Western Sanctions Intended To Bring Down Putin Regime, Says UK
Russia-Ukraine War: The sanctions aims to inflict financial pain on Putin and his regime to stymie the Russian war machine as it attempts to subjugate a democratic European country, the UK said.
Western sanctions in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine are designed to topple Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Monday.
But he also denied that regime change is the main goal, apparently rowing back at a daily briefing, after Britain, the United States and European Union imposed a biting series of measures against Putin.
"The measures we are introducing, that large parts of the world are introducing, are to bring down the Putin regime," the spokesman, who speaks on condition of anonymity, told reporters.
"We have introduced widespread sanctions, we aim to inflict financial pain on Putin and his regime to stymie the Russian war machine as it attempts to subjugate a democratic European country," he said.
But pressed on the wider goals of the sanctions drive, the spokesman added: "We're not seeking anything in terms of regime change."
"What we're talking about here clearly is how we stop Russia seeking to subjugate a democratic country. That's been the message throughout."
Western sanctions in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine are designed to topple Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Monday.
www.ndtv.com
Russian Shelling Kills 11 Civilians In Ukraine's 2nd City Kharkiv: Report
At least 11 civilians have been killed in Russian shelling on Ukraine's second most populated city Kharkiv on Monday, the regional governor said
At least 11 civilians have been killed in Russian shelling on Ukraine's second most populated city Kharkiv on Monday, the regional governor said, adding dozens more had been injured.
"The Russian enemy is bombing residential areas," Oleg Sinegubov, wrote on the Telegram messaging app, saying that: "As a result of the bombardments that are ongoing, we cannot call on the emergency services... currently there are 11 dead and dozens wounded".
At least 11 civilians have been killed in Russian shelling on Ukraine's second most populated city Kharkiv on Monday, the regional governor said, adding dozens more had been injured.
www.ndtv.com
At least 44 injured in city of Kharkiv
Ukrainian authorities say at least 44 people have been wounded in fighting in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, and that seven of them died in hospitals.
It wasn’t clear if the casualties, which covered the past 24 hours, were all civilians. The state emergencies agency said the casualties could be higher because the damage from Monday’s shelling of residential areas is still being assessed.
Ukrainian social networks featured videos showing residential quarters hit by a series of powerful explosions amid fighting with Russian forces.
The Russian military has consistently denied targeting residential areas despite abundant evidence of shelling of residential buildings, schools and hospitals.
The latest developments on the Russia-Ukraine war : KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian authorities say at least 44 people have been wounded in fighting in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, and that seven of them died in hospitals.
apnews.com
Swiss ban entry for five oligarchs close to Putin - government
Switzerland has banned five oligarchs close to Russian President Vladimir Putin from entering the country, Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told a news conference after neutral Switzerland adopted EU sanctions on Russia.
She did not name them, citing privacy considerations.
Switzerland has banned five oligarchs close to Russian President Vladimir Putin from entering the country, Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told a news conference after neutral Switzerland adopted EU sanctions on Russia. She did not name them, citing privacy considerations.
finance.yahoo.com
Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko could be a key player in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Here's what to know.
Belarus is emerging as a key player to watch in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence suggests
Belarus is showing "readiness to maybe participate directly" in Russia's invasion, "in addition to allowing Russians to use their territory as well as letting them cross the border" into Ukraine, a Ukrainian government official told CNN.
Belarus and Russia have
close military ties, and Russian troops recently deployed to Belarus for extensive military drills.
Belarusian President
Alexander Lukashenko said
last week that Belarusian troops could join the invasion "if it becomes necessary."
Here's what you should know about Lukashenko, the man at the helm of this nation that lies between Russia and European Union member Poland:
Elected president in Belarus' first democratic election in 1994 after the fall of Soviet Union, he has ruled for more than a quarter of a century. But subsequent elections have been marred by allegations of strong-arm tactics and voting irregularities and were won by suspiciously wide margins.
Late 2020 was marred by
months of protests and violence across the country after a disputed election as riot police fired warning shots into the air, used stun grenades and arrested more than 200 people to deter tens of thousands of
Belarusians who marched through Minsk on Sunday to demand the veteran leader leave power.
He rejected the accusations that the vote was rigged and said he has no intention of quitting.
"Europe's last dictator": Called "Europe's last dictator," his iron grip on his country has become increasingly forceful. His public appearances are tightly controlled and he is generally surrounded by fawning countrymen.
Lukashenko has increasingly strengthened his alliance with Putin, who has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in financial aid — Kremlin support that is likely to come with strings.
In an exclusive interview with CNN in 2021, Lukashenko told CNN what could happen if there's ever a provocation against the two countries:
"If we need to, Belarus will turn into one military base for Russia and Belarus in order to withstand your aggression, if you decide, or if any one country decides to attack. And you should be clear on this, I have never made any secret of it."
