"NATO is a machine for confrontation, not a peaceful alliance", Peskov says on point made by @markaustintv that NATO is more united after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. @markaustintv Putin's spokesperson on what would happen if Finland or Sweden joined NATO says Russia would "take additional measures to strengthen our potential"

"We'll have to rebalance the situation. We'll have to make our Western flank more sophisticated in terms of ensuring our security."

NEW: Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov speaking to @SkyNews @markaustintv denies that Russia's war in Ukraine is a humiliation.

He admits to "significant losses" of Russian troops in Ukraine, which he says is a "huge tragedy for us". @SkyNews @markaustintv Peskov says that the bombing of the maternity hospital in Mariupol is faked - "we insist on that".

He claims that Ukraine "has become an anti-Russian centre" & that Russia is "concerned" about its security.

Reports from BFM that travel restrictions from UK to France are to be tightened from Sat:

- Negative antigen/PCR test taken within 24 hours before arriving regardless of vaccination
- Essential reason only for travel, which rules out tourism
- Obligatory isolation until -ve test

https://twitter.com/bfmtv/status/1471376829835628544

Full details set to be announced later but sharp rise in Omicron is worrying the French government. It’s convening a health defence council tomorrow.

Just look at this - 240 cases of Omicron in France according to latest figures this morning. Compare that to 10,017 in the UK.

Lots of developments in Catalonia today, the day of a general strike:

- 5th night of protests in the region, with reports of police using tear gas and rubber bullets on demonstrators
- One police officer taken to hospital after being hit with rock
- 37 people injured today - More than 1/2 million pro-independence supporters descend on Barcelona after marching from around region
- Website for indy platform organising demonstrations @tsunami_dem has been closed down by authorities