The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday night as Russia appeared to be preparing to invade Ukraine.
Earlier, European and US officials rallied to punish Russia on Wednesday, in response to a military coup sent to eastern Ukraine by hundreds of economic sanctions.
As concerns grew that Russia’s violence would escalate, Ukraine warned its citizens to refrain from going to Russia and to leave the country as soon as possible. The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow was “always open” to talks, days after ordering troops to enter eastern Ukraine and seeing the independence of the two self-proclaimed Republicans in the region.
The European Union is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday, and will reportedly consider further sanctions against Russia. Officials in the United Kingdom and the United States have also announced or threatened retaliatory measures after launching the first stages this week.
White House: Biden monitors events in Ukraine
President Joe Biden is keeping a close eye on developments in Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday night.
Psaki’s tweet was posted as US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, for the second time this week.
“In the last few hours, we have received a lot of reports of malicious computer malware that killed hundreds and killed at least some in Ukraine,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
“After that, we said bombs and arrows, soldiers and tanks would arrive. Troops have already been deployed in Ukrainian regions. We are here tonight because we believe something is near, ”he added.
The conversation continues.