As fears of Russian invasion loom over Ukraine, the United States has dramatically raised the alarm warning that a Russian invasion could begin within few days. The White House said that a Russian invasion starting with civilians being caught under aerial bombing could begin any time even before the end of the Beijing Olympics. WION's executive editor Palki Sharma and Ashok Sajjanhar, former Indian envoy to Kazakhstan give more insights on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

US continues to raise alarms over Russian invasion in Ukraine | Palki Sharma Exclusive

Ukraine’s military warned Friday that Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east are conducting military exercises, completing a near encirclement of Ukraine by hostile forces, even as diplomatic initiatives have failed to gain traction.

The drills tested the force’s preparation for live fire operations, practising “driving artillery, tank and armoured vehicles” in field exercises, the Ukrainian statement said. Some units of the force were put on their highest level of alert, it said, and senior Russian military officers were observing the activity.

The warning was the latest evidence of a shift by Kyiv to more alarming commentary about the military risk facing Ukraine. That follows weeks of efforts to minimize the threat of an invasion, seeking to calm the public and limit the economic fallout.

Ukraine this week began its own nationwide military exercises to coincide with joint Russian and Belarusian exercises to the north of Ukraine, in Belarus.

To the south, the Russian navy announced Thursday the closure of large swaths of the Black Sea for live-fire exercises by its fleet that will effectively blockade Ukrainian ports including the port of Odessa. The naval exercises were scheduled to begin Sunday and last six days.

Russia has massed armoured vehicles and soldiers near its borders to the northeast of Ukraine and in the south on the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. It also has sent a large military contingent to Belarus for what it says are military exercises with the Belarusian military. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is only 140 miles from the border with Belarus.

To the east, the army of Russian-backed separatists in two enclaves in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples’ republics, was put on partial alert and ordered to conduct field exercises, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said Friday in a statement.

Ukraine and Western governments view the separatist army, believed to consist of about 30,000 troops, as controlled and armed by the Russian government, while Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin have consistently denied any Russian role in the conflict.

On Friday, President Joe Biden was expected to hold a phone call with 10 other trans-Atlantic leaders “to discuss our shared concerns about Russia’s continued buildup of military forces around Ukraine and continued coordination on both diplomacy and deterrence,” the White House said in a statement.

Among those joining Biden were President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain.

A wide range of diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis have borne little fruit to date.

In news conferences that extended after midnight in Berlin, both Russian and Ukrainian negotiators said a channel of talks supported by President Emmanuel Macron of France had brought no breakthroughs so far.

The negotiations focused on a settlement agreement for the eastern Ukraine war but were seen as a possible path to ease the wider tensions from the Russian buildup. They were the second this year by foreign policy advisers to the French, German, Russian and Ukrainian governments.

“It would be good if during the second meeting we could agree on something,” Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, said. After nine hours of talks the negotiators could not agree on a joint statement. “It went the way it did today,” Yermak said.

Russia’s negotiator, Dmitri Kozak, offered an even more dour assessment. He said the Ukrainian government had not altered its long-standing positions in the settlement talks for the eastern Ukraine conflict, which have been going on for seven years.

Separate talks in Moscow between British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also went nowhere, with Lavrov comparing them to “the conversation of a mute person with a deaf person.”

Truss had said one purpose of the visit was to convey to Russian officials warnings about the seriousness of Western economic sanctions and other repercussions if they use military force in Ukraine. Lavrov countered by reiterating Russia’s position that it has no plans to invade Ukraine and that its military is merely conducting exercises.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate, a proposal accepted by Ukraine but declined by Russia. Next week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Kyiv and Moscow. And Russian officials have said they will respond in writing to proposals for security talks offered by the United States and NATO.

Russia has made a series of demands of the West, including scaling back the NATO military presence in Eastern Europe to 1990s levels and guaranteeing that Ukraine could never join NATO. The United States has called those demands “nonstarters” and instead offered a series of proposals aimed at arms control.

Ukraine’s military warned Friday that Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east are conducting military exercises, completing a near encirclement of Ukraine by hostile forces, even as diplomatic initiatives have failed to gain traction.

