Russia has unleashed an invasion of Ukraine after months of massing troops close to its borders. The army motion, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, quantities to a full-scale invasion, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Dozens of army websites have already been hit by Russian hearth, and casualties are mounting. The repercussions are being felt past Europe as rising geopolitical danger and risky power and monetary markets rock Asia.
For all our protection, go to our Ukraine disaster web page.
Learn our in-depth protection:
— EU blocks seven Russian banks from SWIFT for Ukraine invasion
— Biden rebukes Russia in State of the Union with Chilly Struggle backdrop
— Turkey rejects Russia’s request for navy ships to move Bosporus
— Secret to Ukraine’s fierce resistance? Javelin antitank missiles
Entries embrace materials from wire providers and different sources.
Notice: Nikkei Asia on March 5 determined to quickly droop its reporting from Russia till additional data turns into accessible relating to the scope of the revised felony code.
Listed here are the most recent developments:
Monday, March 7 (Tokyo time)
3:30 p.m. Russia’s protection ministry says its army will maintain hearth and open humanitarian corridors in a number of Ukrainian cities on Monday. Through the weekend, combating stymied evacuation efforts, and civilian casualties mounted. The corridors will open at 10 a.m. Moscow time. They are going to lead from the capital Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Sumy, and are being arrange on the private request of French President Emmanuel Macron, the ministry says. “Makes an attempt by the Ukrainian aspect to deceive Russia and the entire civilized world … are ineffective this time,” the ministry provides.
2:39 p.m. Australia will assemble a nuclear submarine base within the east of the nation, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says. The challenge, estimated to value greater than 10 billion Australian {dollars} ($7.4 billion), is geared toward enhancing the nation’s protection and checking China’s ambitions within the Indo-Pacific area. The announcement additionally got here within the shadow of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Morrison framed as half of a bigger “assault” by autocracies in opposition to the rules-based worldwide order.
12:20 p.m. Japan’s Nikkei share common plunges greater than 3% to a contemporary 15-month low, because the warfare in Ukraine reveals no indicators of abating, pushing up oil and different commodity costs and stoking fears of a stagflationary shock to the worldwide financial system.
11:30 a.m. Palladium jumps to a file excessive, whereas gold hits the important thing degree of $2,000 per ounce, as considerations over the Russia-Ukraine battle pushed buyers towards haven property.
9:25 a.m. U.S. gasoline costs on the pump jumped 11% over the previous week to their highest since late July 2008 as international sanctions cripple Russia’s means to export crude oil, in response to car membership AAA. The common worth for U.S. common gasoline hit $4.00 per gallon on Sunday, up 11% from $3.60 per week in the past and up 45% from $2.76 a yr in the past, AAA stated.
9:12 a.m. Oil costs soar greater than 10% in hectic buying and selling as the danger of a U.S. and European ban on Russian merchandise and delays in Iranian talks triggered what was shaping up as a serious stagflationary shock for world markets.
7:46 a.m. Accounting agency KPMG says it would depart Russia and Belarus, its announcement coming quickly after PwC declared its intent to go away Russia. “We imagine we’ve got a accountability, together with different international companies, to reply to the Russian authorities’s ongoing army assault on Ukraine. Consequently, our Russia and Belarus corporations will depart the KPMG community,” the agency stated in its press launch.
6:37 a.m. PwC has severed ties with its Russian companies, making it the primary of the Massive 4 accounting corporations to exit the nation since Ukraine was invaded, the Monetary Occasions studies. The agency has some 3,700 companions and workers in Russia throughout 11 places. PwC’s Russian operations will keep it up as a standalone agency however with no formal connection to the worldwide model.
5:51 a.m. Netflix and TikTok announce suspensions to their respective providers in Russia. Netflix’s determination cites “circumstances on the bottom,” whereas TikTok says it would halt live-streaming in addition to video uploads to its platform within the nation. TikTok, a Chinese language-owned social media firm, provides it’s reviewing “the security implications” of a media regulation signed on Friday by President Vladimir Putin imposing jail phrases of as much as 15 years for spreading what Moscow calls “faux information.”
2:15 a.m. Russia’s sovereign bond funds to non-residents will rely on sanctions imposed by the West, the nation’s finance ministry says.
Russia will use rubles to make funds to residents on bonds denominated in international forex, in response to the ministry.
12:21 a.m. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, no less than 364 civilians are confirmed to have been killed within the nation and one other 759 wounded, in response to the Workplace of the U.N. Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights. The figures comprise casualties by Saturday and are in all probability “significantly larger,” the monitoring mission studies.
Sunday, March 6
11:12 p.m. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday to coordinate the response to the Russian assault on Ukraine, a U.S. State Division spokesperson says.
11:00 p.m. Russian shelling prevents evacuation of civilians from the Ukrainian port metropolis of Mariupol, native authorities say. The shelling continues regardless of a short lived ceasefire settlement.
9:35 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin warns Ukraine that Russia’s army operation would solely be halted if Kyiv stops resisting and fulfills all the Kremlin’s calls for.
“It’s hoped that in the course of the deliberate subsequent spherical of negotiations, Ukraine’s representatives will present a extra constructive strategy, totally bearing in mind the rising realities,” the Kremlin says in a readout of a name with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
4:22 p.m. South Korea will implement export controls in opposition to Belarus for “successfully supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine”, Seoul’s international ministry says. The ministry didn’t element what measures could be taken, however says they are going to be utilized in an identical strategy to strikes already taken by South Korea in opposition to Russia. It condemned Moscow as having launched an “armed invasion” of Ukraine.
9:35 a.m. U.S. funds corporations Visa and Mastercard are suspending operations in Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, and they’ll work with shoppers and companions to stop all transactions there.
7:52 a.m. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with Chinese language International Minister Wang Yi about “Moscow’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified warfare in opposition to Ukraine,” a U.S. State Division spokesperson says.
7:50 a.m. Ukraine’s chief makes a “determined” plea to American lawmakers for the U.S. to assist get extra warplanes to his army and lower off Russian oil imports as Kyiv tries to stave off the Russian invasion.
5:29 a.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that Ukrainian statehood is in jeopardy and likened the West’s sanctions on Russia to “declaring warfare,” in a televised assembly with flight attendants from Russian airline Aeroflot.
2:45 a.m. Russia and Ukraine will maintain a 3rd spherical of talks on Monday about ending hostilities, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia stated in a Fb put up on Saturday, with out offering additional particulars, in response to Reuters.
Saturday, March 5
11:44 p.m. What regarded like a breakthrough cease-fire to evacuate residents from two cities in Ukraine shortly falls aside as Ukrainian officers stated shelling had halted the work to take away civilians hours after Russia introduced the deal, in response to AP.
11:30 a.m. Samsung Electronics says shipments to Russia have been suspended “on account of present geopolitical developments.” An announcement from the corporate reads, “We proceed to actively monitor this advanced state of affairs to find out our subsequent steps.” Samsung Electronics’ handsets are the highest vendor in Russia, with a 30% share of the market as of the fourth quarter of 2021. Samsung can also be donating $6 million, together with $1 million in shopper electronics in addition to voluntary donations from staff, to actively assist humanitarian efforts “across the area,” together with help for refugees.
11:00 a.m. Rankings company S&P has lower Belarus’ rankings to “CCC” from “B,” which means its sovereign debt is “susceptible,” and positioned it on damaging because of the nation’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Worldwide sanctions imposed on Belarus on account of its involvement in Russia’s army intervention in opposition to Ukraine are extreme, and we count on them to tighten additional,” the company stated. MSCI, which ranks firms and nations on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) efficiency, earlier this week downgraded Russia and Belarus in response to their warfare on Ukraine.
8:00 a.m. Russia says Meta Platforms’ Fb has been blocked for limiting state-backed channels. Nick Clegg, Meta’s head of world affairs says the corporate will do every part attainable to revive providers. The transfer got here after the tussle between Russia and Western firms escalated on Friday as Moscow blocked a slew of media firms, and large manufacturers like Microsoft and Digital Arts introduced they have been shutting down gross sales within the nation.
7:14 a.m. CNN will cease broadcasting in Russia “whereas we proceed to guage the state of affairs and our subsequent steps shifting ahead,” a spokesperson says.
Bloomberg will quickly droop newsgathering there, with its editor-in-chief saying a change to the felony code “makes it not possible to proceed any semblance of regular journalism contained in the nation.” Those that unfold “faux information” in regards to the army may be imprisoned for 15 years underneath the regulation.
The 2 U.S. media firms comply with the BBC, which introduced an identical transfer earlier.
6:39 a.m. S&P Dow Jones Indices, dwelling to the Dow Jones Industrial Common and the S&P 500, says it would take away all shares listed and/or domiciled in Russia from its normal fairness indexes at a worth of zero.
