Amid the ongoing tensions over Russia and Ukraine crisis, major markets in Asia opened up to losses. Indian markets also opened in the red.

Major Asian markets trade with losses as tensions simmer on Russia-Ukraine crisis

Russia ordered the US deputy chief of mission to leave amid heightened tensions over Ukraine. Moscow justified the expulsion as a retaliatory move.

Russia expels US diplomat amid heightened tensions over Ukraine

Russia and US sparred at a UNSC meeting amid the ongoing Ukraine crisis. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a challenge to Moscow to step back.

Russia, US spar at UNSC meeting on Ukraine crisis

Is Russia conducting a proxy war in Ukraine? Tensions in eastern Ukraine have risen dramatically after Russia backed separatists engaged in multiple shelling incidents in Donbas.

Shelling in Donbas: NATO fears false flag operation by Russian-backed separatists

Russia-Ukraine tensions simmer: US President Joe Biden warns 'Russian invasion imminent'

Russia's claims it was pulling forces back from the Ukraine border are false, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement while speaking at Munich security conference.

Munich Security Conference 2022: Russia creating false provocations in Ukraine, says Antony Blinken

With fears mounting of war in Europe, President Joe Biden prepared to gather NATO allies by phone Friday to discuss the threat to Ukraine, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia planned to preside over the launches of nuclear-capable missiles Saturday in drills that will showcase the country’s most destructive weapons.

Biden’s urgent diplomacy and Putin’s show of strength illustrated the spiraling tensions between Russia and the West, which threaten to spill into all-out conflict. Fighting escalated Thursday along a volatile front line between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, the type of situation that the Biden administration says Moscow could use as a pretext to launch a wider invasion.

Putin said Friday that Russia was prepared for further diplomacy but would continue to insist on far-reaching demands for “security guarantees” in Eastern Europe that the West has rejected — such as a halt to the eastward expansion of NATO and the pullback of the alliance’s forces from the region.

“We are ready to go on the negotiating track under the condition that all questions will be considered together, without being separated from Russia’s main proposals,” Putin said in a news conference alongside close ally President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, who was visiting Moscow.

The Biden administration has said it believes that Russia is poised to invade Ukraine within days. Although Moscow insists that it has no such plans, it has vowed to mount “a tough response” if the United States and its NATO partners do not roll back their presence in Eastern Europe.

In a demonstration of strength, Russia will conduct major drills this weekend that will include the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, the country’s defense ministry said, according to the Interfax news agency.

Russia’s drills will test its strategic nuclear forces, which include the land-based launchers, bombers and warships used to deliver nuclear weapons. They will involve the Black Sea Fleet, which has been engaged in large-scale exercises in the region bordering Ukraine. Putin will preside over them from a “situation center,” the Kremlin said.

The Defense Ministry said the drills were planned in advance, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that they were intended to raise tensions. But they will come at a critical juncture in the standoff over Ukraine.

As high-level diplomacy continues to compete with the military maneuvering, an uneasy calm settled over eastern Ukraine early Friday after a night punctuated by explosions and bursts of gunfire in as many as 30 villages and towns along a 250-mile stretch of land separating Ukrainian and Russia-backed forces. Although periodic exchanges of gunfire are not uncommon in the eight-year trench war, that violence was of a heightened scale.

As the events play out, officials in Russia, the United States and in Ukraine are trying to shape the narrative.

US officials said they were “watching closely” out of concern that Russia could use violence in eastern Ukraine as a pretext to invade Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that Russia planned to “manufacture a pretext for its attack,” possibly with a “so-called terrorist bombing” or “a fake, even a real attack” with chemical weapons.

Residents in areas controlled by Ukraine’s government have been stocking up on food and other supplies, and the country’s defense minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, on Friday sought to reassure people living in the territory held by Russia-backed separatists that they faced no threat from government forces.

He told Ukraine’s parliament that he had traveled across the region, urging people not to believe Russian propaganda that the Ukrainian government was going to attack them. His message, he said, was “Don’t be afraid” and “Ukraine is not your enemy.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Moscow was concerned about “a sharp increase in shelling in eastern Ukraine,” and he blamed Ukrainian forces for the escalation.

“The Kyiv regime has been violating its responsibilities for several years,” he said. “Every time we agree on new measures to help impose a cease-fire, Kyiv sabotages them.”

With fears mounting of war in Europe, President Joe Biden prepared to gather NATO allies by phone Friday to discuss the threat to Ukraine, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia planned to preside over the launches of nuclear-capable missiles Saturday in drills that will showcase the country’s most destructive weapons.

