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German Ambassador's remarks on the Bundestag's Resolution
High standards of democracy and the rule of law, a sufficient level of socio-economic development, and the ability to implement EU law are the things that enable a country to be a successful member of the EU. German Ambassador to Georgia Hubert Knirsch told Europetime about it. „The Bundestag resolution is about support to Ukraine in its fight for freedom and territorial integrity, which is also a fight for the peaceful order in Europe. The German Parlament expresses its option that our assistance should include support for Ukraine's aspiration to EU membership. The Bundestag also underlines that this applies equally to Georgia and Moldova. At the same time, it points to the criteria for membership as defined in the European Union treaty: high standards of democracy and the rule of law, a sufficient level of socio-economic development, ability to implement EU law. These are the things that enable a country to be a successful member of the European Union“, - Ambassador Hubert Knirsch said. A reminder, The German Bundestag supports Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia "on their European path". The resolution was submitted jointly by the three parliamentary groups of the ruling coalition and the largest opposition group, the CDU / CSU.
NATO political consultations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia
Last week,the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Mr. Javier Colomina, travelled to the South Caucasus, visiting Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. He held political consultations with the President and Prime Minister of Armenia, the Prime Minister of Georgia and the President of Azerbaijan, as well as other senior Government officials. A Nato official says Javier Colomina’s ongoing visit to Georgia is part of regular consultations held by NATO officials with their Georgian counterparts A Nato official says NATO highly values Georgia’s long-standing contributions to Euro-Atlantic security In Georgia he also took part in a session of the Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee and met with representatives of the civil society. The discussions focused on regional security issues and the prospects for further political dialogue and practical cooperation with these important partner countries, especially in the context of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine and of the final preparations for the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid, at the end of June. This was his second official trip to the South Caucasus, since his appointment in September 2021.
The European Commission has started to assess the replies to the first part of the questionnaire completed by Ukraine
The European Commission has started to assess the replies to the first part of the questionnaire completed by Ukraine, A Commission spokesperson told Europetime The President of the Commission handed over to President Zelenskyy the questionnaire covering the political and economic criteria on 8 April. The part covering the implementation of the EU acquis was submitted to Ukraine on 13 April. The Commission has started to assess the replies to the first part of the questionnaire, which we received on 17 April. We expect to receive replies to the second part of the questionnaire within four weeks (by mid-May) and we remain ready to support Ukrainian authorities in this important process. The replies will help the Commission prepare its assessment of Ukraine’s application in light of the memberships criteria. The questionnaires are internal documents to help the Commission prepare the Opinions, therefore these documents are not published by the Commission. Once adopted by the Commission, the Opinions are made public. Decisions on the next steps are in the hands of the Council. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen handed the questionnaire to Zelenskiy during her visit to Kyiv on April 8th. Ukraine completed its questionnaire for EU membership on April 18th. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday he had discussed the increase of aid for Kiev with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The parties talked about the increase of security assistance to Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia and the post-war reconstruction, Zelensky tweeted.According to Zelensky he informed von der Leyen about the provision of the completed European Union (EU) questionnaire, which is a step toward Ukraine's EU integration. For her part, von der Leyen tweeted that in their talks, the sides touched upon financial and security assistance for Kiev, and Ukraine's replies to the questionnaire on EU membership.
