Hungary is still holding up the E.U.'s push to phase out Russian oil
The European Union is not done talking about Russian oil. Nor is it done buying it.
In Monday morning talks, E.U. ambassadors once again failed to reach a deal to phase out oil imports from Russia because of the ongoing opposition from Hungary, keeping the issue on the E.U.’s agenda — and Russian oil flowing to Europe — for at least another day.
The issue now threatens to overshadow a two-day European Council summit on the war in Ukraine that starts Monday afternoon in Brussels, where leaders will discuss a watered down plan that would ban seaborne deliveries but exempt pipeline oil.
A senior E.U. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to brief the press, said the European Council hopes to reach a political agreement on the revised proposal Monday. It is not yet clear if all 27 leaders will sign on.
Arriving at the summit, Orban said he had seen the revised proposal and there is still no agreement on it.
Read the full story here.
The European Union is not done talking about Russian oil. Nor is it done buying it.
In Monday morning talks, E.U. ambassadors once again failed to reach a deal to phase out oil imports from Russia because of the ongoing opposition from Hungary, keeping the issue on the E.U.’s agenda — and Russian oil flowing to Europe — for at least another day.
The issue now threatens to overshadow a two-day European Council summit on the war in Ukraine that starts Monday afternoon in Brussels, where leaders will discuss a watered down plan that would ban seaborne deliveries but exempt pipeline oil.
A senior E.U. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to brief the press, said the European Council hopes to reach a political agreement on the revised proposal Monday. It is not yet clear if all 27 leaders will sign on.
Arriving at the summit, Orban said he had seen the revised proposal and there is still no agreement on it.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine suffers on battlefield while pleading for U.S. arms
DONETSK OBLAST, Ukraine — The ambulances hurtled into the parking lot one after the other, each carrying wounded troops directly from the nearby front line. One young man stared straight ahead, his face swollen, his neck and back dripping with blood. Others lay silently under foil blankets.
About 10 wounded soldiers arrived at this hospital in eastern Ukraine in less than an hour Sunday morning — the latest military casualties as Ukrainian forces, outgunned by Russia in the country’s east, continue to lose territory at a critical moment in the war.
Soldiers also helped one civilian woman with leg wounds out of a military ambulance.
“Seventy people from my battalion were injured in the last week,” said a soldier and ambulance driver just outside the hospital gates who identified himself only as Vlad, 29. “I lost too many friends; it’s hard for me. I don’t know how many. … It’s getting worse every day.”
Read the full story here.
DONETSK OBLAST, Ukraine — The ambulances hurtled into the parking lot one after the other, each carrying wounded troops directly from the nearby front line. One young man stared straight ahead, his face swollen, his neck and back dripping with blood. Others lay silently under foil blankets.
About 10 wounded soldiers arrived at this hospital in eastern Ukraine in less than an hour Sunday morning — the latest military casualties as Ukrainian forces, outgunned by Russia in the country’s east, continue to lose territory at a critical moment in the war.
Soldiers also helped one civilian woman with leg wounds out of a military ambulance.
“Seventy people from my battalion were injured in the last week,” said a soldier and ambulance driver just outside the hospital gates who identified himself only as Vlad, 29. “I lost too many friends; it’s hard for me. I don’t know how many. … It’s getting worse every day.”
Read the full story here.
An ‘unprecedented’ effort to document war crimes in Ukraine. But what chance of justice?
WARSAW — Inna, 51, spotted the sign as she left the refugee center on the edge of Warsaw to go for a cigarette: “Help Ukraine! Give testimony!” it read.
“Help us punish the criminals!”
At first, she was not sure whether it was relevant to share what happened when her 26-year-old son left their home in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin in search of water. “There were others that suffered more,” she explained. “Nobody was killed except for the dog.”
But, with the idea that her testimony could be important, she sat down to recount her ordeal to a researcher with a 46-question form.
Three months since Russia began its assault on Ukraine, efforts to document war crimes committed during the conflict are hurtling ahead, both inside and outside the country.
Read the full story here.
WARSAW — Inna, 51, spotted the sign as she left the refugee center on the edge of Warsaw to go for a cigarette: “Help Ukraine! Give testimony!” it read.
“Help us punish the criminals!”
At first, she was not sure whether it was relevant to share what happened when her 26-year-old son left their home in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin in search of water. “There were others that suffered more,” she explained. “Nobody was killed except for the dog.”
But, with the idea that her testimony could be important, she sat down to recount her ordeal to a researcher with a 46-question form.
