Ukraine latest: Kazakhstan seeks to pipe oil to Germany through Russia

The Russian invasion of Ukraine that started on Feb. 24 continues, with casualties rising on each side.

Ukrainian forces are mounting a powerful counteroffensive towards Russian troops, reclaiming territory misplaced when Moscow launched its invasion.

Ukraine has managed to face up to the Russian onslaught with the assistance of Western army help, however President Volodymyr Zelenskyy usually calls on the world to do extra. For all our protection, go to our Ukraine battle web page.

Learn our in-depth protection:

How Ukraine battle shook and formed Asia in 2022

Japan insurers to proceed maritime battle insurance coverage in Russia

Vietnam steps away from Russia reliance with first protection expo

Ukraine protection minister nixes early peace talks with Moscow

Bangladesh human rights controversy sparks U.S.-Russia spat

Cambodia to coach Ukraine land mine clearance personnel: Hun Sen

Be aware: Nikkei Asia selected March 5 to droop its reporting from Russia till additional info turns into out there relating to the scope of the revised felony code. Entries embody materials from wire companies and different sources.

Listed below are the newest developments:

Friday, Dec. 30 (Tokyo time)

4:00 a.m. Kazakhstan seeks to ship oil to Germany via a Russian pipeline subsequent yr.

Kazakh oil pipeline firm KazTransOil has utilized to transport 1.2 million tonnes of oil certain for Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, Interfax reviews, citing the corporate’s information service. Moscow is ready to approve Kazakhstan’s software, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak is quoted as saying.

The European Union has agreed to cease shopping for seaborne Russian oil with a purpose to sap Moscow’s funding for its battle in Ukraine, however the sprawling Druzhba pipeline itself is just not coated by this restriction. German refineries are linked to the pipeline. Kazakh oil, most of which is piped via Russia, represents an alternative choice to Russian crude.

12:30 a.m. Japanese insurers will proceed overlaying ships crusing via Russian waters towards battle injury in January and past, reversing an earlier choice to halt protection, Nikkei has discovered.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Hearth Insurance coverage, Sompo Japan Insurance coverage and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance coverage had began informing shoppers on Dec. 23 that they’d cease providing battle threat protection in Russian waters beginning Jan. 1, after Western reinsurers withdrew protection in Russia and Ukraine.

Ships want this extra layer of protection with a purpose to sail via areas the place they may endure injury from acts of battle. Learn extra.

Thursday, Dec. 29

11:55 p.m. Belarus says it has downed a Ukrainian air protection missile on its territory.

Items of a what Belarusian authorities described as an S-300 missile have been present in a discipline, state tv reviews. No casualties have been reported. Belarus lodged a protest with the Ukrainian ambassador.

In an announcement, Ukraine’s Ministry of Protection says it is able to conduct an goal investigation of the incident. The ministry additionally says its doesn’t rule out “a deliberate provocation by the terrorist state of Russia” to impress the shootdown over Belarusian territory.

The apparently stray air interceptor fell on Belarus as Russia launched volleys of missiles towards Ukraine in what Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba known as “mindless barbarism.”

Russian ally Belarus allowed Russian forces on its territory in February however says it’s not concerned in Moscow’s battle on Ukraine.

3:00 a.m. Because of Ukraine, the world has remembered “what it means to be winners,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in a speech to his nation’s parliament.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine’s companions can really feel they’re sharing within the international locations victories.

“We helped the West to search out itself once more, to return to the worldwide area and to really feel how a lot the West prevails,” the Ukrainian says in a speech that follows his journey to Washington, the place he addressed the U.S. Congress.

“For the primary time in historical past, some European international locations have reconsidered the idea of neutrality and are resisting aggression along with us, along with Ukraine,” he additionally says to his nation’s lawmakers.

Wednesday, Dec. 28

11:00 p.m. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken points an announcement marking 4 years since former American Marine Paul Whelan was detained in Russia.

“His detention stays unacceptable, and we proceed to press for his quick launch at each alternative,” Blinken says. “I’m dedicated to bringing dwelling Paul and all U.S. hostages and wrongful detainees held all over the world.”

Convicted of spying, Whelan has been sentenced to 16 years in Russian jail. He denies the costs towards him, and the U.S. has denounced the conviction as primarily based on secret proof.

Whelan’s household says it hasn’t given up on securing his freedom following the discharge of American basketball begin Brittney Griner, who had been serving time in a Russian penal colony on a drug conviction. Griner was launched earlier this month in a high-profile prisoner swap.

10:45 p.m. The Kremlin dismisses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan, saying that proposals to finish the battle in Ukraine should think about what it calls “immediately’s realities” of 4 Ukrainian areas having joined Russia.

“There might be no peace plan for Ukraine that doesn’t bear in mind immediately’s realities relating to Russian territory, with the entry of 4 areas into Russia,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned. “Plans that don’t take these realities under consideration can’t be peaceable.”

1:00 p.m. Indian police are investigating the dying of Russian businessman-turned-lawmaker Pavel Antov, 65, who was discovered Saturday in a pool of blood exterior his resort the place he was on vacation within the japanese Indian state of Odisha, information retailers report.

Antov’s dying got here two days after his pal and journey companion Vladimir Budanov, 61, died of a coronary heart assault. Police assume Antov fell from the resort terrace.

Antov made is fortune in sausages earlier than changing into a regional lawmaker. In June, he denied posting an anti-war message on social media.

3:00 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her assist for his nation in a telephone name.

Meloni tells Zelenskyy she intends to journey to Kyiv, and he or she invitations him to go to Rome, she says in a Twitter post.

1:45 a.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order banning exports of oil and oil merchandise to international locations which have imposed a value cap on certainly one of his nation’s most essential items.

