1 year agoFrance statement on call with @POTUS about Russia-Ukraine @EmmanuelMacron "expressed his deep concern over the situation on the Ukrainian border & the need to work collectively to de-escalate it quickly.must involve strong, credible warnings to Russia"
1 year agoPresident Biden:Today, I spoke with European leaders in response to Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders. We discussed our joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression, such as preparations to impose severe economic costs on Russia and reinforce security on the eastern flank
The Cabinet of Ministers withdrew the bill on the transition period in the Donbass, which provided rules for the reintegration of the occupied territories
Javelin anti-tank missiles arriving soon to Ukraine from the United States, Pentagon spokesman tells @marthamaccallum. "Air defense systems" also being rushed in. "There's a lot more coming”
No plans for U.S. troops to deploy to Ukraine to deter Russia. If Putin invades, he faces largely "economic consequences," Kirby says
Size of Russian forces around Ukraine "Has gotten bigger. Absolutely" per @PentagonPresSec - "They are in fact adding more"
Per @StateDeptSpox, US still expects to send its written response to Russia re NATO/Ukraine this week, will include response to Russia's proposals and also other issues the US is hoping can be grounds for agreement with Russia
No decision to pull out those US forces currently in Ukraine working as military advisers/trainers, Pentagon spox Kirby says
"It's very clear the Russians have no intention right now of deescalating" per @PentagonPresSec on timing of this announcement of heightened alert
"As of now the decision has been made to pace these units on heightened alerts & heightened alert only" per @PentagonPresSec. Some units been told to be ready to deploy in as little as 5 days, he says "No final decision has been made to deploy them"
DoD press sec Kirby: "The US is taking steps to heighten the readiness of forces at home and abroad so they are prepared to support a range of contingencies, including the NATO Response Force if it is activated"
@PentagonPresSec Kirby announcing steps to ready multi-national NATO response force (NRF) of 40,000 troops "if it is activated to defeat aggression, if necessary" against Russia
[email protected] has placed "a range of units on a heightened readiness to deploy" - about 8,500 personnel - per @PentagonPresSec
Pentagon taking steps to heighten readiness over Ukraine - including for @NATO response force if activated, per @PentagonPresSec. US "keenly focused" on Russia's military build-up along Ukraine and in Belarus
Psaki on additional US troops to eastern flank NATO allies: "We have never ruled out the option of providing additional assistance in advance of an invasion. Those discussions have been ongoing"
White House says there is no plan to evacuate Americans from Ukraine with military assets. Psaki says people are being encouraged to leave by commercial aircraft
France sees 'path to de-escalation' of Ukraine-Russia tensions: Macron aide
"We are conveying very clearly now that now is the time to leave" Ukraine, says @PressSec of US citizens
US refining its military plans for all scenarios on Ukraine crisis: White House
1 year agoThe NeptuneStrike22 "is the first time since the end of the Cold War that a US carrier strike group has gone under @NATO command, and this exercise will help demonstrate the unity capability and strength of the Transatlantic Alliance," said @PressSec
Speaker Pelosi has asked the White House for an all-member, bipartisan briefing on Ukraine/Russia situation
1 year agoRAF BAe 146-200 RRR1557 from Kyiv #Ukraine
"There is no reason to panic": Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Olexiy Danilov called for calm in the face of a possible Russian invasion
EU foreign ministers agree no need to take action to evacuate staff from Ukraine - Borrell
1 year agoNATO Sec Gen Stoltenberg on whether he's disappointed in Germany says only that Berlin has agreed to send the same message(s) and provide same reinforcements as all other allies
"We have not made any decision to withdraw those people working for @NATO in Kyiv" per SecGen @jensstoltenberg, asked about moves by US, others to evacuate some personnel from Ukraine "This has to be a national decision" he says
1 year agoWhite House: "In the afternoon, the President will hold a secure video call with European leaders as part of our close consultation and coordination with our Transatlantic Allies and partners in response to Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders
1 year agoRQ-4A Global Hawk on 10 hours mission over Ukraine
1 year agoNATO chief Stoltenberg thanks Sweden for reinforcing its military presence on Gotland as added security for NATO allies on the Baltic Sea