It’ll additionally change the nation’s classification from an rising market to stand-alone, “given the deterioration within the degree of accessibility of the Russian market,” the corporate broadcasts.
5:00 a.m. The BBC says it’s quickly suspending its reporting in Russia in response to a brand new regulation that BBC Director-Basic Tim Davie stated “seems to criminalize the method of impartial journalism.”
“The protection of our workers is paramount and we’re not ready to show them to the danger of felony prosecution merely for doing their jobs,” Davie says.
Entry to the BBC has been restricted in Russia, together with different media shops authorities say are “publishing unreliable details about the particular army operation in Ukraine,” TASS studies, utilizing Moscow’s title for the warfare. Others embrace Meduza, the Voice of America, Radio Liberty and Deutsche Welle.
3:30 a.m. International ministers from seven main industrial nations name on Moscow to cease assaults near Ukraine’s nuclear energy vegetation, saying “any armed assault on and menace in opposition to nuclear amenities dedicated to peaceable functions constitutes a violation of the rules of worldwide regulation.”
The highest diplomats from the Group of Seven additionally say in a press release launched by the U.S. State Division that the nations are ready to impose additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus. “We want to clarify to the Russian and Belarusian people who the extreme sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus are a consequence of and clear response to President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustifiable warfare in opposition to Ukraine,” the assertion says.
In addition they condemn Russian assaults on civilians in addition to faculties and hospitals.
2:40 a.m. NATO has rejected a Ukrainian name for a no-fly zone over the war-torn nation, however a U.S. protection official says the Ukrainian air drive remains to be largely intact.
“The Ukrainians nonetheless have a major majority of their air fight energy accessible to them, each fixed-wing and rotary wing in addition to unmanned techniques and surface-to-air techniques,” Reuters quotes the official as saying. The official spoke on situation of anonymity.
2:15 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has advised Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan he’s “grateful to Turkey for the constant assist,” Zelenskyy says on Twitter. He additionally says he spoke with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.
In the meantime, Interfax studies that Russia’s Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with United Nations Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres, telling him Russian troops in Ukraine have created corridors for the civilian inhabitants within the areas the place they maintain management.
Friday, March 4
11:48 p.m. Ukraine’s central financial institution governor calls on the U.S. and the European Union to freeze the property of all Russian banks inside their jurisdiction.
“We urge you to take selections that can assist in the worldwide combat in opposition to terrorist financing,” Shevchenko stated in a press release.
6:17 p.m. Russia’s protection ministry blames an assault on the website of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant in Ukraine on Ukrainian saboteurs, calling it a monstrous provocation. Ukraine has stated Russian forces attacked the plant within the early hours of Friday, setting an adjoining five-story coaching facility on hearth.
A Russian protection ministry spokesman stated the nuclear plant was working usually and the realm had been underneath Russian management since Feb. 28. “Nonetheless, final night time on the territory adjoining to the facility plant, an try was made by the Kyiv nationalist regime to hold out a monstrous provocation,” spokesman Igor Konashenkov was quoted as saying.
5:55 p.m. Russia’s parliament has handed a regulation imposing jail phrases of as much as 15 years for spreading deliberately “faux” details about the armed forces as Moscow fights again in what it casts as an data warfare over the battle in Ukraine. Russian officers have repeatedly stated that false data has been unfold by Russia’s enemies corresponding to america and its allies in an try to sow discord and divide its individuals.
4:50 p.m. The New Growth Financial institution established by the BRICS group of rising nations says it has put new transactions in Russia on maintain. “In gentle of unfolding uncertainties and restrictions, NDB has put new transactions in Russia on maintain. NDB will proceed to conduct enterprise in full conformity with the best compliance requirements as a world establishment,” it stated in a press release posted on its web site. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — recognized collectively as BRICS — are members of the NDB.
4:31 p.m. China’s international ministry has urged all sides to make sure the security of nuclear amenities in Ukraine, after a fireplace broke out in a constructing adjoining to a nuclear plant there throughout intense combating. “We are going to monitor the state of affairs and name on all sides to train restraint, keep away from escalation and make sure the security of related nuclear amenities,” Wang Wenbin, ministry spokesman, stated at a every day briefing.
3:50 p.m. Russian army forces have seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant — Europe’s largest — in Ukraine’s southeast, the regional state administration says. “Operational personnel are monitoring the situation of energy models,” it stated on social media, quoting the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate. It additionally stated efforts have been being made to make sure the operations have been according to security necessities.
2:24 p.m. Russia’s communications watchdog has restricted entry to the Russian-language web sites of the BBC and Radio Liberty for spreading what it forged as false details about the battle in Ukraine.
1:14 p.m. House rental firm Airbnb is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus, CEO Brian Chesky says in a tweet.
11:46 a.m. U.S. Vitality Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the reactors at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy station “are protected by sturdy containment constructions and reactors are being safely shut down.” Granholm stated on Twitter she had simply spoken with Ukraine’s power minister in regards to the state of affairs on the plant, the place a fireplace broke out throughout combating between Russian and Ukrainian forces. “Now we have seen no elevated radiation readings close to the power,” Granholm stated.
10:09 a.m. Alphabet’s Google says it has stopped promoting internet advertising in Russia, a ban that covers search, YouTube and out of doors publishing companions. The transfer by the world’s prime vendor of on-line advertisements by income follows related pauses in Russia by Twitter and Snap following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “In gentle of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google advertisements in Russia,” the corporate stated in a press release. “The state of affairs is evolving shortly, and we are going to proceed to share updates when acceptable.”
9:40 a.m. A spokesman for Europe’s largest nuclear plant says the power is on hearth after Russia attacked the facility station within the southern Ukrainian metropolis of Enerhodar. A authorities official tells The Related Press elevated ranges of radiation are being detected close to the positioning of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which offers about 25% of the nation’s energy era. The official spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the data has not but been publicly launched.
4:48 a.m. U.S. prosecutors cost a TV producer for Konstantin Malofeyev, described as a Russian oligarch, with violating Crimea-related sanctions. John Hanick, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in February in London, and the U.S. is looking for his extradition. Malofeyev is carefully tied to Russian aggression in Ukraine, prosecutors say in a press release. Malofeyev owns Tsargrad TV, a Christian Orthodox tv channel, in response to Reuters.
4:40 a.m. U.S. President Joe Biden says Russia is firing indiscriminately in Ukraine because the U.S. broadcasts further sanctions to clamp down on Putin and other people round him. “The USA can even impose visa restrictions on 19 oligarchs and 47 of their members of the family and shut associates,” the White Home says in a press release.
4:14 a.m. Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company chief Rafael Grossi urges Russian and Ukrainian troops to cease combating in Enerhodar, Ukraine, which is only a few kilometers away from the nation’s largest nuclear energy plant.
4:02 a.m. Officers within the southeastern Ukrainian port metropolis of Mariupol say they’re “being destroyed,” with Russia forces knocking out energy, water and heating provides as they bombard the town with heavy shelling. “Mariupol stays underneath hearth. Girls, kids and the aged are struggling. We’re being destroyed as a nation. That is genocide of the Ukrainian individuals,” the town’s council stated in a press release.
3:17 a.m. Ukraine says a tentative settlement with Russia organizes protected corridors for civilian evacuations and the supply of humanitarian provides. Stop-fires could be noticed within the affected areas, says Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, who took half within the talks in Belarus.
2:30 a.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin says on tv that the army operation in Ukraine is continuing in response to plan and that its troopers are heroes.
With out proof, he accuses Ukrainian forces of holding foreigners hostage and utilizing human shields.
2:15 a.m. Ukrainian and Russian peace negotiators start their second spherical of talks.
12:54 a.m. Canada will take away most-favored-nation standing for Russia and Belarus as buying and selling companions and supply further deadly help to Ukraine together with rocket launchers and hand grenades.
The 2 nations be part of solely North Korea in missing that standing. Items from Russia and Belarus might be subjected to a 35% tariff when imported into Canada, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stated.
12:05 a.m. The China-backed Asian Infrastructure Funding Financial institution broadcasts that “all actions regarding Russia and Belarus are on maintain and underneath evaluate,” citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Learn right here
“Because the warfare in Ukraine unfolds, the Asian Infrastructure Funding Financial institution (AIIB) extends its ideas and sympathy to everybody affected. Our hearts exit to all who’re struggling,” a press release posted on the Beijing-based lender’s web site reads.
For an establishment carefully linked to the Chinese language authorities, referring to the battle as a “warfare” is uncommon.
Thursday, March 3
6:12 p.m. Ukraine’s protection traces have been holding in opposition to the Russian assault, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in his newest video, including there had been no respite in Moscow’s shelling of Ukraine since midnight.