Ukraine’s military warned Friday that Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east are conducting military exercises, completing a near encirclement of Ukraine by hostile forces, even as diplomatic initiatives have failed to gain traction. The drills tested the force’s preparation for live fire operations, practising “driving artillery, tank and armoured vehicles” in field exercises, the Ukrainian statement said. Some units of the force were put on their highest level of alert, it said, and senior Russian military officers were observing the activity. The warning was the latest evidence of a shift by Kyiv to more alarming commentary about the military risk facing Ukraine. That follows weeks of efforts to minimize the threat of an invasion, seeking to calm the public and limit the economic fallout. Ukraine this week began its own nationwide military exercises to coincide with joint Russian and Belarusian exercises to the north of Ukraine, in Belarus. To the south, the Russian navy announced Thursday the closure of large swaths of the Black Sea for live-fire exercises by its fleet that will effectively blockade Ukrainian ports including the port of Odessa. The naval exercises were scheduled to begin Sunday and last six days. Russia has massed armoured vehicles and soldiers near its borders to the northeast of Ukraine and in the south on the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. It also has sent a large military contingent to Belarus for what it says are military exercises with the Belarusian military. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is only 140 miles from the border with Belarus. To the east, the army of Russian-backed separatists in two enclaves in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples’ republics, was put on partial alert and ordered to conduct field exercises, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said Friday in a statement. Ukraine and Western governments view the separatist army, believed to consist of about 30,000 troops, as controlled and armed by the Russian government, while Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin have consistently denied any Russian role in the conflict. On Friday, President Joe Biden was expected to hold a phone call with 10 other trans-Atlantic leaders “to discuss our shared concerns about Russia’s continued buildup of military forces around Ukraine and continued coordination on both diplomacy and deterrence,” the White House said in a statement. Among those joining Biden were President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain. A wide range of diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis have borne little fruit to date. In news conferences that extended after midnight in Berlin, both Russian and Ukrainian negotiators said a channel of talks supported by President Emmanuel Macron of France had brought no breakthroughs so far. The negotiations focused on a settlement agreement for the eastern Ukraine war but were seen as a possible path to ease the wider tensions from the Russian buildup. They were the second this year by foreign policy advisers to the French, German, Russian and Ukrainian governments. “It would be good if during the second meeting we could agree on something,” Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, said. After nine hours of talks the negotiators could not agree on a joint statement. “It went the way it did today,” Yermak said. Russia’s negotiator, Dmitri Kozak, offered an even more dour assessment. He said the Ukrainian government had not altered its long-standing positions in the settlement talks for the eastern Ukraine conflict, which have been going on for seven years. Separate talks in Moscow between British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also went nowhere, with Lavrov comparing them to “the conversation of a mute person with a deaf person.” Truss had said one purpose of the visit was to convey to Russian officials warnings about the seriousness of Western economic sanctions and other repercussions if they use military force in Ukraine. Lavrov countered by reiterating Russia’s position that it has no plans to invade Ukraine and that its military is merely conducting exercises. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate, a proposal accepted by Ukraine but declined by Russia. Next week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Kyiv and Moscow. And Russian officials have said they will respond in writing to proposals for security talks offered by the United States and NATO. Russia has made a series of demands of the West, including scaling back the NATO military presence in Eastern Europe to 1990s levels and guaranteeing that Ukraine could never join NATO. The United States has called those demands “nonstarters” and instead offered a series of proposals aimed at arms control.

Ukraine, in a shift of tone, warns of Russia-backed military exercises

As tensions continue to mount over the Ukraine crisis, a new report has claimed that Kyiv is crowdfunding donations in Bitcoin to fund a possible war against Moscow.

According to a report by blockchain analytics company Elliptic, donations worth thousands of dollars have seeped into non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteer groups— increasing by over 900 per cent in 2021.

The report states that NGOs and volunteer groups, who are peeved with government corruption, have taken upon themselves to fund weapons and medical supplies to Ukrainian soldiers, as well for the development of a facial recognition app that identifies if someone is a Russian mercenary or spy.

Elliptic says that donors are using Bitcoin to funnel money to such NGOs, bypassing any banks and financial institutions that might block payments.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New Elliptic research shows how war in the Ukraine is being crowdfunded with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#crypto</a>. Crypto funds are used to equip the Ukrainian army and fund cyberattacks against Russia. Crypto donations to these groups increased by over 900% in 2021. <a href="https://t.co/7clIA9hZYz">https://t.co/7clIA9hZYz</a> <a href="https://t.co/1PXcyqfDKG">pic.twitter.com/1PXcyqfDKG</a>
— elliptic (@elliptic) <a href="https://twitter.com/elliptic/status/1491034134160056321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“Elliptic has identified several cryptocurrency wallets used by these volunteer groups and NGOs, which have collectively received funds totalling just over $570,000 – much of it over the past year,” states the report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ultimatums-threats-from-west-on-ukraine-wont-work-against-russia-says-foreign-minister-452104">Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister</a>

According to the report, groups receiving Bitcoin donations include Come Back Alive, which provides training, military, and medical equipment, and the Myrotvorets Center, which has ties to the Ukrainian government.

As Russia and US continue to exchange threats over the Ukraine crisis, several European leaders are trying to broker peace in order to stave off a war in the eastern European region.

France’s Emmanuel Macron, top ministers from Britain have arrived in Moscow to defuse the tense situation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-russia-continues-to-deploy-more-forces-adding-tactical-groups-says-us-451895">Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to deploy more forces, adding tactical groups, says US</a>

According to reports and claims made by the West, Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, stoking fears of invasion.

On Thursday Russia began the 10-day joint military drills in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour and a close ally of Russia. Some 30,000 Russian troops are expected to take part.

A Kremlin spokesman said the joint drills were serious, but he pointed out the nature of threats was higher than before.

(With inputs from agencies)

As tensions continue to mount over the Ukraine crisis, a new report has claimed that Kyiv is crowdfunding donations in Bitcoin to fund a possible war against Moscow.

As tensions continue to mount over the Ukraine crisis, a new report has claimed that Kyiv is crowdfunding donations in Bitcoin to fund a possible war against Moscow. According to a report by blockchain analytics company Elliptic, donations worth thousands of dollars have seeped into non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteer groups— increasing by over 900 per cent in 2021. The report states that NGOs and volunteer groups, who are peeved with government corruption, have taken upon themselves to fund weapons and medical supplies to Ukrainian soldiers, as well for the development of a facial recognition app that identifies if someone is a Russian mercenary or spy. Elliptic says that donors are using Bitcoin to funnel money to such NGOs, bypassing any banks and financial institutions that might block payments. New Elliptic research shows how war in the Ukraine is being crowdfunded with #crypto. Crypto funds are used to equip the Ukrainian army and fund cyberattacks against Russia. Crypto donations to these groups increased by over 900% in 2021. https://t.co/7clIA9hZYz pic.twitter.com/1PXcyqfDKG — elliptic (@elliptic) February 8, 2022 × “Elliptic has identified several cryptocurrency wallets used by these volunteer groups and NGOs, which have collectively received funds totalling just over $570,000 – much of it over the past year,” states the report. Also read | Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister According to the report, groups receiving Bitcoin donations include Come Back Alive, which provides training, military, and medical equipment, and the Myrotvorets Center, which has ties to the Ukrainian government. As Russia and US continue to exchange threats over the Ukraine crisis, several European leaders are trying to broker peace in order to stave off a war in the eastern European region. France’s Emmanuel Macron, top ministers from Britain have arrived in Moscow to defuse the tense situation. Also read | Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to deploy more forces, adding tactical groups, says US According to reports and claims made by the West, Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, stoking fears of invasion. On Thursday Russia began the 10-day joint military drills in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour and a close ally of Russia. Some 30,000 Russian troops are expected to take part. A Kremlin spokesman said the joint drills were serious, but he pointed out the nature of threats was higher than before. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine using Bitcoin to crowdfund possible war against Russia: Report

