Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian troops have been pushed further back north of Kharkiv, while Ukraine has reclaimed control of villages near the area, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters Friday.
- Ukraine “appears to have won the Battle of Kharkiv,” the Institute for the Study of War said Friday, adding that the Kremlin has “likely decided to withdraw fully” from its positions around the city amid spirited Ukrainian counterattacks and limited Russian reinforcements.
- Sweden’s parliament will meet Monday to debate joining NATO, following the Finnish leadership’s recommendation for membership this week. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled skepticism Friday about the Nordic nations’ inclusion.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call Friday with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, urging Moscow to commit to an immediate cease-fire and maintain communications with Washington.
More live updates here.
- Russian troops have been pushed further back north of Kharkiv, while Ukraine has reclaimed control of villages near the area, a senior U.S. defense official told reporters Friday.
- Ukraine “appears to have won the Battle of Kharkiv,” the Institute for the Study of War said Friday, adding that the Kremlin has “likely decided to withdraw fully” from its positions around the city amid spirited Ukrainian counterattacks and limited Russian reinforcements.
- Sweden’s parliament will meet Monday to debate joining NATO, following the Finnish leadership’s recommendation for membership this week. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled skepticism Friday about the Nordic nations’ inclusion.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call Friday with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, urging Moscow to commit to an immediate cease-fire and maintain communications with Washington.
More live updates here.
Sanctions forcing Russia to use appliance parts in military gear, U.S. says
U.S.-led sanctions are forcing Russia to use computer chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in some military equipment, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday.
“We have reports from Ukrainians that when they find Russian military equipment on the ground, it’s filled with semiconductors that they took out of dishwashers and refrigerators,” Raimondo told a Senate hearing.
U.S. technology exports to Russia have fallen by nearly 70 percent since sanctions began in late February, according to Raimondo, whose department oversees the export controls that form a big part of the sanctions package. Three dozen other countries have adopted similar export bans, which also apply to Belarus.
“Our approach was to deny Russia technology — technology that would cripple their ability to continue a military operation. And that is exactly what we are doing,” Raimondo said.
Read the full story here.
U.S.-led sanctions are forcing Russia to use computer chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in some military equipment, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday.
“We have reports from Ukrainians that when they find Russian military equipment on the ground, it’s filled with semiconductors that they took out of dishwashers and refrigerators,” Raimondo told a Senate hearing.
U.S. technology exports to Russia have fallen by nearly 70 percent since sanctions began in late February, according to Raimondo, whose department oversees the export controls that form a big part of the sanctions package. Three dozen other countries have adopted similar export bans, which also apply to Belarus.
“Our approach was to deny Russia technology — technology that would cripple their ability to continue a military operation. And that is exactly what we are doing,” Raimondo said.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine is now the top recipient of U.S. military aid. Here’s how it surpassed even Israel and Egypt.
Even without a proposed $20 billion military aid package the Senate is considering, the United States is already the largest donor of military aid to Ukraine as it defends itself against a Russian invasion.
On Monday, President Biden called on Congress to approve the proposal, saying money for shipments to Ukraine was set to run out in 10 days.
The latest package, part of a nearly $40 billion aid bill, goes beyond sending weapons and represents a long-term commitment to U.S. involvement in the war. The money would also go toward ramping up production of U.S. weapon stocks to replenish the significant amount of weaponry already sent to Ukraine.
The ramp up in military spending, as well as a recent move to send more advanced equipment, indicates a recognition that the war may drag on, experts said.
Read the full story here.
Even without a proposed $20 billion military aid package the Senate is considering, the United States is already the largest donor of military aid to Ukraine as it defends itself against a Russian invasion.
On Monday, President Biden called on Congress to approve the proposal, saying money for shipments to Ukraine was set to run out in 10 days.
The latest package, part of a nearly $40 billion aid bill, goes beyond sending weapons and represents a long-term commitment to U.S. involvement in the war. The money would also go toward ramping up production of U.S. weapon stocks to replenish the significant amount of weaponry already sent to Ukraine.