With fears mounting of war in Europe, President Joe Biden prepared to gather NATO allies by phone Friday to discuss the threat to Ukraine, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia planned to preside over the launches of nuclear-capable missiles Saturday in drills that will showcase the country’s most destructive weapons. Biden’s urgent diplomacy and Putin’s show of strength illustrated the spiraling tensions between Russia and the West, which threaten to spill into all-out conflict. Fighting escalated Thursday along a volatile front line between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, the type of situation that the Biden administration says Moscow could use as a pretext to launch a wider invasion. Putin said Friday that Russia was prepared for further diplomacy but would continue to insist on far-reaching demands for “security guarantees” in Eastern Europe that the West has rejected — such as a halt to the eastward expansion of NATO and the pullback of the alliance’s forces from the region. “We are ready to go on the negotiating track under the condition that all questions will be considered together, without being separated from Russia’s main proposals,” Putin said in a news conference alongside close ally President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, who was visiting Moscow. The Biden administration has said it believes that Russia is poised to invade Ukraine within days. Although Moscow insists that it has no such plans, it has vowed to mount “a tough response” if the United States and its NATO partners do not roll back their presence in Eastern Europe. In a demonstration of strength, Russia will conduct major drills this weekend that will include the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, the country’s defense ministry said, according to the Interfax news agency. Russia’s drills will test its strategic nuclear forces, which include the land-based launchers, bombers and warships used to deliver nuclear weapons. They will involve the Black Sea Fleet, which has been engaged in large-scale exercises in the region bordering Ukraine. Putin will preside over them from a “situation center,” the Kremlin said. The Defense Ministry said the drills were planned in advance, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that they were intended to raise tensions. But they will come at a critical juncture in the standoff over Ukraine. As high-level diplomacy continues to compete with the military maneuvering, an uneasy calm settled over eastern Ukraine early Friday after a night punctuated by explosions and bursts of gunfire in as many as 30 villages and towns along a 250-mile stretch of land separating Ukrainian and Russia-backed forces. Although periodic exchanges of gunfire are not uncommon in the eight-year trench war, that violence was of a heightened scale. As the events play out, officials in Russia, the United States and in Ukraine are trying to shape the narrative. US officials said they were “watching closely” out of concern that Russia could use violence in eastern Ukraine as a pretext to invade Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that Russia planned to “manufacture a pretext for its attack,” possibly with a “so-called terrorist bombing” or “a fake, even a real attack” with chemical weapons. Residents in areas controlled by Ukraine’s government have been stocking up on food and other supplies, and the country’s defense minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, on Friday sought to reassure people living in the territory held by Russia-backed separatists that they faced no threat from government forces. He told Ukraine’s parliament that he had traveled across the region, urging people not to believe Russian propaganda that the Ukrainian government was going to attack them. His message, he said, was “Don’t be afraid” and “Ukraine is not your enemy.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Moscow was concerned about “a sharp increase in shelling in eastern Ukraine,” and he blamed Ukrainian forces for the escalation. “The Kyiv regime has been violating its responsibilities for several years,” he said. “Every time we agree on new measures to help impose a cease-fire, Kyiv sabotages them.”

After heavy shelling, tensions simmer in Eastern Ukraine as crisis deepens

The Munich security conference has kicked off at its traditional venue. The conference will be dominated by the Ukraine crisis as major Western powers have warned Russia against launching an invasion in its neighbouring Ukraine.

Germany hosts annual security conference in Munich, preventing a Russian invasion in focus

The Ukraine crisis is nothing short of an information warfare. From troop deployment, to details of possible false flag attack, Intelligence is being shared openly. Palki Sharma will tell you why this crisis is also about CIA vs KGB.

Gravitas: CIA Vs KGB: How it is playing out in the Ukraine crisis

Has Russia ruled out invading Ukraine? Will a stalemate translate into a long-lasting resolution? Palki Sharma tells you why the current de-escalation is unlikely to bring peace in Ukraine.

Gravitas: What next in Ukraine?

Is Russia conducting a proxy war in Ukraine? Tensions in eastern Ukraine have risen dramatically after Russia backed separatists engaged in multiple shelling incidents this morning. A nursery school was hit. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Is Russia conducting a proxy war in Ukraine?

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko has tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday.

Hunko, who finished 20th in the women's monobob, is the third athlete to test positive during the Games.

