By tablet Mar 11,2022

Today’s news - ++ Continuous coverage.. The war on Ukraine enters its second week ++

Saturday (4th March 2022)

Temporary ceasefire to open safe corridors in two cities

Russia announced a ceasefire today to allow the evacuation of civilians from the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha in eastern Ukraine, after consultations between representatives of Kyiv and Moscow. "The Russian side announces a system of silencing" the weapons, as of 07:00 GMT, and "the opening of humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha," Russian news agencies quoted the Defense Ministry as saying. The ministry said in Moscow: "Humanitarian corridors and roads have been coordinated with the Ukrainian side." And the mayor of Mariupol, Vadim Boychenko, expressed his hope on Friday night to establish a humanitarian corridor near the city of 440,000 people, and to declare a ceasefire, to give an opportunity To bring food and medicine to the city and repair important infrastructure.

__________________

Friday (4 March 2022)

A direct channel of communication between the Pentagon and the Russian army on Ukraine

The Pentagon announced that American and Russian soldiers have established a new communication channel between them, which is supposed to be used in case of emergency, in the face of the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. The Pentagon spokesman, John Kirby, said that this line, which was established "a few days ago", directly links the US command in Europe to the Russian Defense Ministry. "We know that (this line) works," he said, stressing, "When we tested it, they answered." "If there is a situation where we need to communicate with the Ministry of Defense about an urgent situation, I suppose we will use it," he added, hoping that the Russian military would do the same.

Ukraine accuses Russia of nuclear terrorism after nuclear plant fire

Ukraine's delegate to the United Nations, Sergei Kisletsya, said that Russia tried to practice "nuclear terrorism" after the battles at the Ukrainian Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. "Russia deliberately engaged in an armed attack on the nuclear power plant site and acts in violation of all international agreements within the International Atomic Energy Agency," Kisletsya said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York today. He stated that this demonstrated once again that the conflict is not only an attack on Ukraine, but also on Europe, humanity and future generations.

Zelensky denounces NATO's "deliberate" rejection of a no-fly zone in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his regret at the "deliberate" decision taken by NATO not to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine in the midst of Russia's invasion of the country. "Today, the (NATO) administration gave the green light to continue strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, by refusing to impose a no-fly zone," Zelensky said in a video released by the Ukrainian presidency.

White House: We are studying stopping Russian oil imports

The White House said that the administration of US President Joe Biden is considering options to stop US imports of Russian oil and is looking at possible measures to minimize the impact on global supplies and the effects on consumers. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters at a briefing that the White House also remained in touch with members of Congress on the matter. "We are studying ways to reduce Russian oil imports while also ensuring that we maintain needed global supplies," Psaki added.

Kyiv calls for international mediation for negotiations with Moscow to end the war

Ukraine has expressed its desire for international mediation of its negotiations with Russia in order to end the war. "We do not trust the Russian Federation at all, so we want responsible international mediation," said an advisor to the Ukrainian president, Mikhailo Podolyak, according to the independent Ukrainian news agency Yunyan. He said that the Ukrainian side will follow all legal formulas and record all Russian violations, stressing that a third round of negotiations with Russia is scheduled for the weekend (tomorrow Saturday or the day after tomorrow), and most likely it will take place in Belarus again, as Moscow excluded other countries. He stated that in the future, countries such as Turkey, Hungary or Poland could host such negotiations.

Does Moscow agree to international sponsorship of the negotiations, as Ukraine desires?

Warning of exacerbation of famine in the world due to the war in Ukraine

The World Food Program warned Friday of a looming food crisis in the war-affected areas of Ukraine and the risk of exacerbating famine around the world due to the halt in production and export of products such as grain.

The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine exceeds 1.2 million

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees counted 1,209,976 refugees, according to its website dedicated to the issue at 11:00 GMT. The number increased from the last census yesterday, Thursday, by 171,000 refugees. The authorities and the United Nations expect the influx of refugees to intensify, while the Russian army appears to be focusing its efforts on major Ukrainian cities. The United Nations estimates that up to four million people have fled the war.

The United Nations expects the number of Ukrainian refugees to reach four million people

Putin signs law providing prison terms for spreading "false news" about the military

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill providing for prison terms of up to 15 years for spreading "false news" about the Russian military, as Moscow pursues its invasion of Ukraine. Putin also signed a bill imposing fines or imprisonment to demand sanctions against Russia, while Moscow faces unprecedented economic sanctions from Western capitals over the invasion.

Ukraine rejects Russia's allegations that Zelensky fled abroad, calling them false

Ukraine has rejected new Russian allegations that President Volodymyr Zelensky has fled the country. "This is false. The president is in Kyiv. He is with his people," the Kiev State Information Security Authority said on Friday, accusing Moscow of waging an information war and spreading false news in the Ukrainian lands that it has seized so far.

The statement comes in response to a confirmation from the Speaker of the Russian lower house of parliament, the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, who said that Zelensky had left the country, citing Ukrainian lawmakers on the social networking program Telegram. "He is now residing in Poland," Volodin said. This comes a day after Ukraine's intelligence services warned that Russia may publish false reports alleging Zelensky has fled the country.

Ukrainian authorities confirm that President Volodymyr Zelensky is still in Kyiv

The G7 countries will impose new tough sanctions on Russia

The G7 countries announced their intention to impose "new tough sanctions" on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and committed themselves to confronting Russia's "disinformation campaign". It is pursued by "the Russian government and its media", as "the continuous stream of fabricated information endangers more lives."

