International reactions to the war in Donbas

Ukrainian servicemen drive Soviet-made T-64 tanks in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 11, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia on Monday ordered more evacuations in a region bordering Ukraine as it battled to contain an unprecedented push onto its territory by Kiev forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Wednesday for a "severe" response to foreign agents who aim to destabilise Russia by aiding Ukraine.

"The Kiev regime with direct support of foreign special services has taken the path of terrorist methods, practically state terrorism," Putin said in a video address.

Russia is outside the UN body for human rights, battles in Donbas, Von der Layen will visit Kyiv - here are the latest and most important events related to the war in Ukraine.

Call for evacuation in eastern Ukraine

"Bulgaria strongly supports tough sanctions in response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, including sanctions against the Security Council of the Russian Federation and President Putin."

A request for the use of Russian armed forces abroad by President Vladimir Putin in the Federation Council (upper house of parliament) has been approved. Such a request came a little earlier today, as previously announced by Senate President Valentina Matvienko.

According to her, the Council will consider the request in an open session.

The United States is threatening Russia with sanctions on at least two tracks, for Britain, all options are on the table, and a key concern in NATO is Europe's energy security.

A possible Russian invasion of Ukraine could be the "biggest invasion" since World War II, given Russia's massive military presence near the Ukrainian border, US President Joe Biden was quoted as saying by the DPA.

However, the war may, in fact, already commenced, according to a BBC analysis.
British public service columnist Jonathan Marcus points out that "the risk of an all-out war between Russia and Ukraine dominates the headlines.All the obvious questions are being asked. Will Russia attack?"

 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Ukraine this week reflects the Biden administration's concern about the danger of Russian aggression against its western neighbor. Though President Vladimir Putin has temporarily eased tensions by ordering Russian troops to pull back from the border, he remains determined to undermine the Ukrainian government's control over its own territory.