Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is introducing the conscription of reservists for a special period but ruled out a general mobilisation after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine.
One of Europe’s worst security crises in decades was unfolding after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two areas of eastern Ukraine as independent. Both adjoin Russia and have been controlled by Russian-backed fighters since 2014.
Ukraine accused Russia of wrecking peace talks on ending an eight-year-old conflict in eastern Ukraine and resisted Moscow’s demands it scrap its ambition to join the NATO alliance.
In a televised address on Tuesday, Mr Zelenskiy said he was still pursuing diplomatic ways out of the crisis but said Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia.
Photo by oleg_mit
