MOSCOW(AFP)-RussianPresident Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that Russia was fighting for its “historical lands” in Ukraine, speaking at a state-organised rally in Moscow in support of the Ukraine offensive.
“I just heard from the top military leadership of the country that a battle is ongoing right now, for our historical lands, for our people,” Putin said.
In a short address to the tens of thousands gathered at Moscow’s main Luzhniki stadium, Putin also praised Russian servicemen in Ukraine, who he said were “fighting heroically, courageously, bravely:we are proud of them”.
Russia to hold naval exercises with China and South Africa
Russian, Chinese and South African warships will conduct artillery firing exercises in the Indian Ocean as part of joint military drills, the Interfax news agency cited Russia’s Northern Fleet as saying on Wednesday. The Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov, armed with Zircon missiles, will participate in the exercises, she added.
Russia will not launch a new generation of Zircon hypersonic missiles during joint exercises, according to a Russian Navy official.
Russia will stick to restrictions on nuclear warhead holders, defense ministry says
The RIA Novosti news agency, citing the defense ministry, said Russia will continue to comply with the limits on the number of nuclear-missile carriers set in the New START Treaty even after discontinuing its participation.
Pope calls Ukraine war ‘absurd and cruel’, urges ceasefire and negotiations
Pope Francis said the war in Ukraine was “absurdly cruel” and called for a ceasefire and negotiations two days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion on February 24.
During the weekly general audience, Francis called it a “sad memorial day” and said he was “close to the martyred Ukrainian people.” The Pope added that a “true victory” in Ukraine “cannot be built on ruins”.
Russia’s lower house votes to suspend nuclear deal with US
Russia’s lower house, the Duma, has voted to suspend Russia’s participation in the new START nuclear weapons treaty with the United States.
An existing treaty, signed in 2010, limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the United States and Russia can deploy.
The vote took place after President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would stop participating in the treaty. Russia’s upper house, the Federal Council, is expected to vote on approval later today. Russia fears UN ‘chaos’ over staff rotation at Zaporizhia factory
Russia on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over the UN’s actions regarding the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff at Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the United Nations Atomic Energy Agency was “obstructing” the planned rotation of his IAEA personnel stationed at facilities under Russian military control without justification.
Biden to meet with his nine leaders in Bucharest.
US President Joe Biden meets with the leaders of ‘Bucharest 9,’ the countries east of NATO that joined the Western military alliance after being ruled by Moscow during the Cold War.
Bucharest His Nine includes Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Most countries are the strongest supporters of military aid to Ukraine, with officials from countries within the group calling for additional resources such as air defense systems. At a meeting in Warsaw, Biden plans to reaffirm his security commitments and discuss aid to Ukraine before returning to Washington.
Spain will send six of its German-made Leopard tanks to bolster Ukraine’s fight against Russia, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Wednesday.