Three months since Russia began its assault on Ukraine, efforts to document war crimes committed during the conflict are hurtling ahead, both inside and outside the country.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest on key battlegrounds in Ukraine:
Severodonetsk: A pro-Moscow separatist leader in Luhansk on Tuesday told Russian news agency Tass that his forces have taken control of one-third of the city. Advances are slower than expected, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said over the weekend that Russian attacks have destroyed all of the “critical infrastructure” in Severodonetsk, as well as a sizable number of buildings.
Chernihiv and Sumy: Kyiv reported continued shelling in the two regions near Ukraine’s northern border with Russia. Russian troops withdrew from both regions nearly two months ago. Oleksandr Sereda, deputy commander of Chernihiv’s border guards, recently told The Washington Post that Ukrainian forces are preparing for “a possible reinvasion.”
Kharkiv region: Russian shelling also struck this area Monday, one day after Zelensky met Ukrainian troops on his first trip outside Kyiv since the start of the war.
More live updates here.
Severodonetsk: A pro-Moscow separatist leader in Luhansk on Tuesday told Russian news agency Tass that his forces have taken control of one-third of the city. Advances are slower than expected, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said over the weekend that Russian attacks have destroyed all of the “critical infrastructure” in Severodonetsk, as well as a sizable number of buildings.
Chernihiv and Sumy: Kyiv reported continued shelling in the two regions near Ukraine’s northern border with Russia. Russian troops withdrew from both regions nearly two months ago. Oleksandr Sereda, deputy commander of Chernihiv’s border guards, recently told The Washington Post that Ukrainian forces are preparing for “a possible reinvasion.”
Kharkiv region: Russian shelling also struck this area Monday, one day after Zelensky met Ukrainian troops on his first trip outside Kyiv since the start of the war.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The European Union announced late Monday its long-awaited deal to curtail use of Russian oil, in a move Brussels said would cut some 90 percent of oil imports from Russia by the end of this year. The agreement is softened by an exemption on pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked E.U. members, notably Hungary.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s blockade on Ukrainian ports, which he blamed for halting the export of 22 million tons of grain. He accused the Kremlin of using African and Asian countries as “bargaining chips.”
- Zelensky also said Russian combat power in the Donbas region had reached its “maximum,” with the Ukrainian holdout city of Severodonetsk bearing the brunt of attacks. Russia continued its bombardment of other parts of Ukraine, including Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast.
More live updates here.
- The European Union announced late Monday its long-awaited deal to curtail use of Russian oil, in a move Brussels said would cut some 90 percent of oil imports from Russia by the end of this year. The agreement is softened by an exemption on pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked E.U. members, notably Hungary.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s blockade on Ukrainian ports, which he blamed for halting the export of 22 million tons of grain. He accused the Kremlin of using African and Asian countries as “bargaining chips.”
- Zelensky also said Russian combat power in the Donbas region had reached its “maximum,” with the Ukrainian holdout city of Severodonetsk bearing the brunt of attacks. Russia continued its bombardment of other parts of Ukraine, including Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast.
More live updates here.
E.U. agrees to phase out Russian oil but exempts pipeline deliveries
European Union countries finally reached a deal to wean themselves off Russian oil, their most significant effort yet to hit the Russian economy over the war in Ukraine, although the impact will be softened by an exemption for pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked holdouts, notably Hungary.
After weeks of negotiations, the 27 countries agreed Monday to end seaborne deliveries of Russian oil within months. Pipeline deliveries will continue to flow for now. Several countries will also get extensions or exemptions, according to E.U. officials and diplomats.
European Council President Charles Michel said the agreement would cover more than two-thirds of imports of Russian oil, cutting off a “a huge source of financing for [Russia’s] war machine.” Officials and diplomats will still have to agree on technical details in the coming days, and the sanctions must be formally adopted by all 27 nations.
Read the full story here.
European Union countries finally reached a deal to wean themselves off Russian oil, their most significant effort yet to hit the Russian economy over the war in Ukraine, although the impact will be softened by an exemption for pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked holdouts, notably Hungary.
After weeks of negotiations, the 27 countries agreed Monday to end seaborne deliveries of Russian oil within months. Pipeline deliveries will continue to flow for now. Several countries will also get extensions or exemptions, according to E.U. officials and diplomats.
European Council President Charles Michel said the agreement would cover more than two-thirds of imports of Russian oil, cutting off a “a huge source of financing for [Russia’s] war machine.” Officials and diplomats will still have to agree on technical details in the coming days, and the sanctions must be formally adopted by all 27 nations.