The Group of Seven’s $60 value ceiling on seaborne Russian crude is supposed to restrict Moscow’s capability to fund its battle in Ukraine. Putin had warned that it could lower off oil exports to any nation abiding by the cap.

The order runs from Feb. 1 to July 1 of subsequent yr and grants Putin the ability to make particular exceptions. It applies to crude oil from Feb. 1, however the begin date for the oil merchandise ban shall be set individually by the federal government.

The value cap, enforced by the G-7 nations, the European Union and Australia, comes on high of an EU embargo on imports of Russian crude by sea and related pledges by the U.S., Canada, Japan and the U.Ok.

Tuesday, Dec. 27

7:16 a.m. Moscow’s proposals for “demilitarization” and “denazification” of Ukraine are recognized to Kyiv, and it’s as much as Ukrainian authorities to meet them — in any other case the Russian military will resolve the problem, Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov says.

“Our proposals for the demilitarization and denazification of the territories managed by the regime, the elimination of threats to Russia’s safety emanating from there, together with our new lands, are well-known to the enemy,” Russian information cited Lavrov as saying. “The purpose is straightforward: Fulfill them on your personal good. In any other case, the problem shall be determined by the Russian military.”

6:32 a.m. A drone believed to be Ukrainian penetrated a whole bunch of kilometers via Russian airspace, inflicting a lethal explosion on the primary base for Moscow’s strategic bombers — the newest assault to reveal gaps in Russia’s air defenses. Moscow says it shot down the drone, inflicting it to crash at Engels air base, the place three service members have been killed.

Beneath its normal coverage on incidents inside Russia, Ukraine didn’t remark. The bottom is the principle airfield for the bombers that Kyiv says Moscow has utilized in latest months to assault Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

6:15 a.m. Almost 9 million folks stay with out electrical energy in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in his nightly video tackle, noting that energy employees repairing the grid after repeated Russian assaults had reconnected many individuals over Christmas however issues persist.

12:20 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks India’s assist with enacting a “peace formulation” in talks Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I had a telephone name with PM Narendra Modi and wished a profitable [Group of 20] presidency,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. “It was on this platform that I introduced the peace formulation and now I rely on India’s participation in its implementation.”

Modi conveyed assist for any peace efforts throughout the name, India’s authorities says. India, which has not explicitly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, seeks to strengthen commerce with Moscow whereas Western nations introduce new measures to restrict Russia’s funding of the battle.

Monday, Dec. 26

4:10 a.m. President Vladimir Putin says Russia is able to speak, whilst latest assaults in Kherson and different Ukrainian cities elevate doubts as as to whether peace is imminent.

Moscow is “ready to barter some acceptable outcomes with all of the members of this course of,” Putin tells state tv. He once more blames Kyiv for not wanting to barter — it has demanded a withdrawal as a precondition, which Moscow has rejected — and claims that his nation has “no different alternative” and is appearing in its nationwide pursuits.

Putin’s remarks come days after reviews that he publicly known as the battle a “battle” for the primary time as a substitute of the official time period “particular army operation.”

Sunday, Dec. 25

10:38 p.m. Some Orthodox Ukrainians have determined to watch Christmas on Dec. 25, like many Christians all over the world, as a substitute of the normal Jan. 7 shared with Russians, The Related Press reviews.

The management of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which isn’t aligned with the Russian church and certainly one of two branches of Orthodox Christianity within the nation, agreed in October to permit the devoted to rejoice on Dec. 25, in accordance with the AP.

9:52 p.m. Overseas Minister Wang Yi defends China’s place on the battle and alerts a strengthening of “rock-solid” ties with Russia within the coming yr.

China will “deepen strategic mutual belief and mutually helpful cooperation” with Russia, he says within the official textual content of a speech. Warships from the 2 international locations kicked off this yr’s Joint Sea annual naval drills within the East China Sea final week.

“With regard to the Ukraine disaster, now we have constantly upheld the elemental rules of objectivity and impartiality, with out favoring one aspect or the opposite, or including gas to the fireplace, nonetheless much less looking for egocentric positive factors from the scenario,” Wang says.

Saturday, Dec. 24

1:00 a.m. Three Japanese insurers will cease insuring ships for battle injury in all Russian waters on Jan. 1, a call that would have an effect on Japan’s vitality imports, Nikkei has discovered. Learn extra.

Friday, Dec. 23

2:30 p.m. Russia could lower oil output by 5% to 7% in early 2023 because it responds to cost caps on its crude and oil merchandise by halting gross sales to the international locations that assist the caps, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak tells state tv. Detailing for the primary time the Russian response to the worth caps launched by the West over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Novak mentioned the cuts may quantity to 500,000 barrels to 700,000 barrels per day. The European Union, G-7 nations and Australia on Dec. 5 launched a $60 per barrel value cap on Russian oil, on high of the EU’s embargo on imports of Russian crude by sea and related pledges by the USA, Canada, Japan and Britain.

9:30 a.m. North Korea’s international ministry denied a media report it provided munitions to Russia, calling it “groundless,” and denounced the U.S. for offering deadly weapons to Ukraine, the North’s official KCNA information company reviews. Japan’s Tokyo Shimbun reported earlier that North Korea had shipped munitions, together with artillery shells, to Russia by prepare via their border final month and that further shipments have been anticipated within the coming weeks. “The Japanese media’s false report that the DPRK provided munitions to Russia is probably the most absurd crimson herring, which isn’t price any remark or interpretation,” a ministry spokesperson mentioned in an announcement carried by the KCNA.

5:00 a.m. North Korea has delivered an arms cargo to the non-public Russian army firm Wagner Group to assist Moscow’s Ukraine battle effort, the White Home says.

“We are able to verify that North Korea has accomplished an preliminary arms supply to Wagner, which paid for that gear,” John Kirby, spokesperson for the Nationwide Safety Council, tells reporters. Learn extra.

