4:43 am BST
04:43
Reuters: The United States will work with allies hand over to Soviet-made tanks to Ukraine to strengthen its defense in Donbass regionreports the New York Times. on Friday, referring to USA official.
transfers at the request of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. begin soonnameless official said, according to the Times. official declined say how many tanks would be sent or from which countries they will come, the newspaper wrote.
Pentagon declined to comment to Reuters. The White House did not immediately respond to a request. for comment.
Tanks would allow Ukraine will conduct long-range artillery strikes on Russian targets in Donbass region of southeastern Ukraine, bordering Russia, official said, according to the Times.
It notes first time in war that the United States helped move tanks, the newspaper notes.
4:27 am BST
04:27
China intentionally avoids sanctions says official
BUT senior Chinese diplomat says in government deliberately avoids sanctions on Russia. Speaking on Saturday, the day after virtual summit between China and the European Union, Wang Lutong told reporters that China is doing its part global economy conducting normal trade with Russia.
“China is not related party on the crisis of Ukraine. We don’t think it’s okay trade with any other country should be affected,” Wang said. director-general of European affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Wang’s comments came the day after the EU-China meeting. virtual summit where the EU warned Beijing against allow Moscow to bypass the imposed economic sanctions in response to Ukraine invasion. At the Beijing summit, which forged close ties with Moscow and refused to condemn its actions or call this invasion assured that it would strive for peace for Ukraine, butin your own way”.
“We are against sanctions, and the consequences of these sanctions also risk spill on the rest of in world, leading to wars of currency, war of trade and finance and also risk endangering the supply chain, the industrial chain, globalization and even the economic order,” Wang said.
Van also said that Ukraine, Iran and others were “points of cooperation, not points of friction.
Updated
at 4:55 am Moscow time
4:27 am BST
04:27
Hello, I’m Helen Davidson and welcome to new live blog on Russian-Ukrainian war. If you are just joining us or you need catching up on what’s going on here are some of in main events from past a little hours:
- This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. military situation in the east of the country remained extremely difficult. He repeated warnings that Russia was preparing for strikes in Donbass region and Kharkov. Late in the video message on On Friday, he said Russian troops in in north of the country was slowly pulling back.
- Zelensky also said Russia was trying to recruit troops from Crimea as he began his annual draft drive. But he said he was called to fight in Ukraine was “guaranteed death for many young guysand warned their families: “We are not need more dead people here. Save your children so they don’t become villains. Don’t send them.”
- US Department of defense will provide an additional $300 million. in assistance in ensuring the security of Ukraineincluding laser guided missile systems, drones and commercial satellite imagery services.
- Ukraine exchanged 86 members of their armed forces with Russia on Friday, according to senior Ukrainian officials.
- Russia says Ukrainian helicopters attacked an oil storage in Belgorod, Russia, about 16 miles from the border and near Kharkov, destroyed fuel tanks. Ukrainian officials deny involvement of their forces.
- UK Ministry of Protection says destruction of oil tanks in the depot means probable loss of supply of fuel and ammunition to the invading troops. probably add more tension for Russia already stretched logistics chains. Supplies to Russian troops surrounding Kharkiv could be particularly affected.
- United States secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, previously spoke with external minister Dmitry Kulebo discussed today “How US allies and partners are helping Ukraine defend against Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified war,” Blinken said.
- the United States will work with allies hand over to Soviet-made tanks to Ukraine to strengthen its defense in Donbass regionreports the New York Times. on Friday, referring to USA official.
- Zelensky also said more than 3000 people was brought to safety from the besieged city of Mariupol. Over 6000 in total were rescued from Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporozhye. International Committee of The Red Cross said it was unable to contact city but I will try again evacuate civilians on Saturday.
- Hollywood actor Sean Penn called. for future billionaire forward as well as buy two squadrons of F-15 or F-16 aircraft for Ukraine in an unlikely attempt to tip the scales against Russian occupiers in Five Week War.
- European governments have more time to understand out how they’re going to act on Russia demand to pay for Russia gas in rubles after the Kremlin said today it would not immediately stop gas supplies
- About 200 Ukrainian national members of the guard were probably taken prisoner through Russian troops because they left the Chernobyl nuclear power plant power plant, mayor of Slavutich, – said Yuri Fomichev.
.