Page 490 - Icks News Today

Russia and Belarus are extending joint military exercises that were due to end on February 20, the Belarus defense minister said, in a move that further intensifies pressure on Ukraine as the West warns of an imminent Russian incursion.

The United States and Britain would seek to cut off Russian companies' access to U.S. dollars and British pounds if Russia attacks Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on February 20.

At the main pedestrian crossing between the separatist-held part of the Luhansk region and Ukrainian government-controlled territory, a stream of people leaving -- most women with young children -- described fear, confusion, and worries of far worse things to come.

The French and Russian presidents reportedly disagreed during a phone call on February 20 over the cause of spiraling tensions around Ukraine but furthered hopes for a diplomatic push to avert the threat of a large-scale war in Europe.

An Iranian newspaper reported on February 20 that teachers had demonstrated this weekend in more than 100 cities to protest delays in salary and pension reforms. 

Authorities in Kazakhstan have arrested a former defense minister who was dismissed last month amid a consolidation of power by President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev following deadly unrest that swept the country. 

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed alarm on February 20 over "centrifugal trends" in Bosnia-Herzegovina one day after Bosnian Croat nationalists threatened to scupper upcoming elections and form their own region in the troubled Balkan state.

Iranian lawmakers have urged President Ebrahim Raisi to obtain guarantees from the United States and three European countries that they won't exit the nuclear deal being renegotiated in Vienna, Iranian state media reported on February 20.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on February 20 that current developments look like Russia is "on the brink" of invading Ukraine and an extension of joint Russia-Belarus military exercises nearby increases concerns.

Here are some of the most compelling photographs from the seventh week of 2022 from around RFE/RL's region.