Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday in a move it termed a «special military operation» but that US President Joe Biden called a «brutal assault … without …
Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday in a move it termed a «special military operation» but that US President Joe Biden called a «brutal assault… without justification» and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized as a «war against the whole of Europe.» At least 137 people were killed on the first day of Russia’s attack, according to Zelenskyy, who said Ukraine and its citizens will defend themselves. Other international leaders joined Biden in condemning the attack, and the US, EU and UK all imposed economic sanctions on Russia, as well as putting in place sanctions aimed directly at Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tensions had been building for months and were marked by angry speeches by Putin, as well as the buildup of Russian forces along Ukraine’s borders. Leaders in Washington and across Europe engaged in diplomatic efforts but weren’t able to reach a peaceful resolution. Ukraine, which had been part of the Russian-led Soviet Union for much of the 20th century, declared its independence in 1991. Since then, the country has been establishing closer ties with Western European nations and the US. Here’s a look at breaking news on the conflict and the US and international response. Read also: Ukraine Refugees: How to Help Those Affected by the Russian Invasion A Pentagon official said Russian forces were «increasingly frustrated by their lack of momentum,» The New York Times reported Saturday, as outgunned Ukrainian forces held on to the capital, Kyiv, overnight amid what a number of news outlets characterized as intense street fighting. Britain’s ministry of defense cited «strong Ukrainian resistance» and logistical troubles as the causes of the slowdown, the Times said, while the Kremlin asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a pause Friday to allow for possible negotiations with Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, continued his calls for the country to » stand firm,» as Russian forces push in from the north, from Crimea in the south, and from the east through Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Sumy. The Facebook owner said late Friday it was «prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world.» The move followed a partial block on access to Facebook in Russia after the country’s communications regulator claimed the social network had censored some Russian media. The European Union and the United States agreed to personally sanction Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday. «Following a telephone call conversation President Biden held with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and in alignment with the decision by our European allies, the United States will join them in sanctioning President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of the Russian national security team,» White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing Friday afternoon.
