Russia expert says 'blitzkrieg-type' attack could begin as early as Monday night: LIVE UPDATES
The Kremlin, in a statement, said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin in the "near future" will recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic regions in eastern Ukraine.
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Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya blamed Ukraine for the current crisis during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council Monday, arguing the way to ensure peace was for Ukraine to stop the shelling of its eastern separatists regions.
"I'll leave the direct verbal assaults against us unanswered," Nebenzya said, noting the harsh criticism Russia had received from most of the countries represented at the meeting. "Now it's important to focus on how to avoid war and how to force Ukraine to stop the shelling and provocations."
The Russian ambassador said that the country hoped Ukraine would "stop talking to their own citizens in the east in the language of cannons and shooting and threats and shelling"
"Time and again we firmly asked Kiev to listen to the aspirations of the people living in Donbas and the Russian speaking residents of the country to respect their entirely legitimate desire to use their mother tongue and to teach their children in that language and also to honor the memories of those who liberated the land from fascists rather than those who fought on the side of fascists and had a hand in the killing of hundreds of thousands of people during the second world war," Nebenzya said.
While President Biden signed an executive order Monday imposing economic sanctions on the two separatist Ukraine regions that Russian President Putin recognized as independent, he stopped short of imposing penalties directly on Russia.
A senior administration official tells Fox News that further measures will be taken Tuesday "to hold Russia accountable for this clear violation of international law." While the White House has been threatening sanctions against Russia for weeks, it has yet to pull the trigger.
Meanwhile, Biden's agreement "in principle" to meet with Putin may be off after Russia's independence declaration. The senior administration official told Fox News that they "can't commit" to a meeting as Russia continues to prepare for military action.
Fox News's Patrick Ward contributed to this report.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield took aim at Russia during an emergency UN Security Council meeting Monday, calling Russia's actions Monday a "Ukraine’s sovereignty."
"Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, announced that Russia will recognize as “independent states” the so-called DPR and LPR regions, the sovereign territory of Ukraine, an area controlled by Russia’s proxies since 2014. He has since announced that he will place Russian troops in these regions. He calls them peacekeepers. This is nonsense," Thomas-Greenfield said. "We know what they really are. In doing so, he has put before the world a choice. We must meet the moment, and we must not look away."
"We do not have to guess at President Putin’s motives," she continued. "Today, President Putin made a series of outrageous, false claims about Ukraine aimed at creating a pretext for war, and immediately thereafter, announced Russian troops are entering the Donbas. He claimed that Ukraine is seeking nuclear weapons from the West. This is not true. Ukraine is in fact one of only four countries to have voluntarily surrendered their nuclear weapons. The United States and our allies have no intention of supplying nuclear weapons to Ukraine, and Ukraine doesn’t want them."
Thomas-Greenfield concluded by calling on members of the UN to make clear that an attack on Ukraine will lead to "severe consequences," while urging Russia to return to the "diplomatic table."
"In this moment, no one can stand on the sidelines," Thomas-Greenfield said. "We must make it clear that an attack on Ukraine is an attack on the sovereignty of every UN Member State and the UN Charter – and that it will be met with swift and severe consequences. We continue to believe that the diplomatic table is the only place where responsible nations resolve their differences. That is the only place to preserve peace."
Russia expert Rebekah Irina Koffler said a 'blitzkrieg-type' attack could begin as early as tonight.
Rebekah Irina Koffler goes on to say:
'Having recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and signed treaties today, Russia will almost certainly deploy armed forces, imminently, to occupy these breakaway territories. Putin has already authorized the deployment of “peacekeeping” troops into Eastern Ukraine.
Russian offensive operation against Ukraine will likely begin at 8 pm Eastern time and may not be limited to occupying Eastern Ukraine. Moscow is waging a propaganda campaign that lays out the pretext for an incursion into Ukraine proper. Russia may launch a large-scale air and missile bombardment of key military and government command and control facilities in major Ukrainian cities, preceding a ground incursion.
