Tensions between Kyiv and Moscow have captured the attention of the world, as leaders scramble to evacuate their diplomats from Ukraine and hope to pressure Putin in backing down

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and its neighbour is escalating by the day, and the entire world is watching every move made by leaders of the west and the Kremlin.

The West, including the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada are imposing fresh sanctions on Russia – so too are nations in Asia and Europe.

America has hit Russia with wide-ranging sanctions over what President Joe Biden called “the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine”.

“We’ve cut off Russia’s government from Western financing,”

U.S. PRESIDENT Biden said.

The announcement by the White House came after Russian politicians authorised President Vladimir Putin to send troops into two rebel-held parts of eastern Ukraine, angering Washington and plenty of other nations who have long been calling for a diplomatic path forward.

Russia latest response:

On Wednesday, Russia’s Putin stated that Moscow is ready to look for “diplomatic solutions” amid raging tensions with the West over Ukraine but says “the interests of Russia, the security of our citizens, are non-negotiable for us”

Russia has been against Ukraine joining NATO with the Kremlin concerned over the security of Russia.

What sanctions have been imposed on Russia?

Sanctions by the EU:

The EU is sanctioning 27 Russian individuals and organisations, including banks.

It is also limiting access to European capital markets, including cutting off the ability to access funds from EU banks and and banning trade between the EU and the two rebel-held regions.

Some 351 members of Russia’s Duma, parliament’s lower house, are also being targeted with sanctions from the EU.

Sanctions by the United States:

Sanctions by the United States were announced on Tuesday and are intended to hurt Russia’s ability to finance its military efforts.

America’s sanctions target two state-owned banks that the US has said are key to Russia’s defence sector.

Russia will no longer be able to do business in the US or access the American financial system.

The White House says that it was also sanctioning five key Russian elites and adding restrictions on US deals involving Russia’s national debt.

Americans are now banned from doing business in the rebel-held areas of Luhansk and Donetsk following the announcement by Putin that those regions will be recognised by Russia.

The White House said it could impose wider sanctions “should Russia further invade Ukraine”.

Sanctions by Australia:

Mainly targeted towards the finance sector.

The Australian Prime Minister revealed the country would be sanctioning Russian banks and eight individuals, with the PM stating that “those that are financing and profiting an autocratic and authoritative regime should have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.”

Sanctions by the United Kingdom:

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three wealthy Russian businessmen.

“This the first tranche… and we hold further sanctions at readiness to be deployed,” the PM said.

Reuters reports that some MPs have stated that the government should have been tougher – targeting more banks and oligarchs.

Sanctions from Germany:

German chancellor Olaf Scholz has suspended the permission for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany to open.

Russia has recognised the LPR and DPR regions as independent – a move that Ukraine says attacks its sovereignty

Western nations largely see the action as a “pretext” for a wider invasion. On Monday Russian President Putin ordered soldiers into the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk – to what he says is to “keep the peace”. – But that’s a description the Biden administration has called “nonsense”.

Satellite imagery over the past 24 hours has shown several new troop and equipment deployments in western Russia.