Threats of Russian invasion are growing near the Ukrainian border as result tensions are rising in the deserted Ukraine town. Here's a report about what life is like in Krymske.

Threats of Russian invasion are growing near Ukrainian border

President Joe Biden called on US citizens to leave Ukraine immediately due to the heightened risk of a Russian invasion. Biden reiterated that under no circumstances would he send US troops to Ukraine, even to rescue Americans in case of a Russian invasion.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US urges its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately

Ukrainian and Russian officials met in the German capital for talks on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine but nearly nine hours of talks failed to produce a breakthrough on signing a joint document. However, both sides have agreed to keep talks with French and German officials aimed at ending an eight-year separators conflict in eastern Ukraine but the lack of progress marked a setback for efforts to defuse the crisis.

Berlin talks fail to yield breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine crisis

The British Foreign Secretary's latest foray into international diplomacy has not gone as planned especially after she received a geography lesson from her Russian counterpart at their meeting in Moscow.

UK Foreign secretary mistakes Russian territory as Ukrainian, gets mocked for the gaffe

Amid rising tensions between the West and Russia over the Ukraine conflict. Watch a report from Krymske where people are living in a conflict zone.

Krymske: Life in a conflict zone

The threat of war looms large over Ukraine. With more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed near its neighbour’s borders, the Ukrainians are preparing for the worst-case scenario.

As tensions between Russia and Ukraine reach a boiling point, world leaders and diplomats shuffle among Washington, Moscow and Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, to avert a war, which many fear would be catastrophic.

The same has been running around the minds of Indian students who are living in Ukraine.

There are around 20,000 Indian students studying medical and engineering in the east European country.

Indians form the biggest student group in Ukraine. Most of them come here to study medicine.

There are two reasons for that. One, it is affordable. Medical education here is cheaper than in India.

And two, the degrees that they get are recognised both in Europe and in India, so students come here in large numbers.

WION&nbsp;visited the country’s prestigious varsity, Taras Shevchenko National University, in Kyiv to talk to students and understand their life under the spectre of conflict.

As war brews on the border, a sense of worry is palpable in the dormitory. On the face of it, life looks normal on the campus, but the threat of war has been weighing on the mind of these students.

“There are things that are happening overnight. All we are doing is waiting for the updates,” said Shashank, a student at Taras Shevchenko National University.

Expressing similar views, another student says, “I have been here for three years and there has always been a talk of war. But this time it is more serious than before. Let’s see, the US, India are doing things. I don’t think there should be a war. But it is slightly unpredictable.”

These students are not only concerned for their safety, but they also worry about their Ukrainian friends.

“If war happens, we can always go back and create our life in India. We have the option to make our future brighter. Many of us come from a middle-class background, and if anything (war) happens, it will massively impact us. But we still can go back. Whereas, I worry for my Ukrainian friends. I feel that they might lose their independence,” said Madhu Mohan, a fourth-year MBBS student at Taras Shevchenko National University.

Students are banking on the Indian embassy in Kyiv,&nbsp;as they&nbsp;have been evacuated once before. At the beginning of the pandemic, hundreds of students were flown to India through the Vande Bharat mission.

Around two weeks back, the Indian embassy in Kyiv drew up a list, asking the students to fill up forms to collate their information in case they need&nbsp;to be evacuated if a war breaks out.

They say that if any conflict arises, New Delhi will ensure their safety.

&nbsp;“We think we are in safe hands because we are in constant touch with the (Indian) embassy. If there is any kind of evacuation, the embassy is going to take measures accordingly,” said Shashank.

Most of the classes have been going online because of the pandemic. Some students have gone back home while some stayed.

The threat of war looms large over Ukraine. With more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed near its neighbour’s borders, the Ukrainians are preparing for the worst-case scenario.

