Western powers ramp up sanctions against Russia, but will it be enough? Never since World War II has a sovereign state attacked another with such force. Russia launched an invasion with attacks by land, sea and by air. It followed a speech in which President Vladimir Putin promised the “de-Nazification” of Ukraine's democratically-elected government.

Western powers ramp up sanctions against Russia, but will it be enough? Never since World War II has a sovereign state attacked another with such force. Russia launched an invasion with attacks by land, sea and by air. It followed a speech in which President Vladimir Putin promised the “de-Nazification” of Ukraine's democratically-elected government.

How to respond to Russia's soldiers and tanks? After months of buildup and shuttle diplomacy, the gloves are now off as Russian President Vladimir Putin's has made his move for southeastern Ukraine. How far is the West willing to go for a non-NATO member that is pining to join the military alliance?

All bets are off: the Russian president has made his move. Months of Western efforts to stave off a Crimea-like land grab seem to have been wiped out with the stroke of a pen. Does Vladimir Putin's recognition of two breakaway regions of Ukraine's Donbass as independent mean war? Armoured vehicles are now near the front line, after Putin claimed that another Vladimir - Lenin - gave away eastern Ukraine when he formed the Soviet Union. We discuss the situation, and the international response.

Has war been declared? Following a day during which the Kremlin ratcheted up its rhetoric, François Picard’s panel weighs the consequences of the call in Moscow to recognise Ukraine’s pro-Russian separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. They also discuss Vladimir Putin’s ultimate goal.

Europe and Africa already had more than enough in their in-tray going into their first Brussels summit in nearly eight years. Now you can add coup contagion and the pullout of French-led anti-terror forces from Mali. The day began in Paris for key players in the Sahel. Will the crisis overshadow the EU-African Union summit?

It's not a question of if but how: France's president is hosting African and European allies before the announcement of a withdrawal from Mali. Relations have seriously soured with the junta in Bamako ever since a second coup in as many years and the cozying up of the military to Russia and the mercenaries of the Wagner Group.

Is tying humanitarian assistance to human rights the right course for Afghanistan? Aid agencies are this week imploring the West and in particular the US Treasury to allow money transfers to flow unhindered and to unblock desperately needed funds.

After Moscow and Kiev, Emmanuel Macron is in Berlin to huddle over Ukraine. The French president's host is also fresh off the plane. German chancellor Olaf Scholz is just back from Washington to host Macron and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda. We find out if the three are on the same page, what with 100,000-plus Russian troops still surrounding Ukraine on three sides.

Emmanuel Macron is on a special trip to Moscow to meet and talk with Vladimir Putin. The mission: to try and calm matters on the Ukraine-Russia border and avoid what many analysts say is certain war. Macron is representing the EU, with France holding the rotating presidency. What influence does he take into these talks?