The opening ceremony took place of the project to support fulfill Georgia's obligations under the Association Agreement
On Wednesday, April 13th a kick-off conference of the EU-funded twinning project „strenghthening of institutional as well as human capacities of the Geoegian National Agency for Standards and Metrology (GEOSTM) according to international/EU best practices" took place at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel. The overall objective of the project is to support Georgia in full fulfillment of its obligations under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA), DCFTA, and Association Agenda in the fields of standardization and metrology, as well as further enhance the standardization and metrology infrastructure and services in accordance with European and international best practices. The main beneficiaries of the project are the Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology (GEOSTIM) and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia (MoESD). The EU member state partners are the Italian Accreditation Body (ACCREDIA), the Italian National Metrology Research Institute (INRIM), the Italian National Stadardisation Body (UNI), supported by the Spanish Metrology Center (CEM), FIIAP F.S.P. and the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE). In the comments with "Europetime", the participants addressed the project's value and benefits. Economic integration with the European Union, particularly the effective execution of a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement, is a priority, according to Mariam Gabunia, Director of the Ministry of Economy's Foreign Trade Policy Department. In this context, the development of quality infrastructure, particularly the enhancement of Georgia's capability in the field of standards and metrology, is of particular importance. This is the third project, that aims to improve the agency's capability in the sphere of standards and metrology while also bringing it closer to EU legislation. Speaking to Europetime the Director of Cooperation and International Relations of UNE, Vito Fernicola, said the project is important for both the Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology and the Italian-Spanish consortia that support the project. We are pulling in another experts in standardisation metology and we are offering these experts in a very flexible way to our Georgian colleagues. So we are planning a number of activities to help the Georgian agency to support the government in terms of reducing technical barriers to trade. Enrico Valvo, the Italian Republic's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Georgia, stated that the project is significant since it affects a key infrastructure, namely infrastructure quality. This includes metrology. The importance of receiving a questionnaire from Georgia on EU membership was underlined by Enrico Valvo. The entities taking part in this project have relevant experience, and the idea is to transfer all they can to the benefit of GEOSTM. Of course, this is a part of the big picture, and the big picture is the approximation with the EU legislation. The project is financed by the EU with €1 400 000.
U.S. to send hundreds more anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine
President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, even as his position on a no-fly zone did not change after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's urgent appeal to the U.S. Congress for military help to fend off a Russian invasion. According to Reuters, Addressing Zelenskiy's remarks in his speech, Biden said the United States has offered Ukraine $1 billion in security aid, adding America will continue to give Ukraine weapons to fight and defend themselves, offer humanitarian relief and support Ukraine's economy with additional financial assistance. „This new package on its own is going to provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine, and includes 800 anti-aircraft systems," Biden said, to stop Russian planes and helicopters attacking Ukrainians. At Zelenskiy's request, Washington will help Ukraine acquire additional long-range missile anti-aircraft systems, Biden said. It will also supply 9,000 anti-armor systems, drones and 7,000 small arms such as machine guns, shotguns and grenade launchers that will help civilians fighting to defend their country. "More will be coming as we source additional stocks of equipment that ... we are ready to transfer," he said. The new funds will come from a spending bill Biden signed into law that includes $13.6 billion in new aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky calls on US to remember Pearl Harbor and 9/11: ‘Our country experiences the same every day’
In his address to Congress, Zelenskiy compared the attacks in Ukraine to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that pulled the United States into World War Two, and begged lawmakers, and Biden directly, for more help. "This is a terror that Europe has not seen for 80 years, and we are asking for our life, for an answer to this terror from the whole world. Is this a lot to ask for? To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people?" Zelenskiy asked through an interpreter. "If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative," he said. "You know what kind of defense systems we need," adding that he knows the United States has them. Acoording to Reuters, Biden has referred to the creation of a no-fly zone over Ukraine as "World War Three," and the Pentagon has refused requests to send fighter jets to Ukraine. Earlier on Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine both emphasized newfound scope for compromise as peace talks were set to resume three weeks into a Russian assault that has so far failed to topple the Ukrainian government. On Tuesday, the White House said Biden will travel to Brussels for a March 24 NATO summit on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow terms a "special military operation" to disarm and "denazify" its neighbor. Biden has ratcheted up sanctions imposed on Russia in recent days. He has called for a suspension of Russia's trading status that affords its exported products lower tariffs in the international arena and announced a ban on Russian oil and other energy imports.