Zelenskyy stated Russia’s altering ways and shelling of civilians in cities proved Ukraine was profitable in resisting Moscow’s preliminary plan of claiming a fast victory by a land assault.
5:30 p.m. The U.Okay.’s Ministry of Protection tweeted an intelligence replace that claims Russia’s lengthy convoy heading to Kyiv has made little progress
– “The primary physique of the massive Russian column advancing on Kyiv stays over 30km from the centre of the town having been delayed by staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion. The column has made little discernible progress in over three days.”
– “Regardless of heavy Russian shelling, the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol stay in Ukrainian arms. Some Russian forces have entered the town of Kherson however the army state of affairs stays unclear.”
– “The Russian defence ministry has been compelled to confess that 498 Russian troopers have already been killed and 1,597 wounded in Putin’s warfare. The precise variety of these killed and wounded will nearly definitely be significantly larger and can proceed to rise.”
5:13 p.m. Russian and Belarusian athletes will be unable to compete on the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, the Worldwide Paralympic Committee says, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for which Belarus has been key staging space. The choice comes a day after the IPC gave athletes from the 2 nations the inexperienced gentle to take part as neutrals, saying that the governing physique had adopted its guidelines and that “athletes weren’t the aggressors”. “Following a specifically convened assembly, the IPC Governing Board has determined to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC and NPC Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Video games,” the IPC stated.
2:28 p.m. Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Quad leaders will maintain a digital assembly on Thursday. India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs stated in a press release that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Joe Biden, Australia’s Scott Morrison, and Japan’s Fumio Kishida “will change views and assessments about essential developments within the Indo-Pacific. … The Quad leaders can even evaluate ongoing efforts to implement the leaders’ initiatives introduced as a part of the Quad’s up to date and constructive agenda.” The assertion doesn’t point out the precise timing of the assembly.
1:30 p.m. Amazon.com is utilizing its logistics capabilities to ship provides to these in want, and its cybersecurity experience to assist governments and corporations, as a part of its assist for Ukraine, Chief Government Andy Jassy says on Twitter. “Amazon stands with the individuals of Ukraine, and can proceed to assist,” Jassy stated, following Russia’s invasion, which Moscow calls a “particular operation.” Amazon, which earlier this week pledged to donate as much as $10 million for humanitarian efforts, is the most recent firm to supply help.
11:30 a.m. Fitch and Moody’s have downgraded Russia’s sovereign credit standing by six notches to “junk” standing, saying Western sanctions have thrown into doubt Russia’s means to service its debt. Russia’s monetary markets have been thrown into turmoil by sanctions imposed over the nation’s invasion of Ukraine. S&P lowered Russia’s ranking to junk standing final week. The invasion additionally prompted index suppliers FTSE Russell and MSCI to announce they are going to take away Russian equities from all their indexes. The assertion got here after a prime MSCI government referred to as Russia’s inventory market “uninvestable.”
10:20 a.m. Japan will freeze property of 4 further Russian banks, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki says, bringing the whole quantity to seven. The federal government didn’t disclose the title of the 4 banks.
10:00 a.m. The U.N. refugee company says 1 million individuals have fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion lower than per week in the past, an exodus with out precedent on this century for its pace. The tally from UNHCR quantities to greater than 2% of Ukraine’s inhabitants on the transfer in underneath per week. The World Financial institution counted the inhabitants at 44 million on the finish of 2020. The U.N. company has predicted that as much as 4 million individuals might ultimately depart Ukraine, however cautioned that even that projection may very well be revised upward.
8:02 a.m. The Kremlin says its forces have taken the port of Kherson, a southern provincial capital of round 250,000 individuals strategically positioned the place the Dnipro River flows into the Black Sea. Kyiv earlier denied this. Earlier, Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhayev stated Russian troops have been within the streets and had compelled their manner into the town council constructing.
7:52 a.m. The Russian Protection Ministry acknowledges for the primary time a considerable variety of casualties in Ukraine, saying 498 Russian troops have died and 1,597 extra have been injured.
Till now, the Russian aspect has been disclosed little or no details about what it calls a “particular army operation.”
5:20 a.m. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has determined to promote the Chelsea soccer membership after 19 years of possession, vowing to donate proceeds of the sale to victims of the warfare in Ukraine. Learn right here.
4:35 a.m. A Ukrainian delegation is headed for talks with Russia, Reuters studies, citing Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.
3:52 a.m. The White Home imposes extra sanctions on Russia and provides penalties in opposition to Belarus in response to the Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “The USA will take actions to carry Belarus accountable for enabling Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, weaken the Russian protection sector and its army energy for years to come back, goal Russia’s most essential sources of wealth, and ban Russian airways from U.S. airspace,” the White Home says in a press release.
The brand new actions embrace: Restrictions on Belarus to choke off tech imports, sanctions on Russian protection entities, export controls focusing on Russian oil refining, focusing on entities supporting Russian and Belarusian militaries, and banning Russian plane from U.S. airspace.
2:30 a.m. In the meantime, Russia continues to justify its actions.
“The Russian troops, the Russian military are on an honorable mission: to remove the actual menace to Russia which till just lately was emanating from Ukraine, from the place, in opposition to the desire of the Ukrainian individuals, NATO bases, nuclear weapons and supply automobiles have been to look within the close to future. Our Motherland might be protected,” Russian Protection Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov is quote as saying by Interfax.
2:15 a.m. The United Nations Basic Meeting has overwhelming adopted a decision calling on Russian forces to go away Ukraine.
The decision was supported by 141 member states. Russia, Belarus and three different nations voted in opposition to it. China and India have been among the many 35 member states to abstain.
2:00 a.m. Russia has advised the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company that Russian forces have taken management of the realm round Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy Plant, in response to a press release by IAEA Director Basic Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The Russian aspect says that workers on the plant have continued to “work on offering nuclear security and monitoring radiation in regular mode of operation,” and that “the radiation ranges stay regular,” in response to the assertion.
1:40 a.m. Russia’s rising isolation from the world of sports activities has prolonged to video video games. EA Sports activities, writer of the FIFA soccer recreation sequence, says it would take away the Russian nationwide group and Russian golf equipment.
12:30 a.m. Toyota Motor will droop auto manufacturing in Russia from Friday because it struggles to supply components from abroad. Learn right here.
Wednesday, March 2
11:10 p.m. Ukraine disputes Russia’s declare that its forces had taken the port metropolis of Kherson. Learn right here.
In the meantime, different cities have have seen districts turned to rubble by Russian missiles, Ukrainian authorities say. Amongst them are Zhytomyr, west of Kiev. Two individuals have been killed and 16 others, together with kids, injured within the assaults, authorities stated Wednesday morning native time.
9:00 p.m. Japan will soak up individuals fleeing Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion and take into account choices to work round stringent coronavirus-related entry curbs, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says.
Whereas Tokyo seems to be to focus initially on these with household or pals in Japan, it is not going to restrict entry to that group, Kishida stated, including that “we are going to reply from a humanitarian standpoint.”
The transfer is noteworthy for a rustic that usually accepts refugees solely in very small numbers.
8:30 p.m. Requested whether or not China would function a mediator, as Ukraine has requested, International Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin tells reporters that Beijing has all the time supported and inspired diplomatic efforts towards a peaceable settlement. He says China welcomes peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and expresses hope that the 2 will proceed with dialogue that takes each side’ legit safety considerations into consideration.
China, he says, will proceed to play a constructive function.
7:45 p.m. Jailed Russian opposition chief Alexey Navalny has urged his compatriots to carry every day protests in opposition to the invasion of Ukraine, in a prolonged thread posted to his verified Twitter account.
Here is the total thread:
1/12 We – Russia – wish to be a nation of peace. Alas, few individuals would name us that now.
2/12 However let’s no less than not turn into a nation of frightened silent individuals. Of cowards who faux to not discover the aggressive warfare in opposition to Ukraine unleashed by our clearly insane czar.
3/12 I can not, are not looking for and won’t stay silent watching how pseudo-historical nonsense in regards to the occasions of 100 years in the past has turn into an excuse for Russians to kill Ukrainians, and for Ukrainians to kill Russians whereas defending themselves.
4/12 It is the third decade of the twenty first century, and we’re watching information about individuals burning down in tanks and bombed homes. We’re watching actual threats to start out a nuclear warfare on our TVs.
5/12 I’m from the us myself. I used to be born there. And the principle phrase from there – from my childhood – was “combat for peace.” I name on everybody to take to the streets and combat for peace.
6/12 Putin shouldn’t be Russia. And if there may be something in Russia proper now which you could be most happy with, it’s these 6824 individuals who have been detained as a result of – with none name – they took to the streets with placards saying “No Struggle”.
