Biden Warns Nord Stream 2 Will be Shut Down in Russia Invades Ukraine

LOCAL NEWS

• Biden warns that Nord Stream 2 would be shut down in the event that Russia invades Ukraine after discussions with Germany’s Scholz.
  • Scholz, however, did not directly confirm Germany’s plans RE Nord Stream 2, but reiterated its coordination with Wester Allies on Ukraine
• Macron says it is impossible to build peace in Europe without dialogue with Russia after extended meetings with Putin.
  • French officials said that Putin had moved towards de-escalating the Ukraine crisis by promising not to undertake any new “military initiatives” and agreeing to withdraw thousands of Russian troops from Belarus following the conclusion of drills on 20 Feb.
  • Putin appreciated France’s desire to ensure equal security in Europe, and hoped that the situation in Ukraine could be resolved peacefully
• Putin: "For our part, we will do everything to find compromises that suit everyone. In our proposals, which we sent to NATO and Washington, there is not a single point that we consider unfeasible,"
• Russia’s Economy Ministry raised inflation estimation for 2022 to 5.9% from 4%
• Deputy Foreign Minister Pankin says Russia is paying special attention to creation of a secure settlement infrastructure with foreign countries in order to protect legal trade and economic relations from sanctions.
  • Russia hopes that the E.U. will not introduce sanctions against Moscow, which could harm the entire international financial system, Pankin said