3:45 a.m. Russia desires the battle in Ukraine to finish “as quickly as potential,” President Vladimir Putin tells reporters. Putin says that the intensification of hostilities results in unjustified losses and that Russia has by no means given up on negotiations to finish the battle.

Putin’s feedback observe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s journey to the U.S., the place he thanked the American public for its army help to his nation.

Putin says the Patriot air protection system, which the U.S. will provide to Ukraine in its newest help bundle, will solely serve to delay the battle.

“We are going to all the time be capable to discover an antidote,” he says on Russia’s response to Ukrainian forces receiving the Patriot system, which he calls “previous.”

1:00 a.m. The U.S. proclaims sanctions on 10 industrial firms and different organizations linked to Russia’s navy. The targets embody battery provider Rigel and Elektropribor, which makes navigation gear for submarines.

The latter firm “works to make sure excessive operational availability of Moscow’s naval submarine forces,” the U.S. State Division says in a information launch.

Thursday, Dec. 22

11:30 p.m. The Group of Seven rich nations are ready to do extra to assist Ukraine financially, their finance ministers say in a joint assertion. The G-7 already has mobilized as much as $32 billion in budgetary and financial assist.”Japan stands prepared to offer assist in response to the monetary wants of Ukraine in 2023 as properly,” Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki tells reporters after the teleconference with different G-7 monetary chiefs.

6:00 p.m. Russia accuses Japan of abandoning a long time of pacifist coverage and embracing “unbridled militarization,” in response to a 430 trillion yen ($320 billion) protection plan introduced by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida final week. “It may be clearly seen that Tokyo has launched into the trail of an unprecedented buildup of its personal army energy, together with the acquisition of strike potential,” the Russian international ministry says in an announcement. Kishida’s plan will double protection outlay to about 2% of gross home product over 5 years.

Russia is just not alone. North Korea has slammed Japan’s plans to beef up its protection capabilities as “blackhearted” and an “arms buildup for reinvasion.” Learn extra.

10:20 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells the U.S. Congress that the tens of billions of {dollars} of help it had authorized to assist combat a Russian invasion was not charity, however an funding in international safety. Zelenskyy instructed lawmakers within the Home of Representatives that he hoped they’d proceed to assist Ukraine on a bipartisan foundation — a serious level as Republicans will comprise nearly all of the Home on Jan. 3. “Your cash is just not charity,” he mentioned, clad within the khaki fatigues which have been his public uniform all through the 300 days of battle. “It’s an funding in international safety and democracy.”

6:00 a.m. U.S. President Joe Biden stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the White Home throughout Zelenskyy’s first wartime go to to induce People and the world to maintain backing Kyiv in 2023, when congressional approval for help shall be more durable. “As we head into the brand new yr, it is essential for the American folks and for the world to listen to instantly from you, Mr. President, about Ukraine’s combat and the necessity to proceed to face collectively via 2023,” Biden mentioned at a information convention. Zelenskyy, carrying his trademark olive inexperienced pants and sweater, mentioned, “The US will get up for our shared values, the values of freedom.”

4:15 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived on the White Home.

2:30 a.m. Myanmar’s army leaders are shifting ahead with a plan to undertake Russian-built small modular nuclear reactors because the nation grapples with an vitality cliff brought on by dwindling output from pure gasoline reserves.

The Ministry of Electrical Energy and Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear vitality firm, have outlined a joint feasibility research on SMRs.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s commander in chief, visited Russia for every week in July and September, attending the signing of memorandums with Rosatom on each events. Learn extra.

2:15 a.m. Forward of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s go to to Washington, the Biden administration mobilizes $1.85 billion in new army help to Ukraine. The bundle contains the primary switch of the U.S.-made Patriot air protection system to Ukraine.

“Over the previous 300 days, the Kremlin has tried and didn’t wipe Ukraine off the map,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken says in a information launch. “Now, Russia is making an attempt to weaponize winter by freezing and ravenous Ukrainian civilians and forcing households from their houses.”

The extra help is supposed “to assist Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s ongoing brutal and unprovoked assault,” Blinken says.

Moscow has mentioned the Patriot system — which is provided with superior radar and may shoot down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and plane at excessive altitudes — could be a reputable goal for Russian forces if deployed to Ukraine.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

11:19 p.m. Chinese language President Xi Jinping hosts former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Safety Council, in Beijing, telling him that related events within the Ukraine disaster ought to train restraint, interact in complete dialogue and tackle widespread safety considerations via political means, state-run media report.

Since Russia invaded its neighbor in February, Beijing has kept away from condemning Moscow and has opposed sanctions levied towards it by Western nations. However Xi has expressed considerations concerning the battle and objections to utilizing or threatening to make use of nuclear weapons within the japanese European nation.

Medvedev handed Xi a private letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, which famous “the unprecedented stage of Russian-Chinese language political dialogue and sensible cooperation,” Russia’s Tass information company reviews.

11:00 p.m. Russian Protection Minister Sergei Shoigu proposes elevating the age vary for obligatory army service to 21 to 30 years, up from 18-27 beneath the present regulation.

Males in Russia are required to do a yr of army service between these ages. Moscow says these conscripts should not despatched to the battle in Ukraine.

Shoigu’s remarks got here throughout a gathering of senior officers on the Protection Ministry. Russian newspaper Kommersant reviews that Shoigu mentioned the variety of Russian army personnel must be elevated to 1.5 million.

Russia known as up greater than 300,000 reservists in a mobilization decree issued on the finish of September. This week, President Vladimir Putin mentioned that half of the 300,000 had deployed to the battle whereas the remaining have been in coaching.

