WARSAW(AFP) US President Joe Biden has stressed that the Western military alliance is stronger than ever during a visit to Poland ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“NATO is stronger than it’s ever been,” Biden told his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, a day after making a surprise trip to Kyiv.
Russian strikes on Kherson kill at least six, Ukrainian army says
A Ukrainian official said Russian strikes on Tuesday killed at least six people in Kherson, which is still in reach of Moscow’s weaponry despite Russia’s retreat from the southern Ukrainian city in November.
Italy’s Meloni dismisses Putin speech as ‘propaganda’
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a speech delivered on Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin “propaganda” and said she had hoped for something more constructive.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg echoed US concerns on Tuesday that China may supply Russia with weapons to help it pursue its war against Ukraine.
Moscow demands US withdraw ‘soldiers and equipment’ from Ukraine
Russia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned US ambassador Lynne Tracy to hand her a note demanding that the US withdraw “soldiers and equipment” from Ukraine, a reference to Western military assistance for the country.
Putin says Russia suspending participation in nuclear treaty
President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday Moscow’s suspension of its participation in New START, the last remaining arms control treaty between the world’s two main nuclear powers, Russia and the US.
“I have to announce that Russia is suspending its participation in the New START treaty,” Putin said in his state of the nation address. “No one should be under the illusion that global strategic parity can be violated.”
China says it seeks role in Ukraine peace settlement
China’s foreign minister, who has given Russia strong political support in its invasion of Ukraine, said on Tuesday that his country wants to play a role inending the conflict.
US slams ‘absurdity’ of Putin’s anti-West speech
A top US official on Tuesday described President Vladimir Putin’s accusations that Russia had been threatened by the West as justification for invading Ukraine as “absurdity.”
More than 8,000 civilians killed since Russia invaded Ukraine, UN says
More than 8,000 civilians have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly a year ago, the UN Human Rights Office said on Tuesday.
The new toll represents a significant upward revision from the previous tally of 7,199 killed since the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, the UN report said. About 90% of victims were killed by explosive weapons, the report said.
The UN Human Rights Mission to Ukraine, which has dozens of observers in the country, said it expected the actual number of casualties to be “significantly higher” than the official figure as confirmation work continued.
Biden Meets NATO Allies in Poland After Visit to Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden, who just visited Kiev, told U.S. allies on Tuesday that the United States fully supports Ukraine on Russia’s Invasion Day, emphasizing U.S. support for the eastern flank of NATO.Â
After a surprise visit to Kiev, Mr. Biden arrived in Warsaw to stand with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he seeks more weapons in preparation for a spring offensive against Russia.
Biden met with Polish President Andrzej Duda to discuss joint efforts to help Ukraine, and to Poland for helping the United States and other countries expedite the shipment of military and humanitarian aid.
