Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's Donetsk have launched large-scale strikes against Ukrainian forces along the line of contact, Russia's Interfax news agency cited a separatist spokesman as saying on Thursday. "Alternatively, as I said, if [Putin] chooses renewed aggression against Ukraine, that's going to have consequences too. "Yes, there was duplicity, yes there was a deliberate, conscious choice to launch war when we could still negotiate peace," Macron told reporters after an EU summit in which he said France would add its own sanction to an EU package. 2023 CNBC LLC. Zampardo says students have been talking to him about the possibility of the draft being reinstated. As the war enters its 428th day, we take a look at the main developments. One of the biggest questions facing Western officials is just how far Russia is willing to go to stop Ukraine's drift toward Europe and the West, and to enhance and extend its presence and influence in the country as it stands. Francis said the Holy See had already helped mediate some prisoner White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Friday that the administration does not believe Putin has made a final decision. The intelligence includes a finding that Moscow has gathered about 80 percent of the forces needed for a full-scale invasion, and that Russian troops have been moving closer to the border, the U.S. official said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks as he holds a news conference on Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Brussels, on Thursday. Will Russia Invade Ukraine? - Forbes It made the announcement in a notice on its web page, citing safety concerns. "There could be impact on our energy prices, so we're taking active steps to alleviate the pressure on our own energy markets and offset rising prices.". With Russian troops moving into eastern Ukraine following Moscows official recognition of two breakaway separatist enclaves on Monday evening, local Jewish leaders have expressed concern not only that their constituents could be displaced by renewed fighting, but that the Kremlin may attempt to use antisemitic provocations to delegitimize their country. He even wrote an essay on the subject, titled "OntheHistorical Unity ofRussians andUkrainians.". Thats the Wrong Question. Honestly - no one. On both sides of the aisle, there is agreement that its past time tShow moreo get tough on Beijing. The U.S., along with Western allies, has also voiced support for Ukraine maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression. The move may be a preparation for another staged provocation by Russia, the foreign minister added. The world will not forget that Russia chose needless death and But I want to repeat that Russia's interests and the security of our people are unconditional. Signs at the top are no better. To get a sense of the context behind the current tensions and the diplomacy that happened this week, All Things Considered spoke to both Vindman and Blinken. In the year since, a steady stream of congressional Technically, all American men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register for the draft but nobody has actually been drafted since 1973. Ukraines armed forces will not be easily vanquished. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, On Tuesday. Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues in Moscow, on Feb. 17, 2022. Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 431 of the invasion 12h ago When Russia targets ordinary homes: the attacks that mean no one is safe in Ukraine For the first time since the start of the action, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov confirmed the Russian ground troops had rolled into Ukraine, saying they advanced toward the city of Kherson, northwest of Crimea. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now. The Pentagons top officials warned Friday that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would result in a horrific aftermath. The latest news, analysis, and data from the country each week. He added that in a battle in the Odessa district, all Ukrainian border guards were killed. Russia said it will provide a "strong response" to the sanctions imposed by the United States amid the Ukraine conflict. How are other countries being impacted as a result? However, we will not let actions like these go without a response," the spokesperson said. The reason: Estonia was already a NATO member, and the potential costs for a Russian military intervention were perceived as too high. Russia's UN envoy justifies Russia's operation under article 51 of the UN charter. In a recent poll from Quinnipiac University, 57% of Americans said the U.S. should not send troops into Ukraine if Russia invades, and 54% support Biden's decision to deploy troops to support NATO allies. In such a scenario, Russian public opinion could turn against Putin. "It is impossible to say the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe after a totally pointless attack by the Russians," he said. Putins decision to invade Ukraine dates back to 2020, claims So were looking at ways to either hunker down in Odessa or to get out in other ways, he said. Second, assuming that there is no hot conflict in Ukraine, there is a need for deep dialogue between the Baltic/Eastern European states on one hand, and The new EU sanctions would block Russia's access to "key technologies and markets" and the union would also freeze Russian assets in Europe and halt Moscow's access to European financial markets. Pope speaks of secret peace mission, help for Ukraine kids Key targets would include the presidential palace, parliament, ministries, media outlets and the Maidan Nezalezhnosti the symbolic site of Ukraines pro-democracy revolutions. Here is the situation as it stands on Thursday, April 27, 2023: Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held. By Wednesday afternoon, the Russian flag was no longer flying over the embassy in Kyiv, and police surrounded the building. Meanwhile, Biden hosted Germany's new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, at the White House. Polands Auschwitz memorial condemned Russias invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, implicitly comparing Moscow to Nazi Germany and calling for its leaders to be put on trial for their aggression. Crimea, a peninsula along the northern coast of the Black Sea, had long been a part of Russia, but the Soviet Union transferred it to Ukraine in 1954.This was not a A U.S. official has said the dispute has left the U.S. embassy in Moscow staffed well below Russia's mission in Washington and nearing the point of being only able to maintain a "caretaker presence.". Russia will likely begin a full-scale invasion of Ukraine within 48 hours, news magazine Newsweek reported Wednesday, citing U.S. intelligence officials. The U.S. has placed sanctions on Russia, including in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Other attendees included NATO's secretary general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council. ", Maria, who