Ukraine Crisis -- February 17, 2022

 

BBC: Ukraine tensions: Russia looking for excuse to invade, US says 

Russia is preparing to fabricate a reason to invade Ukraine and launch an attack in the coming days, the US says. 

On Thursday President Joe Biden said military action could begin imminently, but stressed that a diplomatic solution was still possible. 

His top foreign policy official later listed several ways Moscow could stage justification for an invasion. 

Russia said the claims were "baseless" and accused the US of stoking tensions. It has repeatedly denied any plan to invade its western neighbour. 

Moscow insists it is moving troops away from the Ukrainian border, but that claim has been fiercely contested by Western powers.  

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Ukraine Crisis -- February 17, 2022  

Russia-Ukraine crisis latest news: Biden accuses Moscow of false-flag operation to justify invasion -- The Guardian  

Russia-Ukraine crisis live updates: Milley speaks to regional allies, Dow sees worst day of 2022 as tensions mount -- CNBC  

Russia and Ukraine Crisis News: Live Updates -- New York Times  

The latest on the Ukraine-Russia border crisis: Live updates -- CNN

Joe Biden and Boris Johnson accuse Russia of false flag operation to justify Ukraine invasion -- ABC News Australia 

'He's going to do it': Whitehall is certain Putin will invade Ukraine and conflict will be 'horrendous' - after MoD reveals Moscow's 'battle plan' and US warns of 'moment of peril' - but Russia insists their troops are retreating -- Daily Mail  

Biden: Russian threat to invade Ukraine still ‘very high’ -- AP 

US President Joe Biden warns of high risk of Russian invasion -- DW  

Blinken tells Security Council Russia 'clearly' planning to attack Ukraine in coming days -- UPI  

Blinken urges Russia to reject the 'path of war' at UN Security Council -- France 24

UN council backs talk, but no Russia pledge against invasion -- AP 

'You will not turn this meeting into a circus': Russia slams Blinken at UN summit over his 'dangerous' claim that Putin might launch false flag chemical weapons attack before invading Ukraine - and insists Russian troops ARE retreating -- Daily Mail  

Ukraine accuses pro-Russia rebels of ‘provocation’ after reports of shelling near border -- CNBC  

Shelling breaks out in east Ukraine as West and Moscow dispute troop moves -- France 24  

Ukraine shelling renews invasion fears as Russia expels U.S. diplomat -- Reuters  

Ukraine and rebel region trade shelling allegations -- Al Jazeera  

Ukraine border guards on the watch for Russian advance -- BBC 

U.S. intelligence shows Russia's military pullback was a ruse, officials say -- Washington Post  

US official: Russia adds 7K more troops near Ukraine border -- AP  

‘It Was False.’ Russia Still ‘Mobilizing for War,’ Official Says -- Defense One  

Satellite photos give a bird’s-eye view of Ukraine crisis -- AP