The Pentagon is painting a grim picture of the situation in Ukraine, saying intelligence services believe Vladimir Putin’s “forces are ready to go” for an all out invasion.

“We all hope we are wrong about this but every indication we have is he is poised to attack Ukraine again and this time with significant military force.,” says John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary.

Mr Kirby also refused to rule out whether US troops will join NATO forces in defending Ukraine from Russian forces.

Ukraine’s foreign minister claims chemical plant in Crimea has been evacuated in what ‘might be a preparation for another staged provocation by Russia’

This comes as Ukraine’s parliament votes to declare a state of emergency.

Russian sanctions

The U-S has announced it will impose fresh sanctions on Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

“Today, I have directed my administration to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2… these steps are another piece of our initial sanctions in response to Russia’s actions.”

us president joe biden

This comes as Ukraine prepares to declare a month-long state of emergency while calling up all military reservists aged 18 to 60.

The latest developments

• As the crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate, Russia is reportedly moving further troops closer to the border.

• Millions of Ukrainian citizens who are living in Russia have been advised to leave immediately as the threat of war looms.

• Several Ukrainian websites have been targeted by what leaders are calling a cyber attack.

• The United Kingdom has announced it will be providing greater military support to the eastern European nation… while Western countries ramp up sanctions against Moscow.
• The Pentagon says all options are on the table to send US troops to Ukraine.

The Prime Minister of NATO member, Latvia warns Russian troops have now begun moving into the eastern region of Ukraine the Kremlin has recognised as independent.

There are reports Russia has deployed two so-called “battalion tactical groups” – each comprising of around 800 troops – to the Donbas region.

Latvia’s P-M says the actions are nothing short of an invasion…

In a video address, Russian President Vladimir Putin says his nation remains open to diplomacy… but its own national interests come first and it will continue to strengthen its military.

Moment of Peril

At the United Nations, the Secretary General told delegates the world is “facing a moment of peril”… noting the situation in Ukraine is “the most serious global peace and security crisis in recent years”.

NATO’s secretary general says countries like China and Russia don’t share Western values of “freedom and democracy”.

Pope Francis has also made an address, saying the worsening situation and the threat of war in Ukraine is causing him “great pain”.

This all comes as a possible meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is called off.