Ukraine may break off diplomatic ties with Russia, says president

Speaking alongside his Estonian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was weighing a request from his foreign ministry to break off ties

Ukraine may break off diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow decided to recognise two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine as independent, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said at a briefing on Tuesday.

Speaking alongside his Estonian counterpart, Zelenskiy said he was weighing a request from his foreign ministry to break off ties.

He also urged Ukraine's allies not to wait for a further escalation to impose sanctions, which he said should include shutting down the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 pipeline, awaiting approval to carry Russian gas under the Baltic Sea to Germany.

"I've received a request from the foreign ministry. I will consider the issue