Kyiv says it killed Russian admiral. Moscow says he’s taking video calls.
Ukraine said a barrage of missiles it rained down on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, in occupied Crimea, last week killed numerous high-ranking Russian military officials — including the fleet’s commander, Adm. Viktor Sokolov.
In refutation of that claim, Russia’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday released footage that appeared to show Sokolov alive, attending by video link a meeting chaired by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The Washington Post did not detect any signs of obvious manipulation in the video but could not independently verify its authenticity.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine said a barrage of missiles it rained down on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, in occupied Crimea, last week killed numerous high-ranking Russian military officials — including the fleet’s commander, Adm. Viktor Sokolov.
In refutation of that claim, Russia’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday released footage that appeared to show Sokolov alive, attending by video link a meeting chaired by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The Washington Post did not detect any signs of obvious manipulation in the video but could not independently verify its authenticity.
Read the full story here.
U.S. demands protection for civilians as thousands leave Nagorno-Karabakh
GORIS, Armenia — As thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, called on Azerbaijan to protect the rights of civilians in the region and allow access for international monitors and humanitarian organizations.
With Baku poised to reassert authority over the entire region, which it seized back during a brief war in 2020 after decades of Armenian control, some local officials predicted that the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh — numbering perhaps 120,000 — could end up trying to evacuate, fearing genocide and unwilling to live in Azerbaijan.
Read the full story here.
GORIS, Armenia — As thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Samantha Power, called on Azerbaijan to protect the rights of civilians in the region and allow access for international monitors and humanitarian organizations.
With Baku poised to reassert authority over the entire region, which it seized back during a brief war in 2020 after decades of Armenian control, some local officials predicted that the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh — numbering perhaps 120,000 — could end up trying to evacuate, fearing genocide and unwilling to live in Azerbaijan.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia on Wednesday published more video of Adm. Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, in efforts to counter Kyiv’s claims that he died in a Ukrainian strike on the fleet’s headquarters in occupied Crimea last week.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday accused the West of aiding Ukraine on Friday’s attack on the fleet headquarters.
- Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the exiled mayor of Mariupol, said Russia had begun constructing a railway to the occupied cities of Mariupol, Volnovakha and Donetsk in southeastern and eastern Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian government has fully implemented seven recommendations from the European Commission to further its path to E.U. membership, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
- The Ukrainian government has fully implemented seven recommendations from the European Commission to further its path to E.U. membership, the Ukrainian Prime Minister said.
More live updates here.
- Russia on Wednesday published more video of Adm. Viktor Sokolov, the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, in efforts to counter Kyiv’s claims that he died in a Ukrainian strike on the fleet’s headquarters in occupied Crimea last week.
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday accused the West of aiding Ukraine on Friday’s attack on the fleet headquarters.
- Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the exiled mayor of Mariupol, said Russia had begun constructing a railway to the occupied cities of Mariupol, Volnovakha and Donetsk in southeastern and eastern Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian government has fully implemented seven recommendations from the European Commission to further its path to E.U. membership, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
- The Ukrainian government has fully implemented seven recommendations from the European Commission to further its path to E.U. membership, the Ukrainian Prime Minister said.
More live updates here.
Defeated by force, Nagorno-Karabakh government declares it will dissolve
GORIS, Armenia — The leader of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh signed a decree Thursday to officially dissolve the breakaway state on Jan. 1, confirming its surrender to Azerbaijan following a failed 32-year quest for independence and international recognition.
Samvel Shahramanyan, president of Nagorno-Karabakh, which its Armenian residents call Artsakh but is internationally recognized as Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, said in a decree that all state institutions will be dissolved.
A lightning military offensive by Azerbaijan last week forced the government of Nagorno-Karabakh to capitulate and agree to dismantle its armed forces. The advance of Azerbaijani forces also set off an exodus of the mountainous region’s ethnic Armenian residents who say they fear genocide and, in any case, are unwilling to live under Azerbaijani rule.
Read the full story here.
GORIS, Armenia — The leader of the self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh signed a decree Thursday to officially dissolve the breakaway state on Jan. 1, confirming its surrender to Azerbaijan following a failed 32-year quest for independence and international recognition.