7/12 They are saying that somebody who can not attend a rally and doesn’t danger being arrested for it can not name for it. I am already in jail, so I feel I can.
8/12 We can not wait any longer. Wherever you might be, in Russia, Belarus or on the opposite aspect of the planet, go to the principle sq. of your metropolis each weekday and at 2 pm on weekends and holidays.
9/12 In case you are overseas, come to the Russian embassy. In the event you can organise an indication, accomplish that on the weekend. Sure, perhaps only some individuals will take to the streets on the primary day. And within the second – even much less.
10/12 However we should, gritting our tooth and overcoming worry, come out and demand an finish to the warfare. Every arrested individual should be changed by two newcomers.
11/12 If to be able to cease the warfare we’ve got to fill prisons and paddy wagons with ourselves, we are going to fill prisons and paddy wagons with ourselves.
12/12 All the things has a worth, and now, within the spring of 2022, we should pay this worth. There isn’t any one to do it for us. Let’s not “be in opposition to the warfare.” Let’s combat in opposition to the warfare.
6:52 p.m. The European Union will impose further sanctions on Russia by blocking seven of its banks from the SWIFT cost community
3:52 p.m. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President William Lai and Premier Su Tseng-chang every will donate one month’s wage to help humanitarian aid efforts for Ukraine, which is standing its floor in opposition to a army invasion by Russia, the president stated.
3:35 p.m. Sberbank, Russia’s largest lender, is leaving the European market as its subsidiaries there face massive money outflows and what it says are threats to the security of staff and property. The financial institution says it’s now not capable of provide liquidity to European subsidiaries, following a central financial institution order, however its capital degree and asset high quality are enough to pay all depositors. “The group’s subsidiary banks have confronted irregular money outflows and threats to the security of its staff and branches,” it stated in a press release.
10:11 a.m. Exxon Mobil will exit Russia operations, together with oil manufacturing fields, it broadcasts on Tuesday, turning into the most recent main Western power firm to stop the oil-rich nation following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Learn extra.
10:00 a.m. Boeing says it has suspended operations in Russia and quickly closed its workplace in Kyiv. The U.S.-based plane producer will halt gross sales of spare components and upkeep assist for Russian airways, which embrace nationwide flag service Aeroflot and its fleet of Boeing 737s and 777s.
6:40 a.m. Apple pauses all product gross sales in Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
“We’re deeply involved in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all the people who find themselves struggling on account of the violence,” Apple says in a press release. “We’re supporting humanitarian efforts, offering help for the unfolding refugee disaster, and doing all we are able to to assist our groups within the area.”
The corporate additionally says it stopped all exports into its gross sales channels within the nation. Apple Pay and different providers have been restricted, the corporate says. Russian state media, RT Information and Sputnik Information, are now not accessible for obtain from the Apple Retailer exterior Russia.
6:00 a.m. Canada decides to close its ports to Russian-owned ships later this week in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says.
“Russia should be held accountable for its invasion of Ukraine,” Alghabra stated. “At the moment, we’re taking steps to shut Canadian waters and ports to Russian-owned or registered ships. We are going to proceed to take motion to face with Ukraine,” he added.
1:50 a.m. The European Union is getting ready for “thousands and thousands” extra refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU House Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson says.
Johansson says it was tough to estimate exactly what number of refugees might stream by EU borders after Russia invaded Ukraine final week, after greater than 400,000 had come by to date.
“Sadly, we’ve got to arrange for thousands and thousands of individuals to come back,” Johansson tells a information convention within the Slovak capital Bratislava, an EU member that shares a border with Ukraine. “On the similar time we’ve got large and pressing humanitarian wants in Ukraine, a number of internally displaced individuals.”
12:20 a.m. Chinese language International Minister Wang Yi speaks together with his Ukraine counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on the cellphone, with the latter asking for mediation for a ceasefire, CCTV studies.
Wang didn’t give a transparent response as as to if China would play a peace dealer.
Tuesday, March 1
10: 40 p.m. The second spherical of Russia-Ukraine talks is deliberate for March 2, Russia’s TASS information company studies, quoting a supply on the Russian aspect.
After the primary spherical of negotiations produced no tangible outcomes, the 2 sides had stated they might meet once more within the coming days.
6:30 p.m. An Indian pupil was killed when the Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv was shelled on Tuesday, India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs says.
5:50 p.m. YouTube is obstructing channels linked to Russian state-backed media shops RT and Sputnik throughout Europe, efficient instantly, because of the state of affairs in Ukraine, the corporate operated by Alphabet’s Google, says. “It’s going to take time for our techniques to completely ramp up. Our groups proceed to watch the state of affairs across the clock to take swift motion,” a YouTube spokesperson says. The corporate’s actions follows that of Fb guardian Meta, which on Monday stated it would prohibit entry to tv community RT and information company Sputnik on its platforms throughout the European Union.
5:35 p.m. Human rights teams and Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. accuse Russia of attacking Ukrainians with cluster bombs and vacuum bombs, weapons which have been condemned by quite a lot of worldwide organizations. Amnesty Worldwide and Human Rights Watch each stated Russian forces appeared to have used extensively banned cluster munitions. Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to america, advised reporters after assembly with members of the U.S. Congress that Russia had used a thermobaric weapon, generally known as a vacuum bomb, in its invasion of her nation.
2:40 p.m. The Worldwide Olympic Committee’s government board has really helpful sports activities federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officers from competing in occasions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The IOC stated the chief board made the choice “to be able to defend the integrity of world sports activities competitions and for the security of all of the members,” and that the physique was appearing with a “heavy coronary heart.” The Russian Olympic Committee slammed the IOC determination, saying it “contradicts each the regulatory paperwork of the IOC and the [Olympic] Constitution.”
12:17 p.m. Mastercard says it has blocked a number of monetary establishments from its cost community on account of sanctions imposed on Russia over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
11:08 a.m. Taiwan will be part of strikes to dam some Russian banks from the SWIFT worldwide funds system, the federal government says, including that it has despatched humanitarian help to Ukraine in a present of assist for the worldwide “democratic camp.” Because it joins many Western and different democracies in sanctioning Russia, Taiwan can also be voicing sympathy for the Ukrainian individuals, drawing parallels with what it views as Beijing’s threats in opposition to the island. Premier Su Tseng-chang advised reporters Taiwan’s sanctions determination was in lock-step with its democratic companions world wide, including that the federal government will “cooperate” with what Western nations have determined relating to SWIFT.
9:30 a.m. Soccer’s FIFA and UEFA have suspended Russia’s nationwide groups and golf equipment from worldwide competitions, becoming a member of the governing our bodies of different sports activities which have made related strikes in protest of Russia’s army assault on Ukraine. It’s now possible Russia might be excluded from this yr’s World Cup and the ladies’s Euro 2022 match.
7:55 a.m. Turkey has warned all nations to not ship warships by key passages to the Black Sea after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated the nation would take motion primarily based on a 1936 settlement to “cease escalation” in Ukraine. Learn right here.
6:44 a.m. A no-fly zone over Ukraine is “not a good suggestion,” White Home press secretary Jen Psaki says.
“What that may require is implementation by the U.S. army,” Psaki says. “It will primarily imply the U.S. army could be capturing down planes — Russian planes. That’s undoubtedly escalatory. That will doubtlessly put us into a spot the place we’re in … a army battle with Russia. That’s not one thing the president desires to do.”
“We aren’t going to have a army warfare with Russia with U.S. troops,” she says.
6:33 a.m. Shell will exit its joint ventures with Gazprom, together with a 27.5% % stake in Sakhalin-2. Learn right here.
4:15 a.m. The U.S. has moved to expel a dozen Russian diplomats to the United Nations over nationwide safety considerations.
Russia’s ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, tells reporters that the unidentified officers have been ordered to go away by March 7.
He describes the transfer as “unhappy information” and one other demonstration of “gross disrespect” by the U.S. relating to its commitments as host of U.N. headquarters in New York.
The American aspect calls the 12 personnel “intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who’ve abused their privileges of residency in america by participating in espionage actions which are adversarial to our nationwide safety.”
“We’re taking this motion in accordance with the UN Headquarters Settlement,” the U.S. assertion says. “This motion has been in improvement for a number of months.”
3:36 a.m. Microsoft broadcasts “new steps to scale back the publicity of Russian state propaganda, as nicely to make sure our personal platforms don’t inadvertently fund these operations.”
“In accordance with the EU’s latest determination, the Microsoft Begin platform (together with MSN.com) is not going to show any state-sponsored RT and Sputnik content material,” Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith writes. “We’re eradicating RT information apps from our Home windows app retailer and additional de-ranking these websites’ search outcomes on Bing so that it’s going to solely return RT and Sputnik hyperlinks when a consumer clearly intends to navigate to these pages. Lastly, we’re banning all commercials from RT and Sputnik throughout our advert community and won’t place any advertisements from our advert community on these websites.”