1 year agoNATO is "considering to further enhance its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. This could include the deployment of additional NATO battlegroups," says @jensstoltenberg
1 year agoLatvia has asked its citizens not to travel to Ukraine -Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics
NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg's met today with Foreign Ministers @Haavisto of Finland and @AnnLinde of Sweden
DHS assesses that Russia would consider conducting a cyberattack on US if Moscow perceived that a US/NATO response to a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine "threatened [Russia's] long-term national security
Deployment of territorial defense troops is ongoing around the clock - Defense Minister of Ukraine Reznikov
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia: Very good exchange between @SecBlinken and EU Foreign Ministers on the current crisis in Europe. I appreciate level of transatlantic coordination and US commitment to Europe's security. We must help Ukraine and counter Russia's aggressive behaviour
Lukashenka signed a decree on convening an extraordinary session of parliament on January 27. No reason explained
Biden administration now in final stages of identifying specific military units to send to Eastern Europe to deter Russia. Next steps likely to be prep orders and then deployment orders once final decision several US officials tell CNN
CzechRepublic MoD @jana_cernochova: "Let me be clear, Ukraine is our ally. If there is war, we are ready to offer a refuge to their woman and children. No Ukrainian request for sending military yet, but if they do so, we will discuss it." Source: Interview for @enkocz
1 year agoNATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg and UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz discussed Russia's military build-up in/around Ukraine & implications for European security. He thanked her for British contributions to NATO collective defence & strong support to our partner Ukraine
Senior Elysée source tells: "There is a kind of alarmism in Washington and London which we cannot understand. We see no immediate likelihood of Russian military action. We simply want our interpretation to be taken into account before a common western approach is agreed"
1 year agoRussian Navy Project 1171 Black Sea Fleet 197th Landing Ship Brigade Tapir (NATO:Alligator) class LST Orsk 148 returned from Tartus Syria & transited Bosphorus towards the Black Sea en route to Sevastopol
Ukraine's Zelenskiy tells EU's Michel, Kyiv will not respond to provocations, will remain calm and patient with its partners
1 year agoParliamentarians of 11 countries issued a joint statement on the entry of Russian troops into Belarus. The statement says that the deployment of Russian troops in Belarus not only poses a threat to Ukraine,Poland and Lithuania, but could also be a part of a plan to occupy Belarus
Dutch embassy to Ukraine tells it is "constantly monitoring developments" but sees "no reason" to evacuate staff at the moment
Intelligence is "pretty gloomy" on an imminent, new Russian invasion of Ukraine but it's not inevitable, UK PM says. "I have got to tell you that I think the intelligence is pretty gloomy on this point," he says
British PM says there are around 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine. In a pool TV interview, @BorisJohnson said: "The plan for a lightning war that could take out Kyiv is one that everyone can see. We need to make it clear to Russia that that would be a disastrous step"
UK Prime Minister @BorisJohnson warns a further Russian invasion of Ukraine could be "a new Chechnya". "We also need to get over the message that invading Ukraine from a Russian perspective is going to be a painful, violent and bloody business.this could be a new Chechnya"
1 year agoOpponents of vaccination held a rally in Kyiv - participants opposed the quarantine restrictions
President of Ukraine Zelensky convenes National Security and Defense council at 5pm today. To discuss financial and security questions
Australian federal government begins evacuating family members of Australian diplomats in Kyiv
1 year agoAllied ships from @STRIKFORNATO and @USNavyEurope kicked off a series of patrolling activities across the Mediterranean featuring the deployment of @USSHARRYSTRUMAN. It's the 1st time since the Cold War that a full U.S. carrier group comes under NATO command
France advises nationals against non-essential travel to Ukraine
Lukashenka: we will have to deploy a whole contingent of the Belarusian army near the Ukrainian border
1 year agoMilitary column was filmed in Yelsk, Gomel region yesterday
Kremlin says the threat of Ukrainian offensive at Donbass is "very high"
NATO statements about sending additional forces to Eastern Europe increase tensions, - Kremlin's spokesperson
Intensive reconnaissance by U.S. drone over Russia-Ukraine border