The ITA said she tested positive on Feb. 14 in Yanqing where the competition took place and she had been suspended provisionally.

"The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample," the ITA, in charge of doping tests during the Olympics, said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-olympics-was-chilling-to-witness-kamila-valieva-crumble-under-pressure-says-ioc-chief-thomas-bach-454315">Beijing Olympics: Was 'chilling' to witness Kamila Valieva crumble under pressure, says IOC chief Thomas Bach</a>

Her team could not be immediately reached for a comment.

Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki, who had tested positive earlier in the Games, was forced out of the Games on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed his anti-doping rule violation.

"The athlete is excluded from the Olympic Winter Games... and his accreditation is withdrawn," CAS said.

The skier, who was provisionally banned prior to his competitions in Beijing following the test, now faces further sanctions from his sport`s international federation FIS, CAS said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-olympics-kamila-valieva-slips-to-fourth-place-in-figure-skating-medal-ceremony-to-go-ahead-454097">Beijing Olympics: Kamila Valieva slips to fourth place in figure skating, medal ceremony to go ahead</a>

Ukrainian cross-country skier Valentyna Kaminska, who also tested positive, brings the total number of doping cases during the Games that end on Sunday to three.

The highest-profile doping story at the Games has concerned 15-year-old Russian figure skating team gold medallist Kamila Valieva who was allowed to continue competing in the singles event after news emerged of a failed doping test at her national championships last December.

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko has tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday.

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko has tested positive for a prohibited substance during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Friday. Hunko, who finished 20th in the women's monobob, is the third athlete to test positive during the Games. The ITA said she tested positive on Feb. 14 in Yanqing where the competition took place and she had been suspended provisionally. "The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample," the ITA, in charge of doping tests during the Olympics, said. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Was 'chilling' to witness Kamila Valieva crumble under pressure, says IOC chief Thomas Bach Her team could not be immediately reached for a comment. Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki, who had tested positive earlier in the Games, was forced out of the Games on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed his anti-doping rule violation. "The athlete is excluded from the Olympic Winter Games... and his accreditation is withdrawn," CAS said. The skier, who was provisionally banned prior to his competitions in Beijing following the test, now faces further sanctions from his sport`s international federation FIS, CAS said. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Kamila Valieva slips to fourth place in figure skating, medal ceremony to go ahead Ukrainian cross-country skier Valentyna Kaminska, who also tested positive, brings the total number of doping cases during the Games that end on Sunday to three. The highest-profile doping story at the Games has concerned 15-year-old Russian figure skating team gold medallist Kamila Valieva who was allowed to continue competing in the singles event after news emerged of a failed doping test at her national championships last December.

Beijing Olympics: Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hunko tests positive for banned substance, says ITA

The US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin is in Warsaw to talk about bilateral defense cooperation and security relations with Poland's Ministry of National Defense.

Will continue to defend our eastern flank, says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

Tensions have risen in eastern Ukraine as Russian-controlled separatists there shelled a nursery school in Donbass and warned of escalation. Also, the United States has warned that Russia is now preparing to launch an invasion in the coming days.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Shelling by Russia-backed separatists in Donbass hits nursery school

Germany&nbsp;accused&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;on Friday of endangering Europe's&nbsp;security&nbsp;with&nbsp;demands&nbsp;that recall the&nbsp;Cold&nbsp;War, as Western leaders arrived for a Munich&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Conference&nbsp;set to be dominated by the Ukraine crisis.

Fears are growing in the West that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;is on the verge of invading its neighbour, with the United States warning of a possible attack in the "coming days".

Ahead of the annual, three-day&nbsp;conference's opening ceremony, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Moscow needed to show "serious steps towards de-escalation".

"With an unprecedented deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine and&nbsp;Cold&nbsp;War&nbsp;demands,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;is challenging fundamental principles of the European peace order," Baerbock said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-to-begin-rolling-back-coronavirus-curbs-says-chancellor-scholz-453994">Germany to begin rolling back coronavirus curbs, says Chancellor Scholz</a>

Russian troops have all but encircled Ukraine during the Kremlin's stand-off with the West over NATO's expansion into eastern Europe.

Before&nbsp;travelling to Munich, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the United Nations to expect an offensive in the "coming days", likely preceded by a pretext to justify military action.

Some feared such a moment had arrived on Thursday, when a spike in shellings on the front line damaged an eastern Ukrainian kindergarten and Russian-backed separatists blamed Kyiv for escalating hostilities.