A no-fly zone is not on the table right now, Ambassador Julianne Smith says
The message coming from the NATO alliance and from Washington, including the president, is that a no-fly zone is not on the table right now. According to Ambassador Julianne Smith, US permanent representative to NATO that’s not something that the Alliance is looking at. „I think our collective goal, the United States in consultation with its Allies, our goal right now is to end this war – to get Russia to leave Ukraine, to get Russia to stop these attacks on both the Ukrainian military and these indiscriminate attacks on civilians. We don’t want to expand this conflict. We do not want to see it spread above and beyond the current context. And so the feeling is that if we were to consider something like a no-fly zone, that would take us in the wrong direction. There is also a broader question here about the utility of considering that type of option. If you take, for example, the recent attack that we saw by the Russians on this military training facility in western Ukraine that was about – my understanding is it’s about 15 kilometers from the Polish border – what we learned from that was that Russia actually was able to instigate that attack from a Russian bomber in Russian airspace, begging the question about whether or not a no-fly zone in Ukrainian airspace would actually have a major impact on Russia’s ability to attack Ukrainian territory. So that’s a broader set of questions. But again, I think when you think about the Alliance’s position on escalation and our interest in not escalating this conflict right now, where the Alliance has landed is to take that option off the table. On the jets, I mean, what I can say broadly is, look, every member of this Alliance right now is trying to think about what more it can do. The remarkable story of the last couple of weeks, first and foremost, is that every member of this Alliance, every single one has already stepped forward and offered assistance. That assistance takes many forms. Several Allies are offering lethal assistance; some are offering humanitarian; most of them are offering both. In the case of Poland, they obviously had some requests through their contacts in Kyiv. They heard loud and clear the request for these Soviet-era MiGs that they have in Poland. We had a debate about that particular option. At the end of the day, you heard the U.S. weigh in and say that they felt that this particular option was untenable. There were a number of – and there still are – open-ended questions about the mechanics of actually moving these planes from Poland to Ukraine. There are open-ended questions about pilots, about fuel, about missiles. And so, at this point, this is ultimately Poland’s decision, but to the extent that the U.S. has a view on this. Again, you’ve heard directly from the Pentagon on this matter that folks did not believe that at this point, this was the best option, and this was an option that had all of the details adequately sorted to actually make this transfer happen. So, that’s on that front. On your last bit about air defense, look, the U.S. has already provided – really since the President came to the Oval Office in early 2021 – $1.2 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine. Just in the last two weeks, we have provided $550 million in security assistance, and that mostly takes the form of anti-armor or anti-tank weapons. You’ve heard the President and the Secretary of Defense talk about the fact that we are continually assessing what additional needs our friends in Kyiv have. We will continue looking at what other aspects of or other forms of air defense we might be able to provide to Ukraine. And of course, you’ve no doubt seen the news that Congress just recently approved an additional $13.6 billion of support for Ukraine. So, this is an evolving story. It’s hard to take a snapshot on any given day because it’s clear that not only the United States but NATO Allies are continuing to look for additional ways that they can address Ukraine’s air-defense needs“, - Ambassador Julianne Smith says.
Giviko Abdushelishvili: Patriotism is professionalism, you have to constantly strive to stand on the side of the right values
Unprecedented sanctions have been imposed on Russia’s economy, financial system, government and its allies over the attack on Ukraine by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries. At the same time, the world's leading companies have announced the termination of business relations with Russia. Georgia already went through the processes that are underway in Ukraine in the 2008 Georgia-Russia war, and still has to live in the conditions of creeping occupation. Not to mention the 20% of Georgia's territories that Russia has occupied so far. The activity and protest of young people against Russia and the desire to help Ukraine are exceptional, they openly voice their position from different universities and different platforms. Giviko Abdushelishvili studies in New York in high school. At the age of 16, he decided to contribute to helping Ukrainian citizens affected by Russian aggression. Thus, Georgian Giviko Abdushelishvili and Ukrainian Arseniy Nasikovskiy have decided to create a website and sell their own clothes, and donate the profits to the aid fund for the people of Ukariane. ‘Our mission is simple - we help Ukraine through selling our clothes and donating the profits. Each and every one of our items contains a #. We leverage social media to promote the message of peace. Both of us study in New York, in high school and we constantly experience worries and fears about the situation in Ukraine. Therefore, we have launched this project. Buy our clothing and