German Federal Foreign Office has just decided to allow family members of the German Embassy in Ukraine to leave the country voluntarily. Also applies to German organizations in Ukraine such as the Goethe-Institut
Poland's President @andrzejduda to meet with the govt members to discuss the security situation in the region, support for Ukraine & allied cooperation
EU prepares fresh 1.2-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine: von der Leyen
The US Embassy in Belarus: We warn our citizens of unusual Russian military activities on the borders of Ukraine
Head of occupation authorities in parts of Donetsk region of Ukraine says that they have increased combat readiness preparedness
NATO: Alliance 'putting forces on standby,' sending additional warships and fighter jets to eastern Europe as Russia continues military build-up around Ukraine: statement
Allies are sending more ships and jets to enhance NATO defensive deployments in eastern Europe. A strong sign of allied solidarity. Offers include: Danish F-16 jets to Lithuania; French troops to Romania; Dutch F-35 jets to Bulgaria;Spanish frigate heading to the Black Sea
Lithuanian Foreign Minister: Any sanctions imposed on Russia must be harsh
Lukashenka said that he does not need a war, but accused "Americans are pushing for these actions"
It's propaganda
Occupation authorities in parts of Luhansk region have also accused Ukraine in preparation of offensive operations
It's propaganda
Occupation authorities in parts of Donetsk region accused Ukraine in preparation of offensive operation, says additional 40 SOF servicemen,trained by British instructors arrived near Avdiyivka
Ukraine says US move to withdraw diplomats' families 'premature'
UK Foreign Office officials said the decision was not the result of specific intelligence targeting British diplomats but a response to the growing risk of a Russian incursion & the potential risk to diplomats
The BBC understands the Foreign Office has started to withdraw staff from the British embassy in Kiyv, amid growing fears in the West that Russia may be preparing to invade Ukraine
The EU is not following the US in withdrawing its diplomats' families from Ukraine, top European diplomat Josep Borrell says, adding there is no need to "dramatise" the situation while talks with Russia continue
1 year agoUSAF RQ4 Global Hawk FORTE12 drone on the mission over Eastern Ukraine
Joint Forces Operation: 10 ceasefire violations yesterday, 1 Ukrainian serviceman wounded
1 year ago2x USAF KC135R RCH051/52 from NAS NAS Jacksonville to Europe
1 year agoUS Army CL600 ARTEMIS N488CR BRIO68 active over the Black Sea
State Department official, in explaining ordered departure for Kyiv embassy families, says the decision was based on conclusion that Russia could invade at any time. But notes that USG is still not sure that Russia will invade
The UK is keeping "under close review" the situation at its embassy in Ukraine after US announced it will reduce staff + withdraw families. @FCDOGovUK said: "The safety & security of our staff & British nationals is our top priority. We are keeping the situation under close review"
1 year agoTonight the State Dept has ordered the families of US embassy employees in Kyiv to depart Ukraine and authorized non-emergency personnel to depart as well
State Department: US citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options
State Dept announces reducing staff at Embassy in Kyiv. "The Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of US direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action"
The US @StateDept has reissued its Level 4 Travel advisory for Ukraine to include new information about increased risk of Russian military action: "Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID19”
Starting January 24 to 29, Latvian inspectors will check Russian military facilities in the Smolensk and Bryansk regions, - head of the Russian National Center for Nuclear Risk Reduction Ryzhkov
1 year agoMinister of Defense of Ukraine: The second bird in Kyiv. More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities from our friends in the USA
1 year ago17:31z CMB313, a National Air flight chartered by USTRANSCOM, arrived in Kyiv this evening from Frankfurt with a weapons shipment
Ukrainian Police again denied any leaks from Diya government platform, says all information about that is fake in attempt to destabilize situation in the country
1 year ago3 x USAF C130J HKY729/731/732 to Tallin Estonia
1 year agoNational Airlines N756CA just took off from Frankfurt Hahn Airport as U.S. Transportation Command flight CMB313. Scheduled destination is Kyiv Boryspil Airport in Ukraine. The aircraft is loaded with U.S. weaponry
Crew evacuated from a burning vessel in the Black Sea
Ukrainian serviceman of Border Guard troops wounded with gun fire at Putyla district of Chernivtsi region. Evacuated to hospital in bad condition
Body of Ukrainian border guards serviceman was found at Ukraine-Romania border in Chernivtsi region on Friday night