Blinken: US and EU must keep pressure 'until the war is over'

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned Friday that the end of the war in Ukraine may not be imminent, stressing the need for the United States and its allies in Europe to keep up their heavy pressure on Russia until the war ends. "Unfortunately, tragically and appallingly, this may not end soon," he said in Brussels, adding, "We must continue with this until it stops, until the war is over."

The European Union is ready to impose tough new sanctions if Putin does not stop the war

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the EU is ready to impose "strict new sanctions if Putin does not stop the war he has started". "We are resolute, we are resolute, we are united," she said in Brussels, with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at her side.

EU foreign ministers criticize Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians

Germany and Ireland as well as the European Union's chief foreign and security policy chief Josep Borrell criticized Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine during a special meeting of EU foreign ministers on Friday. Borrell said that Russia was "bombing with artillery and bombs everything, hospitals, homes, schools." He stated that this was a barbaric way to wage war. German Foreign Minister Annalina Birbock said Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war of aggression" against Ukraine aimed to use "the most brutal force" against civilians. "These are war crimes," Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said before meeting his American, British, Canadian and Ukrainian counterparts to discuss the conflict.

Ukraine is preparing for a new round of negotiations with Moscow at the end of the week

Ukraine is preparing to hold a new round of negotiations with Moscow over the weekend to try to end the fighting that erupted with the invasion, a Kyiv negotiator said. "The third round may take place tomorrow (Saturday) or the day after. We are in constant contact," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhailo Podolyak told a press conference in Lviv, in western Ukraine, on the eighth day of the war. He explained that the Ukrainian authorities are waiting for the approval of the Russians to return to the negotiating table.

Over 100 Jewish children from Ukraine arrive in Berlin

After an arduous journey lasting more than two days, 105 Jewish children and teenagers from the Ukrainian city of Odessa arrived in Berlin. Two buses took children, teenagers and several escorts to a hotel in the Kurfürstendamm district on Friday morning. The police cordoned off the street where the hotel is located on both sides. The trip was organized by the Jewish education and relief organization Chabad in Berlin, which cooperates with the children's home of the Jewish community in Odessa. It should be noted that some of the children were orphans, and others were sent by their parents or relatives on the 2,000-kilometre journey through Moldova, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The youngest arrival is a baby born last January, and there are also a number of young children. The other arrivals ranged in age from three years to early twenties.

Schulz urges Putin to stop fighting in Ukraine and let aid in

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop fighting "immediately" in Ukraine during a phone call Friday. A statement issued by the German chancellery said that during this call, Schulz "expressed his great concern. For several days, terrible scenes and information have been received from Ukraine." Schulz called on the Russian president to "immediately stop the fighting and allow humanitarian aid to enter the combat zones."

Schulz expressed his great concern and urged Putin in a phone call to stop the fighting and war in Ukraine

The death toll from the Russian invasion of Ukraine has risen to 331

The United Nations Human Rights Office said on Friday that it has confirmed 331 civilians have been killed and 675 wounded in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, adding that the actual toll is likely to be much higher. Among the dead were 19 children, the human rights office said. The office, which receives reports from its monitors in Ukraine, said that most of the casualties were caused by explosive weapons such as heavy artillery shelling, multi-barrel rocket launchers, missile and air strikes.

Germany records the arrival of more than 18,000 refugees from Ukraine so far

The German Federal Police has so far recorded the arrival of 18,436 people who have fled Ukraine to Germany since the start of the war. A spokesman for the German Interior Ministry in Berlin said today, Friday, that most of the fleeing are women and children, explaining that about 15,000 of them have Ukrainian citizenship. However, not all people who come from Ukraine register with the German authorities. The night before, EU interior ministers agreed to take in refugees from Ukraine quickly and easily.

Moscow: The next step in the talks depends on the Ukrainians

The Kremlin has asked the Russians to rally around President Vladimir Putin and said what happens next in negotiations on Ukraine will depend on Kyiv's reaction to this week's talks between the two sides. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that certain documents had not yet been agreed with Ukraine in the talks, but that Moscow had told the Ukrainian side its view on how to end the war.

Zelensky accuses Russia of targeting the Zaporizhia nuclear plant

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian tanks of actively targeting the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. "This is horror, of unprecedented proportions," he said in a speech on Friday. The 44-year-old Ukrainian president added, "The Russian army completely forgot about Chernobyl," referring to a massive nuclear accident that occurred in Ukraine in 1986. Russia rejected the accusations, describing them as "a provocation by the Kyiv regime."

Urgent meeting of the UN Security Council Friday on Ukraine

Diplomats announced that the UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting before noon Friday at the request of Britain to study the repercussions of the Russian bombing of the largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The diplomats told AFP that this session, also requested by the United States, France, Norway, Ireland and Albania, will be held at the request of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. US President Joe Biden "urged Russia to stop its military activities in the area" of the nuclear plant.

Turkish Foreign Minister: The situation in Ukraine is deteriorating and our airspace will remain open

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday that the situation in Ukraine was getting worse and should not be allowed to escalate, adding that Ankara would keep its airspace open. Speaking after a NATO meeting in Brussels, Cavusoglu said that contacts are continuing with Russia at the military level to ensure that Turkish ships return safely from the Black Sea ports. He added that Ankara wanted the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers to meet at a diplomatic forum in southern Turkey next week, but it was not clear if they would be able to attend.

Jens Stoltenberg: The war in Ukraine will cause more deaths and more destruction in the coming days

NATO Secretary General: The coming days are likely to be worse for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the war in Ukraine will cause more deaths and more destruction in the coming days, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw all forces from Ukraine without conditions. "The coming days are likely to be worse, with more deaths, more suffering and more destruction," he told reporters after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. As confirmed by the Secretary General of NATO: We have detected the use of cluster bombs in Ukraine.