3:00 p.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he’s on his technique to the U.S. for talks on Ukraine’s protection capabilities. The White Home additionally introduced his go to to Washington. Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden will meet on Wednesday. Biden is predicted to announce almost $2 billion in new safety help, together with the Patriot missile protection system that Kyiv requested.

White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned in an announcement: “The go to will underscore the USA’ steadfast dedication to supporting Ukraine for so long as it takes, together with via the supply of financial, humanitarian and army help.”

9:57 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is predicted to journey to Washington for a gathering with U.S. President Joe Biden and a go to to Congress on Wednesday, U.S. media reported. This could be Zelenskyy’s first recognized journey exterior his nation since Russia invaded in late February. Biden is predicted to satisfy Zelenskyy on the White Home. The go to by the Ukrainian chief would coincide with Biden’s intent to ship the Kyiv authorities Patriot missiles to guard it from heavy Russian bombardment, CNN reported.

7:00 a.m. The World Financial institution mentioned it had authorized a further financing bundle totaling $610 million to handle pressing aid and restoration wants in Ukraine because the battle with Russia continues. The help comes on high of some $18 billion already mobilized for Ukraine by the financial institution, of which some $15 billion has been disbursed. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to have devastating financial and humanitarian penalties, impacting the well being sector, essential vitality infrastructure, and transport networks,” World Financial institution Group President David Malpass mentioned in an announcement.

6:30 a.m. Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva tweets that Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated him on his latest election win and talked of stronger relations between their international locations.

“Brazil is again, looking for dialogue with everybody and dedicated to the seek for a world with out starvation and with peace,” Lula writes.

The Kremlin says each side of the telephone name “expressed confidence” that the “strategic partnership will proceed to develop efficiently in all areas, together with cooperation within the worldwide area, together with inside BRICS” — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Putin mentioned this yr that he had “good relations” with each Lula and President Jair Bolsonaro, who made an official journey to Moscow days earlier than the battle started. Brazil has not joined U.S.-led worldwide sanctions on Russia for the reason that invasion.

3:00 a.m. An explosion alongside a Russian pure gasoline pipeline east of Moscow has killed no less than three folks, varied media report, citing native authorities.

The blast on the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod pipeline within the Chuvashia area occurred throughout deliberate upkeep, the reviews say. State-owned gasoline producer Gazprom is quoted as saying that the explosion had not affected export-bound gasoline.

The pipeline is certainly one of Russia’s most essential conduits for gasoline exports, carrying the gas from Siberia to close Ukraine for ship to Western Europe.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

10:59 p.m. Russia intends to present Iran superior army elements in alternate for greater than 300 suicide drones, “undermining each Center East and worldwide safety,” British protection minister Ben Wallace tells Parliament as a part of an announcement on the Russia-Ukraine battle.

Earlier on Tuesday, European Union international coverage chief Josep Borrell instructed Iran’s international minister that Tehran ought to instantly halt army assist for Russia. Iran acknowledges supplying Moscow with drones however says they have been despatched earlier than the battle in Ukraine, the place Russia has used them to focus on energy stations and civilian infrastructure.

10:03 p.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the japanese metropolis of Bakhmut, dwelling to a number of the fiercest combating in latest weeks as Russia has tried to seize the realm. Zelenskyy’s workplace launched video displaying him there, wearing khaki and handing out medals to troopers to loud applause.

“Ukraine is pleased with you. I’m pleased with you! Thanks for the braveness, resilience and power proven in repelling the enemy assaults,” Zelenskyy mentioned in feedback posted on the Telegram messaging app beneath images of him in Bakhmut.

10:30 a.m. President Vladimir Putin says the scenario in 4 areas of Ukraine that Moscow has declared a part of Russia is “extraordinarily tough.”

Late on Monday — Safety Providers Day, which is extensively celebrated in Russia — he instructed Russian safety businesses working in Ukraine, in feedback translated by Reuters: “Sure, it’s tough for you now. The scenario within the Donetsk and Luhansk Folks’s Republics, within the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia areas is extraordinarily tough.” In September, a defiant Putin moved to annex some 15% of Ukraine. Kyiv, in the meantime, renewed requires extra weapons after Russian drones hit vitality targets.

1:30 a.m. Canada will seize and pursue the forfeiture of $26 million from a holding firm owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, a goal of Western sanctions over his assist for President Vladimir Putin’s authorities.

This marks the primary time that Canada has used its authority to take belongings belonging to folks beneath sanctions, the Overseas Ministry says in a information launch.

“If forfeited, the proceeds which can be generated will be capable to be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine and compensation to victims of the Putin regime’s unlawful and unjustifiable invasion,” it says, including that Canada is the primary Group of Seven nation to take such measures.

Monday, Dec. 19

7:00 p.m. Russia and China will maintain joint naval drills within the East China Sea beginning this week, Russia’s Protection Ministry says.

The assessments will run from Wednesday to Dec. 27 and contain missile and artillery firings, in accordance with the ministry.

This marks China’s newest participation in Russian-led army drills. Chinese language forces joined the annual Vostok train this September, which concerned coordinated naval drills within the Sea of Japan.

3:00 p.m. Russia’s newest assaults hit “essential infrastructure” and personal homes within the area surrounding Kyiv on Monday, Ukrainian authorities say, and air protection methods destroyed about 15 drones directed on the capital. Kyiv’s army administration mentioned on the Telegram messaging app that greater than 20 drones focused the capital. Earlier, it mentioned the capital was attacked by Iranian-made Shahed drones. Oleskiy Kuleba, governor of the Kyiv area, which surrounds however doesn’t embody the capital, mentioned infrastructure and houses have been broken by the night time drone assaults.

