Russia asks to evacuate diplomats from Ukraine soon, say reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukraine peace agreement 'does not exist' anymore. Putin also said that the deployment of troops to Ukraine depends on the 'situation on the ground'.

Image credit: Reuters

Russia Ukraine crisis Live updates: The UK on Tuesday (February 22) said it will impose sanctions on 5 Russian banks of which three are 'very high-net-worth individuals' said the AFP News Agency quoting the British PM Boris Johnson.

The decision came after Moscow's troop deployment around the Ukrainian border. Earlier, UK PM Johnson has informed the same via his Twitter handle.

"Vladimir Putin has violated Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. We will immediately institute a package of sanctions targeting Russian economic interests. It's absolutely vital that the conquest of a European country should not succeed and that Putin should fail," tweeted Boris Johnson. 

Meanwhile, Condemning Russia`s move to recognize regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the Ukrainian Ambassador to United Nations on Tuesday (February 22, 2022) demanded Moscow to return to the table for negotiations as well as immediate and complete verifiable withdrawal of occupation troops.

The UNSC meeting was called after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (February 21) signed a decree recognizing the independence of breakaway regions Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin’s this announcement, which was made during a televised address to Russians, has accelerated the crisis.

The move prompted the US to impose sanctions on two Russia-backed separatist regions in Ukraine. The US strongly condemned Putin`s decision to recognize the "so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People`s Republics" as "independent."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday (February 21) also voiced great concern over Russia's decision to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as “independent”, saying Moscow's decision is a “violation" of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Thank You for staying tuned with Zee News for all the latest updates on Russia-Ukraine crisis. 

22 February 2022

23:20 IST

France's foreign minister says European Union nations unanimously agreed on a set of sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

22:30 IST

Putin says the Ukraine peace agreement 'does not exist' anymore. Putin also said that the deployment of troops to Ukraine depends on the 'situation on the ground.'

22:06 IST

Visual of the Air India special flight leaving from Ukraine to Delhi with a total of 241 passengers on-board.

The flight is delayed and will arrive at 11.30 pm (tonight) at IGI airport. It was scheduled to land at 10.15 pm. pic.twitter.com/EjW2EijEpx

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

22:05 IST

President Vladimir Putin asks upper house to approve the use of Russian army outside Russia: AFP quotes Russian Deputy Defence Minister

19:17 IST

Vladimir Putin has violated Ukrainian sovereignty and international law.

We will immediately institute a package of sanctions targeting Russian economic interests.

It's absolutely vital that the conquest of a European country should not succeed and that Putin should fail. pic.twitter.com/ojccvMWqtY

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 22, 2022

19:10 IST

"UK to impose sanctions on five Russian banks, three 'very high-net-worth individuals' following Moscow troop deployment," UK PM Boris Johnson (AFP)

17:58 IST

"The United States will impose sanctions on Russia for this clear violation of international law and Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity," said US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told reporters after a UN Security Council meeting on Monday (February 21) evening.

15:30 IST

"There is no need to panic, the Govt of India has issued an advisory. All Indians, stay in touch with our embassy:" MoS MEA Meenakashi Lekhi.

On being asked about the Russia-Ukraine tensions, MoS MEA Meenakashi Lekhi said, "There is no need to panic, the Govt of India has issued an advisory. All Indians, stay in touch with our embassy." pic.twitter.com/jjTty3E5et

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

14:09 IST

"India wants solution through talks, and peace to be established. I am sure solution will emerge following talks between Russian President Putin and US President Biden. India is in favour of maintaining international peace," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Ukraine Crisis. 

14:03 IST

EU foreign ministers will adopt sanctions today against Russia over its recognition of Ukrainian separatist regions and further deployment of troops on Ukraine territory, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. (AFP)

11:46 IST

"In view of the continued high level of tensions in Ukraine, additional flights are being organised. Four flights from Kyiv to Delhi to operate on Feb 25, Feb 27 and March 6, 2022," said Embassy of India in Ukraine. 

In view of the continued high level of tensions in Ukraine, additional flights are being organised. Four flights from Kyiv to Delhi to operate on Feb 25, Feb 27 and March 6, 2022: Embassy of India in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/xP9Tp3gTle

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

09:34 IST

Air India's special ferry flight left for Ukraine from India today morning to bring back the Indian nationals. The Dreamliner B-787 aircraft deployed for the special operation with a capacity of over 200 seats. The special flight from Ukraine will land in Delhi tonight.

09:06 IST

"Today, the entire membership of the United Nations is under attack. Under attack by the country that occupied the membership of the Security Council in 1991 bypassing the UN charter. The country that occupied parts of Ukraine in 2014," said Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukrainian Ambassador to UN. 

We demand Russia to return to the table for negotiations. We condemn the order to deploy additional Russian occupation troops in the territories of Ukraine. We demand the immediate and complete verifiable withdrawal of occupation troops: Ukraine at UNSC meeting

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

09:06 IST

"We remain open to diplomacy for diplomatic solution. However, allowing bloodbath in Donbas is something we don’t intend to do. We are forced to note the negative role played by our western colleagues led by the US," said Russia at UNSC meeting on Ukraine. 

