Mon 14 February 2022:
The United Kingdom’s foreign minister has said Russia could invade Ukraine “at any moment”, citing the latest intelligence seen by London.
“Latest information suggests Russia could invade at any moment and we urge the Kremlin to deescalate,” Liz Truss tweeted following a meeting of the government’s crisis response committee (COBR).
“Our focus is on prioritising the safety and security of British nationals in Ukraine,” she added.
Today I chaired a COBR meeting on the serious Russian threat to Ukraine.
Latest information suggests Russia could invade at any moment and we urge the Kremlin to deescalate.
Our focus is on prioritising the safety and security of British nationals in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/umzgiMwHpg
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) February 14, 2022
World Bank temporarily relocates staff from Ukraine, suspends missions
The World Bank is temporarily relocating staff from Ukraine and has suspended staff missions to the country due to the tensions on the border between Russia and Ukraine, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters news agency.
The World Bank said it was closely monitoring the situation and its operations were continuing in Ukraine.
“The World Bank Group’s foremost priority is to keep our staff and their families safe. In line with our evacuation policy, temporary relocation of staff is underway and enhanced security measures are in place,” the memo said.
Ukraine would welcome Vatican mediation, wants papal visit soon
Ukraine is open to a Vatican mediation of its conflict with Russia and wants Pope Francis to visit as soon as possible, even in the current situation, Kyiv’s new ambassador to the Holy See has said.
Speaking to Reuters news agency in a telephone interview from Kyiv, Andriy Yurash, said the Vatican was considering its response to invitations from both political and Catholic Church officials in Ukraine for a visit.
“As I understand it, the Vatican would be ready and happy to create this possibility for meeting leaders from both sides,” said Yurash, the former head of the Department on Religious Affairs and Nationalities at Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture.
“Ukraine is completely in favour of [using] this very influential, very spiritual place for a meeting. If Russia confirms its will to sit at the table, immediately Ukraine will respond in a positive way,” he said.
More US F-15 fighter jets land in Poland
An additional eight F-15 fighter jets from the United States have landed in Poland, the country’s defence minister says.
“More American F-15 fighters landed today at the base in Lask,” Mariusz Blaszczak wrote on Twitter. “Eight aircraft will join those that came to Poland last week.”
Eastern Europe braces for potential refugees
Countries in Eastern Europe are making preparations for potentially hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Ukraine if the crisis with Russia escalates, with some Polish towns already listing places available and Romania considering refugee camps.
Poland said it was preparing for a worst-case scenario. Romania, which also shares a long border with Ukraine, has meanwhile finalised an action plan, Interior Minister Lucian Bode told private television station B1. Hungary is also making preparations.
Slovakia’s defence minister has said that there may be tens of thousands of refugees even under a limited conflict.
The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have also said they were readying to accept refugees.
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