2:00 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin flies to Belarus on Monday amid concern in Kyiv that he intends to stress the previous Soviet ally to hitch a brand new floor offensive towards Ukraine and reopen a brand new entrance. Putin, whose invading troops have been buffeted and compelled into retreats in Ukraine’s north, northeast and south, is taking a extra public function within the battle and visited his operation’s headquarters to sound out army commanders on Friday about their subsequent steps. His go to for talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko shall be his first to Minsk since 2019 — earlier than the pandemic and a wave of Belarusian protests in 2020 that Lukashenko crushed with sturdy assist from the Kremlin.

10:30 a.m. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says defending Ukraine’s borders is a “fixed precedence” and his nation is prepared for all potential situations with Russia and its ally Belarus, which Kyiv has warned might be drawn into the 10-month battle. No matter Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko could be persuaded to do for Russia, “this is not going to assist them, similar to all the opposite sick concepts on this battle towards Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy mentioned. He additionally issued a contemporary enchantment to Western nations to offer Kyiv with higher air defenses as “probably the most highly effective” steps to halt the Russian invasion.

6:12 a.m. Energy has been restored to three million extra Ukrainians after the newest Russian assaults on infrastructure, bringing the entire to 9 million after two days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says.

Russia fired scores of missiles on Ukraine’s energy grid Friday, killing no less than three folks and damaging 9 vitality services.

Sunday, Dec. 18

2:00 a.m. Germany has begun testing the primary piece of recent infrastructure meant to cut back its reliance on Russian pure gasoline by receiving shipborne liquefied pure gasoline. The Hoegh Esperanza terminal is within the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven and can be capable to provide sufficient gasoline for 50,000 households for a yr.

Additional floating liquid pure gasoline terminals are anticipated to observe.

“This can be a milestone for Germany changing into vitality unbiased,” Erik Nyheim, chief govt of Hoegh LNG, which owns the Esperanza, instructed the Monetary Instances.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned, “The velocity with which we constructed this needs to be a mannequin for future infrastructure build-outs. Not only for this plant however for a lot of others.”

International demand for LNG is rising with Russian output down. China Petroleum & Chemical signed a serious contract in November to obtain 4 million tons per yr of LNG from state-owned Qatar Vitality for 27 years.

Saturday, Dec. 17

3:59 a.m. TikTok says it’s reducing its employees in Russia, having suspended livestreaming and new content material there months in the past over strict new media censorship following the invasion of Ukraine. The Chinese language-owned social media platform explicitly leaves the door open for absolutely resuming companies sooner or later, “with security as our high precedence.”

2:00 a.m. As Russian airstrikes towards Ukraine proceed, the European Union’s newest bundle of sanctions towards Moscow prohibits exports of plane engines and engine components, with the addition of drones.

“Any longer there shall be a ban on the direct exports of drone engines to Russia and any third nation that would provide drones to Russia,” the Council of the EU says in an announcement.

The EU’s ninth bundle of sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine was authorized Friday, when Russia launched one of many “greatest assaults for the reason that starting of the full-scale battle,” says Mykhailo Shymanov, a spokesperson for Kyiv’s military-civilian administration.

Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba reiterates Kyiv’s name for extra weapons.

“For every Russian missile or drone aimed toward Ukraine and Ukrainians there have to be a howitzer delivered to Ukraine, a tank for Ukraine, an armored automobile for Ukraine,” Kuleba tweets. “This could successfully finish Russian terror towards Ukraine and restore peace and safety in Europe and past.”

Friday, Dec. 16

9:30 p.m. Russia’s battle on Ukraine and the danger of a Chinese language invasion of Taiwan spotlight the necessity for Japan to construct an unbiased system of protection that isn’t solely reliant on the U.S. army, in accordance with three coverage paperwork authorized by Tokyo.

The papers, together with the Nationwide Safety Technique, lay out insurance policies reminiscent of rising Japan’s protection spending to 2% of gross home product and buying counterstrike functionality to hit enemy missile launch websites.

Japan’s protection coverage evaluate took on better urgency after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The paperwork warn that “the likelihood {that a} related critical incident may occur within the Indo-Pacific and East Asia area is not going to be excluded.” They go on to say that China is difficult the worldwide order by strengthening ties with Russia. Learn extra.

3:55 p.m. Air raid sirens wailed throughout Ukraine, together with within the capital Kyiv on Friday, signaling one other Russian missile assault, Ukrainian officers say. “Don’t ignore air raid alerts, stay in shelters,” Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president’s workplace mentioned on the Telegram messaging app. As many as 60 Russian missiles have been noticed heading to Ukrainian air house, mentioned Vitaly Kim, who’s the governor of the Mykolaiv area in southern Ukraine.

8:30 a.m. The European Union says it has authorized a brand new bundle of sanctions aimed toward ramping up stress on Russia for its battle in Ukraine. The bundle, whose particulars had not been revealed, was authorized after days of deliberations throughout a gathering of the 27-nation bloc’s ambassadors in Brussels whereas EU leaders held a summit close by. The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, mentioned the bundle could be confirmed by written process on Friday.

4:50 a.m. The U.S. army will broaden its coaching of Ukrainian army personnel in Germany, together with coaching in mixed arms, reviews Reuters, citing the U.S. Division of Protection.

A Pentagon spokesman mentioned the brand new coaching will contain roughly 500 Ukrainians per 30 days and won’t require a rise in U.S. troop deployments to Europe, in accordance with the report.

4:00 a.m. The Biden administration’s newest spherical of sanctions towards Russia spans a variety of enterprise and authorities leaders, together with one of many nation’s richest oligarchs.

Vladimir Potanin, head of Norilsk Nickel, tops the listing of targets, alongside along with his spouse, kids and superyacht Nirvana, in accordance with a U.S. State Division information launch.

His holding firm Interros, additionally sanctioned, has “enterprise throughout almost all sectors of Russia’s economic system,” the State Division says.

