Russia war live updates: Zelensky says Europe was ‘too late’ to stop Putin’s invasion & pleads for EU status
PRESIDENT Zelensky delivered a late-night handle to the European Council summit in Brussels the place he claimed Europe was ‘too late’ to cease Putin’s invasion. He knowledgeable leaders on Russia’s destruction and harm to his nation, and thanked Europe for his or her help. Then he went on to precise how he believed that Europe…
PRESIDENT Zelensky delivered a late-night handle to the European Council summit in Brussels the place he claimed Europe was ‘too late’ to cease Putin’s invasion.
He knowledgeable leaders on Russia’s destruction and harm to his nation, and thanked Europe for his or her help.
Then he went on to precise how he believed that Europe was too late with their assist.
Zelensky stated: “You could have utilized sanctions. We’re grateful. These are highly effective steps.
“However it was somewhat late… there was an opportunity.”
He added that if there had been preventative sanctions maybe Russia would not have gone to struggle.
Zelensky then pleaded with neighbouring nations to approve Ukraine’s request to affix the EU. “Right here I ask you – don’t be late.”
The information comes because the Russian deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, retains the appropriate to make use of nuclear weapons if the nation is ‘provoked’ by NATO.
Dmitry Polyanskiy spoke to Sky Information this morning in New York after Vladimir Putin’s spokesman stated his boss might push the nuclear button if the nation feels it’s dealing with an “existential” menace.
When questioned if Putin is correct to do that and maintain the prospect of a nuclear struggle over the remainder of the world, Mr Polyanskiy stated: “If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO, why not, we’re a nuclear energy.
Comply with our Russia-Ukraine reside weblog beneath for up-to-the-minute updates…
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‘We needed to dodge our bodies after Putin’s shells landed’
A dad inspired his younger youngsters to dodge Russian shelling and useless our bodies by telling them they have been superheroes and their energy was working.
Olexandr Tytova, 35, needed to act shortly to get his spouse and two youngsters to security after their dwelling got here beneath assault.
Recalling the second he was compelled to flee, he informed The Solar: “We crouched over as we ran. We rested in courtyards, in half-built townhouses.
“Buildings have been on hearth. I informed the children we have been superheroes on an journey. Our superpower was working.
“After 5km, we reached Butcha. However energy, fuel and the water provide went there too.”
College instructor Olexandr’s spouse Kateryna and his five-year-old daughter Tajisia have been pictured clutching fingers as they ran for his or her lives from Russian shells earlier this month.
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Who’s Alexander Bortnikov?
Alexander Bortnikov is the present director of Russia’s FSB – making him some of the highly effective individuals in Russia and an influential member of Putin’s internal circle.
Like Putin, he’s a former officer of the KGB and first met Putin whereas the pair have been stationed collectively in Leningrad – now Saint Petersburg – within the Seventies.
Since getting into the may position in 2008, the terrifying spymaster is alleged to have turned the FSB into the “punishing sword” of Putin’s regime.
The organisation is each the mind and the guts of Putin’s authorities and behaves like a “state inside the state”, in keeping with the File Middle.
Not lengthy after Putin was appointed performing president, Bortnikov was first made head of Russia’s Financial Safety Service, wielding big energy and leverage.
He’s additionally one in all a small handful of individuals in Russia to earn the rank of Military Normal.
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135 youngsters killed since invasion started in keeping with Ukraine
Based on Ukraine’s Prosecutor Normal’s Workplace, 135 youngsters have been killed and 184 wounded because the Russian invasion began.
Officers say that fierce combating just lately had led to the deaths of two youngsters within the metropolis of Rubizhne, Luhansk area.
On Thursday, Russian shelling resulted in two youngsters aged six and 13 being injured in Novomykhailivka, Donetsk area.
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Chelsea £3bn takeover lower right down to TWO bidders
Seb Coe is among the many frontrunners because the race to purchase Chelsea hots up.
The Olympic monitor legend and diehard Blues fan is a part of a consortium going head-to-head with American Todd Boehly.
A number of bidders have been informed on Thursday they’d not made the shortlist to take over on the crisis-hit Premier League giants.
