In the headlines
Putin has sent tanks and troops into two breakaway regions of Ukraine. In a rambling speech last night the Russian leader recognised Donetsk and Luhansk, which are contested by Moscow-backed separatists, as independent. The Western response is in “disarray”, says Politico – some say the harshest sanctions should be withheld unless Russian forces enter the rest of the country. Germany has already announced it will block the opening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia. Fully-jabbed Brits will be allowed into the EU without pre-departure Covid tests from 1 March, under plans set to be announced today. “Happy Twosday,” says the Daily Mail: the date today reads 22.02.2022.