this is the main road to follow, there are no alternatives". "Italy supports the territorial integrity and full sovereignty of Ukraine" but "dialogue with Russia is essential. I also discussed it with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken". And Italy "will do its utmost to encourage dialogue between the parties".
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Zelensky: "I would like to meet Putin"
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has proposed a meeting with Vladimir Putin, at a time when fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are at the highest level. "I don't know what the Russian president wants, that's why I suggest we meet," Zelensky said at the Munich Security Conference.
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Second Ukrainian soldier killed in Donbass
A second Ukrainian soldier was killed in the fighting in the separatist territory of Donbass. The Kiev army announces it.
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Mortar shells during the visit of the Minister of the Interior
Mortar rounds exploded near the area where Ukrainian interior minister Denys Monastyrsky was, visiting the front in the east of the country. This was reported by AFP journalists. No injuries were reported. The explosions occurred near the village of Novo Lugansk, on the front line with pro-Russian separatists.
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Zelensky: "We will defend our country even alone"
"We will defend our country with or without partners." This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the Munich Security Conference. "Everyone must understand that we are not asking for a donation. It is your contribution to European and international security," he added. Ukraine is "Europe's shield" against the Russian army, Zelensky further said.
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Lufthansa suspends flights to Ukraine
Lufthansa will suspend flights to Kiev and Odessa, Ukraine, starting Monday. This was reported by the spokesman of the main German airline.
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From the EU civil protection assistance to Ukraine
"The EU offers full solidarity to the Ukrainian people, even with concrete support. Once Ukraine asked for our assistance, we worked around the clock to help the authorities. Immediate civil protection assistance is on the way. . Slovenia, Romania, France, Ireland and Austria have made their first offers and I expect more assistance in the coming days from other EU member states ". The Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, made it known in a statement.
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Johnson: "Dangerous time for the world, we must be together"
Boris Johnson believes that "this moment is very dangerous for the world". This was stated by the British Prime Minister in Munich, referring to what he said in the last interview with Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Joe Biden and Mario Draghi. "We must not underestimate the risk" currently running in Ukraine. That's why we need to be firmly together, "he added.
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China: "Russian concerns must be respected"
"We are for the protection of borders. China is for the protection of sovereignty the independence of all countries and Ukraine is no exception". This is what Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, speaking at the Munich security conference. However, the head of diplomacy in Beijing said that "Russia's concerns should also be respected".
"We hope that a solution can be found that would guarantee security and stability in Europe," he added.
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Russian troops "ready to strike"
Russian troops on the border with Ukraine "are ready to strike". This was stated by the US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, during a visit to Lithuania. "They are unfolding and ready to strike," he said, adding that the soldiers "are moving into the right positions to be able to conduct an attack."
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Von der Leyen: "The attack would cost Russia a prosperous future"
A military intervention in Ukraine "could cost Russia a prosperous future". This was stated by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the Munich Security Conference.
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Cannonade in Russian territory
A cannon shot exploded on Russian territory one kilometer from the Ukrainian border in the Rostov-on-Don region. "The explosion - writes the Russian agency Interfax - took place 300 meters from a house in the village of Mityakinskaya at 04.00 Moscow time" (02.00 Italian time). The cannon grenade caused no deaths or injuries, and was reported to the security forces by residents.
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"Biden belittles Moscow's demands"
Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to Washington, said US President Joe Biden's accusation of Russia being responsible for the escalation in Ukraine was just an attempt to "belittle" Moscow's security demands. "I would like to draw attention to the repeated declarations of the Russian leadership that we have no plan of aggression against the brother people of Ukraine." "The United States - continues the diplomat - continues to feed public opinion with blatant lies" , like the "narrative" they make "of our willingness to welcome peaceful residents of Donbass who fear for their lives an element of propaganda that would serve to justify an 'imminent invasion' of Ukraine".
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First train with Donbass refugees
The first train carrying over 1,000 Donbass refugees is arriving in the Rostov region of Russia, on the border with Ukraine. This was announced by the railways of the North Caucasus.
(Unioneonline)