Additionally sanctioned are administrators of Russian Railways, in addition to a slew of Russian regional governors.

Thursday, Dec. 15

4:50 p.m. Ukrainian forces shelled the Russian-controlled japanese metropolis of Donetsk in a single day in a number of the greatest assaults for years, officers appointed by Russia within the annexed areas say. “At precisely 7 o’clock this morning they subjected the middle of Donetsk to probably the most large assault since 2014,” Alexei Kulemzin, the Russia-backed mayor of the town, mentioned on Telegram. “Forty rockets from BM-21 Grad a number of rocket launchers have been fired at civilians in our metropolis,” Kulemzin mentioned. He known as the assault a battle crime.

9:30 a.m. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak met on Wednesday with Venezuelan oil minister Tareck El Aissami in Caracas, the place they mentioned oil market volatility and the standing of Venezuela’s excellent money owed to Russia. “We underline the significance of maintain working collectively to stabilize the worldwide vitality market inside the framework of OPEC+ and the Gasoline Exporting International locations Discussion board,” mentioned Novak, who can also be answerable for Moscow’s OPEC ties.

8:30 a.m. Ukrainian investigators in an space recaptured from Russian troops have uncovered a cell the place kids have been detained and mistreated, a senior Ukrainian human rights advocate says. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliament’s commissioner for human rights, mentioned the cell was in certainly one of 4 torture facilities operated by Russian troops in Kherson, a metropolis in southern Ukraine deserted by pro-Moscow forces final month. Russia denies focusing on civilians within the battle and rejects allegations it has mistreated civilians.

7:30 a.m. Vladimir Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov says any Patriot missiles the U.S. sends to Ukraine would change into reputable targets for assault by Russian forces.

CNN and Reuters, citing officers, have reported Washington is finalizing plans to provide the superior missile protection system to Ukraine and a call might be made as early as this week. Peskov calls the reviews unconfirmed.

Geared up with subtle radar, the Patriot system is ready to shoot down planes and ballistic missiles. It has been bought to U.S. allies together with Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

Such a switch could be “one other provocative step” by the Biden administration which will result in “unpredictable penalties,” Tass reviews the Russian Embassy in Washington as saying in an announcement.

Wednesday, Dec. 14

7:30 p.m. Ukrainian Protection Minister Oleksiy Reznikov guidelines out an early resumption of cease-fire talks with Russia, saying “we shall be prepared to sit down down on the negotiating desk after Russian troops fully withdraw from Ukrainian territory.”

Throughout a web-based interview with Nikkei, Reznikov makes clear his place that Ukraine wouldn’t comply with talks till Russia withdrew from all of Ukraine, together with the Crimean Peninsula and japanese areas of Ukraine, which Moscow has occupied since 2014. On when he anticipated that to happen, he mentioned, “It will occur when the Russians notice that their assets are operating out.”

Requested about drone assaults on air bases in Russian territory, he hints at Kyiv’s involvement, saying that “Ukraine has the appropriate to self-defense.” Learn extra.

9:00 a.m. Creating Asia’s financial enlargement subsequent yr is predicted to be slower than beforehand projected as a world slowdown and the extended battle in Ukraine weigh on the area, the Asian Growth Financial institution mentioned in a brand new report. Learn extra.

4:36 a.m. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern proclaims an extra $3 million New Zealand {dollars} ($1.94 million) in humanitarian assist for Ukraine because the battle enters the winter months. Ardern was talking after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned simply the second international chief to ever tackle the New Zealand parliament. Ardern mentioned in her speech to Zelenskyy that the Ukraine battle “should not change into a gateway to a extra polarized and harmful world for generations to return.” She added that Ukraine’s battle is “not a forgotten battle.”

1:54 a.m. Ukraine’s economic system may shrink by 50% this yr if Russia retains attacking the nationwide energy grid and different essential infrastructure, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal was quoted as saying on Tuesday. Russia has launched a sequence of missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian vitality services since October, inflicting energy outages throughout the nation. “The contraction of the Ukrainian economic system is projected on the stage of 35% to 40%,” Interfax Ukraine information company quoted Shmyhal as saying. “If Russia’s terrorist actions towards our infrastructure proceed, we could lose one other 10% to those figures — that’s, as much as 50% of our GDP.” Shmyhal additionally mentioned the federal government estimated that injury from the battle may attain $700 billion by the tip of the yr. All sectors of the economic system have been struggling, he mentioned.

2:28 a.m. The U.S. is finalizing plans to ship the Patriot missile protection system to Ukraine that might be introduced as quickly as this week, reviews CNN, citing U.S. officers.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

11:00 a.m. The US has shipped the primary a part of its energy gear help to Ukraine, U.S. officers say, as Washington works to assist the nation’s vitality infrastructure towards intensifying assaults from Russia. The primary tranche was gear price about $13 million, one official mentioned. One other supply acquainted with the matter mentioned two planeloads of apparatus would depart from the USA later this week.

4:20 a.m. Leaders of the Group of Seven nations have vowed to carry Russia chargeable for wrecking Ukraine with its invasion.

“We’re decided that Russia will in the end have to pay for the restoration of essential infrastructure broken or destroyed via its brutal battle,” G-7 leaders say in an announcement.

“There might be no impunity for battle crimes and different atrocities,” they are saying. “We are going to maintain President [Vladimir] Putin and people accountable to account in accordance with worldwide regulation.”

On army help, G-7 leaders say their quick focus shall be on “offering Ukraine with air protection methods and capabilities.”

3:21 a.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Group of Seven nations to assist his authorities get hold of a further 2 billion cubic meters of pure gasoline and to provide it with fashionable tanks, rocket artillery and long-range missiles.

