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As it happened Russia-Ukraine invasion: Scott Morrison rolls out sanctions against Russia as Vladimir Putin begins invasion of Ukraine
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Military mobilisation gathering pace: Russian-backed Donetsk leader
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A Russian-backed leader in the breakaway Donetsk region of Ukraine said on Wednesday that a military mobilisation was gathering pace to counter Ukrainian “aggression”.
Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic that was recognised by Russia this week, said the situation had become critical, but the separatists would win with support from “big Russia”.
Pushilin said he would prefer to resolve questions about border demarcation with Kyiv peacefully, but reserved the right to ask Russia for help.
And Andrey Turchak, a senior member of Russia’s ruling party, also said on Wednesday that no force in the world could change the legal result of Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
On a visit to Donetsk, Turchak told the separatist leader of the Russian-backed Donetsk People’s Republic that Russia would not abandon its people.
EU states approve first package of sanctions against Russia: diplomat
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Brussels: A first, limited round of European Union sanctions on Russia will take effect on Wednesday, an EU diplomat said, blacklisting more politicians and banning trade between the EU and two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognised the separatist enclaves in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine that adjoin Russia, deepening Western fears of a major war in Europe.
The EU chose not to sanction Putin himself, but instead blacklist all members of the lower house of the Russian parliament who voted in favour of the recognition of the breakaway regions, freezing any assets they have in the EU and banning them from travelling to the bloc.
Banks involved in financing separatist activities in eastern Ukraine will also be targeted and the two enclaves will be removed from a free-trade deal between the EU and Ukraine.
The impact of the new sanctions on banks and of limits on the Russian government’s ability to raise capital on the EU’s financial markets is likely to be limited.
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Ukraine introduces restrictions in border near Russia, Belarus
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Ukraine has introduced tighter restrictions in the areas bordering Russia and Belarus to “prevent destabilisation” and “other offences”, according to a statement by the border guard service.
The restrictions limit staying at the border at night, travelling on unregistered roads leading to the border, foreigners staying in the area, and the use of radio stations, and light-engine flights. Photographing personnel, objects, and buildings belonging to the border guard is also banned.
As we reported earlier today, Ukraine has moved to declare a state of emergency, which would empower communities across the country of 41 million to impose restrictions.
The country’s top security official Oleksiy Danilov on Wednesday said the declaration would apply to all of Ukraine, except Donetsk and Luhansk, where there’s been a military presence since 2014.
Ukraine MPs vote in favour of allowing civilians to carry firearms
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Ukraine’s parliament has voted to approve a draft law that would allow Ukrainians to carry firearms and use them in self-defense, as Europe braces for another day of escalating tensions with Russia.
The authors of the legislation said its adoption was “fully in the interests of the state and society” due to “existing threats and dangers for the citizens of Ukraine”.
The country is also considering declaring a state of emergency in areas neighbouring Russia.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko said the National Security Council was debating the draft decree, which could include the declaration of a state of emergency for all of Ukraine.
“Yes, Ukraine is ordering her [sic] nationals out of Russia. Yes, we are preparing for a state of emergency. At least in some regions of Ukraine,” Vasylenko tweeted from parliament.
‘Not Ukraine’: China reaffirms claims over Taiwan amid crisis
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China’s foreign ministry says Taiwan is “not Ukraine” and has always been an inalienable part of China.
The comments come after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen called for security and military units to beef up vigilance on military activities in the Taiwan Strait in response to the crisis in Ukraine, amid fears Beijing could take advantage of a distracted West to ramp up pressure on the island.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson flagged the risk for Taiwan last week, warning there would be damaging worldwide consequences if Western nations failed to meet their promises to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military activity near the self-governing island over the past two years, though Taiwan has reported no recent unusual manoeuvres by Chinese forces as tension over Ukraine spiked.
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‘Hit more. Hit hard’: Ukraine urges allies to impose further restrictions
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Ukraine has urged its allies to impose further restrictions on Russia that target the economy and President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.
The US, Britain, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and Canada are among those imposing sanctions on Russia, with countries like New Zealand mulling over potential action in the future.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country was grateful for the measures taken by its allies to date, but more was needed to deter Putin from further aggression on Ukraine.
“First decisive steps were taken yesterday, and we are grateful for them. Now the pressure needs to step up to stop Putin,” he said. “Hit his economy and cronies. Hit more. Hit hard. Hit now.”
Parents fear for Australian surrogate babies in Ukraine
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In the past six years, Adam* and his wife have had three stillbirths. For complex medical reasons, they lost each baby four months into the pregnancy. As their last hope, they turned to a surrogacy agency in Ukraine, the second-biggest destination after the US for Australians seeking help to create a family.
Their baby was born last week a few days earlier than expected in Kyiv, which is bracing for invasion by Russia. Against government advice, they are on their way there. But after Australia withdrew its diplomats from the country, they do not know how they will get their baby home.
Four Australian babies have been born to surrogates in Ukraine over the past two months, and at least 15 more are due between March and September. Their parents are all frantically worried about the deteriorating situation in Ukraine. To get their child a birth certificate, Ukrainian authorities require both to be there in person. But without an Australian embassy, they cannot do the interview required to get the baby a passport, which means they cannot leave.
One couple has secured a Chinese passport, as one of the baby’s parents was born there. The other parents could hire a nanny to look after the baby until stability returns. But that could mean a wait of weeks or months, and these families - who have been struggling to conceive for years - desperately want to meet their child. They could help the surrogate mother move to a safe neighbouring country, but that would invalidate the surrogacy contract, which was created under Ukrainian law.
Read the full story by Sydney Morning Herald education editor Jordan Baker here.
Ukraine begins drafting reservists aged 18-60
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Ukraine has started conscripting reservists aged 18 to 60 following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the country’s armed forces said in a statement on Wednesday.
Zelensky announced he would introduce the conscription of reservists on Tuesday but ruled out a general mobilisation after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine.
“There is no need for general mobilisation today. We need to promptly replenish the Ukrainian army and other military formations,” he said at the time.
“As the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine, I issued a decree on the conscription of reservists during a special period.
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Kyiv attack a ‘very real possibility’: UK foreign secretary
By Marta Pascual Juanola
UK’s foreign secretary says an assault on the Ukrainian capital is a “very real possibility” as fears of an imminent full-scale invasion by Russia continue to grow.
Liz Truss told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday afternoon AEDT Russia had encircled Ukraine and could attack the country from a variety of directions, including Kyiv.
“We are seeing all the precursors to a serious invasion,” she said.
Truss’ comments come after she revealed G7 allies had agreed on further restrictions on Russia in an opinion piece published in The Times on Wednesday, saying nothing was off the table to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin on his tracks.
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