08:41 IST

"We also regret the order to deploy Russian troops into eastern Ukraine, reportedly on a peacekeeping mission," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo. 

VIDEO: UN denounces 'order to deploy Russian troops into eastern Ukraine'.

"We also regret the order to deploy Russian troops into eastern Ukraine, reportedly on a peacekeeping mission," says United Nations Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo pic.twitter.com/tMEDB2i29p

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 22, 2022

08:18 IST

UN denounces 'order to deploy Russian troops into eastern Ukraine'. 

#BREAKING UN denounces 'order to deploy Russian troops into eastern Ukraine' pic.twitter.com/AVMo7tBOvB

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 22, 2022

08:17 IST

Strongly condemning President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" as "independent," US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Monday said that this is a clear attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Putin signed decrees to recognise the "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" as "independent."

The move was strongly condemned by the US, which said that the decision represents a "complete rejection" of Russia's commitments under the Minsk agreements and directly contradicts Russia's claimed commitment to diplomacy. Blinken said that countries have an obligation not to recognise a new "state" created through the threat or use of force, as well as an obligation not to disrupt another state's borders.

08:17 IST

The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric called on Russia to refrain from escalating the situation around Ukraine, urging Moscow to revoke its recognition of the pro-Russian separatist Donetsk and Luhansk People`s Republics (DPR and LPR).

"We call on the Russian Federation to reverse this decision and abstain from further aggravating the situation. We insistently call our member states to solve their disagreement through dialogue based on respect of the principles enshrined in the Statute of the Council of Europe, and in the European Convention on Human Rights," Pejcinovic Buric said in a statement. 

08:05 IST

Watch India's statement at UNSC meet live here: 

#IndiainUNSC

UN Security Council Meeting on #Ukraine

Highlights of remarks by @ambtstirumurti, Permanent Representative ⤵️@MEAIndia @UNDPPA pic.twitter.com/F0CfIcgDEX

— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) February 22, 2022

08:02 IST

"We strongly emphasize the vital need for all sides to maintain international peace and security by exercising the utmost restraint and intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure that a mutually amicable solution is arrived at the earliest," said India at UNSC meet on Ukraine. 

08:01 IST

"The escalation of tension along the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation is a matter of deep concern. These developments have the potential to undermine peace and security of the region," said India's Permanent Rep to United Nations TS Tirumurti, at UNSC meet on Ukraine. 

Safety&security of civilians essential. More than 20,000 Indian students& nationals live&study in different parts of Ukraine, incl in its border areas. The well-being of Indians is of priority to us: India's Permanent Rep to United Nations TS Tirumurti, at UNSC meet on Ukraine pic.twitter.com/kRcAdVAtuI

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

07:57 IST

"Russia's clear attack on Ukraine's territorial integrity & sovereignty is unprovoked. It is an attack on Ukraine's status as a UN member state. It violates basic principles of international law," said US Representative at UNSC meet on Ukraine. 

Tomorrow,US will take further measures to hold Russia accountable for clear violation of international law. We and our partners are clear that there will be swift & severe response were Russia to further invade Ukraine. In this moment no one can stand on the sidelines: US at UNSC pic.twitter.com/zII0gZ8etK

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

07:56 IST

UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting on Ukraine. 

UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting on Ukraine

(Photo source: UN Web TV) pic.twitter.com/9qZ2JsawAQ

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

07:22 IST

UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at the request of Kyiv, US, 5 European nations, Mexico, reported Associated Press.

07:17 IST

Japan will likely join U.S.-led sanctions on Russia, including a ban on chip and other key technology exports, should President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Tuesday.

07:16 IST

UK government says it will announce "significant" new sanctions on Russia. (AFP)

07:15 IST

US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) signed an Executive Order that will prohibit all new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the "so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People`s Republics." Taking to Twitter, Biden said, "I have signed an Executive Order to deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law. We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on the next steps."

I have signed an Executive Order to deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law. We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on next steps. pic.twitter.com/ZS81ivAPgs

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 22, 2022

07:14 IST

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the nation that Ukraine is "not afraid of anyone or anything." He spoke during a chaotic day in which Russia appeared to be moving closer to an invasion, with President Vladimir Putin recognising separatist regions of eastern Ukraine and then ordering forces there. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday night, and the US has moved to impose sanctions.

07:13 IST

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed two decrees recognizing "the Lugansk People`s Republic (LPR)" and "the Donetsk People`s Republic (DPR)" as independent and sovereign states. At a ceremony held in the Kremlin on Monday, Putin also inked the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Russia and the LPR and the DPR respectively with the heads of the two "republics," a Kremlin statement said, Xinhua news agency reported.

07:13 IST

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions in an address to the nation in the early hours of Tuesday morning, reports Reuters. 

07:12 IST

The UN Security Council emergency meeting called over the Ukraine crisis will now be an 'open' meeting. India will also make a statement, reported news agency ANI.

#UPDATE | The UNSC meet over Ukraine will now be an 'open' meeting. India will also make a statement.

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2022

07:12 IST

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced great concern over Russia's decision to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as “independent”, saying Moscow's decision is a “violation" of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.