UN launches investigation into possible Russian human rights violations in Ukraine

The United Nations Human Rights Council appointed a commission to investigate and document Russian human rights violations in Ukraine. The commission was also tasked with identifying the names of those responsible for possible crimes, so that they could be held accountable, in court, in accordance with the decision, which was adopted in Geneva on Friday. Of the council's 47 member states, only Russia and Eritrea voted against the move, while 13 abstained.

Ukrainian ambassador to the United Nations tells Putin: 'The whole world is against you'

Kyiv's ambassador to the United Nations considered that Friday's vote by the Human Rights Council by a large majority supporting the opening of an investigation into violations following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, should show Russian President Vladimir Putin that "the whole world is against you." "The message to Putin was clear: you are isolated at the international level and the whole world is against you," Ambassador Yevenya Filippenko told reporters after the vote.

Dozens killed in Russian raids on residential buildings in Chernihiv

The United Nations Human Rights Council supports the opening of an investigation into violations in the Ukraine war

The United Nations Human Rights Council voted Friday by a large majority to launch a high-level investigation into abuses committed in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Thirty-two members of the 47-seat council voted in favor of launching an investigation at the highest levels into alleged human rights violations, in the hope of holding the perpetrators accountable. Only two countries, Russia and Eritrea, voted against the move.

German Chancellor: The attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear plant did not result in a radioactive leak

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the fire at the nuclear power plant in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia broke out only in an administrative building. Schulz said during his inspection of the German army's military operations command near the German city of Potsdam today, Friday, that the accident did not result in a radioactive leak at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, but it shows how serious the situation is. The warring parties really intend to cause it, but it could still have terrible repercussions,” he said, stressing that it is important to avoid such escalation.

Putin urges Russia's neighbors not to escalate tension

Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Russia's neighbors not to escalate tensions, eight days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "We do not harbor bad intentions for our neighbors. I also advise them not to escalate the situation and not to impose any restrictions. We fulfill all our obligations and will continue to fulfill them," Putin said in televised comments.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister: NATO intervention in Ukraine would be a global disaster for the alliance

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said calls for a no-fly zone over Ukraine should be dealt with realistically, and warned of the risk of an escalation of the conflict. And the minister said, "Who will implement it?" Asselborn's comments came during a special meeting of NATO foreign ministers to discuss the Ukraine war.

London requests an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council after the Russian bombing of the Zaporizhia facility

Britain is calling for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council after Russian forces attacked a nuclear plant in Ukraine, British Foreign Secretary Lise Truss said Friday.

In statements to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, she said that the attack "is a threat to the security and stability of Europe, and those responsible must be held accountable."

Death toll rises after air strikes on Chernihiv

After intense air strikes on the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, the death toll rose to 47, according to official data. The district administration announced that the victims were 38 men and 9 women. The Ukrainian news portal (Strana News) reported that this is the largest civilian death toll in an attack since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Opposition leader in Germany does not rule out NATO intervention in Ukraine

Germany's opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, has not ruled out NATO intervention in Ukraine if Russia carries out attacks on nuclear power plants there. "There may be a situation where NATO has to make decisions to stop Putin," said the CDU chief.

German Foreign Minister Annalina Birbock announced further punitive measures against Russia

German Foreign Minister announces further sanctions against Russia

German Foreign Minister Annalina Birbock announced further punitive measures against Russia. "Apart from the three severe sanctions packages that we have already decided, we will take further measures targeting Putin's center of power," Birbock said Friday on the sidelines of an emergency meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Bibrook gave no details of the nature of the sanctions.

Russian airline S7 suspends international flights

The Russian airline "S7" has suspended its international flights, probably fearing that its planes will be confiscated. The company announced today, Friday, that, as of tomorrow, Saturday, the company will not operate flights abroad. The company added that the return of Russian passengers who are currently abroad will be carried out with the help of partners, explaining that it will refund ticket prices for those who are no longer able to travel now.

British Defense Minister: Putin is playing with fire by attacking a nuclear plant

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Russian President Vladimir Putin was playing with fire by attacking a nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, and demanded that he stop targeting such sites. Ukraine said Russian forces took control of the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest, after attacking it in the early hours of Friday morning, setting fire to a nearby five-storey training facility.

Ukrainian official: Russia's attempts to advance in the city of Mykolaiv have been defeated

An adviser to the Ukrainian president said that the Russian advance in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv was halted after local authorities reported the entry of Russian troops for the first time into the city, a shipbuilding center on the Black Sea. "We can feel cautious optimism about the future prospects of the enemy's attack...I think it will stop in other areas as well," military advisor Oleksiy Aristovich said in a televised briefing.

NATO condemns Russian bombing of Ukrainian nuclear facility

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the Russian bombings of the nuclear plant in Zaporizhia, southern Ukraine, calling for an end to the war. And the need to put an end to it.”

Russian troops entered the city of Mykolaiv

Local authorities in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv reported that Russian forces entered the Black Sea city for the first time. Regional Governor Vitaly Kim said in an online video that fighting was taking place in parts of the city.

Berlin calls for more sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian president urges Russians to protest nuclear plant attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the Russian people to protest against the Russian forces' control of Ukraine's nuclear energy infrastructure. "Oh, Russian people, I appeal to you: How is this possible? After we stood together in 1986 in the face of the Chernobyl disaster," he said in a televised speech.

