Ukraine: Russia reacts to sanctions from US, EU, others: live updates
Nations tightened the vise round Russia’s economic system on Monday, saying new sanctions on its central financial institution and people, with even Switzerland breaking its impartial stance to hitch the EU in is actions.
The strikes got here as Ukrainian and Russian delegations met on the Belarusian border for his or her first direct talks since Russia’s invasion started on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace stated it will demand an instantaneous cease-fire.
In response to Russia’s invasion, the U.N. was assembly in two separate boards: The Common Meeting gathered for less than its eleventh emergency assembly, and the 15-member Safety Council got here collectively once more to debate the disaster in Ukraine.
Battered by international sanctions, Russia’s Central Financial institution dramatically hiked rates of interest to attempt to sluggish the ruble’s plunge.
Russia’s standard army assault on Ukraine moved towards the top of its fourth day with combating within the streets of the nation’s second-largest metropolis, Kharkiv, and troops transferring nearer to the capital Kyiv.
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FACT CHECK: What’s true and what’s false in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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Zelenskyy asks European Union to grant Ukraine speedy membership
Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy has formally made his enchantment for membership into the European Union.
Zelenskyy signed an software to grant Ukraine membership within the EU on Monday after urging the union publicly to expedite the method underneath a particular process.
The request got here after the European Union introduced new actions in opposition to Russia, together with plans to shut its airspace to Russian airways, bankroll weapons for Ukraine and ban pro-Kremlin media retailers.
— Rick Rouan
Extra:Mapping and monitoring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russian forces inside 15 miles of Kyiv’s metropolis heart
The principle Russian power has superior slowly within the final 24 hours to inside about 15 miles of Kyiv’s metropolis heart as they proceed to face stiff Ukrainian opposition and their very own logistical issues.
Ukrainian forces have attacked Russian troops and fight automobiles with small arms and surface-to-air missiles, a senior Protection Division official instructed reporters on Monday. The official mentioned the army operations on situation of anonymity. Ukrainians have additionally blunted the Russian advance by blowing up bridges, the official stated.
Since Sunday, the Russians have moved about three miles nearer to the Ukrainian capital, the official stated. They seem intent on encircling town. Practically 75% of the fight troops Russian President Vladimir Putin deployed for the battle are inside Ukraine.
In the meantime, Russian automobiles have been operating out of fuel, the official stated. It’s unclear if that represents a failure of Russian officers to plan or their troops’ incapacity to execute it.
Russia has additionally failed to regulate Ukraine’s airspace, with Ukrainian forces nonetheless capable of fly warplanes and function anti-aircraft missiles.
The heaviest combating is centered round Kharkiv, the official stated. The Russians seem aimed toward securing that metropolis, Ukraine’s second largest after Kyiv, and connecting with a power close to Mariupol within the south. That might sever japanese Ukraine from the remainder of the nation.
— Tom Vanden Brook
House Company: Mission with Russia “unlikely”
BERLIN — The European House Company says the deliberate launch of a joint mission with Russia to Mars this 12 months is now “impossible” as a consequence of sanctions linked to the battle in Ukraine.
Following a gathering of officers from its 22 member states Monday, the company stated in an announcement that it was assessing the results of sanctions for its cooperation with Russia’s Roscosmos area company.
“Relating to the ExoMars program continuation, the sanctions and the broader context make a launch in 2022 impossible,” it stated.
The launch was already postponed from 2020 as a result of coronavirus outbreak and technical issues.
The mission’s purpose is to place a lander on the crimson planet to assist decide whether or not there has ever been life on Mars.
On Saturday, Roscosmos stated it was pulling its personnel from the European area port in Kourou, French Guiana.
— Related Press
Truth verify roundup:What’s true and what’s false in regards to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Ruble-to-bitcoin trades surge after sanctions crater Russian foreign money
Holders of Russian foreign money are turning to bitcoin because the ruble cratered within the aftermath of worldwide sanctions which have reduce off Russia from western monetary establishments.
Coindesk, a cryptocurrency information group, reported a spike on Monday in buying and selling quantity between the Russian ruble and bitcoin. Buying and selling volumes have hit a nine-month excessive, based on Coindesk.
The rise got here after the U.S., European allies and different nations across the globe imposed monetary sanctions which have crippled Russia’s economic system in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The worth of the ruble in contrast with the U.S. greenback has plunged because the announcement of these sanctions.
— Rick Rouan
Kremlin: Sanctions ‘problematic,’ worsened economic system
On the outset of a brewing monetary disaster, the Kremlin conceded Monday that Western sanctions had been affecting the economic system however remained assured results may very well be dampened.
