As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its second month, here’s the most recent headlines…
• World leaders have been holding a spherical of emergency summits in Brussels. NATO, the European Council and the G7 are reportedly seeking to unify their response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US has introduced new sanctions on Russia, in addition to assistance for Ukrainian refugees.
• In a late-night video tackle to the EU Council in Brussels, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Europe for uniting in their support for Ukraine and outlined Russia’s destruction of his country.
• He then advised European leaders they had acted too late in stopping Russia. He stated that by not sanctioning Moscow and blocking the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline earlier, Europe was “a little too late” to cease Russia’s invasion. He claimed that “Russia would not have created a fuel crisis” if they had acted sooner.
“You have utilized sanctions. We are grateful. These are powerful steps. But it was a little late… there was an opportunity.”
• Notably, Zelensky did not repeat his request for a no-fly zone, but called for better air defenses and further military assistance. He also pleaded for his country’s entry into the EU, asking neighbouring nations to approve Ukraine’s request to join union.
“Here I ask you: don’t be late.”
• Speaking to Mere , Zelensky implored member nations to impose a “full embargo” on trade with Russia, in addition to ensure safety guarantees for Ukraine.
• Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden says Nato has by no means been extra united. He describing this as the other of what President Putin anticipated. He also informed world leaders in that the US would “respond” if Russia uses chemical or organic weapons in Ukraine.
“The single most important thing if for us to stay unified, and the world continue to give attention to what a brute this man [Putin] is, and all of the innocent peoples’ lives are being misplaced and ruined, and what’s happening. That’s the necessary factor.”
“But look, if you’re Putin, and also you suppose that Europe is going to crack, in a month or six weeks or two months, why not… they will take something for an additional month. But we now have to demonstrate — the explanation I requested for the assembly — we now have to remain fully, completely, thoroughly united.”
• At the Nato summit, Biden introduced new sanctions on Russian politicians in addition to a plan to accept up to a hundred,000 refugees within the US. He additionally mentioned he was in favour of eradicating Russia from the G20, which is scheduled to meet in November.
• Also on the emergency summit, Nato’s Jens Stoltenberg said 4 new battlegroups are being be sent to allies Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.
• European fuel prices have continued to soar, after Moscow insisted that future deliveries of Russian gasoline be paid for in ruble. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister urged Europe to disregard the request.
• According to a US official, Ukrainian navy is pushing again Russian forces round Kyiv. The Russians at the moment are taking on defensive positions northwest of the capital, a month after their invasion of Ukraine.
• The Ukrainian Navy has mentioned it destroyed massive Russian vessel and broken two others within the occupied port of Berdyansk on the Azov Sea near the besieged metropolis of Mariupol.
• Officials say Russia and Ukraine held their first formal prisoner swap because the warfare began.
• Intense fight continues in around Kyiv. Ukrainian forces have retaken territory to the east of the capital, where they’ve pushed again Russian forces.
• Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their assault on the port metropolis of Mariupol, the place local leaders say they need artillery and anti-tank missiles.
• In Kharkiv, six individuals have been killed when a missile hit a shopping mall parking lot, the place civilians had lined up inside to obtain humanitarian aid.
• Elsewhere, the council deputy of Izyum says Russian artillery and plane has “completely destroyed” his town.
• According to the UN, the civilian death toll in Ukraine has exceeded 1,000. They warn that “the precise figures are significantly higher.” They reported that casualties have been brought on by explosives, corresponding to missiles and air strikes. Of the confirmed casualties, ninety are kids.
• Meanwhile, the UN estimates that more 3.6 million individuals have fled Ukraine since the invasion started one month ago. The majority of people have reportedly fled to neighboring Poland..