Highlights
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine promised to stay in Kyiv as his army fought Russian invaders advancing near the capital in the largest attack on a European state since World War II.
- A picture of ferocious warfare on numerous fronts began to emerge. According to a Ukrainian presidential adviser, Russian forces have taken control of the former Chernobyl nuclear power facility on the route between Belarus and Kyiv.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin said his aim was to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine. He said any hindrance would be met by “such consequences that you have never encountered in your history”.
- Putin’s conduct, according to US President Joe Biden, was based on “blatant aggression.” He announced further sanctions against the country’s banks and affluent elite, as well as broad export restrictions.
- After the price of oil skyrocketed, Biden stated the US was working with partners on releasing oil from strategic stockpiles.
- French President Emmanuel Macron said he held a “frank, direct and quick” phone call with Putin on Thursday to ask him to stop military operations because Zelenskiy had asked him to.
- Sanctions against Russia were announced by the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and others, targeting banks, military exports, and members of Putin’s closest circle.
- Putin “must and will fail,” EU leaders said as they agreed on new sanctions, saying he was trying to bring the continent back to the age of empires and confrontations.
- Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians attempted to flee to neighbouring nations. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, 100,000 people have fled their homes.
- After a heartbreaking loss, the Ukrainian basketball team received a standing ovation in Spain.
- Stock markets have plummeted, and the Russian rouble has reached an all-time low. As the West detailed its sanctions against Russia, U.S. markets rose.
Quotes
– “(The) enemy has marked me down as the number one target,” Zelenskiy said. “They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state.”
Coming Events
The U.N. Security Council is likely to vote on Friday on a draft resolution condemning Russia and requiring it to unconditionally withdraw, a U.S. official said.
NATO will hold an emergency summit on Friday.
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Source: Reuters