Russia&nbsp;has denied any invasion plans. But the Kremlin has also said it could be forced to respond militarily if Washington does not meet certain&nbsp;security&nbsp;demands.

Moscow has so far declined to attend the Munich gathering, but the United States said Blinken would meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov next week -- provided no invasion had occurred&nbsp;before&nbsp;then.

"It is a loss that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;is not taking advantage of this opportunity," Baerbock said.

She added that the&nbsp;conference&nbsp;offered a chance "to discuss how we can still counter the logic of threats of violence and military escalation with the logic of dialogue".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-next-wonder-weapon-kedr-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-454013">Also read |&nbsp;Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile</a>

&nbsp;Evacuation plans

Also travelling to Munich are US Vice President Kamala Harris, UN chief Antonio Guterres, EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven club of rich nations -- including France, Britain, the US and Japan -- will discuss the Ukraine crisis on the&nbsp;conference&nbsp;sidelines Saturday.

The talks will be hosted by Baerbock, whose country currently holds the G7 presidency.

"Even tiny steps towards peace are better than big steps towards&nbsp;war. But we also need serious steps towards de-escalation from&nbsp;Russia," she said.

"Declarations of willingness to talk must be backed up by real offers to talk. Declarations of troop withdrawals must be backed up by verifiable troop withdrawals."

Moscow has made several announcements of troop withdrawals this week, but the United States, NATO and Ukraine all said they had seen no evidence of a pullback.

Instead, Washington says&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has moved 7,000 additional troops to near the Ukrainian border.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia, US spar at UNSC meeting on Ukraine crisis

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-us-spar-at-unsc-meeting-on-ukraine-crisis-454183/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Citing "possible aggravation", Ukraine's armed forces announced late Thursday that evacuations were planned for some communities along the conflict-ridden border, particularly from the separatist-held city Donetsk.

Violence has ebbed and flowed along the eastern front line, where Kyiv has been locked in conflict with Moscow-backed rebels for almost eight years.

Following Thursday's artillery fire at the kindergarten, Ukrainian and Western leaders reiterated calls for&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;not to exploit the border tensions to launch its feared offensive.

President Vladimir Putin has made clear that the price for removing any threat would be Ukraine agreeing never to join NATO and for the Western alliance to pull back from a swath of eastern Europe, effectively splitting the continent into&nbsp;Cold&nbsp;War-style spheres of influence.

Ukraine is far from being ready to join NATO but has set this as part of a broader goal to integrate with the democracies of western Europe, making a historic break from&nbsp;Russia's orbit.

Germany accused Russia on Friday of endangering Europe's security with demands that recall the Cold War, as Western leaders arrived for a Munich Security Conference set to be dominated by the Ukraine crisis.

Germany accused Russia on Friday of endangering Europe's security with demands that recall the Cold War, as Western leaders arrived for a Munich Security Conference set to be dominated by the Ukraine crisis. Fears are growing in the West that Russia is on the verge of invading its neighbour, with the United States warning of a possible attack in the "coming days". Ahead of the annual, three-day conference's opening ceremony, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Moscow needed to show "serious steps towards de-escalation". "With an unprecedented deployment of troops on the border with Ukraine and Cold War demands, Russia is challenging fundamental principles of the European peace order," Baerbock said in a statement. Also read | Germany to begin rolling back coronavirus curbs, says Chancellor Scholz Russian troops have all but encircled Ukraine during the Kremlin's stand-off with the West over NATO's expansion into eastern Europe. Before travelling to Munich, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the United Nations to expect an offensive in the "coming days", likely preceded by a pretext to justify military action. Some feared such a moment had arrived on Thursday, when a spike in shellings on the front line damaged an eastern Ukrainian kindergarten and Russian-backed separatists blamed Kyiv for escalating hostilities. Russia has denied any invasion plans. But the Kremlin has also said it could be forced to respond militarily if Washington does not meet certain security demands. Moscow has so far declined to attend the Munich gathering, but the United States said Blinken would meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov next week -- provided no invasion had occurred before then. "It is a loss that Russia is not taking advantage of this opportunity," Baerbock said. She added that the conference offered a chance "to discuss how we can still counter the logic of threats of violence and military escalation with the logic of dialogue". Also read | Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile Evacuation plans Also travelling to Munich are US Vice President Kamala Harris, UN chief Antonio Guterres, EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven club of rich nations -- including France, Britain, the US and Japan -- will discuss the Ukraine crisis on the conference sidelines Saturday. The talks will be hosted by Baerbock, whose country currently holds the G7 presidency. "Even tiny steps towards peace are better than big steps towards war. But we also need serious steps towards de-escalation from Russia," she said. "Declarations of willingness to talk must be backed up by real offers to talk. Declarations of troop withdrawals must be backed up by verifiable troop withdrawals." Moscow has made several announcements of troop withdrawals this week, but the United States, NATO and Ukraine all said they had seen no evidence of a pullback. Instead, Washington says Russia has moved 7,000 additional troops to near the Ukrainian border. Watch | Russia, US spar at UNSC meeting on Ukraine crisis Citing "possible aggravation", Ukraine's armed forces announced late Thursday that evacuations were planned for some communities along the conflict-ridden border, particularly from the separatist-held city Donetsk. Violence has ebbed and flowed along the eastern front line, where Kyiv has been locked in conflict with Moscow-backed rebels for almost eight years. Following Thursday's artillery fire at the kindergarten, Ukrainian and Western leaders reiterated calls for Russia not to exploit the border tensions to launch its feared offensive. President Vladimir Putin has made clear that the price for removing any threat would be Ukraine agreeing never to join NATO and for the Western alliance to pull back from a swath of eastern Europe, effectively splitting the continent into Cold War-style spheres of influence. Ukraine is far from being ready to join NATO but has set this as part of a broader goal to integrate with the democracies of western Europe, making a historic break from Russia's orbit.

