❗️ Militants of the Ukrainian territorial defense battalions continue to use more than 4.5 million civilians as "human shields" and hostages, as well as about 2,000 foreigners who want to leave the country, Russia’s Defense Ministry says

⚡ US gasoline prices hit all-time high of $4.17 per gallon, Automobile Association says

⚡ German Economy Minister: American colleagues assured that the US will not "neither ask nor demand" Berlin to impose an embargo on the purchase of oil from Russia

In some states the price per gallon is $5.44

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⚡Members of the US "foreign policy elite" have called on the Biden administration to introduce “restricted no-fly zone" over Ukraine - newspaper

⚡ Kiev's proposal for security guarantees assumes Moscow's legal recognition of Ukrainian statehood

Poklonskaya told Sputnik that she would continue to provide assistance to the inhabitants of the Kherson region, despite the threat of nationalists

EU Commission's statement following debate on strategies for energy crisis:

▪ EU has opportunity to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels "long before 2030";

▪ It will be "extremely hard" for the EU to replace two-thirds of Russian gas this year, but it's possible - European Commission executive vice president;

▪ Russia's share in EU imports is 46% for coal, 45% for gas, 27% of crude oil

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⚡️ Austrian Foreign Minister on Ukraine's desire to join the EU: we must be careful not to create expectations that we cannot fulfill

❗Scholz, Macron, Xi agree on need to support diplomatic solution to Ukrainian conflict

⚡ Sweden's accession to NATO could destabilise the situation in Europe - country’s PM

⚡ US trade deficit hits record high of $89.7bln, rising 9.4% in January

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has mocked sanctions against him: this time he's slamming Japan, "a country with centuries-old traditions of morality and noble behaviour 'Bushido.'"

"I really wonder how such smart people suddenly went astray and froze my assets, which I never had in Japan? Most likely, in addition to the ban on my financial activities in Japan, I am now forbidden to watch anime and enjoy cherry blossoms," he said.

He has also announced "retaliatory measures": the Japanese authorities are no longer allowed in Chechnya, except for two places – psychiatric hospitals in the Chechen villages of Braguny and Samashki. "All their property and bank accounts are now arrested, will be sold, and the funds will be directed to the development fund of the Kuril Islands," Kadyrov added.

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⚡ The UN Secretariat has banned its staff from using the words "war" and "invasion" to describe the situation in Ukraine, the Irish Times reports. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba called this censorship

BREAKING NEWS: HIGHEST GAS PRICES IN HISTORY! DO YOU MISS ME YET?

The UN does not prohibit any words about the events in Ukraine, but all statements must comply with the neutral position of the organisation, a UN representative told Sputnik

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❗ Russian Foreign Ministry: Gas prices in Europe soaring due to ban on Nord Stream 2

❗ Strengthening NATO in the east is not aimed at provoking conflict, but at maintaining peace, Stoltenberg said

⚡UK to stop importing Russian oil and oil products by the end of 2022 - UK energy minister

⚡⚡Biden announces ban on Russian oil imports

Joe Biden on new sanctions against Russia:

▪ Ban includes oil and gas;
▪ Decision was made in consultation with allies;
▪ US understands many allies may not be able to join ban;
▪ Biden: We remain united in our purpose to pressure Putin;
▪ Both Democrats & Republicans agree with ban;
▪ Gasoline prices in US will continue to rise due to sanctions against Russia

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