Russian invasion

Negotiations
NATO: Attack shows Russia is not serious

Ukraine has described the Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure last night as an attempt at “winter genocide”. Hundreds of thousands of people were left without power in the freezing cold, writes Kyiv Post.

The attack came just days before new trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi. It was preceded by a few days of relative calm and an agreed pause in attacks on energy facilities.

“Direct talks are now underway, which is an important step forward. But Russian attacks like these do not show any serious desire for peace,” says NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv.

Yesterday, Zelenskyy spoke positively about the pause in attacks and the state of negotiations. Today, his conclusion is instead that Russia used the pause to prepare a large-scale attack. 

Sources: US and Europe ready to respond militarily to Russian violations of ceasefire

Russian violations of a possible lasting ceasefire will be met with a coordinated military response from Europe and the US. Ukraine has agreed to this with its allies, sources with insight into the Financial Times have told the Financial Times.

According to the plan, a response would be triggered within 24 hours, three sources said. The response will take place in several stages. First, a diplomatic warning is issued, combined with the measures required of the Ukrainian army to stop the violation.

If the fighting nevertheless continues, a second phase will begin with efforts by forces from the so-called coalition of the willing, including several EU countries – including Sweden – as well as the UK, Norway, Iceland and Turkey.

Should a Russian violation develop into an expanded attack, a coordinated military response with the participation of the US military will take effect after 72 hours, according to the informants.

The plan was reportedly discussed on several occasions in Paris and Kyiv during December and January, with the participation of Ukrainian, European and American officials.

The fighting
White House on Russia's attack: Joe Biden's fault

The White House has commented on last night's massive Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, reports AFP.

- I spoke to the president about it this morning and unfortunately he did not react with surprise, says press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for an American reaction after the attack. Leavitt responds by blaming the outbreak of war on his predecessor in the White House rather than on Russia, as Trump has done many times before.

- It was started because of President Biden's weakness and incompetence, she says.

Later on Tuesday, Trump adds that he wants Putin to end the war, but praises Russia for sticking to the one-week pause in attacks on energy facilities before striking again.

– It's a lot, you know, one week. We take everything we can get, because it's very, very, cold there.