Radio stations in Europe simultaneously broadcasting the song "Give Peace a Chance"

Radio stations in several European countries broadcast the song "Give Peace a Chance" by John Lennon simultaneously on Friday morning, to express its opposition to the Russian war against Ukraine. In Germany alone, more than 200 radio programs have announced participation, including many public and private stations, according to data from the German media network ARD.

Ukraine: We will not share details of any talks with Russia in advance

Ukraine will not share details of the timing or location of any talks with Russia in advance, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Aristovich said in a video recording on Friday. And negotiators said on Thursday that the third round of ceasefire talks could take place early next week.

Russian forces: complete control of the Zaporozhye nuclear plant in Ukraine

The Russian military command announced that it had taken complete control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant located in southern Ukraine. "The Russian armed forces managed to take control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, after clashes with militants in the vicinity of the nuclear plant," the Russian Sputnik news agency reported, according to a statement by the military command.

EU prepares to take extraordinary measures if Russia cuts gas supplies

European Union Energy Commissioner Kadri Simpson said the bloc is prepared to face dire economic consequences if Russia cuts off natural gas supplies in response to sanctions. Simpson said in statements to Bloomberg News Agency that the 27-nation bloc is ready to face several possibilities, including the halting of gas shipments from Russia, which is the largest supplier of gas to the bloc, in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, and she indicated that one of the scenarios is that the Kremlin stops the flow of gas to Europe completely.

Kyiv confirms that Russian forces entered a nuclear facility in Ukraine after it was bombed

Kyiv announced that Russian forces entered the territory of Europe's largest nuclear plant after it was bombed at night that led to a fire in part of the facility, in an attack in which the Ukrainian president saw Moscow's resort to "nuclear terror" that could endanger the continent. Hours after extinguishing the fire, the Ukrainian Nuclear Site Inspection Agency confirmed that it had not recorded any radiation leakage from the Zaporizhia nuclear facility in the south of the country, stressing that the crew ensured the operation of the site.

Ukraine announces no increase in radiation after the Zaporizhia nuclear plant fire

After a fire broke out in one of the buildings of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia, no increase in radiation was recorded, according to data from the Ukrainian authorities. And the competent supervisory authority announced on the social networking site "Facebook" this Friday morning that no changes were recorded, and added: "The important systems for the safety of the nuclear power plant are working," noting that only the fourth facility is being operated at the nuclear power plant. The authority indicated that planned repair work is currently underway in one of the facilities, while two facilities have been removed from the network.

اخبار اليوم - ++ تغطية متواصلة.. الحرب على أوكرانيا تدخل أسبوعها الثاني ++

Today’s news - ++ Continuous coverage.. The war on Ukraine enters its second week ++

Google and Airbnb stop their services in Russia

The American technology giant (Google) has announced that it will stop selling online ads in Russia, in light of the continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine. "In light of exceptional circumstances, we have decided to stop advertising in Russia," the company said in a statement. In a related context, Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, which specializes in renting homes for holidays, posted a tweet on his Twitter account, in which he announced that the company had decided to stop its activities in Russia and Belarus.

Russian forces take control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

Local authorities say that Russian forces have taken control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. She stated on social media that "the operational crews are monitoring the condition of the power units." Ukraine said Russian forces attacked the station in the early hours of Friday morning, setting fire to an adjacent five-storey training facility.

Kyiv: Extinguishing the fire at the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia

The fire that broke out in a building at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia has been put out, according to data from the Ukrainian authorities. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said on the social networking site "Twitter" this Friday morning that the fire did not result in any deaths or injuries, indicating that the fire broke out in a training complex. The fire broke out after Russian forces advanced towards Europe's largest nuclear power plant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of the bombing of the reactor facilities by Russian tanks. The Ukrainian Civil Defense announced the deployment of 44 rescue workers to extinguish the fire.

IAEA: Basic equipment at Ukraine's Zaporizhia station has not been affected

The International Atomic Energy Agency said that the Ukrainian authorities had informed it that essential equipment at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant had not been affected after a fire broke out there and that there had been no change in radiation levels. The agency reported that the Ukrainian authorities said that the station in the southeast of the country was bombed during the night. It added that Ukrainian authorities had said that a fire at the plant had not affected "essential" equipment and that workers here were taking measures to contain the situation, "and there were no reports of a change in radiation levels."

Ukraine's Energy Minister urges NATO to intervene

Ukraine's Energy Minister Hermen Halyushenko has urged NATO to intervene in the wake of reports of an alleged Russian bombing of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. "For this reason, we are not only asking for a professional assessment of what is happening, but a real intervention with more severe measures, including by NATO and countries that possess nuclear weapons," Halyushenko wrote on his Facebook page early Friday morning.

The Ukrainian minister said that the largest nuclear power plant in Europe was bombed using tanks and from the air. It was not possible to verify these statements independently. The minister said he had already spoken by phone with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and demanded the closure of the airspace over Ukraine. Granholm confirmed via Twitter the phone call with her Ukrainian counterpart.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Berlin requests German tanks and warships

The Ukrainian Embassy in Berlin requested the German government to obtain more weapons to help repel the Russian invasion. "In light of the extremely tense security situation due to the ongoing Russian aggression, the Ukrainian government seeks to have this request dealt with and receive a positive review as soon as possible," said a memorandum submitted by the embassy regarding this request. The memo added that Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a "war of annihilation" against Ukraine with the latest advanced weapons systems, including banned weapons such as cluster munitions.

Johnson: Russia must stop its attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear plant

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that Russian forces must stop their attack on a Ukrainian nuclear power plant immediately. Johnson spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in the southeast of the country.

Downing Street quoted Johnson as saying that "the reckless actions of President (Vladimir) Putin can now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe... The United Kingdom will do everything in its power to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate further."