“The financial actuality has significantly modified,” Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, stated throughout a press name with reporters, based on Reuters and CNN. “These are heavy sanctions, they’re problematic, however Russia has the potential to offset the hurt.”
“Russia has been planning for fairly a very long time for doable sanctions, together with probably the most extreme ones. There are response plans, they had been developed and are being applied as issues seem,” Peskov stated.
He added that sanctions on Russian elites and Russian President Vladimir Putin himself had been “pointless.”
On Monday, the worth of Russia’s foreign money, the ruble, tumbled. The Russian Central Financial institution stopped the Moscow Change, Russia’s inventory market, from opening after a number of days of extreme losses. The Central Financial institution additionally elevated rates of interest from 9.5% to twenty% in a bid to cease financial institution runs. It additionally started shopping for gold once more on its home market.
– Matthew Brown
EU Overseas Affairs chief: ‘Sanctions have a price’
“This isn’t a free lunch. Sanctions will backlash. Sanctions have a price,” Josep Borrell, vice chairman of the European Fee, stated Monday. Borrell stated you will need to “clarify to public opinion” the prices of sanctions on the worldwide economic system.
“We’ve got to be able to pay this value now as a result of if not, we must pay a a lot greater value sooner or later,” Borrell continued. He famous there can be turbulence in international power markets that will particularly impression Europe within the quick time period, which the EU and U.S. are working to mitigate.
Whereas the U.S. is extra insulated from the financial ache of isolating Russia than Europe, President Joe Biden has additionally cautioned People that the sanctions may have ripple results for the U.S. economic system that might be felt within the inventory market and power costs
– Matthew Brown
Study extra:Mapping and monitoring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
IOC requires exclusion of athletes from Russia, Belarus
GENEVA – In a sweeping transfer to isolate and condemn Russia after invading Ukraine, the Worldwide Olympic Committee urged sports activities our bodies on Monday to exclude the nation’s athletes and officers from worldwide occasions.
The IOC stated it was wanted to “defend the integrity of worldwide sports activities competitions and for the security of all of the members.”
The choice opened the way in which for FIFA, the governing physique of soccer, to exclude Russia from a World Cup qualifying playoff match on March 24. Poland has refused to play the scheduled sport in opposition to Russia.
The Olympic physique’s name additionally utilized to athletes and official from Belarus, which has abetted Russia’s invasion.
– Related Press
Are Snake Island troopers alive?
A bunch of Ukrainian troopers who garnered worldwide consideration after telling a Russian warship to “Go f— your self” could also be alive, based on Ukrainian officers.
The troopers on Snake Island, a small island within the Black Sea, rose to fame final week after a Russian warship requested them to give up or be bombed, based on a tweet from the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia.
Ukrainian officers final week stated all 13 of the troopers had been killed. However the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in an announcement stated the troopers could have been captured by Russian forces and are nonetheless alive. Learn extra right here.
– Marina Pitofsky
Russia closes its airspace
MOSCOW — Russia has closed its airspace to carriers from 36 nations, together with European nations and Canada, responding in sort to their transfer to shut their respective airspaces to all Russian plane.
The transfer, introduced Monday by the state aviation company, follows a choice by the EU and Canada over the weekend to shut their skies to the Russian planes in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
It added that planes from these nations might solely enter Russia’s airspace with particular permission.
– Related Press
Putin’s thoughts:‘Erratic?’ ‘Delusional?’ Lawmakers query Putin’s stability as he places nuclear forces on alert
Swiss undertake EU sanctions
The Swiss authorities on Monday took the extraordinary step of becoming a member of within the EU’s sanctions in opposition to Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Switzerland’s Federal Council determined to undertake the monetary sanctions, whiich embody freezing the property of people and firms, in addition to levying sanctions upon Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Swiss authorities can also be becoming a member of the EU in closing its airspace to all flights from Russia and to plane with Russian markings. The Federal Council is suspending visas for Russian nationals, excluding diplomatic passports, and is obstructing entry for “numerous people who’ve a connection to Switzerland and are near the Russian president.”
– Katie Wadington
U.S. imposes sanctions on Russia’s Central Financial institution
The U.S. on Monday imposed new sanctions on Russia focusing on the nation’s Central Financial institution, dealing a significant blow to Moscow’s economic system, which holds greater than $630 billion in overseas foreign money reserves.
