Fearing Russian aggression, Ukraine declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and asked its citizens in Russia to flee. Russia, on the other hand, has ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Kiev as troops from both countries are stationed in large numbers along the Line of Contact in eastern Ukraine.
The European Union has called an emergency summit to decide the next course of action against Russia after the two separate regions in Ukraine recognized as independent entities.
Meanwhile, Russia has denied plans to invade Ukraine and described warnings from the West as anti-Russian hysteria. obey Russia-Ukraine News Live Updates
Russia-Ukraine standoff: India Today report from war zone
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Here are the top developments on the Russia-Ukraine crisis:
Ukraine declares emergency
On Wednesday, Ukraine declared a 30-day state of emergency and asked its citizens in Russia to flee. The state of emergency could be extended for another 30 days if the standoff on Ukraine’s eastern border continues.
“Predicting what Russia’s next step might be, separatist or the personal decision of the Russian president – I cannot say,” Reuters quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as saying.
A military truck drives by the side of a road after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of Russian troops to two separate areas in eastern Ukraine, February 22, 2022. Photo: Reuters)
With the declaration of a state of emergency, Ukrainian states now have powers to ban transport, add additional protection to critical infrastructure, and ban attacks. Regional authorities can take decisions about the implementation of curfew and other measures.
In addition to the emergency, Ukraine has also called for compulsory military service for all men of fighting age.
UNGA meeting on Ukraine crisis
On Wednesday the United Nations General Assembly met for its annual meeting on Ukraine. At the meeting, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba appealed to the 193-member body to stop Russia’s “aggressive plans”.
“If President Putin decides he can move on, no one will be able to get out of this crisis,” Dimitro Kuleba said.
“Active diplomacy, strong political messaging, tougher economic sanctions and strengthening Ukraine may still force Moscow to abandon aggressive plans,” he said.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that an extended conflict could “see the scale and severity of a need overlooked for many years”.
A satellite image shows a close-up of the assembled vehicles at VD Bolshoy Bokov airfield near Mazyr, Belarus, on February 22, 2022. Photo: Reuters)
Russia begins expelling diplomatic staff from Ukraine
According to Russia’s state Tass news agency, Russia began evacuating personnel from all of its diplomatic facilities in Ukraine, including an embassy in Kiev and consulates in Kharkiv, Odessa and Lviv.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall on Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow, Russia February 23, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is always open to diplomacy But it will prioritize its own national security interests. “I want to reiterate that the interests of Russia and the security of our people are unconditional. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen and modernize our army and navy,” Putin said in a statement.
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EU to hold emergency summit
EU leaders will hold an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss the situation in Ukraine. “It is important that we remain united and determined and jointly define our collective vision and actions,” Reuters quoted the head of the EU Council, Charles Michel, as saying.
Michel said that the agenda of the EU meeting was “how do we protect the rules-based international order; how do we deal with Russia, in particular hold Russia accountable for its actions; how do we protect Ukraine and Will support his people.”
(with inputs from agencies)