Talking remotely on the G-7 videoconference hosted by Germany, Zelenskyy calls on Russia to take an actual step towards a diplomatic decision and means that Moscow ought to pull its troops out by Christmas.

2:46 a.m. The top of the Norwegian Refugee Council says he expects one other wave of a whole bunch of 1000’s of refugees from Ukraine in Europe over the winter due to “unlivable” situations.

“So I concern that the disaster in Europe will deepen and that may overshadow equally crises elsewhere of the world,” Jan Egeland tells Reuters after getting back from a visit to Ukraine this month.

Greater than 7.8 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded throughout Europe, in accordance with the U.N. refugee company. A spokesperson says that information has “not but pointed to any vital improve in border crossings” in latest weeks however that some neighboring international locations, reminiscent of Romania and Poland, have reported small rises.

2:00 a.m. U.Ok. Protection Minister Ben Wallace says he could be “open-minded” to supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles to defend itself towards continued Russian assaults on civilians.

The Russian army is making the most of the brief ranges of Ukraine’s missiles by utilizing Iranian self-detonating drones to assault, Wallace says within the Home of Commons in response to a query from former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson says longer-range missiles, such because the U.S.-made MGM-140 Military Tactical Missile System, would permit Ukraine to strike Russia’s drone launch websites.

1:00 a.m. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has achieved lasting injury to Moscow’s ties with the West, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says.

“Even when the combating ends, we is not going to return to some sort of regular, pleasant, relationship with Russia,” Stoltenberg tells CNBC in Brussels. “Belief has been destroyed.”

“I believe the battle has had long-lasting penalties for the connection with Russia,” he provides.

Monday, Dec. 12

4:10 p.m. Russia shall be invited to attend conferences of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (APEC) hosted by the USA subsequent yr, a U.S. official says. As “good stewards of APEC,” the USA will invite Russia, which is a member of the 21-country bloc, Matt Murray, a senior U.S. official for APEC, instructed a media briefing in Singapore. At an APEC assembly hosted by Thailand in Might, representatives from the USA and another international locations walked out of a gathering in protest of Russia’s actions in Ukraine when Russian Financial system Minister Maxim Reshetnikov was delivering remarks.

10:40 a.m. U.S. President Joe Biden highlighted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy throughout a name on Sunday how the USA is prioritizing efforts to spice up Ukraine’s air defenses via the help it’s providing, the White Home mentioned. Biden additionally welcomed Zelenskyy’s “acknowledged openness to a simply peace primarily based on elementary rules enshrined within the United Nations Constitution.”

10:00 a.m. Ukraine’s high safety officers have ordered punitive measures towards seven senior clerics, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Sunday, a part of a crackdown on a department of the Orthodox Church with long-standing ties to Moscow. The clerics are amongst Orthodox leaders recognized to have been sympathetic to Russia’s portrayal of its 10-month-old invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin says it’s defending Russian-speakers and has annexed 4 areas it says are traditionally Russian lands. “We’re doing all the things to make sure that no strings can be found to be pulled by the aggressor state that would make Ukrainian society endure,” Zelenskyy mentioned.

5:29 a.m. A senior official in japanese Ukraine mentioned that Ukrainian forces had attacked a resort the place members of Russia’s non-public Wagner army group have been primarily based, killing lots of them.

Serhiy Gaidai, governor of the Russian-occupied Luhansk area, interviewed by Ukrainian tv, mentioned forces launched a strike on Saturday on a resort within the city of Kadiivka, west of the area’s primary heart of Luhansk. Photographs posted on Telegram channels confirmed a constructing largely diminished to rubble.

“That they had a bit of pop there, simply the place Wagner headquarters was situated. An enormous variety of those that have been there died,” he mentioned.

Sunday, Dec. 11

10:30 p.m. Presidents Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia mentioned grain provides and a possible regional gasoline hub in Turkey, each international locations mentioned. “President Erdogan expressed his honest want for the termination of the Russia-Ukraine battle as quickly as potential,” the Turkish presidency mentioned. Within the name, Erdogan mentioned Ankara and Moscow may begin work on exporting different meals merchandise and commodities via the Black Sea grain hall, Erdogan’s workplace mentioned.

3:52 p.m. Russia’s Gazprom mentioned it plans to ship 42.6 million cubic meters of gasoline to Europe through Ukraine on Sunday, a quantity largely according to latest days.

5:04 a.m. Greater than 1.5 million folks in Ukraine’s southern Odesa area are with out energy after Russian drone strikes on the electrical energy producing system, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in a video tackle.

Saturday, Dec. 10

9:30 a.m. The Biden administration accuses Russia of shifting to offer superior army help to Iran, together with air protection methods, helicopters and fighter jets, a part of deepening cooperation between the 2 nations as Tehran offers drones to assist Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby on Friday cited U.S. intelligence assessments for the allegations, saying Russia was providing Iran “an unprecedented stage of army and technical assist that’s remodeling their relationship right into a full-fledged protection partnership.”

7:15 a.m. Russia is making an attempt to acquire “a whole bunch of ballistic missiles” and extra from Iran and providing “an unprecedented stage of army and technical assist” in return, says Barbara Woodward, the British ambassador to the United Nations.

The U.Ok. can also be “nearly sure that Russia is looking for to supply weaponry from North Korea, different closely sanctioned states, as their very own shares palpably dwindle,” she tells reporters.

Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, dismisses the accusations, telling the Safety Council that his nation’s military-industrial complicated in Russia doesn’t want exterior assist, in contrast to Ukraine’s being propped up by the West.

Iran acknowledged in November that it had provided Russia with drones however mentioned they have been despatched earlier than the battle. Russia has denied that its forces used Iranian drones to assault Ukraine.

