Why is Putin invading Ukraine now? The responses!

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: TEXT Official kremlin.ru

I will start with what I said in my address on February 21, 2022. I spoke about our greatest concerns and worries and about the fundamental threats that irresponsible Western politicians have consistently, crudely, and unapologetically created for Russia year after year. I refer to the eastward expansion of NATO, which is moving its military infrastructure ever closer to the Russian border.

The fact is that over the past 30 years we have patiently tried to come to an agreement with the leading NATO countries on the principles of equal and indivisible security in Europe. In response to our proposals, we have invariably faced either cynical deception and lies or attempts at pressure and blackmail, while the North Atlantic Alliance has continued to expand despite our protests and concerns. Its military machine is moving and, as I said, approaching our border.

Why is this happening? Where did this brazen way of talking down from the heights of its exceptionalism, infallibility, and omnipotence come from? What is the explanation for this contemptuous and disdainful attitude towards our interests and absolutely legitimate demands?

The answer is simple. Everything is clear and obvious. In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union weakened and subsequently broke up. This experience should be a good lesson for us, because it showed us that paralysis of power and will is the first step to complete humiliation and oblivion. We lost confidence only for a moment, but it was enough to upset the balance of power in the world. Read all here

Russian army begins active operations in the region

The latest news from the media this minute:

- Ukrainian deputies, led by Novinsky, have written an appeal to Vladimir Zelensky asking him to urgently start talks with Russia;

- The mayor of Genichesk claims Russian troops have occupied the city;

- Curfew imposed in Dnipropetrovsk after Kiev;

- China rejects sanctions against Russia;

In the early morning hours of February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation in the Donbass as part of agreements with the DNR and LNR. Putin stated the goal: Ukraine must demilitarize. The Russian president called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their weapons. At the same time, Russia does not need the "occupation" of Ukraine. After the President's statement, a massive military operation was launched - it is reported that military aircraft and artillery are in use. We are updated online on the developments in Donbas and Ukraine.

19:09 The head of the Yeisky district in the Krasnodar region, Viktor Lyakhov, reports that a crew member of a Russian ship that was fired upon by Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, according to the FSB, has been hospitalized. The special service reported an attack on two civilian ships.

19:05 Zelensky said he spoke with Macron about tough sanctions against Russia and called for Russia to be cut off from SWIFT.

19:03 Zelensky has called on the EU to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

19:02 Russian Investigative Committee: two adults and one child wounded in shelling in Belgorod region; one house destroyed, eight damaged. The agency said it had opened a criminal case on the shelling of the region's territory.

19:00 According to the US White House, the online meeting of G7 leaders on Ukraine lasted more than an hour.

18:59 "No, everything is working," Peskov said in response to a question from Interfax about a possible DDoS attack on the Kremlin, government and Duma websites. Earlier it had been noted that the means were not working properly.

18:45 Meanwhile, Chairman of the Presidential Human Rights Council Valery Fadeyev said that part of Russian society underestimates the military threat from NATO.

18:42 Zelensky made a new appeal: "It was not Ukraine that started down the path of war, but Ukraine proposes to return to the path of peace." He called what happened a "new iron curtain" and "Ukraine's task is to ensure that the iron curtain does not pass through Ukraine's territory." According to Zelenskyy, "many Russians are shocked by what happened." Zelensky also appealed to world leaders, saying, "If you do not help us, tomorrow war will knock on your doors." In addition, Zelensky said that the future depends on Ukrainians themselves, and called for joining the ranks of the AFU and territorial defense.

18:40 The websites of the Kremlin, the Russian government and the Russian State Duma are experiencing difficulties in operation.

18:39 Stavropol airport has resumed work, while Lipetsk airport is temporarily closed, the Federal Aviation Agency announced.

18:38 "MK" observer Dmitry Popov speaks about the war: "To change the regime with someone else's bayonets is a national humiliation: What awaits Ukraine and Russia".

18:36 Barcelona Basketball Club refused to fly to St. Petersburg for the match with Zenit.

18:31 The price of gas in Europe has risen 57 percent in one day, exceeding $1,600 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time since December 23.

18:26 Patriarch Kirill urges to avoid civilian casualties: "I deeply sympathize with all those affected by the disaster. I call on all parties to the conflict to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.

18:23 According to Kiev and Cherkassy region, a curfew is imposed in Dnipro - from 22:00 to 6:00, local media report.

18:20 "Will you drive from Dnipro to the border?": Residents of Ukrainian cities report on the evacuation.

18:14 The entrance to Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow is blocked, eyewitnesses report. Earlier, the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office warned about the illegality of unauthorized mass rallies.

18:07 In view of the events in Ukraine, Russians have hurriedly withdrawn money from their accounts. Experts discuss prospects and give advice - details in our report.

18:05 Reuters reports that Biden will give a speech on Ukraine at 20:30 Moscow time.

18:03 Zelensky says on Twitter that "squatters are trying to occupy the Chernobyl nuclear power plant."

18:02 CNN quotes sources as saying that the EU is discussing the possibility of disconnecting Russia from SWIFT.

18:01 Details of the shelling of two Russian civilian ships in the