The sanctions successfully reduce off Russia’s Central Financial institution from accessing property both held within the U.S. or in U.S. {dollars}, severely limiting any effort by Russian President Vladimir Putin to blunt the results of earlier sanctions which have despatched the nation’s economic system right into a free fall.
The brand new restrictions, in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, additionally goal Russia’s Nationwide Wealth Fund and the Ministry of Finance.
Extra:What sanctions does Russia face? Here is a listing by nation
The measures prohibit overseas monetary corporations with U.S. {dollars} from sending it to Russia’s Central Financial institution, Nationwide Wealth Fund or finance ministry, based on a senior administration official who briefed reporters on situation of anonymity so as to talk about the announcement.
The official stated the U.S. wished to place the penalties in place earlier than markets opened Monday after studying from allies over the weekend that the Russian Central Financial institution was trying to maneuver property starting Monday morning from establishments around the globe.
The announcement got here after Russia’s Central Financial institution sharply raised its key borrowing fee from 9.5% to twenty% in an try to shore up the plummeting ruble amid the crippling Western sanctions hitting the nation.
The U.S. and European allies have introduced extreme financial measures on Russian banks, oligarchs and their households and the nation’s entry to the SWIFT worldwide cost system that connects the community of worldwide banks.
– Courtney Subramanian
Extra:What Is SWIFT? How would a elimination from SWIFT have an effect on Russia?
Zelenskyy creates ‘worldwide legion,’ enlists overseas fighters
President Volodomyr Zelenskyy introduced the creation of an “worldwide legion” to enlist non-Ukrainians who wish to help the battle effort in opposition to Russia.
“We have already got 1000’s requests from foreigners, who wish to be a part of the resistance to the (Russian) occupiers and defend the world safety from Putin regime,” a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Protection stated Monday.
Whereas no different nation has despatched its personal troops to Ukraine, the U.S., European Union and NATO have all ramped up the supply of weapons to the japanese European nation amid the Russian invasion.
Anybody enthusiastic about becoming a member of the brand new unit ought to attain out to the Ukrainian embassies of their house nations, the assertion stated.
The Ukrainian authorities has additionally referred to as on the help of its civilians to help in defending the nation from Russian invasion by immediately resisting and complicated invading forces.
– Matthew Brown
U.S. closes embassy in Belarus
The State Division has shut down the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced Monday morning. Non-emergency personnel and relations on the embassy in Moscow have additionally been licensed to depart.
Blinken stated the steps had been taken “as a consequence of safety and security points stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified assault by Russian army forces in Ukraine.”
Belarus has served as a staging space for Russian troops for weeks forward of the invasion that began on Thursday.
– Katie Wadington
Ukraine calls for cease-fire at talks
Ukrainian and Russian delegations met Monday on Ukraine’s border with Belarus however it was unclear what, if something, these talks would yield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace stated Kyiv’s delegation would demand an instantaneous cease-fire.
Whereas Ukraine despatched its protection minister and different high officers, the Russian delegation is led by Putin’s adviser on tradition — an unlikely envoy for ending the battle and an indication of how Moscow views the talks. It wasn’t instantly clear what Putin is in search of within the talks or from the battle itself.
– Related Press
Russia boosts staffing at nuclear command posts
MOSCOW — The Russian army says its nuclear deterrent forces have been placed on excessive alert consistent with President Vladimir Putin’s order.
Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu has reported to Putin that command posts of all of Russia’s nuclear forces have been boosted with further personnel. The Protection Ministry stated that the excessive alert standing applies to all parts of Russian nuclear forces — the Strategic Missile Forces that oversee land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Northern and Pacific Fleets which have submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the long-range aviation that has a fleet of nuclear-capable strategic bombers.
Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear forces to be placed on excessive alert Sunday, citing Western sanctions and “aggressive statements” by NATO powers. It’s not instantly clear what particular steps the measure implies, however it has raised fears that the battle in Ukraine might result in a much bigger and much more harmful confrontation.
– Related Press
UN: Assaults have killed 102 civilians, together with 7 children
The UN’s Human Rights Council reported Monday that at the least 406 civilians have been killed our wounded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started on Thursday.
Michelle Bachelet, UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights, instructed a gathering of the council in Geneva that between Thursday morning and Sunday evening, 102 civilians, together with seven kids, have been killed, with 304 folks injured.
“Most of those civilians had been killed by explosive weapons with a large impression space, together with shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket programs, and air strikes. The actual figures are, I worry, significantly increased,” Bachelet stated. Hundreds of thousands of persons are hiding to flee the assaults, she added.
