Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING Kremlin says sanctions on Putin would be 'destructive'

#UPDATE The Kremlin said Wednesday that imposing personal sanctions on President Vladimir Putin would have no effect and would be counterproductive in efforts to lower tensions over Ukraine

#BREAKING Ukraine says Russian troop build-up 'insufficient' for major attack

#UPDATE Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said the number of Russian troops deployed along his country's border was not enough for a major attack

#UPDATE Russia hit back on Wednesday at US threats of direct sanctions against President Vladimir Putin, saying moves against the Russian leader would be ineffective and hurt efforts to lower tensions over #Ukraine u.afp.com/wxNR

#BREAKING 'Every indication' Putin plans to use 'military force' against Ukraine by mid-February: US Deputy Sec. of State Sherman

#UPDATE The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains poised to use force against #Ukraine by mid-February despite a pressure campaign to stop him, Deputy Sec. of State Wendy Sherman told a forum on Wednesday u.afp.com/wxfw

#BREAKING Czechs to donate 4,000 artillery shells to Ukraine: defence ministry

#BREAKING Russia says US envoy has delivered Washington's response to Moscow's security demands amid Ukraine tensions

#BREAKING Blinken says US set out 'serious diplomatic path' for Russia to choose, as Ukraine tensions simmer

#UPDATE US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he will speak to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the "coming days" amid fears that Moscow could invade Ukraine