Kyiv declares that the fire at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has been extinguished

Ukrainian authorities announced that firefighting teams put out a fire in a building at the Zaporizhia nuclear plant in the center of the country and the largest in Europe, which broke out at night as a result of Russian bombing.

"At 06:20 (04:20 GMT) the fire was extinguished. There are no casualties," the government's emergency service said in a statement on its Facebook page.

Johnson intends to call an emergency meeting of the Security Council after the Zaporizhia station accident

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to call an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council "in the coming hours", after the accident at the Ukrainian nuclear plant Zaporizhia.

Zelensky: Russia resorted to "nuclear terror" by bombing the Zaporizhia station

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow on Friday of resorting to "nuclear terror" and seeking to "repeat" the Chernobyl disaster by bombing the central and largest in Europe, Zaporizhia nuclear plant.

"No other country in the world but Russia has shot at nuclear power plants. It is the first time in our history, in the history of mankind. This terrorist state is now resorting to nuclear terror," Zelensky said in a video message released by the Ukrainian presidency. "Ukraine has 15 nuclear reactors. If there is an explosion, it will be the end of everything, it will be the end of Europe, Europe will be evacuated," he added.

Zelensky: Russian forces bombed the Zaporizhia station complex

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian forces in Ukraine are targeting the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant complex in the south of the country. "At the moment, Russian tanks are bombing the reactor units," Zelensky added in the early hours of Friday morning in a video clip posted on his Telegram channel. "The largest nuclear power plant in Europe is burning," Zelensky said. "There are tanks equipped with thermal imaging cameras. This means that they know where to shoot, and they have prepared for it." Zelensky's comments could not be independently verified. "Europe must wake up now," Zelensky said, citing the Chernobyl disaster as an example of this danger.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Hermen Halyushenko urges NATO to intervene following reports of alleged Russian bombing of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

Officials: Fierce battles result in fire outside Ukrainian nuclear power plant

Ukraine's emergency service says a fire has broken out in a training building outside Europe's largest nuclear power plant, during fierce battles between Russian and Ukrainian forces. US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said there was no indication of elevated radiation levels at the Zaporizhia plant, which provides more than a fifth of the electricity generated in Ukraine.

A video broadcast from the station, verified by Reuters, showed shelling and smoke rising near a building in the station complex. Dmytro Orlov, the mayor of the nearby Energodar municipality, said in a post on the Internet that fierce fighting was taking place in the area, about 550 km southeast of Kyiv. He added that there were casualties, without going into details.

Thursday (3 March 2022)

UN official: 1 million Ukrainian refugees since the start of the Russian invasion

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, announced that one million Ukrainian refugees have fled their country since the start of the Russian invasion a week ago. "In just seven days, we have seen the influx of 1 million refugees from Ukraine into its neighboring countries," Grandi wrote in a tweet. "For millions more inside Ukraine, it is time for the guns to fall silent so that humanitarian aid can arrive and save lives," he added.

Biden administration imposes sanctions on Russia's ruling elite

US President Joe Biden said that Russia is firing indiscriminately in Ukraine, while the White House announced harsh economic sanctions against Putin, the ruling elite and their companies, as well as his spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He added that the United States would also impose visa restrictions on 19 Russian ruling elites, their families and associates. Biden had written on Twitter that he would meet his ministers at the White House, saying, "We will continue to impose harsh economic sanctions on Putin and those around him."

Official: Kyiv and Moscow agree to establish "humanitarian corridors"

A senior Ukrainian official announced that Kyiv and Moscow had agreed to establish humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians in the second round of talks since the start of the Russian invasion last week. "The second round of talks is over. Unfortunately, Ukraine has not achieved the results it needs yet. There are decisions only on the organization of humanitarian corridors," an adviser to the Ukrainian president, Mikhailo Podolyak, said on Twitter.

And the official news agency of Belarus quoted Podolyak as saying that the third round of talks is scheduled for early next week.

Bin Salman offers mediation between Russia and Ukraine

Saudi media reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call that he is ready to make efforts to mediate between all parties to the crisis in Ukraine. He also reiterated Saudi Arabia's "keenness" to maintain the oil market's balance and stability, and noted the role of the OPEC Plus agreement in that and the importance of maintaining it.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia voted yesterday in favor of a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Putin: The Russian operation in Ukraine is going according to plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia's military operations in Ukraine are going according to plan and praised his soldiers as heroes. In a televised speech, Putin made a series of allegations against Ukrainian forces, of which he did not provide evidence, including that they are holding foreign citizens hostage and using human shields.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a series of allegations against Ukrainian forces for which he has not provided evidence

About 7,000 Russian academics protest against the invasion of Ukraine

Nearly 7,000 Russian researchers and academics signed an open letter to President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, protesting "strongly" against the war in Ukraine. "We, scientists and science journalists working in Russia, strongly protest the military invasion of Ukraine launched by the Russian army" a week ago, they wrote in a letter published by TRV-Science.ru.

The signatories to this letter risk fines or even imprisonment under legislation adopted a few years ago that allows Russian authorities to prosecute any citizen who criticizes the government.

Moldova has officially applied to join the European Union

After Ukraine and Georgia, Moldova also submitted an official request to join the European Union, according to what was announced by the President of this former Soviet republic and neighboring Ukraine, a week after the start of the Russian invasion. "Today we are signing the application to join the European Union," Maya Sandu told reporters. "Some decisions must be taken quickly and firmly."

