& nbsp;
Ukraine is expected to declare a state of emergency immediately after Russia recognizes the independence of the two separatist-controlled territories in the east of the country.
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has called on the Ukrainian parliament to impose a state of emergency throughout Ukraine, except for the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, which have been under this regime for years.
According to the Guardian, Alexei Danilov, head of the National Security and Defense Council, told reporters after the meeting that the state of emergency would allow the government to implement measures such as a curfew. This measure will be imposed only in case of increased Russian aggression, he clarified.
At the same time, despite reports that Russian troops are approaching the Ukrainian border, Vladimir Putin appears categorical that the interests and Russia's security is non-negotiable but also open to dialogue with the West.
Russia has always been “open to direct and honest dialogue,” the Russian president said, addressing the people just hours after Biden's speech and warning of “the beginning of a Russian invasion.”
Despite the dialogue window by President Roros, concerns about an imminent invasion of Ukrainian territory are growing. This is facilitated by the constant reports of bombings in the autonomous regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, as well as the recording of new movements of Russian troops to the Ukrainian border.
Maxar satellite imagery shows the new development of more than 100 military vehicles and the setting up of dozens of military tents in southern Belarus, near the border with Ukraine.
The company also mentioned a campaign hospital set up next to a camp in western Russia, near the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Following escalating tensions, Ukraine today began recruiting 18-60-year-old reservists following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
< p> Their maximum recruitment time is one year.
Mass evacuations
Meanwhile, the evacuation of residents from areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists and recognized on Monday by Moscow continues. As of 06:00 this morning, more than 96,000 residents of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics”, which Russia has recognized as independent states, had crossed the border with the Russian Federation, according to Acting Minister of Emergency Situations Alexan Tsuprian.
Earlier, he said that after the recognition of the independence of the two provinces of Donbass from Russia, there was a relative reduction in the flow of refugees, who wanted to follow the urging of local leaders and move to Russian territory after their allegation that they were receiving increased fire from the Ukrainian artillery from the early morning of 17 February.
According to the deputy speaker of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova, among the refugees so far 31,000 are children and in fact about a thousand of them are orphans of the Ukrainian civil war, which has been developing in the region since 2014.
The Russian authorities have assured that temporary accommodation, care and financial assistance will be provided to all citizens of Donbass who wish to cross into Russian territory and be promoted to one of the Russian regions, which has responded to the need and is hosting refugees, many of them. of which they move to their relative families, living in Russia.
The reception of the refugees and the provision of the provisions was clarified that it is done regardless of their nationality or the absence of certificates. According to the chairman of the Russian State Duma Alexander Volodin, from the cat & # 8217; More than 4 million people in the wider region, 1.2 million have applied for Russian documents and more than 700,000 have already received Russian identity.
His country's willingness to accept refugees from Donbass and grant them Belarusian citizenship, if they so wish, said the head of the Belarus Naturalization and Immigration Service Alexei Begun.
Evacuations take place amid constant bombardment. “On Wednesday, pro-Russian separatists prevented the reconstruction and reopening of a power plant in Luhansk.” Ukraine's parliament approves sanctions on Russians, including members of parliament
Ukraine's parliament has approved the imposition of sanctions on 351 Russians, including lawmakers who have spoken out in favor of recognizing the independence of the breakaway regions and sending Russian troops to eastern Ukraine.
Sanctions restrict almost all possible types of activities, in particular imposing a ban on entry into Ukraine, a ban on access to assets, capital, property, business licenses. The Security Council requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency's ongoing inspections in Iran, that it monitor Iran's compliance with “the steps required by the IAEA Board”. Parliament also approved at first reading a draft law allowing Ukrainians to carry weapons and act in self-defense.
& # 8220; The adoption of this law is fully in line with the interests of the state and society & # 8221 ;, the authors of the bill state in a note, adding that this is necessary due to the & # 8220; existing threats and dangers for them citizens of Ukraine & # 8221 ;. One of the worst security crises of recent decades has been going on since Russia recognized the independence of two regions of eastern Ukraine and ordered the deployment of troops there. Ukraine has accused Russia of disrupting peace talks to end an eight-year conflict in the region.
Source: cnn.gr
& nbsp;
Crisis in Ukraine: Concerns about military escalation & # 8211; Fears of a large-scale Russian attack
Margin narrows: Kiev urges Ukrainians to leave Russia immediately
< Putin says he is ready for "diplomatic solutions", but troops are also deployed in Belarus
& nbsp;