The ramp up in military spending, as well as a recent move to send more advanced equipment, indicates a recognition that the war may drag on, experts said.
Read the full story here.
Austin asks Russian defense minister for cease-fire in first talks since Ukraine invasion began
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged his Russian counterpart Friday to consider a cease-fire in Ukraine during the first discussion between the two leaders since the Russian invasion began nearly three months ago, the Pentagon said.
Austin had not connected with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu since Feb. 18 — six days before Russia commenced its assault on Ukraine — despite repeated attempts by U.S. officials to do so, said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Pentagon. The two men spoke for about an hour, and the official characterized their conversation as “professional,” but declined to detail what was said.
“It wasn’t for lack of trying that we hadn’t been able to establish” communications, the official said.
Read the full story here.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged his Russian counterpart Friday to consider a cease-fire in Ukraine during the first discussion between the two leaders since the Russian invasion began nearly three months ago, the Pentagon said.
Austin had not connected with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu since Feb. 18 — six days before Russia commenced its assault on Ukraine — despite repeated attempts by U.S. officials to do so, said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Pentagon. The two men spoke for about an hour, and the official characterized their conversation as “professional,” but declined to detail what was said.
“It wasn’t for lack of trying that we hadn’t been able to establish” communications, the official said.
Read the full story here.
McConnell leads Senate GOP delegation in trip to Kyiv to meet Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Saturday with a U.S. Senate delegation led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in Kyiv, calling the visit “a powerful signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress and the American people,” his presidential office said.
In a video posted by Politico journalist Christopher Miller, Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), John Barrasso (Wyo.) and John Cornyn (Tex.) were also greeted by Zelensky on a Kyiv street.
“Russia is committing genocide against the Ukrainian people,” Zelensky said in a news release announcing the senators’ visit. “Europe has not seen such crimes since World War II.”
“In addition, we believe that Russia should be officially recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism,” Zelensky said.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Saturday with a U.S. Senate delegation led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in Kyiv, calling the visit “a powerful signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress and the American people,” his presidential office said.
In a video posted by Politico journalist Christopher Miller, Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), John Barrasso (Wyo.) and John Cornyn (Tex.) were also greeted by Zelensky on a Kyiv street.
“Russia is committing genocide against the Ukrainian people,” Zelensky said in a news release announcing the senators’ visit. “Europe has not seen such crimes since World War II.”
“In addition, we believe that Russia should be officially recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism,” Zelensky said.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian song favored to win Eurovision as war rages
The musicians needed special permission to bypass martial law, and the commentator is presenting from a bunker. But as Europe gears up for its most popular song contest, Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra made it to Saturday’s grand final.
And this year’s Eurovision, a flamboyant performance watched by nearly 200 million people, may give Ukraine a reason to celebrate.
The Ukrainian folk-rap mash-up, “Stefania,” is favored by bookmakers to win Eurovision 2022, the world’s longest-running televised music competition, which draws on votes from viewers and once helped launch Abba. The Ukrainian contender is one of 25 acts that will compete in the last round in Turin, Italy, after becoming the most-watched on YouTube among this year’s 40 national entries.
Read the full story here.
The musicians needed special permission to bypass martial law, and the commentator is presenting from a bunker. But as Europe gears up for its most popular song contest, Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra made it to Saturday’s grand final.
And this year’s Eurovision, a flamboyant performance watched by nearly 200 million people, may give Ukraine a reason to celebrate.
The Ukrainian folk-rap mash-up, “Stefania,” is favored by bookmakers to win Eurovision 2022, the world’s longest-running televised music competition, which draws on votes from viewers and once helped launch Abba. The Ukrainian contender is one of 25 acts that will compete in the last round in Turin, Italy, after becoming the most-watched on YouTube among this year’s 40 national entries.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian band wins Eurovision song contest as war rages back home
Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra has won Eurovision in Turin, Italy, while war rages at home — a home that now earns the right to host the world’s longest-running televised music contest in 2023.
After the juries in the 40 participating countries voted, Ukraine was in fourth place behind the United Kingdom, Sweden and Spain. The audience voting around the world, though, decided that Kalush Orchestra would be victorious with a total of 631 points.
