Russia Ukraine War Updates: At UN, Zelenskyy accuses Russian military of war crimes

Over the past few days, grisly images of what appeared to be civilian massacres carried out by Russian forces in Bucha before they withdrew from the outskirts of Kyiv have caused a global outcry and led Western nations to expel scores of Moscow’s diplomats and propose further sanctions, including a ban on coal imports from Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the Russians of gruesome atrocities in Ukraine and told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that those responsible should immediately be brought up on war crimes charges in front of a tribunal like the one established at Nuremberg after World War II. Zelenskyy, appearing via video from Ukraine, said that civilians had been tortured, shot in the back of the head, thrown down wells, blown up with grenades in their apartments and crushed to death by tanks while in cars.

Intel suspends all business operations in Russia

US technology company Intel, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of computer components and electronic devices, said it has suspended its activities in Russia over the situation in Ukraine.

“Effective immediately, we have suspended all business operations in Russia,” the company said.

Twitter limits reach for Russian govt accounts

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Twitter has announced not to amplify or recommend government accounts in countries — starting with Russia — that limit access to free information and are engaged in armed interstate conflict whether Twitter is blocked in that country or not.

Twitter said when a government blocks or limits access to online services within their state, undercutting the public’s voice and ability to freely access information, but continues to use online services for their own communications, a severe information imbalance is created.

“Particularly in moments of active, armed interstate conflict, the harms created by this imbalance are acute; access to information, and to the ability to share information, are of paramount importance,” the micro-blogging platform said late on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s National Guard retakes control of Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The National Guard of Ukraine has said its divisions have arrived at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) site and taken control of the facility’s security.

“The major task of the national guardsmen on the Chernobyl NPP site is ensuring security and defence of its nuclear facilities as well as physical protection of nuclear material,” the National Guard said on Facebook this Tuesday.

The safety of the site and its transport infrastructure will be checked by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it added.

The Russian troops that had been in control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant since February 24 left the facility on March 31, Xinhua news agency reported.

US OKs $100M transfer of missiles to Ukraine

President Joe Biden approved a USD 100 million transfer of Javelin anti-armour missiles to Ukraine on Tuesday, according to an administration official.
The transfer brings the total of U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to USD 2.4 billion since Biden took office last January. The White House announced late Tuesday that Biden approved the assistance, which is funded as part of a broader USD 13.6 billion in aid for Ukraine approved by Congress last month after Russia’s invasion.

The administration official confirmed that it was for a transfer of the Javelin missiles, which have been requested by the Ukrainian military to combat Russian armour.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

Russia supplied 8,500 tonnes of humanitarian cargoes to Ukraine

Russia supplied 8,500 tonnes of humanitarian cargoes to Ukraine, reports Russia’s media outlet Sputnik

It’s becoming more and more difficult for Putin to fund Ukrainian war every single day: White House

It is becoming more and more difficult for Russian President Vladimir Putin to fund his war in Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday adding that more tough sanctions are to be announced on Wednesday.

“What we are doing and we’re already seeing effectively happen is the financial system in Russia is near the brink of collapse. I mean, they’re projecting 15 per cent inflation, a contraction of 15 percent in their economy. Private sector businesses are pulling out of the country. It is more and more difficult for President Putin to fund this war every single day. That has an impact,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.

“But what we’re also doing is providing a historic amount of military and security assistance, which is what they’ve been using effectively over the last few weeks to fight this war and push back the Russians,” she said.

Eight Russian cruise missiles destroyed in a day

Ukraine’s Air Force said that in an attempt to avoid Ukraine’s aerial defense zones, Russian forces have instead been launching missiles from Belarus

The Kyiv Independent

Blinken discusses Ukraine situation with Jaishankar

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday spoke with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to review regional and global priorities, including the situation in Ukraine.

US State Department statement said both agreed to remain closely coordinated on developments and looked forward to meeting again soon.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today to review regional and global priorities, including the situation in Ukraine. They agreed to remain closely coordinated on developments and looked forward to meeting again soon,” said State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

Avoid creating another Ukraine-like crisis: China on AUKUS hypersonic plans

Chinese envoy to the United Nations, Zhang Jun said on Tuesday the AUKUS partner countries that have announced plans to cooperate on developing hypersonic weapons, should avoid creating another Ukraine-like crisis.