They included former US diplomat Woody Johnson, the Saudi Media Group, London finance agency Aethel and vibrant Turkish investor Muhsin Bayrak.
Particular person teams have been steadily studying their destiny over the past 24 hours as a strategy of elimination begins to seek out new homeowners for one of many largest golf equipment in world soccer.
A controversial bid by Chicago Cubs’ proprietor Tom Ricketts has been opposed by some followers after historic Islamaphobic emails from a member of the household resurfaced.
However whereas this has affected the Ricketts’ bid, final evening they have been nonetheless optimistic of creating the second spherical of bidding.
The whittling down of contenders is anticipated to proceed on Friday with hopes a sale of £3billion-rated Chelsea can undergo by the tip of this month.
Ex-Tory MP Coe has teamed up with former Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton plus US billionaires Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who personal the Philadelphia 76ers basketball group.
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Biden set to satisfy Ukrainian refugees
Joe Biden is anticipated to satisfy with Ukrainian refugees on Friday at a city close to the Polish-Ukrainian border.
This will probably be one of many US Presidents final conferences of his four-day Europe journey.
Air Power One will land within the Polish city of Rzeszow, the place he’ll go to members of the US 82nd Airborne Division.
He may even obtain a briefing on the dire humanitarian scenario in Ukraine.
Mr Biden will meet Polish President Andrzej Duda to thank the nation for his or her humanitarian efforts.
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Morale reportedly low amongst Putin’s depleted forces
Putin is turning into so determined he’s recruiting mercenaries and personal contractors to spice up his depleted forces.
Morale amongst Russian troops is believed to have collapsed with some now taking pictures themselves to keep away from being despatched to the entrance line.
Ukraine claims as many as 15,300 Russian troops have been killed, greater than 200 plane have been destroyed, together with greater than 500 tanks, 1,500 armoured autos and 70 gas vehicles.
In a single intercepted dialog, a Russian stated: “They’ve been taking pictures at us for 14 days.
“We’re scared. We’re stealing meals, breaking into homes.
“We’re killing civilians.
“Officers shoot themselves within the legs to go dwelling. There are corpses in all places.”
One other stated troops “search for Ukrainian ammunition to shoot themselves within the legs and go to hospital”.
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Zelensky addresses the EU
PRESIDENT Zelensky delivered a late-night handle to the European Council summit in Brussels the place he claimed Europe was ‘too late’ to cease Putin’s invasion.
He knowledgeable leaders on Russia’s destruction and harm to his nation, and thanked Europe for his or her help.
Then he went on to precise how he believed that Europe was too late with their assist.
Zelensky stated: “You could have utilized sanctions. We’re grateful. These are highly effective steps.
“However it was somewhat late… there was an opportunity.”
He added that if there had been preventative sanctions maybe Russia would not have gone to struggle.
Zelensky then pleaded with neighbouring nations to approve Ukraine’s request to affix the EU. “Right here I ask you – don’t be late.”
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Biden: China’s financial future extra tied to the West
President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that China understands its financial future is extra carefully tied to the West than to Russia, after warning Beijing it might face penalties for aiding Moscow’s struggle in Ukraine.
“I made no threats however I made it clear to him – made certain he understood the results of serving to Russia,” Biden stated of a latest dialog with Chinese language chief Xi Jinping.
“China understands that its financial future is rather more carefully tied to the West than it’s to Russia.”
Talking at a information convention on the sidelines of emergency conferences in Europe, Biden stated he additionally identified to Xi the variety of American and overseas firms which have left Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.
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Ukraine struggle: Newest developments
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Boris Johnson says he’s ‘not remotely anti-Russian’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated he was ‘not remotely anti-Russian’ as he delivered a information convention following a gathering of world leaders as we speak.
Requested why he had been labelled as “public enemy primary” by Russia, he stated: “I feel it’s essential for everyone to grasp that there isn’t a single particular person across the G7 desk who’s in opposition to Russians or the Russian individuals.
“Completely not, least of all me.
“I feel I’m the one prime minister in UK historical past to be known as Boris. I’m not remotely anti-Russian.