At the end of their performance, the members of Kalush Orchestra, hands to their hearts, made a passionate plea.
“I ask for all of you,” frontman Oleh Psiuk said, “please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now.”
Kalush Orchestra, which made it to Saturday’s grand final of this year’s Eurovision with a performance watched by nearly 200 million people, was favored by bookmakers to win for its performance of the folk-rap mash-up “Stefania.”
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra has won Eurovision in Turin, Italy, while war rages at home — a home that now earns the right to host the world’s longest-running televised music contest in 2023.
After the juries in the 40 participating countries voted, Ukraine was in fourth place behind the United Kingdom, Sweden and Spain. The audience voting around the world, though, decided that Kalush Orchestra would be victorious with a total of 631 points.
At the end of their performance, the members of Kalush Orchestra, hands to their hearts, made a passionate plea.
“I ask for all of you,” frontman Oleh Psiuk said, “please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now.”
Kalush Orchestra, which made it to Saturday’s grand final of this year’s Eurovision with a performance watched by nearly 200 million people, was favored by bookmakers to win for its performance of the folk-rap mash-up “Stefania.”
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest on key battlegrounds in Ukraine.
Kharkiv: Ukrainian forces have mounted an effective counterattack in the area around this northeastern city. But the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration warned residents Saturday that it was still too dangerous to return because of mines.
Mariupol: A convoy of evacuees from this southeastern Ukrainian port city reached safety in the city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday, a city official said. Occupying forces continue bombing the Azovstal steel plant, where the last holdouts from the Ukrainian military have sheltered.
Kyiv: A wartime curfew in Kyiv will begin an hour later starting on Sunday, the mayor said, as the capital city treads cautiously toward some semblance of normalcy.
Lviv: A Russian missile struck military infrastructure early Sunday, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said in a message on Telegram. Officials are still working to confirm whether anyone was killed or injured.
More live updates here.
Kharkiv: Ukrainian forces have mounted an effective counterattack in the area around this northeastern city. But the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration warned residents Saturday that it was still too dangerous to return because of mines.
Mariupol: A convoy of evacuees from this southeastern Ukrainian port city reached safety in the city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday, a city official said. Occupying forces continue bombing the Azovstal steel plant, where the last holdouts from the Ukrainian military have sheltered.
Kyiv: A wartime curfew in Kyiv will begin an hour later starting on Sunday, the mayor said, as the capital city treads cautiously toward some semblance of normalcy.
Lviv: A Russian missile struck military infrastructure early Sunday, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said in a message on Telegram. Officials are still working to confirm whether anyone was killed or injured.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Berlin meeting foreign ministers from NATO, Sweden and Finland. Both Nordic countries recently indicated they want to join the alliance after decades of being militarily nonaligned. Finland’s decision is expected to be formally announced on Sunday.
- Ukrainian forces are continuing to push back against Russian troops in the Kharkiv region, reclaiming towns and launching counterattacks to thwart Moscow’s goal of capturing the eastern Donbas region, analysts and local officials say. The UK’s Ministry of Defense says Russia now looks to have suffered losses to a third of the ground combat force it committed in February.
- As the war raged on back home, the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision song contest on Saturday night — a win that was secured by audience votes, highlighting the way Ukraine’s fierce resistance has galvanized public support around the globe.
More live updates here.
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Berlin meeting foreign ministers from NATO, Sweden and Finland. Both Nordic countries recently indicated they want to join the alliance after decades of being militarily nonaligned. Finland’s decision is expected to be formally announced on Sunday.
- Ukrainian forces are continuing to push back against Russian troops in the Kharkiv region, reclaiming towns and launching counterattacks to thwart Moscow’s goal of capturing the eastern Donbas region, analysts and local officials say. The UK’s Ministry of Defense says Russia now looks to have suffered losses to a third of the ground combat force it committed in February.
- As the war raged on back home, the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision song contest on Saturday night — a win that was secured by audience votes, highlighting the way Ukraine’s fierce resistance has galvanized public support around the globe.
More live updates here.
