American President, Joe Biden, has put a video call through to his Russian Counterpart Vladmir Putin to renounce his decision to invade neighbour Ukraine or risk being sanctioned by America and its allies.
He warned that Washington and its allies wouldn’t hesitate to respond “decisively” if the threat becomes reality.
However, in a swift response ,Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, accused the United States of waging a “propaganda campaign” against Moscow in a separate phone call with his American counterpart Antony Blinken.
The European Union is not withdrawing its diplomatic presence from Ukraine, its foreign policy chief has said, after the US warned that Russian forces could invade at any time.
Russia -Ukraine Crisis
“The EU and its member states are coordinating their actions in view of the current threats on Ukraine. Our diplomatic missions are not closing. They remain in Kyiv and continue to operate in support to EU citizens and in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities,” Josep Borrell said in a statement.
“We recall that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe cost in response,” Borrell said.
Ukrainians March In Protest Amid Russia’s Threat
Meanwhile ,Several thousand Ukrainians have rallied to show unity amid fears of a Russian invasion, as Ukraine’s leader told people not to panic and pushed back against what he said was a glut of bleak war predictions being reported in the media.
Ukrainians marched through the centre of Kyiv in a column, chanting “Glory to Ukraine” and carrying Ukrainian flags and banners that said “Ukrainians will resist” and “Invaders must die”.
“Panic is useless. We must unite and fight for independence,” said student Maria Shcherbenko.
Vladimir Putin
Macron and Putin In Phone Call Conversation For 90 minutes
Meanwhile ,French President Emmanuel Macron, has waded in the looming crisis when he put a call through to Moscow asking that negotiations should be employed in order to avoid a full blown war in the region.
Aftermath of Macron’s visit to Moscow earlier in the week, where both presidents engaged in discussions to chart a new course on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements as well as conditions for security and steadiness in Europe.