Russia withdrew from the Council of Europe Tuesday, ahead of its expected expulsion from Europe’s rights watchdog. Amid its increasing isolation, Moscow also announced sanctions against President Biden and top U.S. officials, as well as Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau. This came as the EU approved a new wave of sanctions against Russia, including banning investments in Russian energy, luxury goods exports, and imports of steel products. The U.K. also blacklisted hundreds of powerful Russians and imposed new import tariffs.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Moscow could stage a “false flag” operation in Ukraine to launch a chemical weapons attack.