German Economy Minister opposes ban on energy imports from Russia

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has expressed his opposition to the idea of banning energy supplies from Russia due to the war on Ukraine. The German vice chancellor said that such a move would threaten social peace in Germany, adding: "I will not work for a ban on imports of Russian fossil energy, but I will even oppose it." "We need these supplies in order to achieve price stability and energy security in Germany," the Green Party politician continued.

.Robert Habeck, German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economy, opposes the ban on energy imports from Russia due to the war on Ukraine

EU approves measures to protect people fleeing Ukraine

European Union interior ministers have agreed to adopt emergency measures to provide immediate protection to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansen said. Johansson said in a tweet after a meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue that the "historic decision" means that the European Union will grant temporary protection to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky: If Ukraine falls, Russia will target Eastern Europe

President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Westerners to increase their military aid, stressing that if Russia defeats Ukraine, Moscow will target the rest of Eastern Europe, from the Baltic states to "the Berlin Wall." "If we no longer exist, God forbid, it will be the turn of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia ... all the way to the Berlin Wall, believe me," Zelensky said, calling on Westerners to "close the airspace" to Russian planes or give him planes.

The start of a second round of talks between Moscow and Kiev in Belarus

Ukraine and Russia have started a second round of talks in western Belarus, Belarusian state TV reported. The Russian delegation is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, the assistant to the President of Russia, while the Ukrainian delegation is headed by David Arakhamia, head of the ruling Ukrainian party. Members of the Russian delegation wore suits, while members of the Ukrainian delegation wore green military jackets. And the media carried pictures of members of the two delegations shaking hands in front of the cameras.

Members of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations shake hands before the start of the second round of talks

A second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

Today, the second round of talks between Ukraine and Russia is being held on the Polish-Belarusian border. "On the way to negotiations with the Russian Federation. We are currently in the helicopters," Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhailo Podolak wrote on Twitter, with a photo of him and Parliamentary official David Arachamia in what appears to be a helicopter cabin.

In the Russian version of his tweet, Arakhamia indicated that the talks session "will start in about two hours," and explained that the delegation would seek to reach "a minimum of humanitarian corridors. The rest will depend on the circumstances."

The Russian delegation presents three files: "military, technical, humanitarian, international, and political," according to Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, who did not give further details. وهو كان أشار الأربعاء إلى أن المحادثات ستتناول النواحي الضرورية للتوصل إلى "وقف لإطلاق النار".

الأمم المتحدة: عشرات الملايين يواجهون "خطر الموت المحدق" في أوكرانيا

قالت مفوضة الأمم المتحدة السامية لحقوق الإنسان ميشيل باشيليت إن عشرات الملايين في أوكرانيا يواجهون "خطر الموت المحدق" مع تصاعد العمليات العسكرية بقصف مدن كبرى وتقارير عن إصابة أهداف مدنية بأسلحة عنقودية.

وفي افتتاح مناقشة عاجلة في مجلس حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة للنظر في تشكيل لجنة للتحقيق في انتهاكات مزعومة لحقوق الإنسان على يد روسيا، دعت باشيليت إلى وقف فوري للأعمال القتالية التي ألحقت ضررا بالغا بالخدمات الأساسية.

وقالت أمام المجلس في جنيف "اتصلت عدة جماعات، تخشى التعرض للاضطهاد إذا تقدمت القوات الروسية، بفريقي في أوكرانيا، ومنهم أفراد من مجتمع تتار القرم في البر الرئيسي في أوكرانيا، بالإضافة إلى شخصيات بارزة من المدافعين عن حقوق الإنسان والصحفيين".

الجنائية الدولية تحقق في جرائم حرب محتملة في أوكرانيا

أطلق المدعي العام بالمحكمة الجنائيةالدولية، كريم خان، تحقيقا في احتمالية ارتكاب جرائم حرب في أوكرانيا عقب الغزو الروسي للبلاد. ودعا اليوم الخميس الأفراد الموجودين حاليا في منطقة الحرب بالإبلاغ عن الجرائم المحتملة للمحكمة الواقعة في لاهاي.

ويعتزم المدعي العام حاليا التواصل مع كل الأطراف الضالعة في الصراع، كما دعا أيضا كل الأطراف إلى الالتزام بقواعد القانون الدولي. وأعلن خان عن قراره بفتح تحقيقات مساء أمس الأربعاء. وقال في بيان "لا يمتلك أي فرد في الوضع الأوكراني رخصة لارتكاب جرائم في نطاق اختصاص المحكمة الجنائية الدولية".

الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية تدين سيطرة روسيا على المحطات النووية الأوكرانية

الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية تدين سيطرة الجيش الروسي على المحطات النووية الأوكرانية وتعتبر ذلك يمثل "تهديدات خطيرة ومباشرة لسلامة وأمن هذه المنشآت والأفراد". جاء ذلك في قرار صوت لصالحه 26 دولة وامتنعت خمس دول عن التصويت وعارضته روسيا والصين. واعتبر القرار أعمال روسيا في أوكرانيا" مستمرة في كونها تمثل تهديدات خطيرة ومباشرة لسلامة وأمن هذه المنشآت والأفراد".

ووفقاً للوكالة، تقول موسكو إن القوات الروسية قامت بتأمين المنطقة حول محطة زابوريزهزهيا، أكبر محطة طاقة نووية في أوكرانيا. ولذلك تخضع المحطة نفسها للسيطرة الروسية من وجهة نظر الوكالة، حتى إذا كان مازال يديرها أفراد أوكرانيون تحت إشراف كييف.

