11 November – the United States reports an unusual movement of Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine.[2] By 28 November 2021, Ukraine has a reported build-up of 92,000 Russian troops.[citation needed]
7 December – US President Joe Biden warns President of Russia Vladimir Putin of "strong economic and other measures" if Russia attacks Ukraine.[2]
17 December – Russian President Vladimir Putin proposes a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO, which Ukraine rejects.[2]
25 January – Russian exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets take place in Russia near Ukraine and Crimea.[2]
February
10 February – Russia and Belarus begins 10 days of military maneuvers.[2]
17 February – Fighting escalates in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.[2]
21 February – Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to enter the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine.[4] He also announced[5] Russian recognition of the two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine (the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic).[6] This announcement led to the first round of economic sanctions from NATO countries the following day.[citation needed]
In Putin's televised "address concerning the events in Ukraine" before the announcement, he stated his belief that Vladimir Lenin was the "author and architect" of Ukraine and labelled Ukrainians who had taken down Lenin's monuments "ungrateful descendants", saying "This is what they call decommunization. Do you want decommunization? Well, that suits us just fine. But it is unnecessary, as they say, to stop halfway. We are ready to show you what real decommunization means for Ukraine."[6]
