President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that he does not yet see the need for general mobilization in the country, and issued a decree on calling up reservists. He spoke about this in a video message posted on his Facebook. Today there is no need for general mobilization. We need to quickly complete the Ukrainian army and other military formations. I, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, issued a decree on calling up reservists during a special period.

Levada Center director Denis Volkov on why we shouldn’t expect a ‘Donbas consensus’ following Putin’s recognition of the ‘republics’ in eastern Ukraine Alexander Reka / TASS / Scanpix / LETA Luhansk Russia recognized the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine on February 21. President Vladimir Putin formally announced the decision following a National Security Council meeting that looked more like staged production than an actual debate.

The US Treasury Department announced the imposition of sanctions against Russian banks, their subsidiaries, as well as the children of Russian officials. This was reported on the website of the department. The state corporation VEB.RF and Promsvyazbank, as well as 42 of their subsidiaries from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Hong Kong, fell under the sanctions.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he refused a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He announced this at a press conference after negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba. According to the head of the State Department, one of the conditions for the meeting with the Russian minister was Russia’s refusal to invade Ukraine, but now the United States does not see the point in this. Blinken has already informed Lavrov of his decision.

US President Joe Biden announced the decision to introduce the first package of tough sanctions against Russia, which, among other things, include measures against Russian elites and sovereign debt. His address in connection with the events in Donbass was broadcast by the White House. Washington is going to introduce new sanctions gradually and tighten them depending on the actions of Moscow.

Russia’s Security Council session on recognition for eastern Ukraine’s separatists was billed as a live broadcast. Not only was it taped — it was edited.

Russia has established diplomatic relations with the DNR and LNR. This is reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Diplomatic relations at the embassy level will be established from today, February 22, 2022. Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Ministry noted, has already sent congratulatory telegrams to the heads of the foreign affairs departments of the newly recognized republics.

We are trying to understand with historians, political scientists and sociologists Sergey Ilnitsky / EPA / Scanpix / Leta The appeal of Vladimir Putin to the Russians, in which he announced the recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, lasted about an hour. In fact, it was a lecture during which Putin told the audience about his own ideas about the history of Russia and the USSR, relations with Ukraine and NATO countries and much more.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the evacuation of diplomats and employees of diplomatic missions in Ukraine. The corresponding statement is posted on the department's website. The staff of the embassy and consulates general will be evacuated "in the very near future", the report says. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained this decision by the fact that since 2014 diplomats have repeatedly "become objects of aggressive actions." “They received threats of physical violence.

The EU countries have decided to adopt a new package of sanctions in response to Russia's recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics. This is reported by Interfax with reference to the statement of the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell. The new sanctions, which will “hit Russia hard,” have been unanimously approved by EU countries, Borrell said at a press conference in Paris after the informal EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Interview of the director of Levada Center Denis Volkov Aleksander River / TASS / Scanpix / Leta Lugansk Russia recognized the independence of the self -proclaimed republics of Donbass. A meeting of the Security Council, whose members “persuaded” Vladimir Putin to do this, looked at a clear production.

Parliament ratifies friendship treaties with the DNR and LNR. The West imposes sanctions. Putin shames Kafka and Orwell Hello, THIS MESSAGE (MATERIAL) IS CREATED AND (OR) DISTRIBUTED BY A FOREIGN MASS MEDIA PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT AND (OR) A RUSSIAN LEGAL ENTITY PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS OF A FOREIGN AGENT This is Meduza's daily newsletter about the most important and interesting things that happened during the day.

The euro rose by 40 kopecks (to 89.8 rubles), the dollar rose by about 30 kopecks (to 79.2 rubles) against the backdrop of Russian President Vladimir Putin's appeal to the Federation Council about the use of the Russian army in the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk republics. It is reported by Interfax. At 19:25, the euro exchange rate briefly rose above 90 rubles, the dollar remained at around 79.3 rubles.

Russia recognized the DPR and LPR within the borders of the former Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As for the borders, within what borders will we recognize these republics. We recognized them, which means we recognized their constitutions. And the constitutions spelled out the borders within the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - at the time when they were part of Ukraine.

The Federation Council has allowed Russian President Vladimir Putin to use the Russian armed forces abroad, Interfax reports . The corresponding appeal was considered by the upper house of the Russian parliament on the evening of February 22. Nikolai Pankov, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, spoke before the senators, who, in particular, stated: “The Ukrainian leadership has embarked on the path of violence and bloodshed.