Russia is furious that Finland is joining NATO but can’t do much about it
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurred Finland to set aside long-standing concerns about provoking Russia and seek NATO membership, a major strategic setback for Russia.
The invasion also means there’s little Russia can do about it.
The Russian military is ensnared in heavy fighting in Ukraine, its ranks depleted by steep losses of men and equipment. Russia withdrew troops from the border with Finland to send them to Ukraine, leaving Moscow with a significantly reduced capacity to threaten Finland militarily.
Russia supplies Finland with small quantities of gas and oil, but Finland was already preparing to sever those supplies in keeping with European Union decisions to reduce dependency on Russian energy. One possible early response came Saturday with an announcement by the Russian state-owned company RAO Nordic that it has halted electricity exports to Finland.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurred Finland to set aside long-standing concerns about provoking Russia and seek NATO membership, a major strategic setback for Russia.
The invasion also means there’s little Russia can do about it.
The Russian military is ensnared in heavy fighting in Ukraine, its ranks depleted by steep losses of men and equipment. Russia withdrew troops from the border with Finland to send them to Ukraine, leaving Moscow with a significantly reduced capacity to threaten Finland militarily.
Russia supplies Finland with small quantities of gas and oil, but Finland was already preparing to sever those supplies in keeping with European Union decisions to reduce dependency on Russian energy. One possible early response came Saturday with an announcement by the Russian state-owned company RAO Nordic that it has halted electricity exports to Finland.
Read the full story here.
Flood of weapons to Ukraine raises fear of arms smuggling
President Biden is expected to sign in the coming days a $40 billion security-assistance package that will supercharge the flow of missiles, rockets, artillery and drones to a war-torn Ukraine.
But what remains unclear is Washington’s ability to keep track of the powerful weapons as they enter one of the largest trafficking hubs in Europe.
Ukraine’s illicit arms market has ballooned since Russia’s initial invasion in 2014, buttressed by a surplus of loose weapons and limited controls on their use.
This uncomfortable reality for the United States and its allies comes amid urgent pleas from President Volodymyr Zelensky to provide artillery needed to counter Russian forces in the country’s east and south. But the unprecedented influx of arms has prompted fears that some equipment could fall into the hands of Western adversaries or reemerge in faraway conflicts — for decades to come.
Read the full story here.
President Biden is expected to sign in the coming days a $40 billion security-assistance package that will supercharge the flow of missiles, rockets, artillery and drones to a war-torn Ukraine.
But what remains unclear is Washington’s ability to keep track of the powerful weapons as they enter one of the largest trafficking hubs in Europe.
Ukraine’s illicit arms market has ballooned since Russia’s initial invasion in 2014, buttressed by a surplus of loose weapons and limited controls on their use.
This uncomfortable reality for the United States and its allies comes amid urgent pleas from President Volodymyr Zelensky to provide artillery needed to counter Russian forces in the country’s east and south. But the unprecedented influx of arms has prompted fears that some equipment could fall into the hands of Western adversaries or reemerge in faraway conflicts — for decades to come.
Read the full story here.
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Database of 231 videos exposes the horrors of war in Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is one of the most documented wars ever. Citizens, public officials and soldiers have posted videos every day that show the dead bodies in neighborhoods, the trails of missiles streaking through the skies and the smoldering ruins of entire towns.
The Washington Post’s visual forensics team has been verifying and cataloging videos from the war from the day Russia’s invasion began. This work is now searchable in a database that will be updated. The videos have been uploaded in raw format and graphic content is clearly marked. It also geographically tagged, so it can be searched by location.
The Post will continue to verify videos of the Russian invasion, so if you are in Ukraine and have footage you recorded of what is going on, please send it to us here on Telegram at +1 202-580-1002.
Click here to see the full database.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is one of the most documented wars ever. Citizens, public officials and soldiers have posted videos every day that show the dead bodies in neighborhoods, the trails of missiles streaking through the skies and the smoldering ruins of entire towns.
The Washington Post’s visual forensics team has been verifying and cataloging videos from the war from the day Russia’s invasion began. This work is now searchable in a database that will be updated. The videos have been uploaded in raw format and graphic content is clearly marked. It also geographically tagged, so it can be searched by location.
