An informal meeting of EU leaders will take place

Today, February 17, 2022, EU leaders will hold an informal meeting to canvass the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, said a spokesman for the EU Council President.

"The meeting will take place ahead of the EU-AU summit," said Barend Lates.

Today, there is the EU-AU summit, an hour-long informal meeting of members of the Council of Europe on the latest developments in Russia and Ukraine.

At a time when tensions between Moscow and Kiev have escalated in recent months, the US-led Western nations are warning of an impending Russian invasion. Kiev, Washington, and their allies have raised concerns that Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine.

Moscow has accused NATO of expanding to Russia's borders and undermining its security. Moscow has repeatedly denied preparing to attack its former Soviet neighbor, saying troops had arrived there for training.