Ukraine and Russia..developments of the crisis in brief
Here are the most important developments in the Ukrainian crisis now:
* Russia invaded Ukraine by land, sea and air on Thursday in the largest attack by one country on another in Europe since World War Two.
* Missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities and residents fled after Russian President Vladimir Putin said his goal was to disarm Ukraine
* Battles broke out between Ukrainian and Russian forces along most of the country's borders, with Kiev announcing the monitoring of invasion forces pouring in from Russia and Belarus and landing on its two coasts on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
* NATO put more than 100 fighters on standby.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was strengthening its forces in its eastern region, but that it had no forces inside Ukraine and did not plan to send troops there.
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged citizens who are ready to defend their country to come forward to participate in this and promised to provide weapons to everyone who wants them.
* US President Joe Biden will meet with his counterparts from the Group of Seven major industrialized countries today, Thursday, to determine the additional measures that will be taken against Russia after what he described as launching a "premeditated" war.
* The European Commission said that new sanctions from the European Union will target the Russian economy and deal it a severe blow and undermine its industrial base.
* A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry says that her country will respond to the sanctions with similar measures.
* Countries in Europe begin preparing to receive those fleeing Ukraine.
* A sense of defiance hangs over the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, although gunfire, sirens and explosions sound in the city at times and some have tried to leave.
* Ukraine closed its commercial ports.
* European stocks are falling and the Russian ruble is reaching its lowest level ever.
* A source says that UEFA will move the venue of the Champions League final from St Petersburg.
quotes
* Putin “I have decided to carry out a special military operation... its goal is to protect people who have been bullied and exterminated... for the past eight years... that is why we will work hard for Ukraine's disarmament."
* Zelensky "Russia has started the path of evil, but Ukraine will defend itself and will not surrender its freedom."
Stoltenberg "Russia is using force to try to rewrite history... We have no plans to send NATO forces to Ukraine. What we're doing is defensive."
* Biden in a statement: "The United States and our allies will impose severe sanctions."
Upcoming events
* US President Biden will meet with his counterparts in the G7 countries.
* European Union leaders are discussing imposing other sanctions on Russia in an emergency meeting.
* NATO will hold an emergency summit on Friday.
* The United Nations Security Council will discuss a resolution condemning the invasion.
* European Central Bank policy makers are holding what may be a crisis meeting.
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