“Anyone who does not want to see the Ukrainian crisis should refrain from doing things that may lead the other parts of the world into a crisis like this,” Zhang said regarding the announcement by Australia.

“[A]s the Chinese saying goes, if you do not like it, do not impose it against the others.”

China watching Ukraine situation, learning from it: US commander on Taiwan issue

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, a senior US commander stated that Washington must remain vigilant on the Taiwan issue as China is increasing its capabilities and making adjustments to its plans to forcefully unite the island nation.

“China is undoubtedly watching what’s happened in Ukraine, taking notes, and learning from it,” said U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Samuel J Paparo.

“And there will be learning and there will be adjustments to the extent that they’re able to learn from it. And they will improve their capabilities based on what they learn at this time,” said Paparo during a roundtable discussion with Washington-based correspondents from Indo-Pacific countries.

Chinese, Canadian foreign ministers discuss Ukraine, Xinjiang over phone call

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday held a phone call with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly during which they discussed several issues including the ongoing war in Ukraine and human rights issues in Xinjiang.

During their conversation, Wang said that the people of China and Canada have enjoyed long-term friendly exchanges, Xinhua News Agency reported.
However, in recent years, China-Canada relations have suffered a serious setback due to the Meng Wanzhou case, which is something we do not want to see, Wang said.

“China and Canada have no historical disputes or real conflicts of interest. China hopes that Canada, in line with the goal of mutual benefit and win-win results, will do more to enhance mutual trust and promote bilateral relations,” Wang said.

Russia ‘more prudent’ in food supply to ‘hostile’ countries: Putin

Russia will be more prudent this year in exporting food, especially to countries that are pursuing a hostile policy towards Russia, President Vladimir Putin said.

“This year, against the backdrop of a global food shortage, we will have to be more prudent in our food supplies abroad, namely, to carefully monitor the parameters of such exports to countries that are clearly hostile towards us,” Putin added on Tuesday at a meeting to support the country’s agricultural sector.

At the same time, he said the “increased production volumes make it possible to ensure food prices in Russia are lower than on the world market,” Xinhua news agency reported.

Trade sanctions against Russia drives up Canadian export values: Statistics

The various trade sanctions against Russia indirectly drove up Canadian export values with higher demand and substantial price increases, Statistics Canada said, publishing trade data in February with crude oil contributing the most to the export growth.

According to Statistics Canada data, total trade (exports plus imports) with Russia was 2.8 billion Canadian dollars ($2.2 billion) in 2021, representing 0.2 per cent of Canadian trade activity. As a result, the direct impact of the various trade sanctions imposed by a number of countries against Russia is minimal for Canadian merchandise trade values.

Putin-Zelensky meeting possible only after treaty ready: Kremlin

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is possible only after a peace treaty is ready, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“Nothing has changed for us. We do not reject the possibility of such a meeting for our President,” Peskov told a daily briefing on Tuesday.

“But we repeat once again that such a meeting is possible only after the text of the document is agreed upon,” he added.

Over $20bn of int’l aid allocated for Ukraine: Central bank chief

More than $20 billion of international aid has been allocated for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported, citing Kyrylo Shevchenko, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.

“The financial aid allocated for Ukraine by now exceeds $20 billion. A part of it has already been disbursed,” Shevchenko was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

In March, he said the international donors have pledged $15 billion in financial, technical and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ukraine’s National Guard retakes control of Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The National Guard of Ukraine has said its divisions have arrived at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) site and taken control of the facility’s security.

“The major task of the national guardsmen on the Chernobyl NPP site is ensuring security and defence of its nuclear facilities as well as physical protection of nuclear material,” the National Guard said on Facebook this Tuesday.

The safety of the site and its transport infrastructure will be checked by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it added.

India unlikely to follow American advice on Russia, says US diplomacy firm

India is unlikely to follow the American advice on pursuing an alternative option to defence and energy procurement from Russia, a leading American global strategy and commercial diplomacy firm said Tuesday.

In a report on India, the prestigious Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) said that it has heard from involved officials that there is disappointment with India’s neutral approach to Russia.

“US lawmakers grew concerned over Delhi’s relationship with Moscow following India’s repeated reluctance to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the UN,” it said.

News Credit: India TV News