Germany accuses Russia of 'Cold War demands' before security conference

Amid a discussion in the United Nations Security Council, India called for a 'Quiet & Constructive Diplomacy' to resolve issues and tensions between Ukraine, Russia and the West.

India calls for 'Quiet & Constructive Diplomacy' on Ukraine, Russia conflict

US State department's Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu in a briefing, where WION was present said, "On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, I can say that there was an open and honest discussion between Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar".&nbsp;

He explained that the discussion is "reflective of the close relationship we have with one another. This is a complex issue for the United States. It’s a complex issue for India as well. We share values, and we talk about every issue, including the tough ones."

This is the second such public acknowledgement from Washington that the matter has been discussed with New Delhi.&nbsp;

Earlier in January, Deputy Secretary of state Wendy Sherman discussed the matter with India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. The Ministry of external affairs also confirmed the issue being discussed.&nbsp;

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi called "honest conversation" a "good description" of the issue being discussed. He said, "it was an exchange of views on how we see it".&nbsp;

India has made two statements at the United Nations Security Council on the matter calling for dialogue and de-escalation.

Meanwhile, the European Union has been sharing its perspective with India.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-singapores-pm-cites-jawaharlal-nehrus-legacy-during-a-parliamentary-debate-on-democracy-454039">Also read |&nbsp;India pushes back on Singapore PM's 'criminal, rapists' remarks about Indian MPs</a>

Calling India "friend and partner" EU sources said "we have been presenting to the Indian side, our views" on Russia/Ukraine crisis and "rules-based system will be in interest to all".

The development is important as EAM Jaishankar will be in Europe from February 18 to 23, and will visit Germany and France.&nbsp;

In Germany, EAM will take part in Munich Security Conference and participate in a panel discussion on the Indo-Pacific. Later, he will visit Paris to take part in the EU ministerial forum for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on February 22. He will hold a bilateral with French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.&nbsp;

The visit to Europe will be closely watched given it happens in the shadow of the Ukraine crisis. The Indian foreign minister is expected to hold a whole host of bilateral meetings, including with a number of European FMs.&nbsp;He will also be part of the much-awaited Australia, India, Indonesia foreign ministers trilateral.&nbsp;

No India, Australia, France trilateral is expected given ties still have not normalised between Canberra and Paris since the Aukus pact.

US State department's Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu in a briefing, where WION was present said, "On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, I can say that there was an open and honest discussion between Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar".

