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President Joe Biden made a shock go to to Kiev, Japan introduced a beneficiant monetary aid package deal, and a “people’s court” put Russian President Vladimir Putin on trial for the crime of aggression on Monday as tensions with Ukraine escalated. The warfare had reached the one-year mark. Finish in sight.
Biden too announced an additional $500 million In arms for Ukraine. state Division This figure was estimated at $ 450 millionin addition to a further $10 million in emergency help for Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure, which has been broken by Russian assaults.
Biden tweeted, “Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outrun us. He was absolutely wrong.” “One year later, here we stand together – united with the people of Ukraine.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida mentioned his nation was providing a further $5.5 billion in aid due to “strong concerns that Ukraine could be the East Asia of tomorrow”.
The “people’s court” in The Hague, Netherlands, has no authorized energy. However prosecutors mentioned they’d current proof that Putin dedicated against the law of aggression by waging a devastating warfare that has killed 1000’s and devastated cities and cities.
Improvement:
►Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure has change into more secure, and vitality imports are near zero, state utility Ukrenergo introduced. The corporate cited favorable climate and a gradual enhance in sunlight hours.
►Starting in October, Ukrainergo’s key community amenities suffered intensive injury from Russian missile and drone strikes, which means full restoration would require vital assets and time from the corporate.
►Ukraine’s Protection Minister Oleksiy Reznikov mentioned he believed the West would switch the fighter jets to Kiev inside a month or two. Biden and different Western leaders have to date rejected Ukraine’s pleas for the aircraft.
►King Charles III meets Ukrainian troopers present process 5 weeks of fundamental coaching in Wiltshire, England.
Biden’ visitor look:President Biden makes shock go to to Ukraine forward of anniversary of Russian invasion
Blinken particulars newest US weapons headed to Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved 32nd evacuation of US arms and equipment For Ukraine from August 2021. The $450 million package deal contains more ammunition for the US-supplied HIMARS and howitzers that Ukraine is already utilizing in opposition to Russian forces, in addition to more Javelins, anti-armour programs and aerial surveillance radars is included.
“In addition, I’m authorizing an additional $10 million to support our ongoing efforts to maintain Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and provide emergency assistance in the face of Russia’s continued missile and drone attacks,” Blinken mentioned. I’m.”
Zelensky excited by Biden’s pilgrimage: ‘Welcome to Kiev!’
A number of European leaders have visited Kiev for the reason that begin of the warfare, however Biden’s visit could be unprecedented. There have been some instances of US presidents traveling to an active war zone where there is no US military presence.
“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kiev!” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on his official Telegram channel. “Your visit is an extremely important gesture of support for all Ukrainians.”
It was Biden’s first visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its war a year ago this week. It comes ahead of a three-day visit to Poland, Ukraine’s neighbor and most committed ally. It was also symbolic because it comes as Ukraine is lobbying hard for the US for more weapons to help fight back against Russia’s latest offensive.
Biden announced half a billion dollars in additional security aid to Ukraine, said more details would be released in the coming days, and announced additional sanctions on Russia this week. Read more here.
, Kim Hjelgaard and Rebecca Morin
Japan commits $5.5 billion, will host Group of Seven summit with Zelensky
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced $5.5 billion in financial aid for Ukraine and will mark the first anniversary of the war on Friday by hosting an online Group of Seven summit with Zelensky.
Japan is already concerned about the growing threat of an increasingly assertive China, and Kishida said Russia’s aggression challenges the rules-based international order, “that’s why I decided to respond firmly with sanctions.”
Kishida said Ukrainians are suffering and need help to rebuild their daily lives and infrastructure badly damaged by the Russian attacks. As this year’s chairman of the G7, Kishida said he would host an online summit on Friday to be joined by Zelensky.
How did Biden’s visit to Kiev end? through secrecy and lots of coordination
It took months of planning, a commitment to confidentiality and a final decision made only three days prior Watch Biden’s surprise trip to Kiev.
In addition to the additional $500 million in Ukraine aid that Biden announced Monday, his visit carried heavy symbolism just days before the one-year mark of the Russian invasion. Never before had an American president visited a war zone without a US military presence.
“I thought it was important that there be no doubt about US support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said Monday morning with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mariinsky Palace residence.
The White House, the National Security Council, the Pentagon, the Secret Service and the intelligence community were involved in coordinating the visit.
The New York Times reported That after leaving the US at 4:15 a.m. on Sunday, Biden and his small entourage arrived in Poland and took a 10-hour practice trip to Kiev. After spending about six hours in the Ukrainian capital, he returned to Poland.
“One 12 months later, Kiev stands,” Biden said. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.”
– Joy Garrison and Rebecca Morin
Russia rejects Biden’s trip with Zelensky
According to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the Kremlin did not attach importance to Biden’s trip with Zelensky, which the Russians were told about.
Deputy head of Russia’s Security Council and former president Dmitry Medvedev said Biden “pledged allegiance to the neo-Nazi regime.” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the meeting recalled former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is now in prison in Georgia, adding that the US-backed politician is “paying a heavy worth for being remembered in the West.” Zakharova also mentioned US-backed Juan Guaidó, who was ousted as leader of the Venezuelan opposition in late December.
“It awaits all those that have bought their souls to the People,” she said. “Cursed by his personal individuals, wanted by nobody, pressured to spend large quantities of cash earned in America – by defrauding their international locations – on American legal professionals.”
Biden will visit Poland on Tuesday
Biden is marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a Trip to Poland to reassure Europe and the world that the US will stand by Ukraine as long as it needs to. Biden is scheduled to arrive here on Tuesday for his second visit in less than a year. The visit comes as Russia begins to anticipate a fierce spring offensive in Ukraine and as polls show a softening of support among the American public for providing arms and direct aid to Ukraine.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden’s remarks would be directed at Americans, the Polish people and other allies — “and I suspect you’ll see him conveying the message to Mr. Putin as well as to the Russian people.” Read more here.
, Michael Collins and Joy Garrison
Battle weary?:After Americans soften views on providing arms to Ukraine, Biden plans anniversary of invasion of Russia
Mercy Corps seeks access to Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine
Mercy Corps, the global humanitarian aid agency, urged the Biden administration, the European Union and the United Nations to strike a deal to gain access to Ukraine territories now occupied by Russia. The NGO says 4 million people are trapped behind front lines in Ukraine, while aid delivery faces “insurmountable” barriers. But efforts must be made to ensure that international goodwill towards the people of Ukraine does not fail.”
8 million refugees:They kept counting the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back
Fate of 8 million Ukrainian refugees a year into war unclear
Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since World War II erupts a year after Russia’s invasion 8 million refugees are scattered across Europe, America and beyond. As their struggle progressed, their new roots went deeper. Between new jobs, languages and lives hangs a consequential question: not only when to go home, but whether to go back.
How many eventually return to Ukraine is a question with significant implications for refugees, including those with temporary immigration status; for host countries that see tensions as new residents add to their workforce but put pressure on their housing and schools; and for Ukraine’s ability to rebuild its country and economy.
“The longer this goes on, the more likely people really start to envision and build lives (outside Ukraine) and not go back,” said Hanne Behrens, head of the Migration Policy Institute of Europe. Read more here.
-Chris Kenning
A Deep Dive:
♦ Joe Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine ahead of anniversary of Russian invasion, walks streets of Kiev
♦ He counted the days until his return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back
♦ Biden in Ukraine: See photos of the president in Kiev nearly a year after Russia’s invasion
As Americans grow weary of Ukraine war, Biden plans Russia invasion anniversary
Contribution: Associated Press