The Post will continue to verify videos of the Russian invasion, so if you are in Ukraine and have footage you recorded of what is going on, please send it to us here on Telegram at +1 202-580-1002.
Click here to see the full database.
Sweden’s ruling party gives green light to join NATO, paving way for nation to apply for status in the Western military bloc
Sweden’s governing party is dropping its opposition to joining NATO — a significant step that paves the way for the nation to join Finland in applying for membership and ending the long-standing military nonalignment of both Nordic countries.
Ahead of the move, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that the accession of Sweden and Finland would be a “historic moment” — additions that would enhance security and show that “aggression does not pay.”
Earlier on Sunday, Finland’s prime minister and president announced that the nation is seeking NATO membership, with a formal application expected as soon as Tuesday. President Sauli Niinisto said in an interview Sunday on CNN that a call with Vladimir Putin was “calm and cool” and that the Russian president made no specific threats even though he called Finland’s decision a “mistake.”
Read the full story here.
Sweden’s governing party is dropping its opposition to joining NATO — a significant step that paves the way for the nation to join Finland in applying for membership and ending the long-standing military nonalignment of both Nordic countries.
Ahead of the move, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that the accession of Sweden and Finland would be a “historic moment” — additions that would enhance security and show that “aggression does not pay.”
Earlier on Sunday, Finland’s prime minister and president announced that the nation is seeking NATO membership, with a formal application expected as soon as Tuesday. President Sauli Niinisto said in an interview Sunday on CNN that a call with Vladimir Putin was “calm and cool” and that the Russian president made no specific threats even though he called Finland’s decision a “mistake.”
Read the full story here.
Ukrainians react to Eurovision 2022 win with ‘happiness’ and ‘tears of joy’
Polina Falkovskaya doesn’t think of herself as much of a party person. “I don’t dance. I never go out,” she says.
But on Saturday, Falkovskaya, a Ukrainian living in Germany, danced — in her kitchen and in pajamas, no less.
Like millions of Ukrainians, Falkovskaya was celebrating the victory of Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra at the Eurovision Song Contest. The band’s victory, which gives Ukraine the right to host the hugely popular spectacle in 2023, was secured by audience votes and cheered by world leaders, in a sign of the strong public support for Ukraine as the war with Russia approaches its three-month mark.
“For the first time [since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine], we were able to listen to music and not feel guilty,” Falkovskaya, 23, told The Washington Post from Munich, where she and her mother have settled since fleeing their home in Odessa.
Read the full story here.
Polina Falkovskaya doesn’t think of herself as much of a party person. “I don’t dance. I never go out,” she says.
But on Saturday, Falkovskaya, a Ukrainian living in Germany, danced — in her kitchen and in pajamas, no less.
Like millions of Ukrainians, Falkovskaya was celebrating the victory of Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra at the Eurovision Song Contest. The band’s victory, which gives Ukraine the right to host the hugely popular spectacle in 2023, was secured by audience votes and cheered by world leaders, in a sign of the strong public support for Ukraine as the war with Russia approaches its three-month mark.
“For the first time [since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine], we were able to listen to music and not feel guilty,” Falkovskaya, 23, told The Washington Post from Munich, where she and her mother have settled since fleeing their home in Odessa.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Four Russian missiles hit military infrastructure in the Lviv region early Sunday, the regional governor said, destroying military equipment but without causing fatalities or injuries. The claims could not be independently verified by The Washington Post.
- Sweden’s governing party is dropping its opposition to joining NATO — a significant step that paves the way for the nation to join Finland in applying for membership and ending the long-standing military nonalignment of both Nordic countries.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a U.S. Senate delegation led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Saturday in Kyiv, calling the visit “a powerful signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress and the American people,” his office said.
More live updates here.
- Four Russian missiles hit military infrastructure in the Lviv region early Sunday, the regional governor said, destroying military equipment but without causing fatalities or injuries. The claims could not be independently verified by The Washington Post.