The UN Excessive Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, tweeted Monday that over 500,000 Ukrainians have fled for neighboring nations.
– Katie Wadington
Kremlin says it did not goal civilians
MOSCOW — The Kremlin has denied that the Russian army focused populated areas in Ukraine regardless of plentiful proof that residential buildings, faculties and hospitals have been hit in the course of the Russian invasion.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged Monday that civilian casualties have resulted from members of right-wing Ukrainian nationalist teams utilizing civilians as shields and placing army tools in populated areas. Peskov’s claims couldn’t be independently confirmed they usually contradicted statements from Ukrainian officers who accused Russia of focusing on civilians.
– Related Press
Ukraine delegation arrives in Belarus for talks with Russia
The Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Belarus for a gathering with Russian officers and the talks are underneath means, based on reviews from CNN and the Related Press.
Ukraine demanded an “speedy ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops,” CNN reported, citing an announcement from the Ukraine presidency.
The delegation contains a number of senior Ukrainian officers however President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not planning to attend.
– Caren Bohan
Preventing eases in a single day in Kyiv
KYIV, Ukraine – Outgunned however decided Ukrainian troops slowed Russia’s advance and held onto the capital and different key cities — at the least for now. Within the face of stiff resistance and devastating sanctions, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear forces placed on excessive alert, threatening to raise the battle to a terrifying new degree.
Explosions and gunfire which have disrupted life because the invasion started final week appeared to subside round Kyiv in a single day, as Ukrainian and Russian delegations ready to satisfy Monday on Ukraine’s border with Belarus.
Terrified Ukrainian households huddled in shelters, basements or corridors, ready to seek out out. Actual demise tolls are unclear, however Ukraine’s president says at the least 16 kids have been killed and one other 45 wounded, amongst tons of, maybe 1000’s, of different casualties. Hundreds of thousands have fled properties or the nation all collectively.
“I sit and pray for these negotiations to finish efficiently, in order that they attain an settlement to finish the slaughter, and so there is no such thing as a extra battle,” stated Alexandra Mikhailova, weeping as she clutched her cat in a makeshift shelter within the strategic southeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Mariupol. Round her, mother and father sought to console kids and preserve them heat.
The relative lull in warfare Monday morning in Ukraine was unlikely to final.
Neighboring Belarus might ship troops to assist Russia as quickly as Monday, based on a senior American intelligence official with direct information of present U.S. intelligence assessments. The official spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not licensed to talk publicly.
– Related Press
Ukraine civilian demise toll estimated at 352 however is probably going a lot increased, officers say
The civilian demise toll from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has risen to 352, together with 14 kids, the Ukrainian Ministry of Inside affairs stated Sunday. The ministry stated 1,684 folks had been injured.
The United Nations had introduced the civilian demise toll had reached 240 by Saturday, however pressured that the precise determine was probably “significantly increased.”
– Jay Cannon
Pope Francis presents to assist resolve Ukraine disaster
ROME – The Vatican is providing to assist in any negotiations to finish the battle in Ukraine.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s No. 2 official, instructed a number of Italian newspapers in an interview revealed on Monday that the Holy See is “providing its willingness to facilitate dialogue with Russia.”
On Friday, Pope Francis took the extraordinary step of visiting the Russian Embassy to the Holy See to satisfy with the Russian ambassador. The pontiff urged an finish to combating and a return to negotiations, Parolin stated.
Whereas Orthodox Christians are predominant among the many devoted in Ukraine, the Catholic Church has a discreet presence in that nation by way of believers who observe the Japanese Ceremony of Catholicism.
– Related Press
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson: ‘Putin should fail’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed that Western allies would impose the harshest financial sanctions doable in opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his “abhorrent marketing campaign in opposition to Ukraine.”
The European Union has introduced unprecedented new actions in opposition to Russia, outlining plans to shut its airspace to Russian airways, fund a weapons buy to help Ukraine and ban some pro-Kremlin media retailers, whereas the Related Press reported america authorised the supply of anti-aircraft Stinger missiles to Ukraine.
Western powers in help of Ukraine might quickly be joined by Switzerland, an oftentimes impartial nation that on Monday is ready to evaluation potential sanctions and asset freezes in opposition to Russia, stated President Ignazio Cassis by way of Reuters. Cassis stated it was “very possible” the nation would observe go well with, the outlet reported.
“Putin should fail,” the British prime minister wrote on Twitter.