“I feel what all of us agree is that what Vladimir Putin is doing, the way in which he’s main Russia in the intervening time is completely catastrophic.
“His invasion of Ukraine is inhuman and barbaric.”
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Ukraine ought to qualify for World Cup, says PM
Mr Johnson is requested if Ukraine must be allowed a free cross to compete at this 12 months’s soccer world cup.
“Soccer shouldn’t be my greatest topic,” says the Prime Minister.
“Ought to they be given a bye for the world cup? I’m out of space right here. That’s not my topic. I don’t see why not.”
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US to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees
The US plans to just accept as much as 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion and is pledging $1 billion in new humanitarian assist, the Biden administration has introduced.
Greater than 3.5 million individuals have fled since Russia invaded final month and advocates have urged Biden to do extra to assist these searching for refuge in the USA.
Within the first two weeks of March, simply seven Ukrainian refugees have been resettled in the USA. Some Ukrainians have travelled to Mexico and have tried to cross into the US at its southern border.
A senior Biden official stated the administration nonetheless anticipated many Ukrainians to decide on to stay in Europe near their dwelling nation however added the US dedication to obtain extra individuals would relieve some strain on European nations at the moment internet hosting the majority of refugees fleeing the battle.
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Nato has by no means been as united earlier than as it’s now, says Biden
President Joe Biden has given a speech from the White Home following a gathering of G7 leaders.
Mr Biden introduced new sanctions on greater than 400 people and entities.
He stated: “Putin was banking on NATO being break up… it was clear to me that he didn’t suppose we might maintain this cohesion.
“NATO has by no means, by no means been extra united than it’s as we speak. Putin is getting precisely the alternative of what he meant to have as a consequence of going into Ukraine.”
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Italy tells residents to not struggle in Ukraine
Italian nationals shouldn’t go and struggle in Ukraine, the overseas ministry stated on Thursday, following media reviews that some Italians have signed as much as battle the Russian invasion.
A overseas ministry assertion stated such conduct “could also be thought of criminally related beneath present laws,” and reiterated its recommendation that Italians shouldn’t enter Ukraine.
Eugenio Spina, head of the Italian police unit investigating terrorism and extremism, estimated round 20 Italians have been combating in Ukraine, some with nationwide forces others, with pro-Russian militia.
“In the meanwhile we wouldn’t have a sustained circulate (of individuals), simply plenty of individuals saying they need to go,” Spina stated.
Kyiv has established an “worldwide” legion for foreigners and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has publicly urged outsiders to “struggle side-by-side with Ukrainians”.
He stated earlier this month that greater than 16,000 foreigners had volunteered, with out specifying what number of had arrived.
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West will impose new sanctions when mandatory – Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Thursday that Western powers have been able to ramp up sanctions in opposition to Russia if mandatory as they proceed to attempt to isolate Moscow over its struggle in Ukraine and power a ceasefire.
“These sanctions have an effect and are tangible and we should proceed them for his or her dissuasive impact,” he informed a information convention after a NATO and G7 leaders summit.
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Kremlin assaults Boris
The Kremlin has stated that the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is essentially the most lively anti-Russian chief.
“As for Mr Johnson, we see him as essentially the most lively participant within the race to be anti-Russian,” RIA information company quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.
“It would result in a overseas coverage useless finish.”
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Moscow says it should retaliate for Poland’s expulsion of its diplomats
The Russian Overseas Ministry stated as we speak that Moscow will reply to Poland’s expulsion of 45 Russian diplomats, which it stated threatened to destroy their already fraught relations.
“Russia is not going to depart this hostile assault with out a response, which is able to make Polish provocateurs suppose and can damage them,” the ministry stated in an announcement.
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‘Ukraine deserves to be full EU member’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has informed the Swedish parliament this morning that Ukraine deserves a spot within the European Union.
Mr Zelensky stated: “We aren’t combating only for the individuals of Ukraine, however for Europe’s safety and we’ve got proven that we should be a fully-fledged member of the EU.”
Ukraine utilized to be an EU member inside days of Russia’s invasion.