Read the full story here.
French journalist killed in strike on humanitarian convoy, officials say
A French photojournalist covering evacuation efforts in eastern Ukraine was killed during a Russian strike that hit the humanitarian truck he was in, officials say.
Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was carrying press credentials, was fatally wounded after shrapnel pierced the armored evacuation truck that was about to pick up refugees near Severodonetsk, a focal point of the ongoing battle, according to Ukrainian officials. The shrapnel struck his neck.
Leclerc-Imhoff — the eighth journalist killed while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine — was remembered by his colleagues at French news outlet BFMTV for his enthusiasm, care and courage. He was 32.
After the attack, evacuations were called off for the area, one of the last industrial hubs under Ukrainian control in the eastern province, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, posted to Telegram on Monday.
Read the full story here.
A French photojournalist covering evacuation efforts in eastern Ukraine was killed during a Russian strike that hit the humanitarian truck he was in, officials say.
Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was carrying press credentials, was fatally wounded after shrapnel pierced the armored evacuation truck that was about to pick up refugees near Severodonetsk, a focal point of the ongoing battle, according to Ukrainian officials. The shrapnel struck his neck.
Leclerc-Imhoff — the eighth journalist killed while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine — was remembered by his colleagues at French news outlet BFMTV for his enthusiasm, care and courage. He was 32.
After the attack, evacuations were called off for the area, one of the last industrial hubs under Ukrainian control in the eastern province, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, posted to Telegram on Monday.
Read the full story here.
Analysis: Russian advances in Ukraine’s east mark a tipping point
For Ukrainians, the news from the front lines is not encouraging. As the 100th day since Russia launched its invasion nears, the tide of battle in Ukraine’s east seems to be pulling in Moscow’s favor.
On Monday, Russian troops entered the outskirts of Severodonetsk, one of the last strategically significant cities in the Luhansk region still in Ukrainian control. Should the city fall, it would give Russia and its proxy forces de facto authority over half of Donbas, the country’s eastern industrial heartland.
In an interview with a French radio station, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that the current momentum was part of the Kremlin’s newly focused aim.
“Our obvious objective is, of course, to push the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian battalions out of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” he said, amid rising fears among Western officials that Russia intends to annex territory in Donbas and Kherson.
Read the full story here.
For Ukrainians, the news from the front lines is not encouraging. As the 100th day since Russia launched its invasion nears, the tide of battle in Ukraine’s east seems to be pulling in Moscow’s favor.
On Monday, Russian troops entered the outskirts of Severodonetsk, one of the last strategically significant cities in the Luhansk region still in Ukrainian control. Should the city fall, it would give Russia and its proxy forces de facto authority over half of Donbas, the country’s eastern industrial heartland.
In an interview with a French radio station, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that the current momentum was part of the Kremlin’s newly focused aim.
“Our obvious objective is, of course, to push the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian battalions out of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” he said, amid rising fears among Western officials that Russia intends to annex territory in Donbas and Kherson.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian villagers emerge after months in municipal building basement
KUTUZIVKA, Ukraine — The day Russian military forces began pouring into Ukraine, residents in this village close to the border hurried into the basement of a municipal building to escape rockets and heavy artillery fire.
As days turned to weeks in the building’s basement — and with most villagers either too frightened or too disgusted to speak with the Russian soldiers outside — a single person emerged as their intermediary.
Nadiya Antonova, the council secretary of Vilkhivka, a slightly larger village nearby, took charge, several villagers said. She spoke with Russian soldiers and relayed their instructions.
Regional government officials now say Antonova’s intercession had a darker side. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, in a statement it posted online earlier this month, said Antonova and another regional official are suspected of committing treason.
Read the full story here.
KUTUZIVKA, Ukraine — The day Russian military forces began pouring into Ukraine, residents in this village close to the border hurried into the basement of a municipal building to escape rockets and heavy artillery fire.
As days turned to weeks in the building’s basement — and with most villagers either too frightened or too disgusted to speak with the Russian soldiers outside — a single person emerged as their intermediary.
Nadiya Antonova, the council secretary of Vilkhivka, a slightly larger village nearby, took charge, several villagers said. She spoke with Russian soldiers and relayed their instructions.
Regional government officials now say Antonova’s intercession had a darker side. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, in a statement it posted online earlier this month, said Antonova and another regional official are suspected of committing treason.
Read the full story here.