- Sweden’s governing party is dropping its opposition to joining NATO — a significant step that paves the way for the nation to join Finland in applying for membership and ending the long-standing military nonalignment of both Nordic countries.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a U.S. Senate delegation led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Saturday in Kyiv, calling the visit “a powerful signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress and the American people,” his office said.
More live updates here.
Here’s the latest on key battlegrounds in Ukraine.
Kharkiv: Ukrainian forces have mounted a counterattack in the area, pushing away Russian troops, officials say.
Luhansk: Ukrainian forces blew up railway bridges between the cities of Rubizne and Severodonetsk to halt Russian advances in the area.
Mariupol: The Ukrainian military on Sunday described “massive artillery and airstrikes” at a steel plant in this shattered city, where the last holdouts from the Ukrainian military have sheltered.
Zaporizhzhia: In this southeastern region, the front lines have almost completely frozen — with both sides effectively in stalemate, a Pentagon intelligence official said last week.
Kyiv: A wartime curfew began an hour later starting Sunday, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Lviv: A Russian missile struck military infrastructure in this city in western Ukraine early on Sunday, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported.
More live updates here.
Kharkiv: Ukrainian forces have mounted a counterattack in the area, pushing away Russian troops, officials say.
Luhansk: Ukrainian forces blew up railway bridges between the cities of Rubizne and Severodonetsk to halt Russian advances in the area.
Mariupol: The Ukrainian military on Sunday described “massive artillery and airstrikes” at a steel plant in this shattered city, where the last holdouts from the Ukrainian military have sheltered.
Zaporizhzhia: In this southeastern region, the front lines have almost completely frozen — with both sides effectively in stalemate, a Pentagon intelligence official said last week.
Kyiv: A wartime curfew began an hour later starting Sunday, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Lviv: A Russian missile struck military infrastructure in this city in western Ukraine early on Sunday, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The U.S. Senate will advance a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine on Monday, according to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), with a final vote coming as soon as Wednesday. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have urged quick passage of the bill, with the remaining authorized aid set to run out on Thursday. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) delayed expedited passage of the aid last week.
- Moscow’s forces are trying to stave off Ukraine’s advance toward the Russian border near Kharkiv, Ukrainian military officials said. Russia is also continuing attacks in the east as it seeks full control of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
- Finland and Sweden are all but certain to seek accession to NATO. Both countries have cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a major factor in their decision to abandon years of combat neutrality by joining the military alliance.
More live updates here.
- The U.S. Senate will advance a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine on Monday, according to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), with a final vote coming as soon as Wednesday. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have urged quick passage of the bill, with the remaining authorized aid set to run out on Thursday. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) delayed expedited passage of the aid last week.
- Moscow’s forces are trying to stave off Ukraine’s advance toward the Russian border near Kharkiv, Ukrainian military officials said. Russia is also continuing attacks in the east as it seeks full control of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
- Finland and Sweden are all but certain to seek accession to NATO. Both countries have cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a major factor in their decision to abandon years of combat neutrality by joining the military alliance.
More live updates here.
McDonald’s seeks to sell Russian business that is ‘no longer tenable’
After more than three decades, McDonald’s is pulling out of Russia and seeking to find a “local buyer” for its business there, which includes 850 restaurants in the country.
In early March, McDonald’s temporarily closed its restaurants in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald’s to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald’s values,” the company said Monday in a statement.
Whoever buys its Russian restaurants will no longer be allowed to use the McDonald’s “golden arches” logo or brand, the company said, adding that it wants to protect its 62,000 employees in Russia.
Read the full story here.
After more than three decades, McDonald’s is pulling out of Russia and seeking to find a “local buyer” for its business there, which includes 850 restaurants in the country.
In early March, McDonald’s temporarily closed its restaurants in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald’s to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald’s values,” the company said Monday in a statement.
Whoever buys its Russian restaurants will no longer be allowed to use the McDonald’s “golden arches” logo or brand, the company said, adding that it wants to protect its 62,000 employees in Russia.
Read the full story here.