Samvel Shahramanyan, president of Nagorno-Karabakh, which its Armenian residents call Artsakh but is internationally recognized as Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, said in a decree that all state institutions will be dissolved.
A lightning military offensive by Azerbaijan last week forced the government of Nagorno-Karabakh to capitulate and agree to dismantle its armed forces. The advance of Azerbaijani forces also set off an exodus of the mountainous region’s ethnic Armenian residents who say they fear genocide and, in any case, are unwilling to live under Azerbaijani rule.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in Kyiv, where he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday about the country’s “most urgent needs” as its efforts to reclaim territory from Russian forces grind on.
- Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has tweeted that he will be moved to a stricter prison for one year.
- Russia released more video of its Black Sea Fleet commander, Adm. Viktor Sokolov, whom Ukraine claimed to have killed in a strike in the annexed Crimean Peninsula last week.
- Speaking in Kyiv, Stoltenberg said Ukrainian forces “are gradually gaining ground” in southeastern Ukraine, where “they face fierce fighting” with Russian troops.
- Air defense systems in southern Ukraine destroyed more than 30 drones in a Russian attack overnight, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian military’s southern command said Thursday.
More live updates here.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in Kyiv, where he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday about the country’s “most urgent needs” as its efforts to reclaim territory from Russian forces grind on.
- Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has tweeted that he will be moved to a stricter prison for one year.
- Russia released more video of its Black Sea Fleet commander, Adm. Viktor Sokolov, whom Ukraine claimed to have killed in a strike in the annexed Crimean Peninsula last week.
- Speaking in Kyiv, Stoltenberg said Ukrainian forces “are gradually gaining ground” in southeastern Ukraine, where “they face fierce fighting” with Russian troops.
- Air defense systems in southern Ukraine destroyed more than 30 drones in a Russian attack overnight, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian military’s southern command said Thursday.
More live updates here.
Who is Robert Fico? Pro-Russia populist is favored in Slovakia elections.
The most-watched figure in Slovakia’s elections on Saturday is a populist former prime minister who was forced out of office five years ago amid public outrage over a journalist’s slaying, but who is now within reach of leading the country once again.
A return to power for Robert Fico, a brash strongman with sympathies toward Moscow, could break a key link in the Western military alliance supporting Ukraine. That has put outsize international focus on the vote in a country of just 5.5 million people.
Read the full story here.
The most-watched figure in Slovakia’s elections on Saturday is a populist former prime minister who was forced out of office five years ago amid public outrage over a journalist’s slaying, but who is now within reach of leading the country once again.
A return to power for Robert Fico, a brash strongman with sympathies toward Moscow, could break a key link in the Western military alliance supporting Ukraine. That has put outsize international focus on the vote in a country of just 5.5 million people.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine hit an electrical substation with a drone in Russia’s Kursk region in a “successful attack” near the border, an official with the SBU security service said Friday.
- The governor of the Kursk region said a Ukrainian drone dropped explosives on the substation in the Russian village of Belaya, cutting off the power supply nearby, including at a hospital.
- The attack on the power facility sparked a blaze, and firefighters rushed to the site in the Kursk region of western Russia, the governor, Roman Starovoyt, wrote on Telegram.
- Air defenses shot down several other drones targeting Kursk, the governor and the Russian Ministry of Defense said, also blaming Kyiv.
- Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans on officials in Ukrainian regions illegally annexed by Russia last year, the Foreign Office announced Friday.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine hit an electrical substation with a drone in Russia’s Kursk region in a “successful attack” near the border, an official with the SBU security service said Friday.
- The governor of the Kursk region said a Ukrainian drone dropped explosives on the substation in the Russian village of Belaya, cutting off the power supply nearby, including at a hospital.
- The attack on the power facility sparked a blaze, and firefighters rushed to the site in the Kursk region of western Russia, the governor, Roman Starovoyt, wrote on Telegram.
- Air defenses shot down several other drones targeting Kursk, the governor and the Russian Ministry of Defense said, also blaming Kyiv.
- Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans on officials in Ukrainian regions illegally annexed by Russia last year, the Foreign Office announced Friday.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Romania’s Ministry of National Defense said police were deployed near the border where the potential breach was detected. The statement said residents there received warning alerts that were lifted later in the night.
- A Russian drone attack in a town in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region sparked a fire, prompting authorities to order a limited evacuation of residents near the site.
- Russian air defense systems shot down nine rockets launched by Ukraine over Russia’s Belgorod region overnight, according to the Russian defense ministry.
- Russian authorities in Kursk have reported strikes and shelling nearly every day over the past week. A Ukrainian drone strike on a substation in the Russian region near the border on Friday briefly left 5,000 people without electricity.
More live updates here.
- Romania’s Ministry of National Defense said police were deployed near the border where the potential breach was detected. The statement said residents there received warning alerts that were lifted later in the night.
- A Russian drone attack in a town in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia region sparked a fire, prompting authorities to order a limited evacuation of residents near the site.
- Russian air defense systems shot down nine rockets launched by Ukraine over Russia’s Belgorod region overnight, according to the Russian defense ministry.
- Russian authorities in Kursk have reported strikes and shelling nearly every day over the past week. A Ukrainian drone strike on a substation in the Russian region near the border on Friday briefly left 5,000 people without electricity.
More live updates here.
Russia failed to keep peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, pivoting away from Armenia
RIGA, Latvia — With virtually the entire population of Armenians feeling from Nagorno-Karabakh, refugees are voicing rage over the loss of their homeland and accusing Russia of betrayal after peacekeepers sent by Moscow failed to protect them.
The lightning military operation by Azerbaijan to seize back the disputed mountainous region made a mockery of President Vladimir Putin’s 2020 guarantee that Russian peacekeepers would protect the region’s population, maintain a cease-fire, and assure access on the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, through the Lachin Corridor.
Russia failed on all three counts.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, roughly 120,000 people, will leave and he accused Azerbaijan of “ethnic cleansing.”
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — With virtually the entire population of Armenians feeling from Nagorno-Karabakh, refugees are voicing rage over the loss of their homeland and accusing Russia of betrayal after peacekeepers sent by Moscow failed to protect them.
The lightning military operation by Azerbaijan to seize back the disputed mountainous region made a mockery of President Vladimir Putin’s 2020 guarantee that Russian peacekeepers would protect the region’s population, maintain a cease-fire, and assure access on the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, through the Lachin Corridor.
Russia failed on all three counts.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, roughly 120,000 people, will leave and he accused Azerbaijan of “ethnic cleansing.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Aid for Ukraine has become a key issue as the United States hurtles toward a government shutdown.
- Supporters of Ukraine say failure to pass the aid will encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and likely lead European allies to pare back their support for the war.
- The Romanian Army’s radar system detected “a possible unauthorized” breach of the country’s airspace after registering “groups of drones heading toward Ukrainian territory” near the border as Russia conducted “a new series of attacks on some targets in Ukraine,” Romania’s defense ministry said.
- Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure on the banks of the River Danube have renewed concerns of a potential escalation in recent weeks.
More live updates here.
- Aid for Ukraine has become a key issue as the United States hurtles toward a government shutdown.
- Supporters of Ukraine say failure to pass the aid will encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and likely lead European allies to pare back their support for the war.
- The Romanian Army’s radar system detected “a possible unauthorized” breach of the country’s airspace after registering “groups of drones heading toward Ukrainian territory” near the border as Russia conducted “a new series of attacks on some targets in Ukraine,” Romania’s defense ministry said.
- Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure on the banks of the River Danube have renewed concerns of a potential escalation in recent weeks.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- House Republicans on Saturday pushed through a short-term bill to fund the government and avert a shutdown, and in the process excluded aid to Ukraine.
- A bipartisan group of Senate leadership members pledged to work in coming weeks on legislation that further funds Ukraine’s war effort.
- Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) also said that the Senate would pursue a funding package for Ukraine “in very short order,” and that it may pass it as a stand-alone bill or as part of a larger funding package for the Defense Department.
- Supporters of Ukraine had said that any failure to include aid would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and possibly lead European allies to pare back their support for the war.
- Slovakia’s parliamentary election has the potential to complicate the Western response to Ukraine.