The threat of war looms large over Ukraine. With more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed near its neighbour’s borders, the Ukrainians are preparing for the worst-case scenario. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine reach a boiling point, world leaders and diplomats shuffle among Washington, Moscow and Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, to avert a war, which many fear would be catastrophic. The same has been running around the minds of Indian students who are living in Ukraine. There are around 20,000 Indian students studying medical and engineering in the east European country. Indians form the biggest student group in Ukraine. Most of them come here to study medicine. There are two reasons for that. One, it is affordable. Medical education here is cheaper than in India. And two, the degrees that they get are recognised both in Europe and in India, so students come here in large numbers. WION visited the country’s prestigious varsity, Taras Shevchenko National University, in Kyiv to talk to students and understand their life under the spectre of conflict. As war brews on the border, a sense of worry is palpable in the dormitory. On the face of it, life looks normal on the campus, but the threat of war has been weighing on the mind of these students. “There are things that are happening overnight. All we are doing is waiting for the updates,” said Shashank, a student at Taras Shevchenko National University. Expressing similar views, another student says, “I have been here for three years and there has always been a talk of war. But this time it is more serious than before. Let’s see, the US, India are doing things. I don’t think there should be a war. But it is slightly unpredictable.” These students are not only concerned for their safety, but they also worry about their Ukrainian friends. “If war happens, we can always go back and create our life in India. We have the option to make our future brighter. Many of us come from a middle-class background, and if anything (war) happens, it will massively impact us. But we still can go back. Whereas, I worry for my Ukrainian friends. I feel that they might lose their independence,” said Madhu Mohan, a fourth-year MBBS student at Taras Shevchenko National University. Students are banking on the Indian embassy in Kyiv, as they have been evacuated once before. At the beginning of the pandemic, hundreds of students were flown to India through the Vande Bharat mission. Around two weeks back, the Indian embassy in Kyiv drew up a list, asking the students to fill up forms to collate their information in case they need to be evacuated if a war breaks out. They say that if any conflict arises, New Delhi will ensure their safety. “We think we are in safe hands because we are in constant touch with the (Indian) embassy. If there is any kind of evacuation, the embassy is going to take measures accordingly,” said Shashank. Most of the classes have been going online because of the pandemic. Some students have gone back home while some stayed.

Life under the spectre of war: WION speaks to Indian students in Ukraine's Kyiv

Ukrainian and Russian officials met in the German capital for talks on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine but nearly nine hours of talks failed to produce a breakthrough on signing a joint document. However, both sides have agreed to keep talks with French and German officials aimed at ending an eight-year separators conflict in eastern Ukraine but the lack of progress marked a setback for efforts to defuse the crisis. For more insights on this, we are joined by WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma live from Ukraine.

British PM Boris Johnson warns of 'Bloodshed' as diplomacy deadlock on Ukraine conflict continues

Will Russia use military drills as pretext for war? Do Ukrainian forces stand a chance against the Russian Juggernaut. Palki Sharma decodes Ukraine's options with Volodymyr Solohub & Katharine Quinn-Judge.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Will Ukraine survive war? WION interviews Volodymyr Solohub & Katharine Quinn-Judge

The room for diplomacy is shrinking in the Ukraine Conflict. Military drills have begun, evacuation plans have been approved. Is war now inevitable? Palki Sharma decodes the possibilities with WION's correspondents from Moscow, Washington, London & Brussels.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Ukraine Conflict: Diplomacy fails to deliver

In 1990, NATO promised to never enter Russia's sphere of influence in eastern Europe. Since then, the alliance has expanded to include 14 European nations, including Russia's neighbours. Palki Sharma tells you about NATO's betrayal.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Did NATO betray Russia?

20,000 Indian Students are currently in Ukraine. How are they coping up under the spectre of war? How safe will they be if Russia invades? Palki Sharma interviewed students studying at the Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv. Here's what they told her.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Are Indians in Ukraine safe? WION interviews Indian Students

Berlin talks fail to yield any breakthrough in defusing Ukraine conflict with Russia

The United States has asked the Americans living in Ukraine to leave the country as tensions mount over the Ukraine crisis. The diplomacy deadlock on the Ukraine conflict continues.

The US urges Americans in Ukraine to leave as diplomacy deadlock on Ukraine conflict continues

Russia and Belarus are well into conducting their joint military drills not even hundreds of kilometres away from Kyiv. Tensions remain high as both Russia and Ukraine are staging military exercises and are set to continue till the 20th of February. This comes even as leaders on all sides expressed their wish to continue diplomacy and dialogue to de-escalate tensions.

Russia, Ukraine hold simultaneous drills amid rising tensions

All this mayhem in Europe has put the indo-pacific on the back burner. Nobody is talking about the South China Sea but that may change very soon. The QUAD foreign ministers are meeting in Australia are all meeting in the first physical summit since the White House meeting last year.

Key QUAD meet today in Australia; China aggression, Ukraine crisis on agenda

After a slew of diplomatic meetings trying to deescalate tensions over Ukraine, French president Emmanuel Macron briefed his US counterpart Joe Biden about his meetings with the top leaders. WION's correspondent Susan Tehrani brings in more information on this.

Russia-Ukraine tensions: Macron talks with Biden about his diplomatic meets with Putin and Zelensky

Last week, Ukrainian legislators held up the flags of countries providing military and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine as it faces the threat of a Russian invasion. The flags of the United States, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Poland and Turkey all jostled for space. One, however, was conspicuous by its absence: the black, red and gold of Germany.

It was a fitting rebuke. Over the past few weeks, as Europe has seemingly approached the brink of war, Germany has been the odd man out. While the United States, Britain and Poland delivered weapons to Ukraine, the German government stoutly refused to do the same — and even seemed to block a transfer of weapons previously sold to Estonia. Across the continent, criticism has been fierce.

For Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who on Monday met with President Biden in Washington, it’s been a trial by fire. In office since December and at the head of a new coalition government, he has struggled to gain control of a situation that threatens to torpedo his authority. It’s a stark contrast to the way Angela Merkel stepped up after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Through active and energetic diplomacy, Ms. Merkel was able to bring about a cease-fire and something approaching a settlement. Under similar pressure, her successor has gone missing.

But the problem goes beyond Mr. Scholz to Germany itself. The crisis in Ukraine puts to the sword many of the country’s central assumptions about its role in the world. Wedded to the past and conflicted in the present, Germany — at least when it comes to foreign policy — looks stuck. But now is not the time to be indecisive. It needs to assert itself as a power broker and unify Europe’s response to Russian aggression.

