Russia and Ukraine on brink of conflict

The President of America Joe Biden has said the world is witnessing “the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine” as he declared his Government’s first round of sanctions against Russia.

Other allies including the EU, UK, Australia, Canada and Japan have also announced sanctions against Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s decision to move troops into Ukraine.

So far, the sanctions announced are said to be targeting banks and wealthy individuals.

In a speech given on Tuesday, President Biden said Putin’s recognition of rebel territories Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine represents a “flagrant violation of international law”.

Speaking from the White House, President Biden said that the immediate consequences of President Putin’s aggression against Ukraine include the loss of a key natural gas pipeline as well as halting global financing to two Russian banks.

The US president said Russia had deployed close to 150,000 troops near the Ukraine border.

Mr Biden has also pledged US forces and equipment to Russian border countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to help strengthen their defences.

All regions in Ukraine, aside from separatist-held Luhansk and Donetsk, will shortly enter a state of emergency according to Ukraine’s top security official.

According to the New York Times, the US currently has some 8,500 American troops on high alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe.

Yesterday, Wednesday, it was announced that Ukrainian civilians will be given permission to carry firearms to defend themselves after a vote was passed in the country’s parliament.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry has also advised that all Ukrainian nationals currently in Russia should leave immediately.

The Ukrainian army is now conscripting citizens between 18 and 60 to its reserves as the country braces for an imminent attack.

This comes as Russian lawmakers grant permission for President Putin to use force beyond the Russian border.

Earlier this month, Russian officials said they planned to pull troops back from the Ukrainian border. However, since then it seems even more troops have been deployed.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis has spoken out on the situation between Ukraine and Russia, asking both countries to abstain from any action that could cause more pain for their people.

According to a report in the Vatican Times, Pope Francis has announced 2 March as a day of fasting and prayer for Ukraine and said his heart aches over the awful situation faced by its people.