Situation on the ground, international reactions, sanctions: the point about the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
– Ukraine still ready to negotiate –
Ukraine is “always ready” to hold talks with Russia, which has stalled after the discovery of atrocities in liberated Ukrainian cities, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
“We are ready to fight and at the same time look for diplomatic ways to end this war (…)”, the Ukrainian president assured during a press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer during a visit to Kiev and Boutcha.
Also read: Lesia Vasylenko: ‘Putin stole the childhood of millions of Ukrainians’
– Kramatorsk station –
Mr Zelensky had previously called for “a strong global response” after the deadly bombing of Kramatorsk (East) station, where civilians gathered to flee the region fearing a Russian offensive. The rocket attack killed 52 people on Friday, including 5 children, according to a latest report from local authorities.
Moscow denied responsibility for the attack, saying it did not have the type of missile it would have used before denouncing a Ukrainian “provocation”.
In pictures, in pictures: In the rubble of Kharkov
– 10 billion euros for Ukraine –
An international fundraising campaign has raised €10.1 billion to support Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Saturday.
The Stand Up for Ukraine campaign, organized by the European Union, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the international organization Global Citizen, aimed to raise money for Ukrainian displaced persons and refugees.
– Boris Johnson in Kyiv –
The British Prime Minister promised on Saturday during a surprise visit to Kiev to provide Ukraine with armored vehicles and anti-ship missiles. “What Putin did to Boutcha and Irpin is war crimes and has permanently damaged his reputation and the representation of his government,” Boris Johnson, the first G7 leader to visit him, lamented at a news conference. Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Western countries to follow the British example of military support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
– Curfew in Odessa –
Odessa, Ukraine’s main Black Sea port, is subject to a curfew from Saturday evening to Monday morning due to the “threat” of missile strikes, local authorities said.
– Russia almost in default –
Financial rating agency S&P Global Ratings on Saturday downgraded Russia’s foreign currency payments rating to “selective default,” the latest step before general default.
– Moscow threatens Youtube –
Russia promised retaliation on Saturday after the YouTube account of the lower house of the Russian parliament was shut down, raising the possibility of a Russia blocking of US giant Google’s video platform.
– Morozov Collection –
Two paintings from the Morozov collection, including that of a Russian oligarch and another from a Ukrainian museum, on display at the Vuitton Foundation in Paris since September, will “remain in France”, the health ministry announced to AFP on Saturday.
The first painting will remain there “as long as its owner, a Russian oligarch, remains subject to an asset freeze measure”, and the second “until the situation in the country allows his safe return”.
– More than 4.4 million refugees –
More than 4.4 million Ukrainian refugees have fled their country since the Russian invasion on February 24, according to figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UN also estimates the number of internally displaced persons at 7.1 million.
– Ukraine has a “European future” –
“Russia will sink into economic, financial and technological decline, while Ukraine is moving towards a European future,” Ursula von der Leyen said in Kiev on Friday.
Before that, the President of the European Commission, accompanied by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, had gone to Boutcha, in particular to see the mass graves dug to bury the dozens of civilians who died there.
– War crimes: EU/ICC discussions –
The European Union will discuss its support for investigations into possible war crimes in Ukraine during meetings with International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan on Sunday and Monday, the European Commission said on Saturday.