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‘Ukraine deserves to be full EU member’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has informed the Swedish parliament this morning that Ukraine deserves a spot within the European Union.
Mr Zelensky stated: “We aren’t combating only for the individuals of Ukraine, however for Europe’s safety and we’ve got proven that we should be a fully-fledged member of the EU.”
Ukraine utilized to be an EU member inside days of Russia’s invasion.
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Zelensky: Summits will present ‘who’s a good friend’
In a video launched earlier as we speak, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky stated the end result of NATO, EU and G7 summits will reveal “who’s a good friend” to Ukraine.
“Politicians should … help freedom. All of them. They need to help the wrestle for all times. We’re ready for significant steps. From NATO, the EU and the G7,” Zelensky stated.
“We all know that the Russians have already begun to foyer their pursuits. These are the pursuits of struggle,” he added.
“We all know that they need to put this difficulty out. The wrestle in opposition to struggle. However that is the struggle that must be put out.
“Our agency place will probably be represented at these three summits. At these three summits we’ll see: Who’s a good friend, who’s a companion, and who betrayed us for cash.”
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Zelensky: Russia has used phosphorus bombs
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the NATO summit through videolink as we speak.
He accused Russia of utilizing phosphorus bombs this morning.
“Once more, youngsters have been dying, individuals have been dying,” he informed Nato.
He didn’t present any proof, nor did he say the place the assault befell.
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John ‘laments’ agony over ‘incapability to do extra’ for Ukraine
Boris Johnson has conceded it will be a problem to present Volodymyr Zelensky the tanks he has demanded, as he hit again on the Kremlin successfully labelling him enemy primary amongst western leaders.
The Prime Minister stated it will “logistically” be “very tough” to produce the Ukrainian president with the tanks and jets he requested for throughout a Nato summit on Wednesday.
However Mr Johnson stated allies would attempt to present Mr Zelensky weapons “within the amount and of the standard” he must defend his nation from the Russian invasion.
He pledged extra missiles and a brand new deployment of UK troops to Bulgaria, whereas doubling personnel in Poland and Estonia to spice up Nato on the japanese flanks.
Mr Zelensky, who recurrently speaks to the Prime Minister, didn’t carry up his longstanding demand for Nato to implement a no-fly zone of Ukraine.
As an alternative, he pleaded when showing nearly on the summit in Brussels for “1% of all of your planes, 1% of all of your tanks”.
Western allies have beforehand been hesitant about offering jets out of issues it might additional provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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EU says Russia can’t blackmail Europe with power assets
Russia can’t blackmail Europe with its power assets, the European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen has stated.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has demanded that nations purchase oil and fuel utilizing roubles.
However EU nations stay divided on whether or not to sanction Russian oil and fuel instantly, a transfer already taken by the USA.
“This might be a unilateral determination and a transparent breach of contract,” Ms Von der Leyen stated of Russia’s request to be paid in roubles.
“It might be an try to bypass the sanctions. We is not going to permit our sanctions to be circumvented.
“The time when power could possibly be used to blackmail us is over.”
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US to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees
The US plans to just accept as much as 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion and is pledging $1 billion in new humanitarian assist, the Biden administration has introduced.
Greater than 3.5 million individuals have fled since Russia invaded final month and advocates have urged Biden to do extra to assist these searching for refuge in the USA.
Within the first two weeks of March, simply seven Ukrainian refugees have been resettled in the USA. Some Ukrainians have travelled to Mexico and have tried to cross into the US at its southern border.
A senior Biden official stated the administration nonetheless anticipated many Ukrainians to decide on to stay in Europe near their dwelling nation however added the US dedication to obtain extra individuals would relieve some strain on European nations at the moment internet hosting the majority of refugees fleeing the battle.
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Ukraine ought to qualify for World Cup, says PM
Mr Johnson is requested if Ukraine must be allowed a free cross to compete at this 12 months’s soccer world cup.
“Soccer shouldn’t be my greatest topic,” says the Prime Minister.
“Ought to they be given a bye for the world cup? I am out of space right here. That is not my topic. I do not see why not.”