3:21 a.m. Russia’s central financial institution says Moscow’s inventory market is not going to open Tuesday, after it ordered the market to to not open on Monday.
2:00 a.m. Finland will ship weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. The help will consist of two,500 assault rifles, 150,000 cartridges, 1,500 single-shot anti-tank weapons and 70,000 fight ration packages, in response to the Finnish Ministry of Protection.
1:35 a.m. The preliminary spherical of peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian officers ends, in response to Russian sources. The talks will resume within the coming days after negotiators seek the advice of with management at their respective capitals, Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky says.
1:30 a.m. French President Emmanuel Macron asks Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone to finish assaults on Ukraine’s civilians and residential areas, protect civilian infrastructure, and safe most important roads. Macron suggests staying in contact to stop the state of affairs from worsening, and Putin agrees.
12:50 a.m. Switzerland says it would undertake European Union sanctions in opposition to Russians concerned within the invasion of Ukraine and freeze their property.
The alpine nation additionally adopts monetary sanctions in opposition to President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and International Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“Switzerland reaffirms its solidarity with Ukraine and its individuals; it will likely be delivering aid provides for individuals who have fled to Poland,” the federal government says.
12:20 a.m. The Worldwide Olympic Committee decides to strip President Vladimir Putin and different Russian authorities officers of the Olympic Order, the group’s highest award. The IOC additionally urges sports activities federations to exclude Russian athletes and officers from worldwide competitions and broadcasts a solidarity fund for Ukrainian athletes. The transfer follows an earlier name for sports activities our bodies to take away competitions from Russia. The Paralympics are set to start in Beijing on Friday.
Monday, Feb. 28
10:58 p.m. The U.S. shuts its embassy in Minsk and permits non-emergency staff and members of the family to depart from its embassy in Moscow. All American workers have departed Belarus, U.S ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher tweets.
“We took these steps on account of safety and security points stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified assault by Russian army forces in Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.
10:56 p.m. The referendum in Belarus to ditch its non-nuclear standing is a “drastically worrying” transfer orchestrated by the nation’s strongman chief Alexander Lukashenko, European Union international coverage chief Josep Borrell says. The vote to alter the structure, handed with 65% in response to official information, might see nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil for the primary time because the nation gave them up after the autumn of the Soviet Union.
10:20 p.m. Russia has barred airways from 36 nations together with Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and Canada from utilizing its airspace — a retaliatory transfer after sweeping sanctions focusing on its aviation sector.
9:12 p.m. Chinese language journey hailer Didi World has scrapped plans to withdraw from Russia — a choice a supply stated displays stress in China to stay by Moscow amid the Ukraine warfare.
8:45 p.m. Dozens have been killed in rocket strikes on the Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv on Monday morning, an inside ministry adviser says. “Kharkiv has simply been massively fired upon by grads (rockets). Dozens of lifeless and a whole lot of wounded,” Anton Herashchenko writes on Fb in a put up seen by Reuters.
8:30 p.m. The Russian Embassy in China posts a observe Monday night time in regards to the Feb. 25 name between Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin on the favored messaging platform WeChat, revealing extra particulars that Chinese language state broadcaster CCTV did not point out three days in the past.
The embassy stated within the put up that “Xi Jinping confused his respect for the actions taken by the Russian chief within the present disaster state of affairs.”
The put up continues: “The 2 sides assessed the present worldwide state of affairs and reaffirmed their willingness to additional shut coordination and mutual assist on the [United Nations] and different multilateral platforms. They famous that the usage of unlawful sanctions to realize the self-interested objectives of particular person nations should not be allowed.”
7:30 p.m. Talks between Ukraine and Russia are underway on the Belarusian border, a Ukrainian presidential adviser tells Reuters. The Ukrainian president’s workplace has stated the purpose is to realize a direct cease-fire and withdrawal of Russian forces.
5:00 p.m. Latvia’s parliament voted unanimously to permit its nationals to combat in Ukraine if they want, the legislative physique says. “Our residents who wish to assist Ukraine and volunteer to serve there to defend Ukraine’s independence and our widespread safety should be ready to take action,” stated Juris Rancanis, chairman of the parliamentary protection, dwelling affairs and corruption prevention fee, which drafted the regulation. Latvia, along with Baltic neighbors Estonia and Lithuania, was as soon as dominated by Moscow. The three have lengthy seen Russia as a menace, however not like Ukraine, they’ve joined the European Union and NATO, which brings safety ensures.
4:18 p.m. The Russian central financial institution raises its key rate of interest to twenty% from 9.5% in an emergency transfer, and authorities have advised export-focused firms to promote international forex because the ruble tumbled to file lows. “Exterior situations for the Russian financial system have drastically modified,” the central financial institution stated in a press release.
4:10 p.m. Singapore Airways says it would droop its flights between the city-state and Moscow efficient Monday, citing “operational causes.” In a discover to passengers, the airline says the suspension will proceed “till additional discover.” There have been three return scheduled flights per week for the route, in response to its web site.
4:00 p.m. Japanese e-commerce group Rakuten says it would permit prospects to donate their rewards factors for humanitarian help in Ukraine from as we speak by March 31. The fundraising drive follows a private donation from CEO Hiroshi Mikitani of 1 billion yen ($8.7 million). The corporate can also be accepting donations by Rakuten bank cards and transfers to its subsidiary financial institution. “The funds raised this time might be used for humanitarian help corresponding to the availability of provides corresponding to ingesting water, the availability of well being providers, and the safety of youngsters by the Ukrainian authorities and the Japan Committee for UNICEF,” Rakuten stated in a press release.
2:15 p.m. Australia points a press release saying it’s “holding Russian President Vladimir Putin to account for his egregious unjustified warfare in opposition to Ukraine.” The assertion says focused sanctions and journey bans took impact at midnight in opposition to Putin and several other high-ranking cupboard members. It notes that sanctioning a head of state is “exceedingly uncommon” and places Putin within the firm of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Canberra additionally says it’s giving $3 million to a NATO belief fund for non-lethal assist for Ukraine, and that particulars of promised “deadly” help might be forthcoming. The assertion additionally stresses assist for eradicating sure Russian banks from the SWIFT system, and vows to “take complementary steps as required.”
1:47 p.m. Australia’s A$204 billion ($147 billion) sovereign wealth fund plans to wind down its publicity to Russian-listed firms, a spokesperson tells Reuters, becoming a member of a worldwide monetary backlash following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Future Fund, which has investments unfold throughout international equities, debt, forex and infrastructure markets, says it has about 0.1% of its holdings, price about A$200 million ($144 million), in firms listed on the Russian Inventory Alternate.
12:55 p.m. The pinnacle of a Russian delegation to a digital United Nations local weather convention apologized for his nation’s invasion of Ukraine on Sunday, in response to a number of studies. “Let me current an apology on behalf of all Russians not capable of stop this battle,” the official, Oleg Anisimov, was quoted as saying. He added that he might see no justification for the assault.
12:40 p.m. Australian Protection Minister Peter Dutton hits out at China for not utilizing its affect to assist cease the warfare. “This alliance that China and Russia have entered into must be deeply disturbing to the remainder of the world,” he tells Australia’s Sky Information. “There’s one individual now, there’s one world chief that is standing out from the remaining who’re condemning President Putin and that’s President Xi [Jinping]. And President Xi has the facility and the connection with President Putin to choose up the cellphone and to instruct him to tug again and to rethink what’s a dreadful, dreadful determination.”
12:10 p.m. Russia’s forex fell 40% on Monday morning after the U.S. and main European nations moved to exclude the nation’s main banks from the SWIFT international cost system. The ruble declined to a file low of 117.75 to the greenback from 83.75 on Friday, in response to Bloomberg information.
11:30 a.m. Google confirms it has quickly disabled for Ukraine some Google Maps instruments that present dwell details about site visitors situations and the way busy varied places are. The corporate says it took the motion of worldwide disabling Google Maps’ site visitors layer and dwell data on how busy locations like shops and eating places are in Ukraine for the security of native communities within the nation.
7:35 a.m. Within the newest European transfer towards monetary decoupling with Russia, Norway’s authorities says it would name on the nation’s oil fund to instantly freeze all Russian investments and make sure that it sells these holdings.
7:09 a.m. The Worldwide Chess Federation (FIDE) broadcasts that it’s going to not maintain official competitions and occasions in Russia and Belarus, is not going to permit the usage of Russian and Belarusian flags and nationwide anthems at FIDE-rated worldwide chess occasions, and can finish sponsorship agreements with “any Belarusian and Russian sanctioned and/or state-controlled firms.”