- The Romanian army’s radar system detected “a possible unauthorized” breach of the country’s airspace, Romania’s Defense Ministry said.
More live updates here.
- House Republicans on Saturday pushed through a short-term bill to fund the government and avert a shutdown, and in the process excluded aid to Ukraine.
- A bipartisan group of Senate leadership members pledged to work in coming weeks on legislation that further funds Ukraine’s war effort.
- Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) also said that the Senate would pursue a funding package for Ukraine “in very short order,” and that it may pass it as a stand-alone bill or as part of a larger funding package for the Defense Department.
- Supporters of Ukraine had said that any failure to include aid would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and possibly lead European allies to pare back their support for the war.
- Slovakia’s parliamentary election has the potential to complicate the Western response to Ukraine.
- The Romanian army’s radar system detected “a possible unauthorized” breach of the country’s airspace, Romania’s Defense Ministry said.
More live updates here.
Kyiv downplays lack of Ukraine aid in new U.S. spending bill
KYIV — Ukrainian officials are insisting that aid to their country is not in jeopardy, despite concerns over a new U.S. spending bill that excluded some $20 billion in assistance for Kyiv.
“There are funds,” Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, wrote on Facebook after the vote Saturday in Congress to approve the measure and avoid a government shutdown.
“The government will work, so there is no threat to the supply of previously approved weapons and equipment,” she said, adding that “there is time, there are resources and, most importantly, there is bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko also said Sunday that support for Ukraine “remains intact” across the administration and both houses of Congress.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — Ukrainian officials are insisting that aid to their country is not in jeopardy, despite concerns over a new U.S. spending bill that excluded some $20 billion in assistance for Kyiv.
“There are funds,” Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, wrote on Facebook after the vote Saturday in Congress to approve the measure and avoid a government shutdown.
“The government will work, so there is no threat to the supply of previously approved weapons and equipment,” she said, adding that “there is time, there are resources and, most importantly, there is bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko also said Sunday that support for Ukraine “remains intact” across the administration and both houses of Congress.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- President Biden sought to reassure Ukrainians on Sunday that the United States would not abandon its support for the war-torn nation after a funding bill that averted a government shutdown this weekend did not include anticipated aid. “We cannot under any circumstance allow America’s support for Ukraine to be interrupted,” Biden said in a news conference Sunday afternoon.
- McCarthy said he’ll support sending Ukrainian troops “the weapons that they need,” though a potential challenge to his leadership could further complicate plans for the aid.
- Ukraine’s envoy to Washington expressed optimism that funding guarantees for Kyiv would be secured. There is time, there are resources, and there is bipartisan support for Ukraine in Washington, Ambassador Oksana Markarova said in a Facebook post.
More live updates here.
- President Biden sought to reassure Ukrainians on Sunday that the United States would not abandon its support for the war-torn nation after a funding bill that averted a government shutdown this weekend did not include anticipated aid. “We cannot under any circumstance allow America’s support for Ukraine to be interrupted,” Biden said in a news conference Sunday afternoon.
- McCarthy said he’ll support sending Ukrainian troops “the weapons that they need,” though a potential challenge to his leadership could further complicate plans for the aid.
- Ukraine’s envoy to Washington expressed optimism that funding guarantees for Kyiv would be secured. There is time, there are resources, and there is bipartisan support for Ukraine in Washington, Ambassador Oksana Markarova said in a Facebook post.
More live updates here.
Ukraine hits Russia’s Kursk region repeatedly with airstrikes
A Ukrainian drone strike on an electrical substation briefly left 5,000 people without electricity in Russia’s Kursk region, an area where authorities reported strikes and shelling nearly every day during the past week.
The governor of the Kursk region, Roman Starovoyt, said Friday that a Ukrainian drone dropped explosives on the substation in the village of Belaya, cutting off power to nearby areas, including a hospital that had to operate on a diesel power generator for some time. The power was restored Friday evening, according to Starovoyt.
“Today our region was massively attacked by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, our air defense shot down 10 UAVs,” Starovoyt said in a Telegram message. “Thanks to all our military and concerned citizens who reported on incoming drones.”