The two sides agree to meet at the Belarus border Monday, Ukrainian President Zelensky's office says, as Russian President Putin put nuclear forces on alert. Follow here for live news updates from the ground in Ukraine.
edition.cnn.com
Canada will send an additional $25 million in military aid to support Ukraine
Canada will being sending an additional $25 million in military aid to Ukraine, Mélanie Joly, minister of foreign affairs, and Anita Anand, minister of national defense, announced in a joint news release Monday.
Ukraine directly requested aid from Canada for further protective equipment for items like gas masks, body armor, night vision gear and helmets, the release states.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will also be providing two C-130J tactical airlift aircraft and a team of 40-50 personnel for at least two weeks to help NATO’s efforts in Europe.
“We are working with our allies to ensure Ukrainian military personnel are properly equipped and together with our partners in Poland, we are working to deliver necessary military materials without delay,” Joly said. “We will continue to provide support to the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their nation and its freedom.”
The two sides agree to meet at the Belarus border Monday, Ukrainian President Zelensky's office says, as Russian President Putin put nuclear forces on alert. Follow here for live news updates from the ground in Ukraine.
edition.cnn.com
US stocks fall as investors keep a wary eye on Russia and Ukraine
US stocks were broadly lower Monday morning. Wall Street is worried about the impact of more economic sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine and the fact that Russia has put nuclear weapons forces and other deterrents on high alert.
Defense stocks were among the few standouts, rallying after Germany announced plans to increase its military spending.
Here's how things looked when US markets opened:
- The Dow fell 1.4%, or about 460 points, in early trading
- The S&P 500 was down 1.2%.
- The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.9%.
The two sides agree to meet at the Belarus border Monday, Ukrainian President Zelensky's office says, as Russian President Putin put nuclear forces on alert. Follow here for live news updates from the ground in Ukraine.
edition.cnn.com
Switzerland will forego "Swiss neutrality" and adopt same sanctions as EU against Russia
Switzerland has announced that it will forego its commitment to “Swiss neutrality” in favor of adopting sanctions against Russia, Swiss Federal President Ignazio Cassis said Monday, adding that Switzerland’s sanctions will be in line with those already adopted by the European Union.
“The Swiss Federal Council has decided today to fully adopt EU sanctions,” Cassis said during a news briefing. “It is an unparalleled action of Switzerland, who has always stayed neutral before.”
“Russia's attack is an attack on freedom, an attack on democracy, an attack on the civil population, and an attack on the institutions of a free country. This cannot be accepted regarding international law, this cannot be accepted politically, and this cannot be accepted morally,” Cassis added.
Speaking after an extraordinary meeting of the Swiss Federal Council, Cassis stressed that “in these dark days,” Switzerland stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and hopes that sanctions will encourage the Kremlin to “change its mind.”
“To play into the hands of an aggressor is not neutral. Having signed the Geneva convention of human rights, we are bound to humanitarian order,” Cassis said. “Other democracies shall be able to rely on Switzerland; those standing for international law shall be able to rely on Switzerland; states that uphold human rights shall be able to rely on Switzerland."
Switzerland will freeze the assets of “listed persons” and will also bring into force an entry ban for those highlighted by the EU’s packet of sanctions, according to the Swiss Federal President.
Cassis said that Switzerland was closing its airspace to all flights from Russia, including private jets, with the exception of humanitarian flights, search flights and emergency situations.
Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said entry ban will impact “oligarchs of Russian or Ukrainian nationality who are particularly close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
“These are five persons with strong economic connections into Switzerland,” Keller-Sutter highlighted, but said because of privacy reasons, she was not naming those oligarchs.
The two sides agree to meet at the Belarus border Monday, Ukrainian President Zelensky's office says, as Russian President Putin put nuclear forces on alert. Follow here for live news updates from the ground in Ukraine.
edition.cnn.com
Snake Island defenders "alive and well," Ukrainian Navy says
The defenders of Snake Island in the Black Sea,
who were initially feared dead, are “alive and well,” according to the Ukrainian Navy.
On Monday, a statement from the Navy said that the soldiers on the island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, repelled two attacks by Russian forces but in the end were forced to surrender “due to the lack of ammunition.”
The statement went on to say that Russian forces have completely destroyed the islands infrastructure: lighthouses, towers and antennas.
Over the weekend, the Ukrainian Border Guard Service
said they had received information that all 82 soldiers may be alive.
Russian state media also showed the arrival of the Ukrainian soldiers in Sevastopol, Crimea, where they are being held.