The federation says it “condemns any public assertion from any member of the chess neighborhood which helps unjustified army motion and brings the case of chess grandmasters Sergey Karjakin and Sergey Shipov to the Ethics and Disciplinary Fee,” elevating the potential for penalizing them for supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
7:04 a.m. Aeroflot says it would cancel all flights to Europe, Reuters studies.
6:55 a.m. The Polish Soccer Affiliation blasts worldwide soccer governing physique FIFA for not taking stronger motion in opposition to Russia over Ukraine.
“If FIFA’s Human Rights Coverage is extra than simply phrases on a paper now could be the time to place it into observe by excluding the Russian Soccer Affiliation from the qualifiers for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022,” writes Cezary Kulesza, president of the Polish affiliation, in a press release.
FIFA’s preliminary measures embrace forbidding worldwide competitions from being held on Russian territory, with “dwelling” matches being performed on impartial territory and with out spectators. Russia will compete underneath the title “Soccer Union of Russia,” and the nation’s flag and nationwide anthem can’t be used.
However “on account of the brutal aggression of the Russian Federation in opposition to Ukraine and the warfare that continues there, we don’t see any chance of competing with the Russian nationwide group in playoff matches for promotion to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 whatever the title of the group consisting of Russian footballers and the place of the match,” Kulesza writes.
4:40 a.m. The White Home is urging China to take a firmer stance in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“This isn’t a time to face on the sidelines,” press secretary Jen Psaki tells MSNBC. “This can be a time to be vocal and condemn the actions of President Putin and Russia in invading a sovereign nation.”
In the meantime, U.S. and NATO officers have condemned Putin’s order to place Russian nuclear forces on excessive alert.
2:56 a.m. BP says it would exit its 20% stake in Russian state oil firm Rosneft. BP says it would now not report reserves, manufacturing or revenue from Rosneft, and its chief government, Bernard Looney, will instantly resign the Rosneft board. Learn extra.
2:38 a.m. In a delayed assertion, international ministers of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations have expressed concern over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, however with out condemning Moscow’s transfer. Learn extra.
1:40 a.m. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Fee, says European Union airspace is shut right down to Russian flights, together with non-public jets of Russian oligarchs.
1:28 a.m. Extra European nations are closing their skies to Russian flights. Since this put up by Flightradar24, Spain and Portugal have joined the record.
12:30 a.m. Talks between Russia and Ukraine haven’t but begun, because the negotiators are simply arriving on the venue, Interfax studies, citing the Russian International Ministry.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that “all plane, helicopters and missiles” deployed in Belarus will stay on the bottom in the course of the talks, Interfax studies.
Sunday, Feb. 27
11:05 p.m. Ukraine and Russia have agreed to unconditional talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.
Officers from each side have agreed to fulfill as Russian forces proceed their marketing campaign.
State tv in Belarus additionally studies on the settlement. President Alexander Lukashenko has sought to dealer the talks.
10:00 p.m. Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani broadcasts that he and his household would make a private donation of 1 billion yen ($8.7 million) for humanitarian help to the Ukrainian authorities. The pinnacle of the Japanese conglomerate despatched a private letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he was “deeply saddened” by information of Russia’s army assault in opposition to the nation. Rakuten’s Viber messaging app is extensively utilized in Ukraine.
9:25 p.m. Japan will be part of the worldwide effort to dam some Russian banks from the worldwide SWIFT cost system, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida broadcasts. He tells reporters that Japan additionally plans to freeze property held by Russian President Vladimir Putin and different officers.
9:10 p.m. Israel’s military radio studies that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has proposed to Putin that his nation might mediate within the disaster.
8:20 p.m. Hungary’s international minister says 66,000 individuals have crossed into the nation from Ukraine in latest days. The United Nations says the whole refugee outflow has hit 368,000 and “continues to rise.”
8:10 p.m. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his nation has submitted an utility in opposition to Russia to the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice.
7:45 p.m. Germany will increase protection spending to over 2% of gross home product in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz says throughout a particular parliament session. He says that is wanted to guard Germany’s “freedom and democracy.” The 2022 funds will embrace 100 billion euros for the army.
The nation has resisted calls from different Western powers to hike protection outlays, partly on account of its personal twentieth century historical past. However the Ukraine warfare seems to be forcing a change of coronary heart. The Scholz authorities has additionally damaged with a coverage of not delivering weapons to battle zones, agreeing to ship Ukraine anti-tank weapons, missiles and ammunition.
6:35 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the Worldwide Judo Federation, the game’s governing physique broadcasts, “in gentle of the continued warfare battle in Ukraine.”
6:03 p.m. The U.Okay. says Moscow should withdraw its troops earlier than trying to carry talks. “They can’t negotiate with a gun to the pinnacle of the Ukrainians,” international secretary Liz Truss says.
5:48 p.m. Finland is about to shut its airspace to Russian planes, its minister of transport says. Another European nations, together with Lithuania and Latvia, have additionally stated they are going to do that, whereas Germany stated it was getting ready to take action.
4:40 p.m. A Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus for talks with Ukraine, a Kremlin spokesperson was quoted by the Ifax information company as saying on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the supply, saying Belarus itself was complicit within the Russian invasion, however he appears to go away the door open to negotiations in different places, in response to Reuters.
2:56 p.m. Russian troops have entered the town of Kharkiv, in response to an adviser to Ukraine’s inside minister.
1:15 p.m. Australia will present “deadly help” to Ukraine by NATO companions, particularly the U.S. and U.Okay., Prime Minister Scott Morrison says. “We’ll be working by these channels as a result of that is the best strategy to do it,” Morrison is quoted as saying by nationwide broadcaster ABC. The report says the help is more likely to take the type of monetary contributions to weapons provides, slightly than direct shipments of arms. Canberra had beforehand promised nonlethal help together with army and medical tools.
11:45 a.m. Russian troops have blown up a pure gasoline pipeline within the Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv, in response to Ukraine’s state service of particular communications and data safety. A video posted on Telegram confirmed a mushroom-shaped explosion. It was unclear what function the pipeline performed and whether or not its destruction might disrupt gasoline provides past the town or nation.
11:07 a.m. Here is our explainer of what Russia’s elimination from the SWIFT worldwide funds system means.
10:55 a.m. Russian missiles have hit the Ukrainian city of Vasylkiv southwest of the capital, Kyiv, setting an oil terminal ablaze, the city’s mayor stated in a video posted on-line.
10:53 a.m. Former U.S. President Donald Trump condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stated he was praying for Ukrainians, marking a shift of tone from earlier this week when he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.
9:05 a.m. Japan will coordinate carefully with its G-7 counterparts in deciding whether or not to impose additional sanctions in opposition to Russia, International Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi says.
Former International Minister Taro Kono asks in a tweet why Japan hasn’t joined the West’s elimination of Russia from SWIFT.
7:43 a.m. The USA, Britain, Europe and Canada on Saturday moved to dam Russia’s entry to the SWIFT worldwide cost system as a part of one other spherical of sanctions in opposition to Moscow because it continues its assault in opposition to Ukraine. The measures, which can even embrace restriction on the Russian central financial institution’s worldwide reserves, might be applied within the coming days, the nations stated in a joint assertion.
5:22 a.m. Chelsea proprietor Roman Abramovich has given trustees of the London soccer group’s basis stewardship of the Premier League membership, the Russian billionaire says, amid calls within the U.Okay. that he be sanctioned over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich, who purchased the London membership in 2003, says the muse was within the “finest place to take care of the pursuits” of the membership. Abramovich stays the membership proprietor and a press release didn’t reveal why he was giving the muse stewardship nor any element on how the association would work.
4:20 a.m. An adviser to President Zelenskyy says Russia’s assault on Kyiv shouldn’t be advancing and that about 3,500 Russian troopers had been killed or injured to date in Moscow’s assault. “We’re hanging the enemy round Kyiv. The enemy shouldn’t be shifting for now,” says Oleksiy Arestovych.
3:55 a.m. YouTube suspends a number of Russian channels, together with state-funded media outlet RT, from producing income on the positioning, following an identical transfer by Fb proprietor Meta Platforms. “In gentle of extraordinary circumstances in Ukraine … we’re pausing quite a few channels’ means to monetize on YouTube, together with a number of Russian channels affiliated with latest sanctions,” YouTube stated in a press release.
2:31 a.m. Britain’s Prince William and his spouse Kate say they stand with the individuals of Ukraine as they “bravely combat” the invasion by Russia, in a uncommon public remark for British royals on political points.