I cannot rule out the possibility of Putin’s authorizing a “decapitation” strategy, targeting Kiyv, to force Zelensky to flee, so Moscow can install a pro-Russian leader. At minimum, a crippling cyber warfare campaign will target Kiev, including its power grid.
This will be a swift blitzkrieg type operation. Whether Putin decides to target only Eastern Ukraine or Ukraine proper, Moscow will declare victory on February 23, the Soviet Army Day.'"
In a video posted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Instagram page Monday, the country's leader vowed to keep fighting for peace in Ukraine."We are not afraid of anyone or anything... We will not give anything to anyone... We are on our own land," Zelenskyy said, according to a translation provided to Fox News. "For us - the truth. Behind us is Ukraine... The only goal is peace in Ukraine...Glory to Ukraine!"
Diplomatic sources confirmed to Fox News Channel that an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council will happen at 9pm Monday.
The move comes at the request of Ukraine after Russia recognized claims of independence by separatists regions of eastern Ukraine.
Sen. Ted Cruz
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, took aim at the White House for the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, arguing the administration is to blame for the ongoing crisis.
"We committed as a nation in the Budapest Memorandum to helping ensure their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it is gravely in our national security interests to do so. The crisis that now threatens to engulf them will also create unknowable and acute dangers for our European NATO allies, whom we are bound by treaty to help defend," Cruz said in a statement Monday.
"President Biden has refused to meet these commitments, and Biden-Harris officials are to an enormous extent directly responsible for this crisis," he continued. "He and his administration instead settled for an endlessly deferred and wholly uncredible strategy of responding to Putin's aggression after an invasion. They have pursued bizarre tactics like declassifying American intelligence and trying to shame Putin. That approach has failed."
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ordering the Russian military to help maintain peace in eastern Ukraine after the country recognized the independence of separatists regions in the country, thought it was not clear if the order meant Russian troops would be crossing the border into Ukraine.
The U.S. and European allies have moved to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to Putin's move Monday, arguing it was a breach of international law.
CNN chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto, who served as chief of staff and senior advisor to former U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke during the Obama administration, questioned the Biden administration's response to Russia's recognition of the independence of Ukrainian separatist movements.
"Is this really it?" Sciutto questioned in response to a statement by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
The administration promised new sanctions against the regions being recognized by Russia, which they stressed would be in addition to sanctions planned if Russia were to invade Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reacted to Russia's move to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, arguing it violated international agreements.
“I condemn Russia’s decision to extend recognition to the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People’s Republic' and 'Luhansk People’s Republic.' This further undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements to which Russia is a party,” Stoltenberg said in a statement Monday.
Stoltenberg accused Russia of attempting to "stage a pretext to invade Ukraine once again" while demanding that the "sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine" should be respected.
Members of the Congressional Delegation to Munich Security Conference released a statement condemning "Russian aggression" and pledging to work alongside NATO allies and Ukraine.
“It now appears increasingly likely that Russian forces will initiate hostilities against a free and peaceful Ukraine. We as a bipartisan delegation will bring home the same unity and resolve we have seen among our Atlantic allies against Russian aggression," the statement said. "We pledge to work toward whatever emergency supplemental legislation will best support our NATO allies and the people of Ukraine, and support freedom and safety around the world. No matter what happens in the coming days, we must assure that the dictator Putin and his corrupt oligarchs pay a devastating price for their decisions.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden will issue an initial wave of sanctions against Russia after Russian President Putin declared independence for the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions in eastern Ukraine.
Psaki said:
“President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine. This E.O. will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine . . .
“To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.”
Psaki said more actions were in the works.
Biden spoke Monday afternoon with French President Macron, German Chancellor Scholz, and Ukrainian Zelenskyy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine is an integral part of Russia historically, arguing it was a mistake for Soviet leaders such as Nikita Khruschev to give the country an independent identity.
"For some reason Khruschev gave Ukraine separate status," Putin said during remarks at a security council meeting Monday. "Why did we have to be so generous and then give these Republics the right to leave. Madness!"