ماكرون يتحدث مع بوتين وزيلينسكي

تحدّث الرئيس الفرنسي إيمانويل ماكرون مجدداً اليوم مع نظيره الروسي فلاديمير بوتين وبعدها مع الرئيس الأوكراني فولوديمير زيلينسكي، كما أعلن قصر الإليزيه. وهذه المحادثة مع بوتين التي استمرت ساعة ونصف الساعة بحسب الرئاسة الفرنسية، هي الثالثة بين الرئيسين منذ بدء الغزو الروسي لأوكرانيا في 24 شباط/فبراير. ولم تكشف الرئاسة الفرنسية عن تفاصيل.

ونقلت وكالة "إنترفاكس" الروسية عن وزير الخارجية سيرجي لافروف القول في إيجاز صحفي: "سنكون سعداء إذا ساعدت فرنسا هذه المرة في التوصل إلى اتفاق على المبادئ المعتمدة في منظمة الأمن والتعاون في أوروبا وفي العلاقات الدولية بشكل عام".

الاتحاد الأوروبي يدعو لوقف الحرب في أوكرانيا"فورا"

قال مسؤول السياسة الخارجية في الاتحاد الأوروبي جوزيب بوريل إن التكتل يطالب بوقف إطلاق النار على الفور في أوكرانيا. وكتب بوريل على تويتر "هذه الحرب يجب أن تتوقف الآن. أدعو لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار. أدعو لفتح فوري لممرات إنسانية". وأضاف أن الاتحاد الأوروبي يقف مع مولدوفا التي استقبلت أكثر من 20 ألف لاجئ من الأطفال الذين فروا من الحرب.

فرنسا توصي رعاياها "بقوة" بمغادرة روسيا

أوصت فرنسا "بقوة" رعاياها "الذين لا ضرورة لوجودهم ووجود عائلاتهم في روسيا" بمغادرة هذا البلد، وقالت وزارة الخارجية الفرنسية على موقعها الإلكتروني "في الأجواء التي نجمت عن غزو روسيا لأوكرانيا وتطبيق العقوبات الدولية المفروضة على هذا البلد، من الضروري زيادة اليقظة". كما دعت الفرنسيين إلى "تأجيل أي سفر إلى روسيا".

وكانت باريس قد أوصت الأحد بالفعل "الفرنسيين الذين يمرون عبر روسيا" بمغادرة البلاد.

لافروف: روسيا ستستمر في عمليتها حتى النهاية

وزير الخارجية الروسي سيرجي لافروف يقول إنه يعتقد أن بعض القادة الأجانب يستعدون للحرب ضد روسيا وإن موسكو ستواصل عمليتها العسكرية في أوكرانيا حتى "النهاية". وأكد لافروف أن بلاده لا تفكر في حرب نووية.

ورغم الأنباء عن خلافات في الترتيب لجولة مقررة اليوم من المفاوضات مع أوكرانيا، قال لافروف: "لابد أنهم يتلقون تعليمات من واشنطن، لا أشك في هذا، فهذه دولة تعتمد على الآخرين بالكامل. ومع ذلك، من المقرر عقد محادثات." ومع ذلك قال: "بالطبع، يمكن التوصل لحل".

شتاينماير يصل إلى ليتوانيا

الرئيس الألماني فرانك-فالتر شتاينماير يجري مباحثات في العاصمة الليتوانية فيلنيوس مع نظيره الليتواني جيتاناس على خلفية الهجوم الروسي على أوكرانيا. ويعتزم كلا الرئيسين بعد ذلك زيارة وحدة العمليات الألمانية التابعة لمجموعة القتال متعددة الجنسيات الخاصة بحلف شمال الأطلسي "ناتو" في قاعدة روكلا العسكرية.

يشار إلى أن الجيش الألماني يقود وحدة الحلف التي تهدف لردع روسيا بالمنطقة منذ عام 2017.

ألمانيا تطالب بتحقيق دولي في الانتهاكات الروسية في أوكرانيا

قالت وزيرة الخارجية الألمانية أنالينا بيربوك "نحن بحاجة ماسة إلى لجنة تحقيق بشأنأوكرانيا للنظر فيجميع انتهاكات حقوق الإنسان التي ارتكبتها روسيا منذ عدوانها العسكري . يجب أن نتخذ موقفا قويا فيما يتعلق بالمساءلة". وأكدت بيربوك في رسالة بالفيديو إلى مجلس حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة "يجب أن نتصدى لهذا الهجوم. حقوق الإنسان قضية عالمية".

إذاعة "صدى موسكو" الروسية تعلن حلها

أعلنت الإذاعة الروسية المستقلة "صدى موسكو" (ايكو موسكفي) العريقة في المشهد الإعلامي الروسي حلها بعد منعها من البث من قبل السلطات بسبب تغطيتها لغزو أوكرانيا. وكتب رئيس تحرير "صدى موسكو" أليكسي فينديكتوف على حسابه على تلغرام "اتخذت غالبية أعضاء مجلس إدارة صدى موسكو قرارا بحل إذاعتها وموقعها الإلكتروني". وحجبت السلطات الروسية الثلاثاء "صدى موسكو" وقناة "دوجد" التلفزيونية بسبب تغطيتهما للنزاع في أوكرانيا. ومنعت وسائل الإعلام الروسية من استخدام أي معلومات غير تلك التي تقدمها السلطات وتصور غزو أوكرانيا على أنه مجرد "عملية خاصة".

في الوقت نفسه، تستعد الحكومة لتشديد القيود على الإعلام. وسينظر مجلس النواب (الدوما) الجمعة في مشروع قانون ينص على عقوبة تصل إلى السجن 15 عاما في حال نشر أي "أخبار كاذبة" تتعلق بالجيش الروسي.