The British royal household don’t often touch upon main political issues, sticking to a constitutional norm that they need to stay impartial. Nonetheless, William’s youthful brother Harry and his spouse Meghan, who’ve stepped down from royal duties to maneuver to Los Angeles, stated on their web site on Thursday that additionally they stood with the Ukrainian individuals “in opposition to this breach of worldwide and humanitarian regulation.”
2:05 a.m. Berlin will provide Ukraine with defensive anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles and ammunition, in a shift of coverage as Russia’s forces continued to pound Kyiv and different cities on day three of its marketing campaign. After dealing with criticism for refusing to ship weapons to Kyiv, not like different Western allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Berlin will provide Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr shares. Germany additionally approves the supply of 400 rocket-propelled grenades from the Netherlands to Ukraine. International locations aiming to move on German weapons exports want to use for approval in Berlin first.
1:18 a.m. Germany pulls an about face over restrictions on Russian entry to the SWIFT international interbank cost system, becoming a member of different Western powers in assist of harsher sanctions geared toward halting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We’re urgently engaged on the best way to restrict the collateral injury of decoupling from SWIFT in such a manner that it impacts the proper individuals. What we’d like is a focused and practical restriction of SWIFT,” German International Minister Annalena Baerbock and Financial system Minister Robert Habeck say.
12:30 a.m. 5 Chinese language lecturers from distinguished universities condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a uncommon occasion of high-standing professors going in opposition to the federal government line.
“We strongly oppose Russia’s warfare on Ukraine,” the professors say. “We firmly assist the actions of the Ukrainian individuals to defend their nation. We’re involved that Russia’s acts of drive will result in turmoil in Europe and the whole world, and set off wider humanitarian disasters.”
The assertion is signed by Solar Jiang of Nanjing College, Wang Lixin of Peking College, Xu Guoqi, of the College of Hong Kong, Zhong Weimin, of Tsinghua College, and Chen Yan of Fudan College.
The assertion was launched on WeChat, however has been eliminated by the platform.
Saturday, Feb. 26
11:53 p.m. Russian forces have gotten more and more pissed off by what the U.S. believes is “viable” Ukrainian resistance, a U.S. protection official says. “We all know that they haven’t made the progress that they’ve wished to make, significantly within the north. They’ve been pissed off by what they’ve seen is a really decided resistance,” the official tells Reuters, with out offering proof.
11:15 p.m. France seizes a automobile cargo ship within the English Channel that Washington says was linked to the son of a former Russian spy chief, in one of many first seen shows of the West imposing sanctions on Moscow over its Ukraine invasion. The Baltic Chief was headed for St. Petersburg however was diverted to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, Captain Veronique Magnin of the French Maritime Prefecture tells Reuters. The vessel was “strongly suspected of being linked to Russian pursuits focused by the sanctions,” she says.
10:45 p.m. President Joe Biden instructed the U.S. State Division to launch as much as an extra $350 million price of weapons from U.S. shares to Ukraine on Friday because it struggles to repulse a Russian invasion, Reuters studies. Ukraine has been asking for Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles to shoot down plane.
10:32 p.m. Hungary is accepting all Ukrainian residents and authorized residents, no matter whether or not they’re topic to army conscription into the Ukrainian armed forces, Prime Minister Viktor Orban tells a information convention. “We’re letting everybody in,” Orban says. “I’ve seen individuals who haven’t any journey paperwork, however we’re offering them too with journey paperwork. And we’re additionally permitting in those that have arrived from third nations after the correct screening.”
6:15 p.m. Moscow will reply to the seizure of cash held overseas by its residents and corporations by seizing the funds of foreigners and international firms in Russia, the RIA information company quoted Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Safety Council of Russia, as saying on Saturday. Russia doesn’t rule out nationalizing the property of firms registered within the U.S., EU and different “unfriendly jurisdictions,” Medvedev was quoted as saying.
5:47 p.m. Russia’s communications regulator accused 10 native media shops on Saturday of falsely depicting what Russia calls a particular army operation in Ukraine and distributing false details about occasions there. Amongst these despatched warning letters have been Echo Moskvy, a well-liked radio station, and Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper important of the federal government whose editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize final yr. Roskomnadzor, the regulator, ordered the media to delete the offending data or face restricted entry to their web sites and media assets.
5:28 p.m. At the very least 198 Ukrainians, together with three kids, have been killed on account of the Russian invasion, the pinnacle of the Ukrainian Well being Ministry was quoted by the Interfax information company as saying on Saturday. He stated 1,115 individuals have been wounded, together with 33 kids. It was unclear whether or not he was referring solely to civilian casualties.
5:04 p.m. The Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow’s workers is evacuating to Latvia, the Latvian international ministry tells Reuters. “It was their plea, we readily agreed. We’re helping them within the course of and assist with settling down,” Latvian international ministry spokesperson Janis Bekeris says. He declined to say whether or not the embassy workers had already arrived in Latvia, citing safety considerations.
2:00 p.m. Zelenskyy was requested by the U.S. to go away Kyiv, however declined, in response to The Related Press. “The combat is right here; I would like ammunition, not a journey,” he’s quoted as saying by an American intelligence official, who describes the president as upbeat regardless of obvious Russian strikes to encircle the capital.
1:47 p.m. After suggesting Chinese language nationals show their nation’s flag of their automobiles for cover in Ukraine two days in the past, China’s embassy within the nation is now urging its individuals to not reveal their id or give any figuring out indicators. The message was despatched by a WeChat put up, citing “more and more excessive habits” in Ukraine.
11:42 a.m. Russian troops attacked a military base positioned on a most important avenue within the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv however the assault was repelled, the Ukrainian army says.
Individually, the Interfax Ukraine company says Russian troopers have been attempting to seize one of many metropolis’s electrical energy producing stations.
9:26 a.m. The U.S. authorities joins European nations in slapping sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and International Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“President Putin and Minister Lavrov are instantly liable for Russia’s unprovoked and illegal additional invasion of Ukraine, a democratic sovereign state,” the Treasury Division stated in a press release.
8:15 a.m. Zelenskyy has requested Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to mediate within the battle with Russia, Reuters studies, citing the Ukrainian envoy to Israel stated.
7:54 a.m. Russia vetoed a Western-led U.N. Safety Council decision condemning its invasion of Ukraine by voting in opposition to it. India, China, and the United Arab Emirates abstained. There have been 11 votes in favor.
“You can’t veto the reality,” the U.S. consultant says.
7:25 a.m. The U.S. tables a decision on the U.N. Safety Council with an enchantment: “Vote no, or abstain, if you don’t assist the constitution and align yourselves with the aggressive and unprovoked actions of Russia. Simply as Russia had a alternative, so do you.”
6:53 a.m. The sports activities world is grappling with the best way to react to Russia’s invasion. UEFA has moved the Champions League ultimate from St. Petersburg to Paris, and System 1 has canceled its Russian Grand Prix race.
The Worldwide Olympic Committee has urged sports activities our bodies to cancel or relocate occasions in Russia and Belarus. World championships for hockey, volleyball, and capturing are all at present scheduled to be held in Russia.
Russian and NHL hockey star Alex Ovechkin has made an anti-war plea to the media. “Please. No extra warfare. It does not matter who’s within the warfare — Russia, Ukraine, totally different nations — we’ve got to dwell in peace,” he says.
The F1 Russian Grand Prix is not going to be held, and soccer’s UEFA Champions League ultimate has been relocated.
5:40 a.m. All eyes are on China and India forward of a United Nations Safety Council assembly. The council is meant to vote on a Western-led decision on the state of affairs in Ukraine. Russia is predicted to veto, placing the eye on how China and India vote.
The assembly has been delayed by a “language discrepancy” between the U.S. and an essential associate.
4:50 a.m. A Russian warning on any strikes to incorporate Finland and Sweden in NATO has raised eyebrows.
“Their accession to NATO can have detrimental penalties,” Russian international ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated in a information convention, including that there may very well be “army and political penalties.”
3:11 a.m. Chinese language International Minister Wang Yi has spoken with European counterparts on Ukraine and detailed China’s place on the matter.
China “firmly advocates respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and earnestly abides by the needs and rules of the UN Constitution,” in response to a information launch by the Chinese language Ministry of International Affairs. “This place is constant and clear, and it applies equally to Ukraine.”
Given a long time of NATO eastward enlargement, Russia’s “legit safety calls for must be taken significantly and correctly addressed,” however that the present state of affairs in Ukraine is “one thing we don’t wish to see,” the assertion says.
3:00 a.m. Zelenskyy holds a dialogue with U.S. President Joe Biden relating to U.S. and allied assist for Ukraine.
2:15 a.m. Zelenskyy posts a video from the federal government quarter in Kyiv following hypothesis in Russian media that he had fled.
