US and Germany step up pipeline warnings to Russia | First Thing
Biden tells Ukraine US could offer economic support as tensions mount. Plus, the climate disparity between rich and poor countries
Good morning.
The US and Germany have increased warnings to Russia that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will not open if Moscow invades Ukraine, as efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis continue.
What is Russia asking for? It denies planning to invade but last month demanded a number of security guarantees. The main one, which was rejected, was that Ukraine be indefinitely barred from joining Nato.
What else has the US offered? Joe Biden told the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, that the US was considering offering economic support. It has provided $650m in military assistance in the past year.
Could Nato troops be involved? Nato has put 8,500 troops on standby. There are more than 100,000 Russian soldiers at its border.
What has the reaction been? City officials have said Palin needs to follow the rules just like everyone else", saying she has shown a complete disregard" for the safety of others.
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