Envoy: No Talk About Severing EU Ties; Donbass Tensions on the Rise

LOCAL NEWS

• Envoy says no talk about severing ties with EU on Russia's own initiative. Says everything that has been, regrettably, frozen in relations with the EU until now is the result of steps by EU counterparts and those who support them.
  • Also says he cannot rule out that Russia would respond asymmetrically to any EU restrictions
• Rostec CEO says Turkey's purchases of S-400s does not threaten NATO security as it is a defensive instrument. Notes partial localisation of parts as part of the S400 delivery deal
• US says 18 Western companies have now pulled out of Nord Stream 2. Biden admin pledges a more cooperative approach to EU powers.
  • But warns activity will continue to be monitored with sanctions "not the only instrument in its toolbox"
• Local Analyst says Kiev's sanctions on Putin's close Ukranian ally Medvedchuk makes the resumption of talks between Russia and Ukraine all but impossible.
  • Also warns that escalating tensions in the Donbass region are reaching fever pitch with Russia calling on the OCSE to prevent Kiev from causing a possible military confrontation