More background: Snake Island sits about 30 miles (48 kilometers) off the southern tip of the Ukrainian mainland in the northwestern Black Sea. It's about 185 miles (300 kilometers) west of Crimea, the Ukrainian territory that Russia annexed in 2014.
Though it is only about 46 acres (18 hectares) in size, a report last year from the non-partisan Atlantic Council think tank called it "key to Ukraine's maritime territorial claims" in the Black Sea.
The two sides agree to meet at the Belarus border Monday, Ukrainian President Zelensky's office says, as Russian President Putin put nuclear forces on alert. Follow here for live news updates from the ground in Ukraine.
edition.cnn.com
Belarus Preparing to Send Soldiers, Report Says: Ukraine Update
Officials from Kyiv plan to meet Russian counterparts, hours after President Vladimir Putin put his country’s nuclear forces on higher alert. Belarus was preparing to send troops into Ukraine as soon as Monday to help its ally Moscow, the Washington Post
reported, citing an unnamed U.S. official.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy voiced skepticism that talks planned with Russia for near the Belarus border would yield results but said he was willing to try if it meant any chance of peace. Russia’s central bank temporarily banned non-residents from selling securities and the U.S. advised its citizens to consider leaving Russia immediately.
The U.S. and its European allies
stepped up their response to the escalating conflict, announcing plans to sanction the central bank in Moscow and cut off various Russian lenders from the critical SWIFT financial messaging system. The offshore Russian ruble
fell nearly 30% against the dollar, which rose against virtually
every peer. U.S. President Joe Biden planned
to speak with allies on the crisis Monday morning in Washington.
www.bloomberg.com
Ukraine leader frees convicts with combat skills to fight Russia
Zelenskyy calls on Russian soldiers to lay down their arms, claiming Ukraine killed more than 4,500 enemy troops.
Ukraine’s President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has authorised the release of convicts with combat experience to help fight the Russian invaders.
Speaking in a new video address published on
the fifth day of the full-scale war with Russia, Zelenskyy said on Monday that the decision was “not easy from the moral point of view”, but it was justified from his war-torn country’s defence standpoint.
He also called on Russian soldiers to lay down their weapons, claiming that more than 4,500 enemy troops had already been killed by Ukraine.
“Abandon your equipment. Get out of here. Don’t believe your commanders. Don’t believe your propagandists. Just save your lives,” Zelenskyy said.
The 44-year-old leader also urged the European Union to grant his country “immediate” membership “via a new special procedure”.
“Our goal is to be together with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be on an equal footing. I’m sure it’s fair. I’m sure it’s possible,” he said.
He once again thanked the West for its support, saying: “Support of our anti-war coalition is unconditional and unprecedented.”
“Each of us is a warrior,” Zelenskyy said. “And I am sure that each of us will win.”
Ukraine forces, backed by Western arms, have managed to slow the advance of the Russian army.
Zelenskyy said 16 children had died during the first four days of Moscow’s assault and another 45 were wounded as he hailed “Ukrainian heroes”.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN human rights chief, said on Monday that at least 102 civilians, including seven children, had been killed but warned the real numbers were probably far higher.
“Ukrainians have shown the world who we are. And Russia has shown what it has become,” Zelenskyy said.
Peace talks
The Ukrainian leader – a former comedian who
came to power in 2019 – released his latest video statement before Russian and Ukrainian negotiators sat down for their first face-to-face talks since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade last Thursday.
Zelenskyy’s office said Kyiv’s goal for Monday’s talks was an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine.
Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull, reporting from the city of Lviv, in western Ukraine, says Moscow “has not given any hint or indication” that it intends to step back from its key demands ahead of the Russia-Ukraine talks.
“These demands include the neutrality of Ukraine, guarantees that it will never join NATO and that Kyiv recognise the declared independence of breakaway regions in the east of the country,” Hull said, citing the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR).
“And you can probably include in that recognition that Crimea is officially part of Russia after it was annexed [by Moscow] back in 2014; most of the world and certainly Ukraine does not recognise that,” he added.
‘Suffering great losses’
Nikolay Mitrokhin, a Russia expert and researcher at Germany’s Bremen University, told Al Jazeera that Russia’s offensive has “practically stopped on all fronts”.
“A large morning assault on [the eastern city of] Kharkiv has been repelled and an attempt to enter Kyiv from the [town of] Irpen [to the west] has been stopped,” Mitrokhin said.
“Russia’s strategic position … is deteriorating rapidly. The Russian military is suffering great losses,” he added.
Mitrokhin identified three possible angles from which Moscow’s forces may, however, refocus their efforts and attack – on Kyiv from the north, on the southern port city of Odesa and on the eastern city of Poltava.
Zelenskyy calls on Russian soldiers to lay down their arms, claiming Ukraine killed more than 4,500 enemy troops.
www.aljazeera.com
