Tension remains very high in Eastern Europe. According to the US and NATO, Russia is ready to launch an attack on Ukraine "at any moment", an accusation that Moscow continues to deny. But according to sources cited by CNN, "Russia has almost 75% of its conventional forces in position against Ukraine" in view of an invasion. According to the CBS, however, the Russian commanders "have received orders to proceed with an invasion of Ukraine". Commanders on the ground are reported to be making specific plans for how to maneuver in their battle sectors. And while fighting has already begun in the Donbass (i.e. eastern Ukraine, where many pro-Russians and separatists reside), the maneuvers of international diplomacy continue relentlessly in order to reach the definitive de-escalation.

Latest news.

“Russia ready for invasion” - According to CNNE sources, Moscow is ready to attack. According to these sources, about 60 km from the Ukrainian border there are 120 of the 160 Russian battalion tactical groups (Btg), equal to 75% of the main combat units in Moscow. Mobilized against Kiev 35 of the 50 air defense battalions, 500 fighters and fighter bombers as well as 50 medium-heavy bombers. According to the CBS, the Russian commanders have already received the green light to proceed with the invasion.

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Long Macron-Putin talk - Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin agree that we need to work towards a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. This was announced by the Elysée at the end of the long telephone conversation between the French and Russian presidents. Putin, however, reiterated that the US and NATO must take Russia's demands on security "seriously".

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Zelensky: "Cease the fire immediately" - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a tweet after the telephone conversation today with French President Emmanuel Macron, stressed his support for an "immediate introduction of a ceasefire" in Donbass.

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Moscow: "No reason to attack" - "There is no reason for Russia to attack anyone". This was stated by Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, who urged Western partners to "return to being reasonable". "We urge you to ask yourself the question: what is the point of Russia attacking someone?" Peskov added.

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Kamala Harris: "Putin has decided" - "We believe that Putin has made his decision. Period". This was reiterated by US Vice President Kamala Harris during a press briefing on the Munich Security Conference, referring to the invasion of Ukraine. According to Harris, Europe is on the verge of a possible "war".

Military exercises continue in Belarus - Belarus will continue military exercises with Russia, which should have ended today. "In view of the increase in military activity near the borders and the worsening of the situation in Donbass, the presidents of Belarus and Russia have decided to continue," the Belarusian Defense Ministry said in a post on Telegram.

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Tass: “Two civilians killed in a night attack by Kiev forces - Two civilians from the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) were reportedly killed in an attempt by the Ukrainian armed forces to break through in the nearby village of Pionerskoye, 7km from the border with Russia. The Tass writes it quoting the popular militia. "As a result of the attack by the Kiev militants, two civilians were killed and 5 buildings were destroyed," he says. The defense department of the LPR has specified that the Kiev forces supported by the artillery have crossed the Seversky Donets River and attempted to attack the positions of the popular militia. "But the attack was repulsed," the militia said.

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EU: "The West tends an olive branch" - "The Western Allies cannot continue to offer olive branches forever while Russia conducts missile tests and masses troops along the border with Ukraine". This was stated by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, asking the participants of the Munich conference on security this question: "Does the Kremlin want dialogue?".

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40 thousand refugees arrived in Rostov from Donbass - About 40 thousand refugees fled from Donbass and arrived in the Russian region of Rostov. This was reported by the Interfax agency citing Alexander Chupriyan, interim minister for emergency situations. "More than 40 thousand people, who had to leave the neighboring regions, have arrived in Russia. At this point they are mainly housed in 92 temporary shelters," said the minister.

(Unioneonline)

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