Russia-Ukraine live updates: Kyiv urges citizens to leave Russia

Warning comes as Western powers say Russian ‘invasion’ of Ukraine has started with moves in Donbas.

Ukraine has urged its citizens to leave Russia and has slapped sanctions on hundreds of Russians as war fears rise.

In an advisory note issued on Wednesday, Ukraine’s foreign ministry recommended that nationals “refrain from any trips” to the country and said those who were already there should depart “immediately”.

Russia’s recognition of two areas of eastern Ukraine as independent has further inflamed one of Europe’s worst security crises in decades

The warning came as Ukraine’s parliament approved imposing sanctions on 351 Russians, including lawmakers who supported President Vladimir Putin’s move to recognise eastern Ukraine’s self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as independent and deploy troops to the breakaway regions.

Ukraine’s parliament votes to give permission for civilians to carry firearms

Ukraine’s parliament has voted to approve in the first reading a draft law which gives permission to Ukrainians to carry firearms and act in self-defence.

“The adoption of this law is fully in the interests of the state and society,” the authors of the draft law said in a note, adding that the law was needed due to “existing threats and dangers for the citizens of Ukraine”.

Blinken cancels meeting with Russia’s Lavrov

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has cancelled a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that was planned for Thursday.

Announcing the move, Blinken said he was still committed to diplomacy “if Moscow’s approach changes”. He added that he would do anything he could “to avert … an all-out assault on all of Ukraine, including its capital”.

Robert Habeck replied “yes, it can”, when asked on public radio if Europe’s largest economy could do without deliveries from Russia.

Moscow is currently the largest supplier of natural gas to Germany. On Tuesday, Berlin decided to halt the approval of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline over Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian lawmakers approve sweeping sanctions on hundreds of Russians

Ukraine’s parliament has approved imposing sanctions on 351 Russians, including lawmakers who supported the recognition of the independence of separatist-controlled territories and the use of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine.

The sanctions restrict almost all possible types of activities, in particular a ban on entry into Ukraine, and prohibit access to assets, capital, property and licenses for business.

Ukraine’s security council was due to impose the sanctions after the vote.

Ukraine urges citizens to leave Russia

Ukraine’s foreign ministry has warned the country’s nationals not to visit Russia and urged its citizens already there to leave the country.

“The foreign ministry recommends that citizens of Ukraine refrain from any trips to the Russian Federation, and those who are in this country to leave its territory immediately,” the ministry said in a newly-issued travel advisory.