help Ukraine’ says Giviko Andishelishvili. According to him, it is also very important to spread the message of truth and peace as it is an information war as well. The hashtag used by them allows the issue of Ukraine to be more visible and widespread. Giviko Abdushelishvili has also recorded a video address, where he talks about the current situation and ways to implement sanctions more effectively. ‘Multiple world leaders have already implemented further sanctions against the Russian Federation. However, as I mentioned in my Tweet, the Russian Federation might implement and legalize crypto-currency payments, which cannot be tracked upon all of the European and the American states. Mr. Boris Johnson, a UK diplomat and a representative has stated officially that the UK stands with Ukraine, so the UK have imposed sanctions on President Putin, Sergey Lavrov, 5 Russian banks, more a hundred companies and oligarchs at the heart of Putin’s regime and Belarus. President Duda of Poland has mentioned and I have mentioned in my tweet that Poland supports the express path of Ukraine joining the European Union. They want it to happen as fast as possible, however, it should still be noted with other European Union world leaders’. Giviko Abdushelishvili was born in Georgia to a family of diplomats. His grandfather Givi Abdushelishvili was the first ambassador of independent Georgia to Uzbekistan and one of the signatories of the Georgian Independence Act. He wants to get an American education and return to Georgia. As he mentions in his conversation with us, his desire is to help the country with his profession to develop and integrate with the West. On the question whether he is thinking of the career of a diplomat, he smiles. "It is too early to talk about it... The main thing is to be a good citizen, a good professional in your job, because professionalism is patriotism. There is a long way of studies ahead, but what’s most important is you have to constantly strive to stand on the side of the right ‘, says Giviko.
An extraordinary meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence will take place on Wednesday
A meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Defence Ministers will take place on Wednesday 16 March 2022. Ministers will meet in person. The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. The Ministers of Defence of Georgia, Ukraine, Finland and Sweden, as well as the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs And Security Policy, will take part.
US bans Russian oil imports over Ukraine invasion: Biden
President Biden on Tuesday announced a U.S. ban on Russian oil and gas imports over the country's invasion of Ukraine, taking aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin's main revenue source as Russian forces continue battering Ukrainian cities. "Today, I am announcing the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia's economy," the president said. "We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas energy. That means Russian oil will no longer be accepted in U.S. ports, and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin's war machine."
NATO Foreign Ministers meet amidst escalating Russian aggression in Ukraine
NATO Foreign Ministers held an extraordinary meeting in Brussels today (4 March 2022) to address the escalating crisis in Ukraine. They were joined by the Foreign Ministers of Finland and Sweden and the European Union High Representative. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed his counterparts in a video message, in which he described the deteriorating humanitarian situation in his country. Ministers condemned Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and expressed solidarity and support for the courage of the Ukrainian people and armed forces. They addressed NATO’s immediate response to the crisis. In addition to the thousands more troops that Allies have already sent to the eastern part of the Alliance, NATO is deploying its Response Force for the first time, it has over 130 jets at high alert and over 200 ships from the High North to the Mediterranean. “We will continue to do what it takes to protect and defend every inch of NATO territory”, said Secretary General Stoltenberg. Foreign Ministers also discussed the need to support partners who may be at risk of the war in Ukraine spilling-over, including Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. “We are not part of this conflict”, said Mr. Stoltenberg, adding, however, that NATO has “a responsibility to ensure it does not escalate and spread beyond Ukraine. That would be even more devastating and dangerous.” The meeting was an opportunity for ministers to also address the longer-term implications of Russia’s aggression for Euro-Atlantic security. The Secretary General reiterated that “Russia’s aggression has created a new normal for our security, where fundamental principles are contested through the use of force”. In this new normal, ministers agreed that NATO’s relationship with Russia has fundamentally changed for the long term, but they remain committed to keeping diplomatic channels open to avoid any unintended escalation, misunderstanding or miscalculation. In the afternoon of 4 March 2022, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg participated in the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union. This meeting was an opportunity for the Secretary General to hold an informal exchange with EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on the conflict in Ukraine and brief them on the discussions that the NATO ministers had earlier that same day. NATO and the EU are united in strongly condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine.