The first difficulty, of course, is historical. Determined not to repeat the horrors of the past, the country is extremely wary about military engagement. That caution extends to weapons, which are generally not sold to conflict zones or when they could become instruments of human rights violations. In practice, economic interests often overrule principles: Saudi Arabia and Egypt receive German weaponry. Yet with Russia, the issue is particularly fraught. Never again, goes the catechism, shall German weapons be used to kill Russian citizens.

These historical arguments are not particularly useful in the 21st century. But Germany just can’t get over them: Pacifism and history are deeply ingrained in our public debate and particularly in the political culture of two of the three parties currently governing the country, the Greens and the Social Democrats.

For Mr. Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, relations with Russia are an especially emotional and contested issue. The party prides itself on its change-through-rapprochement approach during the Cold War, and many members defend the notion that Germany’s role is to be a buffer between the United States and Russia rather than to clearly side with the West. It’s a narrative rooted in nostalgia and idealism, but it has a cynical side: The party’s defense for Nord Stream 2, the controversial pipeline built to deliver more Russian gas to Europe, often clads straightforward economic interests in the gown of historical dignity.

For the Green Party, the second largest in Germany’s so-called Traffic Light coalition, the situation is no less sensitive. Founded out of the peace and ecological movements in 1980, it opposed the deployment of American nuclear weapons to Germany and rearmament generally. The party’s position has since evolved, but Russia’s threat to Ukraine has caught the Greens at a difficult moment. After a slightly disappointing election result in September, tensions within the party — over cabinet positions, internal reforms and political priorities — are high. It is, in short, a bad moment to take an ax to a central pillar of party identity.

Then there’s the coalition itself, formed two months ago and keen to show it can provide stable rule. With domestic problems mounting — rising prices, pandemic restrictions and ambitious decarbonization plans threaten the country’s uneasy equilibrium — the government may have decided not to risk its unity over a foreign policy issue. Its caution, after all, is in step with national opinion at large: A recent survey showed that 59 percent of Germans oppose delivering weapons to Ukraine, while only 20 percent approve.

Taken together, it amounts to a difficult brief for Mr. Scholz. And it’s clear that, so far, he’s struggled to meet the moment. Criticism abroad — Latvia’s defense minister called Germany’s reluctance to arm Ukraine “immoral” and “hypocritical” — has been more sharply expressed but no more pointed than at home, where Mr. Scholz has been derided as almost invisible. (On Twitter, #WoIstScholz — “Where is Scholz?” — became something between a lament and a joke.) His personal approval ratings have sunk 17 percentage points, according to a recent poll, and his party’s standing has also taken a hit. After Ms. Merkel’s long tenure, Mr. Scholz is discovering just how hard the job can be. It’s not just Germany he’s struggling to lead; it’s Europe, too.

Yet Mr. Scholz maintains that the country is taking the right path. In a television interview last week, he stressed that Germany has invested $2 billion in Ukraine in recent years. Building a country’s resilience, a senior government official told me, means helping it to defend itself. The chancellery appears to deem weapon deliveries to Ukraine purely symbolic — a costly exercise politically, with little actual impact. And officials were quick to underline Germany’s leading presence in NATO’s deployment, since 2017, of troops to Poland and the Baltic States. On Monday, the country announced it would send 350 more soldiers to defend NATO’s eastern flank.

Is this just the usual German delusion? Is the country just making excuses for pursuing business as usual? Yes and no. Germany is certainly reluctant to leave its comfort zone, as its hesitancy — nowhere better captured than in its offer to send Ukraine helmets rather than missiles — clearly betrays. But some things have changed.

For one thing, some Social Democrats appear willing to leave behind the idea of a special relationship with Russia. “We don’t want a special role for Germany,” Michael Roth, a Social Democrat who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee, told me. This is a significant development and means that Nord Stream 2 is, for the first time, genuinely on the line. As Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister (and a co-leader of the Green Party), made clear to her Russian counterpart in January: Germany is prepared to act, even if “such measures hurt us economically.”

In the context of the past, it’s a bold statement. But these nuances are not as easy to grasp as boots on the ground. On Monday, Mr. Scholz, addressing Mr. Biden by his first name, sought to bolster the trans-Atlantic alliance. “We are absolutely united,” he said. There’s no reason, really, to doubt it. But it may still take some convincing.

Last week, Ukrainian legislators held up the flags of countries providing military and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine as it faces the threat of a Russian invasion.

