On Wednesday, world leaders waited to see whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would make the final decision and send troops further into Ukraine. They also worked together to maintain a united position and promised to impose more sanctions in the case of an invasion.

The Kremlin reported Wednesday that rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine had asked Russia for military support to stop “aggression” from Ukraine.

The rumble of tanks was not far away after Russian lawmakers gave permission to Putin to use military force in countries other than Russia. Ukraine was surrounded by over 150,000 troops on three sides.

After weeks of trying to maintain calm, Ukraine declared a national emergency. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, made a passionate plea to peace and assured the Russians that Ukraine was not an enemy.

These facts are essential about the conflict in Ukraine and the security crisis within Eastern Europe.

PUTIN STIR PASSIONS ON THE DAY OF HONORING SOLDIERS and VETS

Russia evacuated its Kyiv embassy and celebrated Defender of the Fatherland Day. This holiday is a high-ranking national symbolism. Red carnations were placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by soldiers along the Kremlin wall. Putin paid tribute to the fallen in the past wars.

On Monday, Putin ignited Russian nationalism with a passionate speech in which he stated that Ukraine had historically no reason to exist. During Wednesday’s commemoration, he stated that Russia would continue strengthening and modernizing its army and navy and “striving for their effectiveness, so it is fitted out with cutting-edge equipment.”

WHAT DOES UKRAINE’S PRINCIPAL DO?

Zelenskyy, who spoke in Russian, gave an emotional speech in Russian on Thursday. He rejected Moscow’s claim that his country is a threat to Russia. And he lamented that a Russian invasion could cost tens or thousands of lives.

He said in Russian, “People of Ukraine and government of Ukraine want peace.” “But, if we are under attack that threatens the freedom and lives of our citizens, we will fight back.”

Zelenskyy claimed that he called Putin on Wednesday night, but the Kremlin did not respond.

On Wednesday, Ukraine declared a national state of emergency. This allows authorities to restrict movement, ban rallies, and ban political parties or organizations.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN EASTERN UNITED KINGDOM AND ALONG THE BORDER?

Kyiv reported heavy shelling at the frontline of eastern Ukraine where Russia-backed rebels hold territory since 2014. According to the Ukrainian military, one soldier was killed and six others were injured Wednesday. Separatist officials claimed that there were several explosions on the territory of the separatists and that three civilians died.

According to the Pentagon, the Russian military force stationed at Ukraine’s borders was in an advanced stage of readiness. John Kirby, press secretary, stated that they are available to move immediately if Mr. Putin wishes.

Maxar satellite images company released the latest images showing Russian troops and military equipment within 10 miles (16 km) of the Ukrainian border. They are also less than 50 miles (80 km) from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city.

WHEN WILL THE WEST INCREASE SANCTIONS

The Russian military is stronger than the Ukrainian forces, so Kyiv relies on other countries to strike Russia hard — with sanction.

Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, stated on Twitter that Putin should be targeted where it hurts immediately. Hit his economy and his cronies. More. Hit hard. Hit now,” Kuleba wrote.

Wednesday’s action by President Joe Biden allowed the imposition of sanctions against the company responsible for the construction of the Russia-to Germany Nord Stream 2 gas pipe and the CEO.

Biden waived sanctions when the project was nearly completed last year in exchange for Germany agreeing to take action against Russia if that country used gas as a weapon or attacked Ukraine. Tuesday’s statement by Germany stated that it would suspend the pipeline indefinitely.

The Western supporters of Ukraine claimed that they have already sent a strong message to the country with a first round of sanctions on Tuesday. They claimed that Russian troops would move beyond separatist-held areas to produce more severe sanctions and the largest war in a generation for Europe’s mainland.

The British Foreign Secretary stated that this is the most severe sanctions we have ever imposed against Russia. He was referring to measures that target banks that finance the Russian military and oligarchs. If we see an invasion of Ukraine in full force, it will be even more severe.

The European Union has finalized a comparable package. This also targets Russian legislators and makes it harder for Moscow to access EU capital and financial markets.

U.S. actions Tuesday targeted high-ranking Russian officials as well as two Russian banks that are considered close to the Kremlin, Russia’s military and have more than $80billion in assets.

WHAT IS UKRAINE’S ECONOMY LIKE?

Ukraine is the country where the economy is most at risk of collapse, and not Russia.

Each day, embassies and foreign offices in Kyiv close one by one. Insurance companies refused to cover flights arriving in Ukraine, so flight after flight was cancelled. Within weeks, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment were lost.

The squeeze of Ukraine’s economy is a key destabilizing tactic in what government calls “hybrid war” that aims to destroy the country from the inside.

Restaurants that can’t keep enough food on hand for several days, stagnant plans for a hydrogen production facility that could wean Europe from Russian gas, and unfavorable shipping conditions in the Black Sea where containers ships must navigate around Russian military vessels are some of the economic problems.

WHAT IS THE CONFRONTATION LIKE IN RUSSIA

Russian state media portray Moscow as coming to rescue of war-torn regions in eastern Ukraine, which are being afflicted by Ukraine’s aggression.

Television presenters proclaim the end of suffering to the people of the breakaway areas.

Anchor Olga Skabeyeva stated Tuesday that “you paid with your blood these eight years in torment, anticipation,” during a popular political talk-show. “Russia will now defend Donbas.”

Channel One took a lighter tone with Donetsk’s correspondent, stating that the local residents consider it the “best news” in the years since the war.

She said, “Now they have faith in the future, and that the long-running war will finally end.”

It is not clear if ordinary Russians buy it.

Who IS BACKING RUSSIA IN THE CRISIS

Russia cannot face the rest of the globe on its own. China leans toward Russia, accusing the U.S.of inflaming the Ukraine crisis.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that Washington “continues to send weapons to Ukraine. This creates fear and panic and even plays up the threat war.”

She stated that China has been calling for all parties to respect each other’s legitimate security concerns.

Moscow and Beijing had earlier issued a joint statement supporting Russia’s objections against NATO accepting Ukraine and other ex-Soviet republics as members, and supporting China’s claim for Taiwan’s self-governing island.

Turkey, which is a NATO member but also has strong ties with Russia and Ukraine, wished to keep all parties close. Recep Tayyip Turkey Erdogan called Putin to discuss the possibility of a military conflict.

According to a statement by the Turkish president’s Office, Erdogan informed Putin that Turkey doesn’t approve of actions that weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity. He also described Ankara’s position as “a principled stand.”