Ukraine Crisis Live: Russia Declares War On Ukraine, Putin Clears “Military Operation”

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country.

“I have made the decision of a military operation,” he said in a surprise statement on television shortly before 6 am (0300 GMT).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Russia could start “a major war in Europe” in the coming days and urged Russians to oppose the attack.

In an address aired shortly after midnight Zelensky said Russia could invade Ukraine “any day now” and, addressing the Russian people, said whether that happens “depends on you.”

The United Nations Security Council will convene for its second emergency session in three days over the Ukraine-Russia crisis, “due to military developments” on the ground, diplomatic sources said.

The meeting, which was requested by Kyiv earlier Wednesday and backed by Western Security Council members, is scheduled for 9:30 pm (0230 GMT Thursday), the sources said.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced tough new sanctions on Russia for “beginning” an invasion of Ukraine but said there was still time to avoid war, even as Vladimir Putin signaled plans to send troops beyond Russia’s borders.

Russia’s upper house, the Federation Council, gave Putin unanimous approval to deploy “peacekeepers” to two breakaway Ukrainian regions now recognized by Moscow as independent, and potentially into other parts of Ukraine.

Biden announced what he called the “first tranche” of sanctions, including steps to starve Russia of financing and target financial institutions and the country’s “elites.”

But he left the door open to a final effort at diplomacy to avert a full-scale Russian invasion.

“There’s no question that Russia is the aggressor, so we’re clear eyed about the challenges we’re facing,” the president said.

“Nonetheless, there is still time to avert the worst case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people.”

With Thanks Refrence to: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ukraine-crisis-live-updates-un-to-hold-emergency-meeting-on-ukraine-russia-standoff-today-2785839