Last week, Ukrainian legislators held up the flags of countries providing military and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine as it faces the threat of a Russian invasion. The flags of the United States, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Poland and Turkey all jostled for space. One, however, was conspicuous by its absence: the black, red and gold of Germany. It was a fitting rebuke. Over the past few weeks, as Europe has seemingly approached the brink of war, Germany has been the odd man out. While the United States, Britain and Poland delivered weapons to Ukraine, the German government stoutly refused to do the same — and even seemed to block a transfer of weapons previously sold to Estonia. Across the continent, criticism has been fierce. For Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who on Monday met with President Biden in Washington, it’s been a trial by fire. In office since December and at the head of a new coalition government, he has struggled to gain control of a situation that threatens to torpedo his authority. It’s a stark contrast to the way Angela Merkel stepped up after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Through active and energetic diplomacy, Ms. Merkel was able to bring about a cease-fire and something approaching a settlement. Under similar pressure, her successor has gone missing. But the problem goes beyond Mr. Scholz to Germany itself. The crisis in Ukraine puts to the sword many of the country’s central assumptions about its role in the world. Wedded to the past and conflicted in the present, Germany — at least when it comes to foreign policy — looks stuck. But now is not the time to be indecisive. It needs to assert itself as a power broker and unify Europe’s response to Russian aggression. The first difficulty, of course, is historical. Determined not to repeat the horrors of the past, the country is extremely wary about military engagement. That caution extends to weapons, which are generally not sold to conflict zones or when they could become instruments of human rights violations. In practice, economic interests often overrule principles: Saudi Arabia and Egypt receive German weaponry. Yet with Russia, the issue is particularly fraught. Never again, goes the catechism, shall German weapons be used to kill Russian citizens. These historical arguments are not particularly useful in the 21st century. But Germany just can’t get over them: Pacifism and history are deeply ingrained in our public debate and particularly in the political culture of two of the three parties currently governing the country, the Greens and the Social Democrats. For Mr. Scholz’s Social Democratic Party, relations with Russia are an especially emotional and contested issue. The party prides itself on its change-through-rapprochement approach during the Cold War, and many members defend the notion that Germany’s role is to be a buffer between the United States and Russia rather than to clearly side with the West. It’s a narrative rooted in nostalgia and idealism, but it has a cynical side: The party’s defense for Nord Stream 2, the controversial pipeline built to deliver more Russian gas to Europe, often clads straightforward economic interests in the gown of historical dignity. For the Green Party, the second largest in Germany’s so-called Traffic Light coalition, the situation is no less sensitive. Founded out of the peace and ecological movements in 1980, it opposed the deployment of American nuclear weapons to Germany and rearmament generally. The party’s position has since evolved, but Russia’s threat to Ukraine has caught the Greens at a difficult moment. After a slightly disappointing election result in September, tensions within the party — over cabinet positions, internal reforms and political priorities — are high. It is, in short, a bad moment to take an ax to a central pillar of party identity. Then there’s the coalition itself, formed two months ago and keen to show it can provide stable rule. With domestic problems mounting — rising prices, pandemic restrictions and ambitious decarbonization plans threaten the country’s uneasy equilibrium — the government may have decided not to risk its unity over a foreign policy issue. Its caution, after all, is in step with national opinion at large: A recent survey showed that 59 percent of Germans oppose delivering weapons to Ukraine, while only 20 percent approve. Taken together, it amounts to a difficult brief for Mr. Scholz. And it’s clear that, so far, he’s struggled to meet the moment. Criticism abroad — Latvia’s defense minister called Germany’s reluctance to arm Ukraine “immoral” and “hypocritical” — has been more sharply expressed but no more pointed than at home, where Mr. Scholz has been derided as almost invisible. (On Twitter, #WoIstScholz — “Where is Scholz?” — became something between a lament and a joke.) His personal approval ratings have sunk 17 percentage points, according to a recent poll, and his party’s standing has also taken a hit. After Ms. Merkel’s long tenure, Mr. Scholz is discovering just how hard the job can be. It’s not just Germany he’s struggling to lead; it’s Europe, too. Yet Mr. Scholz maintains that the country is taking the right path. In a television interview last week, he stressed that Germany has invested $2 billion in Ukraine in recent years. Building a country’s resilience, a senior government official told me, means helping it to defend itself. The chancellery appears to deem weapon deliveries to Ukraine purely symbolic — a costly exercise politically, with little actual impact. And officials were quick to underline Germany’s leading presence in NATO’s deployment, since 2017, of troops to Poland and the Baltic States. On Monday, the country announced it would send 350 more soldiers to defend NATO’s eastern flank. Is this just the usual German delusion? Is the country just making excuses for pursuing business as usual? Yes and no. Germany is certainly reluctant to leave its comfort zone, as its hesitancy — nowhere better captured than in its offer to send Ukraine helmets rather than missiles — clearly betrays. But some things have changed. For one thing, some Social Democrats appear willing to leave behind the idea of a special relationship with Russia. “We don’t want a special role for Germany,” Michael Roth, a Social Democrat who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee, told me. This is a significant development and means that Nord Stream 2 is, for the first time, genuinely on the line. As Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister (and a co-leader of the Green Party), made clear to her Russian counterpart in January: Germany is prepared to act, even if “such measures hurt us economically.” In the context of the past, it’s a bold statement. But these nuances are not as easy to grasp as boots on the ground. On Monday, Mr. Scholz, addressing Mr. Biden by his first name, sought to bolster the trans-Atlantic alliance. “We are absolutely united,” he said. There’s no reason, really, to doubt it. But it may still take some convincing.

Europe is on the brink of war, and Germany has gone missing

What options does Ukraine have? Can it take a tougher line against Russia? Palki Sharma spoke to Independent Journalist Olga Tokariuk & Political Consultant Andrii Telizhenko to understand the sentiments on ground.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: What are Ukraine's options? | WION interviews Olga Tokariuk & Andrii Telizhenko

WION's executive editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings exclusive ground report from Kyiv, Ukraine. She sheds more insights on why Minsk agreement of 2014 might not be a solution that Macron could be looking for.

Can Minsk accords defuse tensions? Maybe Not, Palki Sharma tells you why

Amid growing fears of a Russian invasion, world leaders have underlined the importance of finding a solution and diffusing tensions. Our correspondent Jodie Cohen spoke to Dr Vera Michlin- Shapir who has worked at Israel's national security council she also has an experience of working in the Prime Minister's office, let's listen into this exclusive conversation.