U.S. Department of State: We are assessing President Putin’s directive and at this time are comfortable with our strategic defensive posture
US officials on Monday called Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to mobilize his nuclear forces "dangerous" but said they had not seen any indication of any change in the country's strategic threat. A State Department spokesperson told Europetime in a statement: „Russia and the United States have long agreed that nuclear use would have devastating consequences, and have stated many times, including earlier this year, that a nuclear war cannot be won, and must never be fought. We think provocative rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons is dangerous, adds to the risk of miscalculation, should be avoided, and we will not indulge in it. We are assessing President Putin’s directive and at this time are comfortable with our strategic defensive posture. Throughout this crisis, Russia has falsely alleged that it is under threat – including from Ukraine and from NATO. Neither the United States nor NATO has any desire or intention for conflict with Russia. We are unwavering in our commitment to extended deterrence and confident in our ability to defend ourselves and our allies“. Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's military to put its deterrence forces, which include nuclear weapons, on "special alert". He told defence chiefs it was because of "aggressive statements" by the West, amid widespread condemnation of his invasion of Ukraine. According to BBC the announcement does not mean Russia intends to use the weapons. The US immediately condemned his decision, calling it an "unacceptable escalation".
NATO Allies boost support to Ukraine
NATO Allies are boosting their political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion. Thousands of anti-tank weapons, hundreds of air-defence missiles and thousands of small arms and ammunition stocks are being sent to Ukraine. Allies are also providing millions of euros worth of financial assistance and humanitarian aid, including medical supplies to help Ukrainian forces. Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States have already sent or are approving significant deliveries of military equipment to Ukraine. Ukraine has already received critical weapons, including Javelin missiles and anti-aircraft missiles, from NATO Allies, as well as millions of euros of financial assistance. Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States are offering humanitarian aid or opening their borders to Ukrainian refugees. Croatia, Poland and Romania are already welcoming Ukrainian refugees. Italy is also providing immediate financial assistance to the Ukrainian government, and Turkey has deepened its defence ties with Ukraine and offered humanitarian aid. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “I welcome that Allies are stepping up to support Ukraine, with additional military equipment, financial assistance and humanitarian aid. Self-defence is a right enshrined in the UN Charter, and Allies are helping Ukraine uphold that right. This sends a clear message of NATO’s full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” These additional contributions build on many years of NATO assistance to Ukraine. NATO has helped to train, fund and reform Ukraine’s armed forces and defence institutions since 2014. In the current crisis, the Alliance is helping to coordinate Ukraine’s requests for assistance and is supporting Allies in the delivery of humanitarian and non-lethal aid.
The North Atlantic Council condemns Russia’s horrifying attack on Ukraine
The North Atlantic Council condemns Russia’s horrifying attack on Ukraine. According to the statement this renewed attack is a grave violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and is wholly contradictory to Russia’s commitments in the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris, the Budapest Memorandum and the NATO-Russia Founding Act. It constitutes an act of aggression against an independent peaceful country. We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s horrifying attack on Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked. Our thoughts are with all those killed and injured, and with the people of Ukraine. We also condemn Belarus for enabling this attack. We stand with the people of Ukraine and its legitimate, democratically elected president, parliament and government. We will always maintain our full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters. We call on Russia to immediately cease its military action and withdraw all its forces from in and around Ukraine, to fully respect international humanitarian law, and to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to all persons in need. We strongly condemn Russia’s decision to extend recognition to the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. This further violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravenes the Minsk agreements, to which Russia is a signatory. Allies will never accept this illegal recognition. We urge Russia in the strongest terms to turn back from the path of violence and aggression it has chosen. Russia’s leaders must bear full responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Russia will pay a very heavy economic and political price. NATO will continue to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders and other international organisations including the EU. Throughout this crisis, NATO, the Allies, and our partners have made every effort to pursue diplomacy and dialogue with Russia, including at the highest levels, and made many substantive proposals to enhance the security of all nations in the Euro-Atlantic region. We have repeatedly invited Russia to talks in the NATO-Russia Council. Russia has still not reciprocated. It is Russia, and Russia alone, which has chosen escalation. Russia’s actions pose a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security, and they will have geostrategic consequences. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the security and defence of all Allies. We are deploying additional defensive land and air forces to the eastern part of the Alliance, as well as additional maritime assets. We have increased the readiness of our forces to respond to all contingencies. Today, we have held consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. We have decided, in line with our defensive planning to protect all Allies, to take additional steps to further strengthen deterrence and defence across the Alliance. Our measures are and remain preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory. Our commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty is iron-clad. We stand united to defend each other.