“We’re right here. We’re in Kyiv. We’re defending Ukraine,” he says within the video.
Zelenskyy stands with different officers, considered one of whom — the prime minister — reveals his cellphone to show that it is present.
1:25 a.m. Consensus amongst EU nations stays elusive on the severity of economic sanctions, together with the choice of banning Russia from the SWIFT international interbank system.
In a gathering of European ministers of financial system and finance in Paris, France’s Bruno Le Maire maintains that “all of the choices are on the desk.”
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner expresses cautious openness to a SWIFT ban.
“We’re open, however it’s a must to know what you are doing,” Lindner tells reporters.
1:15 a.m. “NATO ought to have taken a extra decisive step” in response to the Ukraine disaster, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tells reporters after Friday prayers, including that Ukraine wants extra than simply “recommendation” from Western capitals.
“And not using a decided stance, a state of affairs emerges described by [Ukrainian] President Zelenskyy as ‘They’re solely giving us recommendation, no assist,’ which is in opposition to friendship and solidarity.”
12:50 a.m. The European Union plans to freeze property of Russian President Putin and his international minister, Sergey Lavrov, The Washington Put up and different media report, citing individuals accustomed to the talks.
“What’s essential as we speak is that Mr. Putin and Mr. Lavrov, who’re liable for this case, will now be severely sanctioned by the European Union,” German International Minister Annalena Baerbock says.
12:20 a.m. U.Okay. International Secretary Liz Truss urges Chinese language counterpart Wang Yi to “rise up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Friday, Feb. 25
8:40 p.m. Chinese language President Xi Jinping tells Russian President Vladimir Putin that China helps resolving the Ukraine subject by negotiation. Xi says China maintains a constant fundamental place on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and abiding by the needs and rules of the United Nations constitution, in response to a tweet by the state-run World Occasions.
A report on the talks by China’s CCTV says Putin defined the historic background and the standing of Russia’s army operation, stressing that the U.S. and NATO had ignored Russia’s considerations. The report says Russia is keen to carry high-level talks with Ukraine. In line with the state broadcaster, Xi stated China would resolve its place primarily based on the deserves of the Ukraine subject itself.
6:40 p.m. Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, praises Japan’s “swift and sure” sanctions in opposition to Russia for invading Ukraine, warning {that a} lack of a coordinated response might threaten stability in Asia. “It must be famous why the nations within the Indo-Pacific led by Japan however together with Australia and New Zealand, South Korea have spoken up,” Emanuel says in a press convention on the International Correspondents’ Membership of Japan. “As a result of whether or not it is in Europe or right here within the Indo-Pacific, there are fundamental tenets and rules that uphold the system.”
5:00 p.m. Japan’s Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani says the corporate will present coupons for Ukrainian customers to make free worldwide calls with its Viber Out service. Viber, which the Japanese e-commerce group acquired in 2014, has 96% market penetration in Ukraine. “A social platform is what we’re pursuing … so we hope a democratic authorities might be maintained,” Mikitani stated throughout a Friday information convention in Tokyo.
4:33 p.m. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan expresses concern over the financial fallout of the Ukraine battle on creating nations throughout a gathering with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Khan was the primary world chief to fulfill Putin since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine, having arrived in Moscow for a beforehand deliberate go to simply hours earlier than the assault started.
4:24 p.m. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin mentioned methods to guard bilateral ties in response to sanctions in opposition to Russia, Tokayev’s workplace says. Kazakhstan is carefully allied with Russia and leads financial and army blocs tied to Moscow. The Kazakh tenge has plummeted together with the ruble since Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday.
3:00 p.m. Just a few dozen demonstrators gathered in entrance of the Russian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, to protest in opposition to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine. The protesters from multinational backgrounds held up placards calling on Russia and President Vladimir Putin to cease the aggression. Ukrainian members sang their nationwide anthem in solidarity with their nation.
2:15 p.m. U.S. wheat futures hit their highest in practically 14 years as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stokes fears of disruptions within the provide of grain from the important thing Black Sea area. Probably the most lively CBOT Could wheat contract was up 0.9% at $9.43 a bushel, after peaking at $9.60-3/4 earlier within the session, its highest since June 2008.
Wheat’s sharp features over the previous few days spotlight that the market sees a excessive probability of wheat from Russia being largely sanctioned off market, stated Tobin Gorey, director of agricultural technique on the Commonwealth Financial institution of Australia, in response to Reuters.
10:50 a.m. Australia imposes extra sanctions in opposition to Russia, focusing on a number of of its elite residents and lawmakers. Prime Minister Scott Morrison additionally says it’s “unacceptable” that China was easing commerce restrictions with Moscow on the time when it invaded Ukraine.
10:38 a.m. Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang says the island will be part of democratic nations in placing sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, though he didn’t give particulars, Reuters studies.
9:57 a.m. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says the nation will impose further sanctions on Russia, together with restrictions on chip exports. “The Ukraine invasion by Russia is a severe subject affecting worldwide order that features not solely Europe but in addition Asia,” Kishida advised reporters in a information convention.
8:00 a.m. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talks with Indian Exterior Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar after President Joe Biden stated Washington had not but labored out its coordination with New Delhi on the Ukraine battle.
“Secretary Blinken confused the significance of a powerful collective response to sentence Russia’s invasion and name for a direct withdrawal and cease-fire,” in response to a press release by State Division spokesman Ned Value.
Neither aspect supplied particulars on what, if something, the highest diplomats agreed on.
7:00 a.m. U.S. markets swing wildly in response to the Ukraine battle, establishing a turbulent buying and selling day in Asia. The S&P 500 index closes with a acquire after taking an early dive.
6:10 a.m. The European Council “condemns within the strongest attainable phrases the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified army aggression in opposition to Ukraine.”
5:50 a.m. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi tells Putin in a cellphone name that NATO’s enlargement is a “severe menace” to the area’s safety and stability, Reuters studies, citing the semiofficial Nour Information.
5:20 a.m. The Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company points a press release on the state of affairs in Ukraine: “Concerning the state of affairs on the Chernobyl Nuclear Energy Plant, Ukraine has knowledgeable the IAEA that ‘unidentified armed forces’ have taken management of all amenities of the State Specialised Enterprise Chernobyl NPP, positioned inside the exclusion zone. The counterpart added that there had been no casualties nor destruction on the industrial website. Director Basic [Rafael] Grossi stated it’s of significant significance that the protected and safe operations of the nuclear amenities in that zone shouldn’t be affected or disrupted in any manner.”
5:00 a.m. Responding to the Russian assault, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Putin by phone to enchantment for “a direct cessation of violence,” in response to the prime minister’s workplace. Learn right here.
4:50 a.m. U.S. President Joe Biden broadcasts new sanctions in opposition to Russia following the invasion, attempting to cripple the nation’s means to conduct enterprise with the world and in the end stress the Russian president to reverse course. “Putin is the aggressor. Putin selected this warfare, and now he and his nation will bear the implications,” Biden tells a information convention. Learn right here.
Thursday, Feb. 24
11:15 p.m. Leaders from the Group of Seven superior economies maintain an emergency digital assembly, agreeing to carry ahead “extreme and coordinated financial and monetary sanctions” in opposition to Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
“This disaster is a severe menace to the rules-based worldwide order, with ramifications nicely past Europe,” they are saying in a joint assertion issued after the summit. “We name on the Russian Federation to cease the bloodshed, to instantly de-escalate and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.” Learn right here.
11:00 p.m. Whereas the battle unfolds in Ukraine, in Asia, Taiwan says it had scrambled jets in response to Chinese language plane coming into its air protection zone.
9:05 p.m. China’s embassy in Ukraine notifies Chinese language nationals there that given the quickly worsening state of affairs, the embassy is getting ready constitution planes to fly again residents in batches. The deadline to use for a spot is midnight on Feb. 27.
9:01 p.m. In Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s first feedback on the Ukraine battle, he says, “We discover the army operation unacceptable and reject it.”
“This step is in opposition to worldwide regulation and strikes heavy blow to the area’s peace tranquillity and stability,” Erdogan says in a televised speech, including, “We’re saddened that Russia and Ukraine, each pleasant nations with which we’ve got shut political financial and social relations, are dealing with off one another.”
5:10 p.m. “Whether or not or not Putin deepens the disaster with an extra shock and awe assault to conduct a regime change in Kyiv or decides to consolidate his conquests within the southeast of Ukraine, there might be a sequence of great impacts in Asia,” writes Adm. James Stavridis, the sixteenth supreme allied commander of NATO. Learn his op-ed right here.
12:02 p.m. Putin addresses Russians in a televised speech, saying a “particular army operation” is underway in Ukraine. He says the purpose is to not occupy the nation however “demilitarize” it.