Minsk agreement a solution for Russia-Ukraine crisis? | Dr Vera Michlin Shapir Exclusive

French President Emanuel Macron has embarked on his shuttle diplomacy in an attempt to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as a threat of war looms large in eastern Europe.

After holding a marathon talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Macron arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

With more than 100,000 Russian troops amassed near the Ukraine borders, there have been claims of the Russian invasion.

After meeting Putin, Macron claimed that he received assurances from Kremlin that they would reduce escalations against Ukraine—which Moscow has denied.

Even though conflicting views were aired, Dr Vera Michlin-Shapir, a visiting research fellow at King’s College London, claims that there might be something to gain out of the talks.

Michlin-Shapir had previously worked at Israel’s National Security Council and in the Prime Minister’s Office. She is an expert on Russia-Israel-Ukraine relations.

Excerpts:

WION: As French President Macron conducts shuttle diplomacy, we’re seeing somewhat conflicting messages coming from Russia and Ukraine. What’s the latest on this?

<a name="_Hlk95338149">Michlin-Shapir</a>: We are still in the midst of the process, obviously there will be conflicting messages, as each actor (state) wants to position. At the end of the day what matters is what comes out of Kremlin.

It seems that they have something to gain out of the talks being pivoted by President Macron.

WION: The Ukrainian FM has indicated that there is a deep cooperation between Israel and Ukraine, and that Ukraine is interested in helping with air defences from Israel. Now Israel, like many countries, has relations with Ukraine and Russia...but it’s also in a tricky situation because of the large Jewish communities in both countries…Do you think Israel will share, perhaps its Iron Dome technology, to help Ukraine defend itself from any missile attack?

Michlin-Shapir: In this kind of relationship (i.e. Israel-Ukraine and Israel-Russia) one of the things not being mentioned is the relationship Israel has with the US. And in many ways, it decides Israel's direction. Now, Israel also has Russia at its Northern flank with Syria, with whom it has a very strategic relationship.

Now, Russia has bilateral relations with Syria and is also eager to help Israel with its security.&nbsp;Israel has communities in Russia and also in Ukraine.&nbsp;

In sensitive issues like sharing its advanced weapons systems, Israel works in coordination with the US.&nbsp;

WION: Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, has reportedly been speaking with both Ukraine and Russia. Last week he said that he does not believe there will soon be a violent conflict between the two countries. What’s your assessment?

Michlin-Shapir: In both Russia and Ukraine, you can see a diminished sense of conflict. The imminence of conflict is actually coming from the US.

Their intelligence community is assessing the conflict to be imminent, which is different from what we are hearing from Ukraine and Russia.

The US intelligence is apparently basing its assessment on what's happening at the border. And what is being observed at the borders is amassing of troops.

WION: Are there any meeting grounds between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow underlining the Minsk agreement &amp; Ukraine consenting as well? Or there are sticking points within still?

Michlin-Shapir: One of the biggest sticking points is that both sides may have something to gain.

The cost to Russia is lesser as it's richer, bigger and stronger. For Ukraine, it would be devastating, similar to the one they underwent eight years ago, when Crimea was annexed in 2014.

Now, Macron is trying to create a common ground,&nbsp;since&nbsp;there is nothing to gain out of the conflict.&nbsp; And this is what makes it so difficult to reach an agreement

So, maybe a lack of political will at this point can be blamed.

French President Emanuel Macron has embarked on his shuttle diplomacy in an attempt to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as a threat of war looms large in eastern Europe.

French President Emanuel Macron has embarked on his shuttle diplomacy in an attempt to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as a threat of war looms large in eastern Europe. After holding a marathon talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Macron arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. With more than 100,000 Russian troops amassed near the Ukraine borders, there have been claims of the Russian invasion. After meeting Putin, Macron claimed that he received assurances from Kremlin that they would reduce escalations against Ukraine—which Moscow has denied. Even though conflicting views were aired, Dr Vera Michlin-Shapir, a visiting research fellow at King’s College London, claims that there might be something to gain out of the talks. Michlin-Shapir had previously worked at Israel’s National Security Council and in the Prime Minister’s Office. She is an expert on Russia-Israel-Ukraine relations. Excerpts: WION: As French President Macron conducts shuttle diplomacy, we’re seeing somewhat conflicting messages coming from Russia and Ukraine. What’s the latest on this? Michlin-Shapir: We are still in the midst of the process, obviously there will be conflicting messages, as each actor (state) wants to position. At the end of the day what matters is what comes out of Kremlin. It seems that they have something to gain out of the talks being pivoted by President Macron. WION: The Ukrainian FM has indicated that there is a deep cooperation between Israel and Ukraine, and that Ukraine is interested in helping with air defences from Israel. Now Israel, like many countries, has relations with Ukraine and Russia...but it’s also in a tricky situation because of the large Jewish communities in both countries…Do you think Israel will share, perhaps its Iron Dome technology, to help Ukraine defend itself from any missile attack? Michlin-Shapir: In this kind of relationship (i.e. Israel-Ukraine and Israel-Russia) one of the things not being mentioned is the relationship Israel has with the US. And in many ways, it decides Israel's direction. Now, Israel also has Russia at its Northern flank with Syria, with whom it has a very strategic relationship. Now, Russia has bilateral relations with Syria and is also eager to help Israel with its security. Israel has communities in Russia and also in Ukraine. In sensitive issues like sharing its advanced weapons systems, Israel works in coordination with the US. WION: Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, has reportedly been speaking with both Ukraine and Russia. Last week he said that he does not believe there will soon be a violent conflict between the two countries. What’s your assessment? Michlin-Shapir: In both Russia and Ukraine, you can see a diminished sense of conflict. The imminence of conflict is actually coming from the US. Their intelligence community is assessing the conflict to be imminent, which is different from what we are hearing from Ukraine and Russia. The US intelligence is apparently basing its assessment on what's happening at the border. And what is being observed at the borders is amassing of troops. WION: Are there any meeting grounds between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow underlining the Minsk agreement & Ukraine consenting as well? Or there are sticking points within still? Michlin-Shapir: One of the biggest sticking points is that both sides may have something to gain. The cost to Russia is lesser as it's richer, bigger and stronger. For Ukraine, it would be devastating, similar to the one they underwent eight years ago, when Crimea was annexed in 2014. Now, Macron is trying to create a common ground, since there is nothing to gain out of the conflict. And this is what makes it so difficult to reach an agreement So, maybe a lack of political will at this point can be blamed.