Putin announces military operation in Ukraine
Putin announces 'military operation' in Donbas. Russian President Vladimir Putin has just announced a "military operation" in Ukraine's Donbas region. He made the declaration in a televised speech at the same time as the UN Security Council was imploring him to stop. In a televised address on Thursday morning, Putin urges Ukrainian soldiers in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine to lay down weapons and return to their homes. He warned Ukraine that it would be blamed for any bloodshed. Putin also says "justice and truth" are on the Russian side, warning that Moscow's response will be "instant" if anyone tries to take on Russia. The Russian president also says his country's actions are self-defence and tells Ukraine’s military their fathers and grandfathers did not fight so they could help neo-Nazis. According to BBC Putin adds that clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces are “inevitable” and “only a question of time”. Only minutes earlier, the UN's under secretary had warned that a military escalation would lead to "an unacceptably high cost, human suffering and destruction".
Secretary-General: We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all Allies
Secretary-General strongly condemns Russia’s reckless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which puts at risk countless civilian lives. Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country. This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. NATO Allies will meet to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions. We stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time. NATO will do all it takes to protect and defend all Allies, - Iens Stoltenberg said.
Ukraine closes its airspace
Due to the high risk of aviation security for civil aviation from 00.45 utc (2.45 Kyiv time), Ukraine’s Civil-Military Air Traffic Management System took urgent measures to close the airspace of Ukraine for civil airspace users. Ukrinform reports with reference to the website of the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE). “Based on the urgent message of the Main Center for the Use of Airspace of Civil Aviation of the Russian Federation, due to the high risk of aviation safety for civil aviation from 00.45 utc (2.45 Kyiv time) of the Joint Civil-Military Air Traffic Management System of Ukraine on the use of Ukraine's airspace, in accordance with the requirements of the Air Code of Ukraine and the Regulations on the use of Ukrainian airspace, has taken urgent measures to close Ukraine's airspace to civilian airspace users,” the report says. The provision of air traffic services to civilian users of the airspace of Ukraine is suspended. UkSATSE will additionally inform about changes in the use of Ukraine's airspace.
Biden: World will hold Russia accountable
US President Joe Biden has responded to what he calls an "unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces". According to BBC he says "the prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine". "President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering," he says. "Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable." Biden says he will address Americans on Thursday about the consequences Russia will face. He says he will be monitoring the situation from the White House and will meet with G7 leaders in the morning before announcing "further consequences" for Russia. Biden says there will be a "strong, united response" from Nato allies that deters any aggression against its members. "Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine," he says.
Biden slaps sanctions on Nord Stream makers
According to BBC the White House has just announced sanctions on the makers of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that connects Russia and Germany. "Today, I have directed my administration to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its corporate officers," President Joe Biden says in a statement. "These steps are another piece of our initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine." The €10bn (£8.4bn) project was completed last September. The US decision comes after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the pipeline would stay closed in response to Russia's moves against Ukraine.
Ukraine to enter state of emergency at midnight
According to BBC Ukraine has declared a state of emergency for 30 days, from midnight tonight. The bill was approved by Ukraine's parliament just now. It introduces personal document checks and gives the government power to impose a curfew if needed. Ukraine will impose restrictions on a range of digital and radio communication services, which the government says could inflame the situation. And it means military reservists will not be allowed to leave the country. The declaration affects all of Ukraine apart from two eastern regions which have been in a state of emergency since 2014.
