WORLD
Joe Biden announces additional sanctions against Russia, more troops to Europe amid Ukraine crisis
Speaking from the East Room of the White House, Biden on Thursday said the new measures will target major Russian banks, limit the country's "ability to do business in dollars, euros, pounds, and yen," and curtail Moscow's high-tech imports and its ability to upgrade the military. US President said he had authorized "deployment of ground and air forces stationed in Europe to the eastern flank".
Ukrainian MPs have urged their President to start negotiations with Moscow
"Millions of our fellow citizens strive for a peaceful ... life," said the group on Thursday, led by Vadim Novinsky -- a Ukrainian billionaire and one of the co-leaders of the Opposition Bloc -- an association of more than a dozen political parties. The MPs have said they "insist on (Zelensky) using all options" to protect human life and de-escalate the situation, RT reported.
Russia's invasion designed to 'decapitate' Ukrainian govt, install new leadership: Pentagon
Russia's invasion — air, land and sea — is proceeding along three primary axes, with one of those aimed squarely at the capital, Kyiv, the official said. Ukraine's ambassador to Washington told reporters that fighting is ongoing near Kyiv but the city is currently "secure".
Russian forces have seized control of Chernobyl nuclear power plant after a 'fierce battle'
Meanwhile Turkey reported that one of its ships had been hit by a 'bomb' off the coast of Odessa, where fighting is also going on. Turkey is a member of NATO, underlining fears that the war in Ukraine could quickly spread in other states and spark an all-out conflict in Europe.
Biden says US consulting India on Ukraine, but 'hasn't resolved' being in 'sync'
"We are in consultation with India on Thursday, (but) we haven't resolved that completely," he added on Thursday at a news conference when asked if India as a major defense partner of the US was fully in sync with Washington on the Russia and Ukraine policy.
Ukraine calls on EU to urgently provide air-defence, anti-missile systems
The paper, drafted by Ukrainian diplomats in Brussels and seen by the Guardian, also calls for ending software licenses for military and civilian equipment in Russia and Belarus, blocking or interfering with Russian satellite navigation systems in the air, over the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, using all means to block the Russian satellite navigation system Glonass, including jamming its signal over the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, Belarus and Ukrainian airspace.
Putin to decide when Ukraine operation ends 'based on results and expediency': Kremlin
The operation "has its goals and they need to be achieved", the official said, when asked by journalists when the offensive would end. In his Thursday morning address, Putin said he'd ordered Russian troops to attack Ukraine to demilitarise and, as he put it, "denazify" the country. He claimed that Russia's national security was compromised by NATO encroachment in Ukraine, the report said.
Russia willing to negotiate terms of surrender with Ukraine
These are terms that, according to Peskov, would enable the achievement of 'demilitarisation' and 'denazification' of Ukraine, and eliminate what Russia currently views as a threat to the security of its state and people. "The President formulated his vision of what we would expect from Ukraine in order for the so-called ‘red-line' problems to be resolved. This is neutral status, and this is a refusal to deploy weapons," Peskov clarified.
Bloodied civilians stagger through the streets in Ukraine
Russia on Thursday launched simultaneous attacks from the south, east and north, by land and by air, killing at least 40 civilians by midday, including a young boy in an apartment block in Kharkiv, Ukrainian authorities said. Other civilians were also injured and some others are believed to have died in 203 attacks launched so far by the Russian forces.
Windows in apartment blocks in Kharkiv shaking due to constant blasts
Clashes have also been taking place around the capital Kiev in the north and the Black Sea port cities of Odesa and Mariupol in the south, the report said. Air strikes from Russia have been carried out on Ukrainian military bases and airports, with fierce fighting reported around a key airport near Kiev. The Ukrainian military claims to have shot down at least six Russian aircraft.
Don't Miss
Advertisement