Read the full story here.
A Ukrainian drone strike on an electrical substation briefly left 5,000 people without electricity in Russia’s Kursk region, an area where authorities reported strikes and shelling nearly every day during the past week.
The governor of the Kursk region, Roman Starovoyt, said Friday that a Ukrainian drone dropped explosives on the substation in the village of Belaya, cutting off power to nearby areas, including a hospital that had to operate on a diesel power generator for some time. The power was restored Friday evening, according to Starovoyt.
“Today our region was massively attacked by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, our air defense shot down 10 UAVs,” Starovoyt said in a Telegram message. “Thanks to all our military and concerned citizens who reported on incoming drones.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised to continue fighting the Russian invasion “for as long as it takes” after the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives blocked new aid for Ukraine amid opposition by some hard-right members.
- President Biden sought to reassure Ukrainians, saying he hoped Republicans would “keep their word” after a funding bill that averted a U.S. government shutdown over the weekend did not include more aid for Kyiv.
- Zelensky spoke with European foreign ministers in Kyiv about Ukraine’s hopes to join the E.U.
- Another challenge to Western unity on Ukraine policy may come from Slovakia after pro-Russian populist Robert Fico and his party won the country’s parliamentary elections over the weekend.
- Bulgaria will ban cars with Russian number plates from entering the country starting Monday, its border police head told national television.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised to continue fighting the Russian invasion “for as long as it takes” after the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives blocked new aid for Ukraine amid opposition by some hard-right members.
- President Biden sought to reassure Ukrainians, saying he hoped Republicans would “keep their word” after a funding bill that averted a U.S. government shutdown over the weekend did not include more aid for Kyiv.
- Zelensky spoke with European foreign ministers in Kyiv about Ukraine’s hopes to join the E.U.
- Another challenge to Western unity on Ukraine policy may come from Slovakia after pro-Russian populist Robert Fico and his party won the country’s parliamentary elections over the weekend.
- Bulgaria will ban cars with Russian number plates from entering the country starting Monday, its border police head told national television.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Foreign ministers of several European Union nations gathered in Kyiv on Monday in a meeting that E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell lauded as “historic.”
- The event culminated in Borrell’s proposing up to 5 billion euros, or about $5.2 billion, in additional aid to Ukraine. It also marked the first time E.U. foreign ministers gathered outside of E.U. territory and in a country at war.
- The city of Kharkiv is planning to build Ukraine’s first underground school to protect against missile threats, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
- Poland delivered its first batch of refurbished Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced on Monday.
More live updates here.
- Foreign ministers of several European Union nations gathered in Kyiv on Monday in a meeting that E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell lauded as “historic.”
- The event culminated in Borrell’s proposing up to 5 billion euros, or about $5.2 billion, in additional aid to Ukraine. It also marked the first time E.U. foreign ministers gathered outside of E.U. territory and in a country at war.
- The city of Kharkiv is planning to build Ukraine’s first underground school to protect against missile threats, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
- Poland delivered its first batch of refurbished Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced on Monday.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Foreign ministers of several European Union nations gathered in Kyiv in a meeting that the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, lauded as “historic.”
- Russia has no plans to mobilize more troops in Ukraine, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
- At least two people were killed and seven others were injured in attacks on the region of Kherson, its governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said on Telegram Tuesday.
- The city of Kharkiv is planning to build Ukraine’s first underground school to protect against missile threats, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.
- Germany said it provided Ukraine with thousands of additional rounds of ammunition and several vehicles.
- Poland delivered its first batch of refurbished Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced on social media.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with the foreign ministers about Ukraine’s hope to join the European Union.
More live updates here.
- Foreign ministers of several European Union nations gathered in Kyiv in a meeting that the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, lauded as “historic.”
- Russia has no plans to mobilize more troops in Ukraine, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
- At least two people were killed and seven others were injured in attacks on the region of Kherson, its governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said on Telegram Tuesday.
- The city of Kharkiv is planning to build Ukraine’s first underground school to protect against missile threats, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.
- Germany said it provided Ukraine with thousands of additional rounds of ammunition and several vehicles.