– Caren Bohan and Related Press
Russia, Ukraine to carry talks
After rejecting Putin’s provide to satisfy within the Belarusian metropolis of Homel on the grounds that Belarus was serving to the Russian assault, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to ship a Ukrainian delegation to satisfy Russian counterparts at an unspecified time and placement on the Belarusian border. CNN quoted a Ukrainian official saying the talks are anticipated to happen Monday.
Ukraine’s announcement that it will meet got here hours after Russia stated its delegation had flown to Belarus to await talks. Ukrainian officers initially rejected the situation, saying any discussions ought to happen elsewhere. Belarus has allowed Russia to make use of its territory as a staging floor for the invasion of Ukraine.
– Related Press
Russia alerts plans for contemporary onslaught on Kyiv, presents residents ‘secure hall’ out
The Russian army supplied to permit residents to depart Kyiv by way of a secure hall whereas it has beefed up for an onslaught on the capital.
With Russian troops closing in round Kyiv, a metropolis of virtually 3 million, the mayor of the capital expressed doubt that civilians may very well be evacuated. Authorities have been handing out weapons to anybody keen to defend town. Ukraine can also be releasing prisoners with army expertise who wish to battle, and coaching folks to make firebombs.
However Russian Protection Minister Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov stated the army would let Kyiv residents use a freeway that leads out of town to the southwest — a suggestion that appeared to sign a brand new onslaught is coming.
An almost 40-hour curfew in Kyiv ended on Monday morning. The curfew will resume every evening, from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Ukraine is seven hours forward of Japanese U.S. time.
– Related Press
Impartial Switzerland ‘possible’ to hit Russia with monetary sanctions, president says
After days of fence-sitting, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis stated on Sunday it was “very possible” that impartial Switzerland would observe the European Union’s lead and sanction Russia and freeze Russian property within the nation.
Reuters reported that Cassis, who was interviewed on French-language Swiss public tv, stated the nation’s seven-member Federal Council would meet Monday and evaluation suggestions by finance and economic system officers.
“It is rather possible that the federal government will resolve to take action tomorrow, however I can’t anticipate choices not but taken,” Cassis stated, by way of Reuters.
Switzerland, a worldwide monetary hub and commodities buying and selling heart, has up to now resisted requires it to levy sanctions and presumably freeze Russian property, particularly after the EU and U.S. introduced sanctions.
It was not identified instantly what number of rich Russian elites, particularly oligarchs near Putin, have stashed cash in Swiss banks, identified for his or her sturdy privateness firewalls. However numerous leaks of banking paperwork through the years counsel they’ve a large quantity invested in Switzerland.
In 2018, Swiss banks reportedly frozen $1 billion within the accounts of 1 oligarch alone – Russian metals tycoon Viktor Vekselberg – over fears that they may very well be fined for doing enterprise with him after Washington levied sanctions in opposition to the businessman, the Moscow Instances reported on the time.
– Josh Meyer
Roundup:What sanctions does Russia face? Here is a listing by nation
US official: Belarus could be a part of Ukraine invasion
A senior U.S. intelligence official says Belarus is predicted to ship troops into Ukraine as quickly as Monday to battle alongside Russian forces that invaded Ukraine final week.
Belarus has been offering help for Russia’s battle effort, however up to now has not taken a direct half within the battle.
The American official has direct information of present U.S. intelligence assessments and says the choice by Belarus’ chief on whether or not to carry Belarus additional into the battle will depend on talks between Russia and Ukraine taking place within the coming days. The official spoke anonymously to debate the delicate info.
— Related Press
Two United Nations classes scheduled for Monday
The U.N.’s two main our bodies – the 193-nation Common Meeting and the extra highly effective 15-member Safety Council – will maintain separate conferences Monday on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a mirrored image of widespread worldwide calls for for an instantaneous cease-fire and escalating concern for the plight of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians caught up within the battle.
The Safety Council gave a inexperienced gentle Sunday for the primary emergency session of the Common Meeting in a long time. It can give all U.N. members a possibility to discuss the battle Monday and vote on a decision later within the week that U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated would “maintain Russia to account for its indefensible actions and for its violations of the U.N. Constitution.”
French Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere introduced that the Safety Council will maintain a gathering Monday afternoon on the humanitarian impression of Russia’s invasion, a session sought by French President Emmanuel Macron to make sure the supply of help to rising numbers of these in want in Ukraine.
Each conferences observe Russia’s veto Friday of a Safety Council decision demanding that Moscow instantly cease its assault on Ukraine and withdraw all troops. The vote was 11-1, with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining.
– Related Press
Contributing: The Related Press
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