The Russia-Ukraine crisis: Main Developments

Agence France-Presse / 10:26 AM February 24, 2022

Russian military vehicles are seen loaded on train platforms some 50 km off the border with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic in Russia’s southern Rostov region on February 23, 2022. AFP

PARIS — Here are the latest developments in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine:

Ukraine calls up reservists

Ukraine begins calling up reservists into the armed forces and urges its citizens to leave Russia immediately as it braces for a possible invasion.

Russia begins evacuating diplomats

Russia begins evacuating diplomatic staff from Ukraine, its embassy in Kyiv says, a day after lawmakers in Moscow granted President Vladimir Putin permission to use force abroad.

EU sanctions soon in force

European Union sanctions against Russia in response to Moscow’s recognition of two self-declared separatist republics in eastern Ukraine will come into force later on Wednesday or Thursday, the French minister of state for European Affairs says.

Berlin can do without Russian gas

Germany can meet its energy needs without Russian gas, Economy Minister Robert Habeck says, after the government decides to halt the approval of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline amid rising Ukraine tensions.

Putin open to dialogue, but…

Putin says Moscow is ready to look for “diplomatic solutions” amid raging tensions with the West over Ukraine but stresses that Russia’s interests are non-negotiable.

Invasion ‘highly likely’–UK

Putin is “highly likely” to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and attack Kyiv, UK foreign minister Liz Truss says.

China accuses Washington

China accuses the United States of “raising tensions” and “creating panic” over the Ukraine crisis, shortly after Washington announced sanctions against Moscow and said it would continue to supply weapons to Ukraine.