Why Turkey dissents on Finland and Sweden joining NATO and why it matters
Finnish and Swedish officials have declared in recent days their intention to join NATO, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But their acceptance to the alliance requires unanimous consent among members, and the leader of one such state — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey — has voiced hesitation about the two nations.
Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey was not “favorable” toward the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
“We are following the developments with Sweden and Finland, but we don’t have favorable thoughts,” he told reporters.
But Turkey hasn’t said it would veto the countries’ membership, and on Sunday, its foreign minister laid out several conditions for its support, including that the Nordic nations end what he called support for “terrorist organizations” in their countries, as well as export bans on Turkey.
Read the full story here.
Finnish and Swedish officials have declared in recent days their intention to join NATO, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But their acceptance to the alliance requires unanimous consent among members, and the leader of one such state — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey — has voiced hesitation about the two nations.
Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey was not “favorable” toward the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
“We are following the developments with Sweden and Finland, but we don’t have favorable thoughts,” he told reporters.
But Turkey hasn’t said it would veto the countries’ membership, and on Sunday, its foreign minister laid out several conditions for its support, including that the Nordic nations end what he called support for “terrorist organizations” in their countries, as well as export bans on Turkey.
Read the full story here.
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Russian oligarchs loved Sardinia. Now they’re frozen out of paradise.
Even among the billionaires who flock to this Italian vacation enclave, the Russian oligarchs stood out.
They bought up the choicest villas along the coast, building de facto empires shielded behind clipped hedges and surveillance cameras. They were known among real estate agents for always wanting armed guards. One mining and metals tycoon, Alisher Usmanov, would announce his presence every summer with the arrival of one of the world’s largest yachts, which he’d park in the turquoise bay, shuttling between the vessel and his villas, flying in guests on helicopters.
“It was like having an oligarch state right here in Sardinia,” said Mauro Pili, a journalist who was once this island’s governor.
That state has now been dismantled.
Read the full story here.
Even among the billionaires who flock to this Italian vacation enclave, the Russian oligarchs stood out.
They bought up the choicest villas along the coast, building de facto empires shielded behind clipped hedges and surveillance cameras. They were known among real estate agents for always wanting armed guards. One mining and metals tycoon, Alisher Usmanov, would announce his presence every summer with the arrival of one of the world’s largest yachts, which he’d park in the turquoise bay, shuttling between the vessel and his villas, flying in guests on helicopters.
“It was like having an oligarch state right here in Sardinia,” said Mauro Pili, a journalist who was once this island’s governor.
That state has now been dismantled.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian refugees in Russia report interrogations, detention and other abuses
Russian authorities are forcing Ukrainians who seek safety to submit to strip searches and interrogations, placing some refugees in guarded camps, stripping them of their vital documents and in some cases forcing them to stay in Russia, according to displaced Ukrainians, volunteers helping refugees, and Ukrainian and Western officials.
At least 1 million Ukrainian civilians have fled the fighting into Russia, according to Russian Defense Ministry numbers that the Ukrainian government also accepts as valid.
In many cases, namely in the city of Mariupol, residents were effectively forced into Russia with no option to seek refuge elsewhere. In other cases, especially in the breakaway territories of eastern Ukraine, the travel to Russia was voluntary.
Almost everyone has had to pass through “filtration camps". People suspected of having sympathies to the Ukrainian military are being detained and tortured.
Read the full story here.
Russian authorities are forcing Ukrainians who seek safety to submit to strip searches and interrogations, placing some refugees in guarded camps, stripping them of their vital documents and in some cases forcing them to stay in Russia, according to displaced Ukrainians, volunteers helping refugees, and Ukrainian and Western officials.
At least 1 million Ukrainian civilians have fled the fighting into Russia, according to Russian Defense Ministry numbers that the Ukrainian government also accepts as valid.
In many cases, namely in the city of Mariupol, residents were effectively forced into Russia with no option to seek refuge elsewhere. In other cases, especially in the breakaway territories of eastern Ukraine, the travel to Russia was voluntary.
Almost everyone has had to pass through “filtration camps". People suspected of having sympathies to the Ukrainian military are being detained and tortured.
Read the full story here.