LIVE: Russia ready to discuss confidence-building measures, says Putin

Britain sees signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia over Ukraine, but the latest intelligence is still not encouraging, says PM Boris Johnson

Live news updates: Russia appeared to open the door Monday to a diplomatic resolution of the deepening Ukraine standoff, as the United States said it believed Vladimir Putin had yet to make a final decision on invading the ex-Soviet state.

While Russia said it was ending some military drills, signalling a possible easing of the crisis, in Washington the alert level remained high -- with a top official calling the threat of invasion "more real than ever before."

White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warned that: “We are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time” in relation to the face-off between Russia and Ukraine.

Back home in India, West Bengal has withdrawn the ban on incoming international flights effective Tuesday. However, international passengers either have to be fully vaccinated or go through an RT-PCR test within 72 hours from flight departure, an official statement reads.

The Assam government has said mandatory testing for Covid-19 at airports, railway stations and hospitals will stop from today, but those with symptoms may opt for tests on a voluntary basis.

On the business front, Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta and Hon Hai Technology Group (also known as Foxconn) have formed a joint venture (JV) to manufacture semiconductors in India. This is the first JV in the electronics manufacturing space after the PLI policy.

9:11 PM

No sign of any de-escalation from Russia so far: NATO chief

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has said that it has not seen any sign of de-escalation on the ground from the Russian side with regard to Ukraine.

 

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels, "We haven't seen any de-escalation so far by Russia on the borders with Ukraine," BBC reported.

 

But, he added, "signs" coming from Moscow about diplomatic efforts give "some reason for cautious optimism".

 

Stoltenberg says a real de-escalation would mean a substantial withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from the border areas with Ukraine, the report said.

8:31 PM

Russia ready to discuss confidence-building measures, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow is ready for talks with the U.S. and NATO on limits for missile deployments and military transparency.

 

Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin said the U.S. and NATO rejected Moscow's demand to keep Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations out of NATO, halt weapons deployments near Russian borders and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe.

 

They agreed to discuss a range of security measures that Russia had previously proposed.

7:46 PM

Intel on Russia-Ukraine border crisis 'not encouraging', says UK PM

Britain sees signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia over Ukraine, but the latest intelligence is still not encouraging, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.

 

Russia said some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine, following days of U.S. and British warnings that Moscow might invade its neighbour at any time.

 

"Going into today clearly there are signs of a diplomatic opening, there always has been an opportunity to talk, there are grounds for a conversation about Ukraine, with Ukraine - and that's good. We are seeing Russian openness to conversations," Johnson told reporters.

 

"On the other hand, the intelligence that we're seeing today is still not encouraging."

 

Britain has threatened sanctions against Russia for any further incursion into Ukraine, which Johnson said could extend to stopping Russian companies raising money in London.

7:39 PM

Delhi declares Feb 16 on account of Guru Ravidas's birthday as a holiday

7:09 PM

NATO calls on Russia to prove will to de-escalate Ukraine tensions

NATO's chief on Tuesday welcomed signals that Russia may be looking for a diplomatic solution amid a military build-up on Ukraine's border but urged Moscow to demonstrate its will to act.

 

"There are signs from Moscow that diplomacy should continue.

 

This gives grounds for cautious optimism. But so far we have not seen any sign of de-escalation on the ground from the Russian side", NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of a two-day meeting of the alliance's defence ministers in Brussels.

 

"Russia has amassed a fighting force in and around Ukraine unprecedented since the cold war. Everything is now in place for a new attack. But Russia still has time to step back from the brink, stop preparing for war and start working for a peaceful solution", Stoltenberg said, calling the current situation the "most serious security crisis we have faced in Europe for decades".

6:46 PM

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The only option for a safe Punjab and safe India is BJP: JP Nadda

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Ashish Mishra, prime accused in Lakhimpur Kheri violence walks out of jail

4:59 PM

You have BJP and AAP leaders before you - both of them play the same game: Priyanka Gandhi in Rupnagar

4:24 PM

Government of Andhra Pradesh lifts the night curfew

3:57 PM

We're leaving our embassies, have increased our diplomatic forces inside the embassy: Israel Envoy to India

3:37 PM

AAP has opened liquor stores in every bylane of Delhi: Rajnath

3:23 PM

Karnataka HC begins hearing petitions challenging a ban on hijab in educational institutes

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Congress had their govt in Punjab still they couldn't do justice to the people: Rajnath Singh