lives in the Russian city of Tver, is beside herself with worry about her son, a soldier doing his compulsory service in the Russian army. Maybe the Feb. 6 earthquake was just that. "Embassy continues to operate from there.". Hundreds of thousands may flee, presenting Europe with a huge humanitarian and refugee emergency. Russian police detained at least 389 people at anti-war protests that took place in 39 Russian cities on Thursday, the OVD-Info protest monitor said. hide caption. "Let's say, 50-50 at the moment," she said, adding that it could be a "more limited invasion" rather than a massive one. She knows hes 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Kharkiv, but not whether hes in Ukraine or in Russia. The local support for Russian intervention was strong but only in the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, with Russia not sending its ground forces into Georgia proper, where local support was much weaker. Pro-Russian separatists have controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014. We want to hear from you. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Thursday that he had spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who told him about "plans to deliver new defensive weapons to help Ukraine defend itself. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed on Friday to stay in Kyiv as his troops battled Russian invaders advancing toward the capital in the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two. In addition, the alliance activated NATO's defense plans to permit military commanders to move forces, including those at high readiness. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has welcomed thousands of Russian troops to his country, allowed the Kremlin to use it to launch the invasion of Delivered Wednesday & Sunday. It was an unusual and historic show of support, opening a fresh diplomatic channel that has only deepened with the prolonged war. Anton Herashchenko, the adviser, said the defenders of Kyiv were ready with anti-tank missiles supplied by foreign allies. By Julian E. Barnes , Eric Schmitt , Adam Entous and Thomas Gibbons-Neff. The right-wing nationalist head of government has maintained a friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years. It's a very different situation, and things could go crazy quickly," he said. Russia says cargo ships hit by Ukrainian missiles in Azov Sea, No Russian forces targeting Ukrainian cities, says military leader, Moldovan Jewish community mobilizes to help evacuate Ukrainian Jews, Red Cross urges all sides in Ukraine conflict to respect international humanitarian law, Ukraine says second wave of missile strikes hit, Israel condemns Russian attack on Ukraine: A violation of the international order, China urges involved parties not to 'shut the door to peace' following Russian invasion, David Rosenberg explains why it won't work, Ukraine's Zelenskyy calls on citizens to fight, promises weapons, Over 40 Ukrainian soldiers killed, dozens wounded, Kyiv says, In Greece, Israel's President Herzog calls on Israelis to leave Ukraine, Putin invades Ukraine, and he will never stop, Siren sounds in Polish town Medyka, near Ukrainian border, Ukrainian military says 50 Russians killed, 6 planes downed, Russian opposition announces protests against war in Ukraine, EU says Russian invasion among the darkest hours for Europe, Russia-backed separatists say they downed two Ukrainian warplanes near Luhansk, Ukraine says Russian military hardware entering from Crimea, Sweden, Denmark move embassy staff from Kyiv, Ukraine says 5 Russian planes were shot down, Ukranian state border attacked from Russia and Belarus, Biden speaks with Ukraine's Zelenskyy, condemns Russian attack, Two big blasts heard east of Ukraine's Mariupol, Russia temporarily suspends flights to a number of airports until March 2, Russian-backed separatists launch strikes against Ukrainian forces, Ukraine president declares martial law amid Russian missile strikes, Explosions heard in Ukrainian cities of Odesa, Kharkiv, A 'full scale invasion' has been launched says Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Russian UN ambassador justifies incursion into Ukraine, With invasion imminent, Ukrainian president appeals for peace, Ukraine's top diplomat requests urgent UN Security Council meeting, Separatist leaders reportedly asked Putin for help repelling Ukrainian aggression, Night shift of chemical plant in Crimea evacuated, Ukraine says, Ukraine's parliament approves state of emergency, Ukraine receives anti-aircraft missiles from Latvia, U.S. reportedly warns full-scale Russian invasion possible within 48 hours, Putin fully prepared for large-scale invasion of Ukraine, U.S. official says, EU leaders adopt Russia sanctions, hold special Ukraine crisis summit, Ukraine state of emergency could impose curbs on movement, information and media, Ukraine says mass cyberattack targets government websites, banks, Russia begins evacuating embassy in Ukraine. Its a very different situation, and things could go crazy quickly.". Russia brought a list of security demands to the table this week. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is targeting cities with weapons strikes, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet on Thursday. Russian soldiers take part in drills at the Kadamovskiy firing range near the Russia-Ukraine border. Many strategists and close followers of Russian politics believe Putin, who has been in power alternating between prime minister and president since late 1999, harbors a strong desire to invade Ukraine. The mayor of the capital, Kyiv, said four metro stations would be used as air raid shelters, while the local Ukrainian leadership in the Donetsk region said Russian forces had hit a hospital there, killing four people. hips. and Ukrainian officials say Russia aims to capture Kyiv and topple the government, which Putin regards as a puppet of the United States. An adviser to Ukrainian president's office said more than 40 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and several dozen injured so far in the Russian invasion. Medyka is one of the border checkpoints from which people in Ukraine can leave the country. Russian troops seized the Chernobyl former nuclear power plant north of Kyiv as they advanced along the shortest route to Kyiv from Belarus to the north. With Russian threat growing, Ukrainian president pleads for peace; says Putin wouldn't accept call. If fighting is prolonged and civilian casualties mount, pressure on the west to intervene will grow rapidly. Civilians may join the fight. "Once again, despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression against a sovereign and independent country," Stoltenberg said in a statement. Russia attacks Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, at least 8 killed For example, Ukraine now has much greater support from the West, and even though it is not a NATO member, the economic, political, and potentially military costs for Russia would be significantly higher.