'A real possibility of war in Europe': US Vice President Harris as Russia-Ukraine tensions soar
World | February 20, 2022 23:47 ISTEurope, US Vice President Kamala Harris said, might be at its most perilous moment since the end of World War II.
Europe, US Vice President Kamala Harris said, might be at its most perilous moment since the end of World War II.
Intelligence suggests Russia intends to launch an invasion that will encircle Ukrainian capital Kyiv, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC.
Zelenskyy spoke hours after separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization on Saturday while Western leaders made increasingly dire warnings that a Russian invasion of its neighbour appeared imminent.
As tensions continue to brew between Russia, Ukraine, and the West, Moscow has once again reiterated that it is not planning any attack on Ukraine.
With Western fears high that Russia is planning to invade, tensions also spiked Thursday along the line that separates Ukrainian forces from Russia-backed separatists in the country's east, with the parties accusing each other of intensive shelling.
An EU official said on Wednesday that India is a "friend and partner" and that the 27-nation bloc has been in constant touch with New Delhi over the Ukraine crisis and that it is doing its "utmost" to explore all avenues to defuse the situation through diplomacy and dialogue.
As the U.S. and other NATO members warn of the potential for a devastating war, Russia is not countering with bombs or olive branches -- but with sarcasm.
According to AFP, Moscow said some military forces deployed near Ukraine are returning to their bases after a build-up of Russian forces around Ukrainian borders spurred fears of an invasion.
The report says that Khan’s visit comes at a time when the US and Russia are locked in a bitter standoff since the Cold War over Ukraine, which could spiral into a conflict any time if diplomacy completely fails.
A convergence of events over the coming week could determine whether the stalemate is resolved peacefully or Europe is at war. At stake are Europe's post-Cold War security architecture and long-agreed limits on the deployment of conventional military and nuclear forces there.
Russian officials have not signalled they would consider cutting supplies in the case of new sanctions. Moscow relies on energy exports, and although it just signed a gas deal with China, Europe is a key source of revenue. Europe is likewise dependent on Russia, so any Western sanctions would likely avoid directly targeting Russian energy supplies.
The subvariant BA.2, dubbed with the moniker "Stealth Omicron," appears to be gaining ground in certain parts of the world, including Denmark and the UK, Euronews reported.
French Health Minister Olivier Veran on Wednesday defended a government plan to allow only the fully vaccinated to enjoy continued access to places.
Omicron has been detected in at least 38 of the WHO European region's 53 members. It is already the dominant variant in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Portugal.
Having repeatedly promised that there will be no repeat of last year’s lockdown-marred Christmas, Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces an agonizing choice: wreck the holiday plans of millions or face a tidal wave of cases and disruption.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is well prepared to fight omicron with 66.6% of its population fully vaccinated.
A government body in Britain said they are extending the booster shots to adults aged 18 to 39 years old.
The detection of the new Covid variant has put many countries, including India, on high alert. Hours after the announcement, the Centre issued an advisory to states, UTs for international travellers from specified countries.
The lockdown will start Monday and initially will last for 10 days, when it will be reevaluated. Starting Feb. 1, the country will also make vaccinations mandatory.
Amid the sharp increase in infections, some countries in the region are now taking new measures to slow the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19, Xinhua news agency reported.
Top News
Latest News
