Charles Michel

Armenia and Azerbaijan said yesterday they were gearing up for peace talks after a decades-long conflict that has left thousands dead and erupted into an all-out war in 2020.

The two countries were at the centre of a six-week war in 2020 that claimed more than 6,500 lives before it ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement.

European Council President Charles Michel said evidence was being gathered by NGOs for possible war crimes

A handout from Russian Defence Ministry press service shows Russian tanks being transported by rail from a ground shooting range in Russia, 18 February 2022. EPA-EFE/RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY

"Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) has completely changed the world order." This was announced by Serbian President Alexander Vucic on RTV Pink.

Putin Recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics as Independent States

The EU and NATO tonight condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk.

US President Joe Biden held talks with Allied leaders yesterday. The participants in the conversation expressed concern over the accumulation of Russian troops around Ukraine and expressed a desire for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, Reuters reported, citing the White House.

"I encourage North Macedonia (RNM) to continue delivering on reforms and to keep up the positive momentum with Bulgaria, on its accession path to the EU." This was written on Twitter by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen, who received today the Prime Minister of RNM Dimitar Kovachevski.

US President Joe Biden held an 80-minute video conference with several European leaders on the Ukrainian crisis last night, Reuters and AFP reported.

The Spanish frigate Blas de Lezo sails to the Black Sea from the Ferrol naval base on the Atlantic coast.

It is part of a pledge promised by Defense Minister Margarita Robles to bolster NATO forces amid tensions with Russia over the build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine's border.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Dec. 10 headed to Paris and EU and NATO headquarters, with Russia tensions and climate in the spotlight for his first foreign trip since he took office this week.