4:15 a.m. The U.S. claims Russia is giving Iran “an unprecedented stage” of technical and army assist. “Russia is looking for to collaborate with Iran on areas like weapons growth and coaching,” Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson John Kirby says, citing U.S. intelligence. “We’re involved that Russia intends to offer Iran with superior army elements.”

3:00 a.m. President Vladimir Putin shrugs off the affect of an oil value cap on Russia’s vitality trade, warning it’ll backfire on those that impose it.

The $60-a-barrel ceiling agreed upon by Group of Seven nations for seaborne Russian oil is near the place his nation’s output is buying and selling, Putin says, including that Russia additionally offers reductions for patrons.

“Subsequently, we is not going to have losses beneath any circumstances,” he tells a information convention on a go to to Kyrgyzstan. He says Russia will think about cuts to grease manufacturing however has not made any choice.

Putin says the “silly” cap threatens all oil producers by undermining market rules in an trade that already suffers from underinvestment.

“All this may lead at some stage to a catastrophic surge in costs and to the collapse of world vitality,” he says.

12:40 a.m. France’s TotalEnergies has determined to withdraw its two administrators from the board of Russian gasoline firm Novatek, through which it holds at 19.4% stake.

The 2 administrators have needed to abstain from board selections for the reason that begin of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, TotalEnergies says in its information launch. “They’re due to this fact not able to completely perform their duties on the board, which could change into a problem for the governance of this firm,” the French vitality group says. Its choice takes quick impact.

TotalEnergies is unable to promote its stake in Novatek due to “prevailing shareholders’ agreements.” The French firm says it’ll not guide earnings from its funding within the Russian gasoline producer.

Friday, Dec. 9

6:10 p.m. Canada has imposed contemporary sanctions on Russia, Iran and Myanmar, citing alleged human rights violations by the international locations’ governments. The measures embody sanctions towards 33 present or former senior Russian officers and 6 entities concerned in alleged “systematic human rights violations” towards Russian residents who protested towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian Overseas Ministry mentioned in an announcement. Sanctions have been additionally imposed on 22 people in Iran and 12 people and three entities in Myanmar, Canada mentioned.

10:00 a.m. The U.S. is sending a further $275 million in army help to Ukraine, together with giant quantities of ammunition and high-tech methods that can be utilized to detect and counter drones in its ongoing battle with Russia, in accordance with U.S. officers. The most recent bundle of help contains 80,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and an undisclosed quantity of ammunition for the Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket System, often called HIMARS. It additionally contains methods to counter drones and air defenses, together with extra Humvees, mills and different fight gear.

6:00 a.m. The CEO of Chevron has raised questions on how the worth cap on seaborne Russian oil imported to Europe will work in apply and whether or not it’ll merely encourage profiteering.

“It is very tough to tame a posh international market with an administrative mechanism that comes from a number of international locations,” Mike Wirth says in an interview as a part of the Monetary Instances International Boardroom convention. “It isn’t precisely clear how the enforcement will work.”

“The truth is in these markets, traditionally, sanctions regimes have created alternatives for people who work across the edges of the system to really profit enormously — and oftentimes, the specified geopolitical goals aren’t essentially achieved,” Wirth says.

Thursday, Dec. 8

10:45 p.m. U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner has been launched from a Russian jail in alternate for convicted arms vendor Viktor Bout, Washington and Moscow say. Learn extra.

Griner had been serving a jail sentence on medication expenses.

2:30 p.m. China is paying the deepest reductions in months for Russian ESPO crude oil amid weak demand and poor refining margins, regardless that the efficient costs refiners pay may exceed a value cap imposed this week by Western international locations. The $60 per-barrel cap — set by G-7 nations, the European Union and Australia — took impact on Monday to restrict Moscow’s energy to finance its battle in Ukraine, although Russia has vowed to defy it. China, Russia’s high oil purchaser, has not agreed to the worth cap. Merchants mentioned they have been doing enterprise as normal. At the very least one December-arrival ESPO cargo was bought final week to an unbiased refiner at a reduction of $6 per barrel towards the February ICE Brent value on a delivery-ex-ship foundation, in accordance with 4 merchants with data of the deal.

5:00 a.m. The European Fee on Wednesday proposed a ninth bundle of sanctions on Russia, together with including nearly 200 further people and entities to the listing. European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned in an announcement that the EU additionally proposes sanctions towards three further Russian banks and desires to impose new export controls and restrictions, notably for dual-use items together with key chemical substances, nerve brokers, electronics and IT elements.

3:00 a.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin says the danger of nuclear battle is rising however his nation’s arsenal is a method of protection.

Russia has the world’s most superior nuclear weapons, however “we have not gone mad,” Putin tells a televised assembly of his presidential human rights council.

Putin says combating in Ukraine — which Moscow calls a “particular army operation,” not a battle — might be an extended course of.

The Russian chief sees no cause now for a second mobilization of troops after the call-up of 300,000 reservists in September and October.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

11:30 p.m. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is called Time journal’s Particular person of the 12 months.

Zelenskyy, a former comic, refused to go away the capital at the start of the battle and has traveled throughout the nation, together with to fight zones.

“Zelenskyy’s success as a wartime chief has relied on the truth that braveness is contagious. It unfold via Ukraine’s political management within the first days of the invasion, as everybody realized the president had caught round,” Time writes in acknowledging the 44-year-old chief.

7:00 a.m. The U.S. has “neither inspired nor enabled Ukrainians to strike within Russia,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says at a information convention.

“The essential factor is to grasp what Ukrainians reside via day by day with the continuing Russian aggression towards their nation, and our dedication to ensure they’ve of their arms, together with many different companions all over the world, the gear that they should defend themselves and their territory,” Blinken tells reporters.

The remarks come at a information convention with U.S. Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin and Australia’s Overseas Minister Penny Wong and Protection Minister Richard Marles.

For earlier updates, click on right here.