Putin argued that it was a fact that Ukraine was created by Soviet Russia and Vladimir Lenin, but has now been reduced to a "colony" that is government by foreign powers such as the U.S., who control the government from their Embassy in Kiev.
The remarks come as fears continue to build that Putin may be lining up a justification to invade Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees to recognize the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic as independent and sovereign.
“I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic," Putin said during a Security Council meeting Monday.
The Russian leader asked Russia's Federal Assembly to support the move and ratify and demanded that the Ukrainian government follow with an "immediate cessation of hostilities" in the region.
"Announcing the decisions taken today, I am confident in the support of the citizens of Russia and all the patriotic forces of the country. Thank you for your attention," Putin said.
The move comes after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that such a move by Russia would be a “gross violation of international law," warning that the country would face “a swift and firm response” from the United States and NATO allies.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki released a statement Monday responding to the move, saying the administration had "anticipated" Russia's action and was readying an immediate response.
"President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine," Paski said. "This E.O. will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine. The Departments of State and Treasury will have additional details shortly. We will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.
"To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine," Psaki continued.
"We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on next steps and on Russia’s ongoing escalation along the border with Ukraine."
The Kremlin, in a statement, said Russian President Vladimir Putin in the "near future" will recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic regions in eastern Ukraine.
"Today, the leadership of the DPR and LPR received appeals to recognize their sovereignty in connection with the military aggression of the Ukrainian authorities, massive shelling of the territory of Donbas, as a result of which the civilian population suffers," the Kremlin statement read, repeating claims of military aggression that Ukraine has repeatedly denied and disputed.
"With all this in mind, the President of Russia said that he intended to sign a corresponding decree in the near future," the statement read, adding that the "President of France and the Federal Chancellor of Germany expressed their disappointment with this development."
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to make a speech as the world braces for potential war in Ukraine.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has informed the leaders of France and Germany Monday that he will recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, Russian state media is reporting.
Both separatist regions in eastern Ukraine are Russian-backed.
Fox News' Jennifer Griffin and Amy Kellogg contributed to this report.
Russian media is reporting Monday that President Vladimir Putin will address his nation soon.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told Fox News' 'America's Newsroom' on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "acting in a way consistent with a man who has decided that he wants to invade Ukraine again."
"We're absolutely prepared to sit down and seriously discuss with Mr. Putin a diplomatic way forward here, and we have been serious about it now for weeks," Kirby said. "We have laid out tangible potential proposals here for the Russians to reciprocate. And they simply haven't been willing to go there."
During an appearance yesterday on Fox News, Kirby said those proposals include changing "the scope and scale of some of our [military] exercises in Europe" and "being willing to talk about offensive missile capabilities in Europe."
"I mean, look, it's very clear what Mr. Putin is doing. I mean, he's continued to add military capability. We continue to believe that he is acting in a way consistent with a man who has decided that he wants to invade Ukraine again," the Pentagon official said Monday. "And if he does, this will be a war of choice because... he will be leaving on the table, valid diplomatic proposals that we have put forward, that the West has put forward."
A White House official tells Fox News' Patrick Ward that President Biden is meeting with his national security team Monday about the Russia-Ukraine standoff.
Separately, a senior administration official told Fox News' Edward Lawrence that a meeting Thursday between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will contain discussions about a potential summit between Biden and Putin, including where it would be, when, and how it goes forward.
MOSCOW – The escalating tension between Russia and Ukraine begs the question of what went wrong. The Cold War ended with such fanfare three decades ago that many people assumed the world would become a better place, at least in terms of geostrategic stability, and many diplomats have been deeply disappointed by the latest developments.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's interpreter Pavel Palazhchenko is one of them.
He lived through the historic moments leading to the end of the Cold War, side by side with American and Soviet leaders, carefully relaying their messages. Palazhchenko told Fox News he hoped that all wouldn't be lost, and that its spirit and lessons could come to mind in this time of crisis. While he admitted much of the legacy left by former President Reagan and Gorbachev has eroded, something "is still with us," he said.