فيزر: لاجئو الحرب في أوكرانيا لديهم حرية اختيار بلد اللجوء

صرحت وزيرة الداخلية الألمانية نانسي فيزر بأنه من المقرر أن يكون متاحا للاجئي الحرب القادمين من أوكرانيا أن يقرروا بأنفسهم في الوقت الحاضر الدولة الأوروبية التي يرغبون اللجوء بها. وقالت فيزر لإذاعة ألمانيا اليوم: "اعتقد أن الأشخاص المنحدرين من أوكرانيا سيرغبون حاليا في الذهاب داخل الاتحاد الأوروبي إلى الدول التي لديهم بها كثير من الأصدقاء والأقارب والمعارف بصفة خاصة".وأشارت إلى أنه ليس هناك ضرورة لتحديد حصص توزيع لاستقبال اللاجئين (الأوكرانيين)، إذا سارت عملية استقبالهم بشكل طبيعي. وتابعت الوزيرة الألمانية: "ولكن المفوضية الأوروبية سيكون لديها من الناحية القانونية الإمكانية في تحديد حصص توزيع، إلا أنها لم تستخدم حتى الآن هذه الإمكانية".

وبحسب بيانات المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين، غادر أكثر من مليون أوكراني بلده منذ بدء الهجوم الروسي، وأغلبهم مقيم في دول مجاورة مثل بولندا والمجر وجمهورية مولدوفا.

حرمان روسيا وبيلاروسيا من المشاركة في الدورة الباراليمبية

استبعدت اللجنة البارالمبية الاولمبية الدولية نهائيا الخميس الرياضيين الروس والبيلاروس من المشاركة في دورة الالعاب البارالمبية الشتوية التي تنطلق في بكين الجمعة، لتعود عن قرار كانت اتخذته قبل اقل من 24 ساعة سمحت بموجبه مشاركة هؤلاء بصفة محايدين وتحت راية العلم الاولمبي من دون أن يتم وضعهم في جدول الميداليات، وذلك بسبب غزو روسيا لأوكرانيا. وبررت اللجنة البارالمبية الدولية التي تعرضت لانتقادات واسعة بأنها اتخذت قرارها الجديد "حفاظًا على نزاهة هذه الألعاب وسلامة جميع المشاركين، قررنا رفض مشاركة رياضيي روسيا وبيلاروس".

فرنسا ستدعو في مجلس الأمن لوقف إطلاق النار في أوكرانيا

قال وزير الخارجية الفرنسي جان إيف لو دريان للقناة الثانية في التلفزيون الفرنسي إن باريس ستقترح قراراً على مجلس الأمن الدولي يطالب بوقف إطلاق النار في الحرب الدائرة في أوكرانيا. وكانت الرئاسة الفرنسية قد ذكرت في وقت سابق أن فرنسا تعتزم اتخاذ مثل هذه الخطوة. وبصفتها عضواً دائماً في مجلس الأمن، يحق لروسيا استخدام حق النقض ضد أي قرار.

القوات الروسية تدخل خيرسون

ودخلت القوات الروسية إلى خيرسون، المدينة الكبيرة في جنوب أوكرانيا . وخيرسون هي أكبر مدينة تدخلها القوات الروسية منذ بدء الحرب التي دخلت أسبوعها الثاني. وأعلن إيغور كوليخاييف رئيس بلدية هذه المدينة التي يبلغ عدد سكانها 290 ألف نسمة أنه أجرى مناقشات مع "ضيوف مسلحين" في مبنى تابع لإدارة خيرسون، ملمحا بذلك إلى القوات الروسية من دون أن يسميها.

وكتب في رسالة على فيسبوك "لم تكن لدينا أسلحة ولم نكن عدوانيين. أظهرنا أننا نعمل لتأمين المدينة ونحاول التعامل مع عواقب الغزو". طلب رئيس الإدارة الإقليمية غينادي لاخوتا في رسالة عبر تطبيق تلغرام، سكان المدينة إلى البقاء في منازلهم ، مشيرا إلى أن "المحتلين (الروس) موجودون في جميع أنحاء المدينة وهم خطيرون جدا".

ألمانيا تعتزم تزويد أوكرانيا بصواريخ مضادة

تعتزم جمهورية ألمانيا الاتحادية توريد مزيد من الأسلحة إلى أوكرانيا . وأفادت مصادر من وزارة الاقتصاد الألمانية، لوكالة الأنباء الألمانية (د.ب.أ)، بأن الوزارة وافقت على تزويد أوكرانيا بـ 2700 صاروخ مضاد للطائرات من طراز "ستريلا". وأوضحت المصادر أن هذه الصواريخ سوفيتية الصنع، حيثتنحدر من المخزونات السابقة لجيش الشعب لألمانيا الشرقية.

الإمارات تسمح للأوكرانيين بالحصول على تأشيرة عند الوصول

قالت دولة الإمارات إن رعايا أوكرانيا مؤهلين للحصول على تأشيرات الدخول عند وصولهم إليها وذلك فيما يبدو أنه تراجع عن قرارها تعليق العمل بالإعفاء من التأشيرة في وقت يشهد فرار الآلاف من الأوكرانيين. وقالت سفارة كييف في الإمارات إن السلطات الإماراتية أوقفت العمل مؤقتا بالإعفاء يوم الثلاثاء في خطوة أثارت انتقادات للدولة في وقت تفتح فيه أوروبا أبوابها للاجئين من الغزو الروسي لأوكرانيا.

المزيد عن تطورات حرب بوتين على أوكرانيا