- Poland delivered its first batch of refurbished Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) announced on social media.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with the foreign ministers about Ukraine’s hope to join the European Union.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from his role as House speaker on Tuesday, a move that left the chamber without a leader and has propelled Congress into a period of unpredictability and paralysis. (Here's how it happened and what's next).
- His removal comes at a time when Republican support for further U.S. aid to Ukraine has been wavering and potentially signals a shift on future assistance.
- Biden warned that a lapse in U.S. funding for Ukraine “could make all the difference on the battlefield” during a call with allies and partners on Tuesday.
- Ukraine says its troops have made advances in the south, a target region in their counteroffensive against Russian occupation.
- Western allies are running low on ammunition to give to Ukraine, senior military leaders warned in a push for increased defense spending in Europe.
More live updates here.
- Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from his role as House speaker on Tuesday, a move that left the chamber without a leader and has propelled Congress into a period of unpredictability and paralysis. (Here's how it happened and what's next).
- His removal comes at a time when Republican support for further U.S. aid to Ukraine has been wavering and potentially signals a shift on future assistance.
- Biden warned that a lapse in U.S. funding for Ukraine “could make all the difference on the battlefield” during a call with allies and partners on Tuesday.
- Ukraine says its troops have made advances in the south, a target region in their counteroffensive against Russian occupation.
- Western allies are running low on ammunition to give to Ukraine, senior military leaders warned in a push for increased defense spending in Europe.
More live updates here.
Analysis: E.U. diplomats rally in Kyiv as cracks grow in West’s support
A delegation of top European foreign ministers was in Kyiv on Monday in a show of solidarity with an embattled government. E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell billed their arrival in the Ukrainian capital as part of a “historic meeting” with a candidate for membership of the European Union. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared that the future of Ukraine would be within the bloc and hailed the continent’s “community of freedom, which will stretch from Lisbon to Luhansk.”
Ukraine’s present is far less rosy, with its province in Luhansk among the territories under Russian control and occupation. A slow going Ukrainian counteroffensive is battering against Russian fortifications across a vast front line spanning the country’s south and east. Casualties are mounting, while concerns grow over the flow of vital foreign aid that Ukraine needs to sustain its resistance to Russia’s invasion.
Read the full analysis here.
A delegation of top European foreign ministers was in Kyiv on Monday in a show of solidarity with an embattled government. E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell billed their arrival in the Ukrainian capital as part of a “historic meeting” with a candidate for membership of the European Union. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared that the future of Ukraine would be within the bloc and hailed the continent’s “community of freedom, which will stretch from Lisbon to Luhansk.”
Ukraine’s present is far less rosy, with its province in Luhansk among the territories under Russian control and occupation. A slow going Ukrainian counteroffensive is battering against Russian fortifications across a vast front line spanning the country’s south and east. Casualties are mounting, while concerns grow over the flow of vital foreign aid that Ukraine needs to sustain its resistance to Russia’s invasion.
Read the full analysis here.
Has the war in Ukraine changed Macron? Allies would love to know.
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is not particularly known for mea culpas. So, when he delivered a moderately repentant speech on Russia and Ukraine, ears perked up.
Since Russia invaded, Macron has drawn ire — and eye rolls — for clinging to the idea that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be talked down.
Now here he was, more than a year in, telling a crowd in Slovakia that Western Europe had failed to listen to the east on Russia and praising NATO, the alliance he once said was experiencing brain death.
The question of where Macron and France stand on Ukraine will loom large this week as European leaders gather in Spain to discuss how to bring Ukraine and other countries closer in the months and years ahead.
Read the full story here.
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is not particularly known for mea culpas. So, when he delivered a moderately repentant speech on Russia and Ukraine, ears perked up.
Since Russia invaded, Macron has drawn ire — and eye rolls — for clinging to the idea that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be talked down.
Now here he was, more than a year in, telling a crowd in Slovakia that Western Europe had failed to listen to the east on Russia and praising NATO, the alliance he once said was experiencing brain death.
The question of where Macron and France stand on Ukraine will loom large this week as European leaders gather in Spain to discuss how to bring Ukraine and other countries closer in the months and years ahead.
Read the full story here.