"We still have this experience of two nations that are very widely apart on many issues working together to address some of the challenges that the world is facing today," Palazhchenko continued. "Some of those challenges were present 30 or 40 years ago, but some are new and there will be new ones. Without Russia and the United States, and I would add China and Europe, working on those challenges anew, the world will be in an extremely difficult place," he noted.
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(REUTERS/Bryan Woolston)
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division are seen Monday at a base in Poland around 4 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently considering Monday whether to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, according to Fox News' Amy Kellogg.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the media at her hotel after attending the Munich Security Conference on Sunday in Munich. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday said she believes sanctions on Russia would absolutely deter President Vladimir Putin , despite she and President Biden saying that he has already made up his mind on a potential invasion.
Harris made her remarks to reporters at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, amid fears of a Russian invasion in Ukraine. The vice president called the sanctions "some of the greatest sanctions, if not the strongest," that the U.S. has ever issued.
"As I articulated yesterday, it is directed at institutions — in particular, financial institutions — and individuals, and it will exact absolute harm for the Russian economy and their government," Harris said.
Her comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded for the U.S. and allies to impose sanctions against Russia now -- before a potential invasion of Ukraine happens.
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Ukraine is arguing Monday that they should have a role in any potential meeting between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Reuters.
"No one can resolve our issue without us," Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reportedly said. "Everything should happen with our participation."
The European Union reportedly has denied a call from Ukraine to impose sanctions on Russia immediately in hopes of preventing a potential large military conflict.
"We believe that there are good and legitimate reasons to impose at least some of the sanctions now to demonstrate that the European Union is not only talking the talk about sanctions, but is also walking the walk," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday, according to Reuters.
However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he will organize a meeting to agree upon sanctions only "when the moment comes," Reuters adds.
"Summit meetings, at the level of leaders, at the level of ministers, whatever format, whatever way of talking and sitting at the table and trying to avoid a war, are badly needed," Borrell added, signaling the EU's support of a potential sit-down between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
In a fresh warning Monday to Americans still remaining in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department says it "continues to urge U.S. citizens to depart Ukraine immediately using commercial or private means due to the increased threat of Russian military action.
"The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable throughout the country and may deteriorate with little notice," the alert read. "There is a strong likelihood that any Russian military operations would severely restrict commercial air travel."
Although the White House says President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to convene for a summit regarding Ukraine "in principle," it appears Monday that Putin has not yet fully embraced the idea 100 percent, virtual or otherwise, Fox News' Amy Kellogg reports.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted by Russian news service Vesti telling reporters this morning that “they can agree on telephone or real meeting at any time, but to talk about the organization of that now is premature.”
Russia is holding a meeting of its security council shortly.
While the world eagerly awaits news on Ukraine, Russian troops are remaining in nearby Belarus as the Belorussian 2022 constitutional referendum nears.
"While the world’s attention is focused on Ukraine, Russia quietly stages a de facto occupation of Belarus. Troops to stay indefinitely and oversee constitutional referendum," The Economist's Russia editor, Arkady Ostrovsky, claimed on Twitter.
A U.S. official has warned the United Nations that Russia has compiled a list of Ukrainians "to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation."
Bathsheba Crocker, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, sent a letter to the U.N. human rights chief, The Washington Post reported Sunday.
"I would like to bring to your attention disturbing information recently obtained by the United States that indicates that human rights violations and abuses in the aftermath of a further invasion are being planned," Crocker wrote. "These acts, which in past Russian operations have included targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture, would likely target those who oppose Russian actions, including Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons."
"Specifically, we have credible information that indicates Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation," she warned. "We also have credible information that Russian forces will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations."
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to "the principle" to meet for a summit discussing "security and strategic stability in Europe," but will only take place if Russia does not invade Ukraine.
The summit will be discussed by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their meeting on Thursday.
The potential summit was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, and a press release states that the summit "can only be held at the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine."
The announcement comes just hours after Fox News confirmed that Russian commanders have been given orders to carry out an invasion of Ukraine.
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