US State department's Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu in a briefing, where WION was present said, "On the issue of Russia and Ukraine, I can say that there was an open and honest discussion between Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar". He explained that the discussion is "reflective of the close relationship we have with one another. This is a complex issue for the United States. It’s a complex issue for India as well. We share values, and we talk about every issue, including the tough ones." This is the second such public acknowledgement from Washington that the matter has been discussed with New Delhi. Earlier in January, Deputy Secretary of state Wendy Sherman discussed the matter with India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. The Ministry of external affairs also confirmed the issue being discussed. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi called "honest conversation" a "good description" of the issue being discussed. He said, "it was an exchange of views on how we see it". India has made two statements at the United Nations Security Council on the matter calling for dialogue and de-escalation. Meanwhile, the European Union has been sharing its perspective with India. Also read | India pushes back on Singapore PM's 'criminal, rapists' remarks about Indian MPs Calling India "friend and partner" EU sources said "we have been presenting to the Indian side, our views" on Russia/Ukraine crisis and "rules-based system will be in interest to all". The development is important as EAM Jaishankar will be in Europe from February 18 to 23, and will visit Germany and France. In Germany, EAM will take part in Munich Security Conference and participate in a panel discussion on the Indo-Pacific. Later, he will visit Paris to take part in the EU ministerial forum for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on February 22. He will hold a bilateral with French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The visit to Europe will be closely watched given it happens in the shadow of the Ukraine crisis. The Indian foreign minister is expected to hold a whole host of bilateral meetings, including with a number of European FMs. He will also be part of the much-awaited Australia, India, Indonesia foreign ministers trilateral. No India, Australia, France trilateral is expected given ties still have not normalised between Canberra and Paris since the Aukus pact.

US, EU keep India clued up on Ukraine crisis

After Russia threatened military actions if its security demands were not met, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's NATO bid process is stalled.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Our NATO bid process is stalled

Moscow still has the ability to launch a major attack, says the US as Russia pulls back troops announcing that its military drills in Crimea are over. Earlier, the West had warned of a Russian invasion into Ukraine on February 16. WION brings you more insights.

US and NATO unimpressed with Russia's troop pullback claim

At Kyiv's Olympic stadium, dozens of people unfolded a 200 meter-long Ukrainian flag, waving it to the beat of patriotic music to show unity against fears of a Russian invasion on Wednesday.

National Day of Unity: Ukrainians raise flags to defy Russia invasion fears

Amid troop mobilisation at the border and a flurry of diplomacy, how is Ukraine preparing for a potential showdown with Russia? Watch Ukrainian Ambassador to India, Igor Polikha, in conversation with WION's Palki Sharma on Straight Talk.

Straight Talk with Igor Polikha, Ukrainian Ambassador to India

Russia has claimed that it is withdrawing some troops from the Ukrainian border and is open to renewed talks to end a standoff with the West.

Russia claims partial withdrawal from Ukrainian border

Russia’s military announced the withdrawal of troops taking part in drills in annexed Crimea as Moscow signaled de-escalation in the Ukraine crisis.

Russia announces end of military drills in Crimea

A series of cyberattacks knocked the websites of the Ukrainian army, defense ministry and major banks offline, as tensions persisted over the threat of a possible Russian invasion.

Cyberattacks knock out websites of Ukrainian army, defense ministry, major banks

World powers remain engaged in one of the biggest crisis to have hit the east and the west that is Russia and the US-led alliance in several decades. The American President Joe Biden spoke with German chancellor Olaf Scholz, both the leaders have urged Russia to take some real steps to try and defuse tensions.

Biden, Scholz urge Russia to defuse tensions along the Ukrainian border

Ukraine's geostrategic location is one of the crucial reasons why the West is trying to avert war. Ukraine happens to be the bridge between Russia and the NATO nations, the bordering nations happens to be Poland and hence to understand the crisis better, our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke with Poland's deputy minister of foreign affairs Marcin Przydacz.

'Russia is trying to stop integration of Ukraine, EU,' says Polish DY minister Marcin Przydacz

US intelligence continues to work on what may be its most crucial task of the moment, trying to crack a probable date of Russia's potential attack on Ukraine. It is perhaps the biggest challenge for the CIA currently.

CIA fails to crack a Ukraine attack date

Despite Moscow's assertion that it is withdrawing soldiers from the border, US President Joe Biden stated that the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is "extremely high" and might occur in "next several days".

Russia could attack on Ukraine in 'next several days', says US President Joe Biden

CIA fails to crack a Ukraine attack date; US drums up war rhetoric on Ukraine

Satellite images show Russia has moved some of its military equipment that was deployed near Ukraine. Earlier, Russia had announced a partial pullback of its forces near Ukraine that have fuelled fears of a looming invasion.

Satellite images show Russia moving military equipment near Ukraine's border

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a press conference in Brussels, as he discussed ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine with NATO partners.

Ukraine's sovereignty is our priority, says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

ukraine

Ukraine, News on Ukraine, stories on Ukraine, articles on Ukraine, Ukraine stories at Wion, Ukraine news, Ukraine latest news