High tension in Ukraine especially after British accusations about an alleged Moscow plan to install a friendly government with full-blown "invasion and occupation".

While Kiev promises to stifle the rise of exponents and pressure groups linked to the "occupiers" and the United States once again threatens a "tough response" along with "European allies" if "even one other member of the Russian forces" crosses the border. border "in an aggressive way", the conspiracy denounced by the Foreign Office immediately found the indignant reply from Moscow, asking London "to stop spreading nonsense" and "put an end to these provocative activities".

NATO - However, NATO replies: "NATO allies - reads a note - are putting the forces on alert and are sending ships and fighters to Eastern Europe, to strengthen our deterrence and defense capacity, while the Russia continues to increase its military presence inside and outside Ukraine ". This deployment, according to the Kremlin, is "exacerbating" the tensions.

"NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to defend and protect our allies, including strengthening" the Alliance's presence in the "eastern part", NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Brussels with foreign ministers of Finland and Sweden. "The risk of a conflict remains real", added Stoltenberg, reiterating, with regard to a possible future entry of other countries into the Atlantic Alliance, that NATO "does not accept compromises on the main fundamentals, its doors remain open".

COUNTERMEASURES - According to what is learned from State Department sources who have recommended reducing non-essential personnel from the embassy in Kiev, the United States has ordered the evacuation of the families of diplomats in Ukraine.

The US administration also advises US citizens against traveling to Russia.

London also announced the withdrawal of its staff from the Kiev embassy due to Russia's "growing threat" to Ukraine. This was announced by the Foreign Office, a few hours after the order given by the United States to evacuate the relatives of US diplomats from Ukraine, adding that the British embassy remains open for the handling of essential affairs. "Some embassy staff" and their families "are moving away from Kiev in response to the growing threat from Russia."

USA CALL EU - In the next few hours, President Joe Biden will be in video connection with European leaders at the White House: among them the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

EUROPE - Europe is also considering a response at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Ukraine. As EU High Representative Josep Borrell said: "On sanctions we want to act in strong coordination with our partners: the US, Canada and the UK. At the moment we are continuing to build a strong package of sanctions, but nothing concrete will be approved today ". "There is a process, the process is ongoing, everything will be ready when needed, but today we will not announce anything," he added.

European security "is indivisible", underline the conclusions of the European Council while the summit is still underway, and any challenge to the order of European security affects "the security of the EU and its member states". "The spheres of influence - reads a note - have no place in the 21st century: the Council condemns Russia's continuing aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine and calls on Russia to ease the tension".

(Unioneonline / D)

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