Something might be gained out of Macron’s meeting with Ukraine: Expert to WION

Ukrainian troops are bracing themselves for a Russian juggernaut. Joining them are 17,000 foreign fighters from 27 countries. Palki Sharma travelled to the headquarters of the Georgia National Legion which is training these fighters for war. Here's a ground report.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: Inside Ukraine's training camp for foreign fighters

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Brussels amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. The leaders have called the situation the most dangerous moment in European security. Palki Sharma tells you more.

UK: Russia is actively threatening a sovereign nation

Antony Blinken is expected to raise the Ukraine stand-off at the foreign ministers' meeting of the QUAD. Is Washington trying to drag its pacific allies into the crisis? How must the QUAD respond? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: US to raise Russia-Ukraine stand-off at QUAD meet?

European capitals are buzzing with diplomacy as leaders race against time to defuse the stand-off near Ukraine. France, Germany and Poland have pledged to avert war at a trilateral summit in Berlin. Palki Sharma gets you a round-up of diplomacy week in Europe.

Gravitas Ukraine Direct: European leaders pledge to avert war

During a press conference in Moscow, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday discussed rising tensions over Russia-Ukraine borders. Truss said that the Russia-Ukraine situation is threatening and that the former needs to move its troops, equipment stationed on the Ukrainian border elsewhere.

Ukraine Crisis: UK, Russia's foreign ministers hold PC amid rising tensions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning on Thursday saying that western threats to Moscow would do little to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine.

His comments came during a meeting with British Foreign Minister Liz Truss in Moscow during the latest round of diplomatic meetings aimed at normalising the tense situation over Ukraine.

"Ideological approaches, ultimatums, threats — this is the road to nowhere," AFP quoted Lavrov as saying at the start of talks.

The Russian foreign minister lashed out at diplomats in the European capitals and Washington for using threats and ultimatums against Russia, saying that their approach was undiplomatic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-russia-continues-to-deploy-more-forces-adding-tactical-groups-says-us-451895">Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to deploy more forces, adding tactical groups, says US</a>

The European countries have been tense ever since reports emerged that Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukraine borders, triggering fears of an invasion.

In her opening remarks, Truss said Britain “cannot ignore” the build-up of troops on Ukraine's border or “attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-dagger-on-ukraine-kinzhal-hypersonic-missiles-can-degrade-high-value-targets-447431">Also Read in Pics|&nbsp;Russia's 'Dagger' on Ukraine: Kinzhal hypersonic missiles can degrade high value targets</a>

“There is an alternative route, a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed,” she said, adding, “I am here to urge Russia to take that path.”

The meeting in Moscow comes ahead of another between Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Friday. &nbsp;

There has been a flurry of diplomatic talks this week between the European leaders and Russia over fears that Ukraine escalation could lead to a war-like situation in eastern Europe.

On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron met Vladimir Putin in Moscow and then visited Ukraine the next day in an attempt to defuse the ongoing tension.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning on Thursday saying that western threats to Moscow would do little to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning on Thursday saying that western threats to Moscow would do little to de-escalate tensions over Ukraine. His comments came during a meeting with British Foreign Minister Liz Truss in Moscow during the latest round of diplomatic meetings aimed at normalising the tense situation over Ukraine. "Ideological approaches, ultimatums, threats — this is the road to nowhere," AFP quoted Lavrov as saying at the start of talks. The Russian foreign minister lashed out at diplomats in the European capitals and Washington for using threats and ultimatums against Russia, saying that their approach was undiplomatic. Also read | Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to deploy more forces, adding tactical groups, says US The European countries have been tense ever since reports emerged that Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukraine borders, triggering fears of an invasion. In her opening remarks, Truss said Britain “cannot ignore” the build-up of troops on Ukraine's border or “attempts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.” Also Read in Pics| Russia's 'Dagger' on Ukraine: Kinzhal hypersonic missiles can degrade high value targets “There is an alternative route, a diplomatic route that avoids conflict and bloodshed,” she said, adding, “I am here to urge Russia to take that path.” The meeting in Moscow comes ahead of another between Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Friday. There has been a flurry of diplomatic talks this week between the European leaders and Russia over fears that Ukraine escalation could lead to a war-like situation in eastern Europe. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron met Vladimir Putin in Moscow and then visited Ukraine the next day in an attempt to defuse the ongoing tension. (With inputs from agencies)

Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister

During a press conference on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and PM Boris Johnson warned Russia, saying NATO is deploying more forces to its eastern member states and that Russia's behaviour would not deter them. NATO is ready to engage with Russia on de-escalation and arms control, said both leaders.

Ukraine Crisis: PM Johnson, NATO Chief refer Russian build up as 'dangerous moment'

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