German Chancellor today visits Ukraine tomorrow Moscow

Schcolz's trip to Kiev on February 14th will be followed by a meeting in Moscow on 15 February with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Scholz said on February 13th that NATO and European Union members have only carefully prepared “ ” severe sanctions, which “we can immediately put into force in case of an invasion of Ukraine.

The United States said on February 13th that they now believe the number of Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine has increased from 100,000 to 130,000.

Zelenskiy had a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden on February 13th. The two leaders stressed the importance of pursuing “diplomatic path and preventing Russian military gathering at the borders of Ukraine”, the White House said after this conversation.

Beden has reiterated his pledge of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and pledged a “rapid response” in case of “aggression to Russia against Ukraine”.

Zelenskiy's office said the Ukrainian president has invited Beden to visit Kiev “in the coming days”.

“I am convinced that your visit to Kiev in the coming days... would be a powerful signal and help stabilise the” situation, Zelenskiy was quoted as saying, according to the announcement issued by his office.

The conversation between Zeleski and Biden came at a time when Western powers are urging Putin to reduce tensions, while some states have called on their citizens to leave Kiev, following fears that Moscow may be on the verge of taking military action against Ukraine. / REL/