Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would not cede territory to the Russian-occupied Donbas region in any attempt to reach a peace agreement. The Ukrainian president, speaking to CNN, said that this would leave open the possibility of Russia using the territory to launch another attack aimed at occupying Kiev. Russia, meanwhile, has threatened to “destroy” Ukrainian troops in the besieged Black Sea port city of Mariupol if they do not surrender. About 2,500 Ukrainian fighters are hiding in a steel plant in Mariupol that has a network of underground tunnels, according to the Russian military. “Anyone who continues the resistance will be destroyed,” said Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, adding that those who surrender “are guaranteed to save their lives.” Russia had given the Ukrainian troops a deadline of 3 p.m. GMT to surrender, but continue to defy the request – said Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. The capture of Mariupol would give Vladimir Putin’s forces an advantage after troops failed to occupy Kyiv during the seven weeks leading up to the ongoing invasion.
Basic points
Show last update 1650220399
Austrian chancellor says Putin could cooperate to some extent in war crimes investigation
Vladimir Putin could co-operate in an investigation into war crimes charges against the Russian military in Ukraine, according to Austrian Chancellor Carl Nehammer. Mr Nehammer was the first EU leader to meet in person with the Russian leader since the start of the war in Ukraine. Speaking about the meeting, Mr. Nehammer told NBC Meet the Press:[Putin] he told me that he would cooperate with some international research on the one hand and on the other he told me that he does not trust the western world. “I think international justice, the United Nations and international research are needed. “So it was a tough discussion between them, but I tried to convince him that, for example, the wars in the former Yugoslavia showed us that international research is useful in prosecuting war criminals.” (AFP via Getty Images) Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 19:33 1650218539
Up to 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died so far – Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said up to 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed so far in the country’s war with Russia. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Zelensky said it was difficult to know how many people have died so far. “Where the cities are blocked, Kherson, Berdyansk, Mariupol, further east … we just do not know how many people have lost their lives in this area,” he said. “As far as our army is concerned, from the numbers we have, we believe we lost 2,500 to 3,000, compared to the Russian army, which lost about 19,000 to 20,000,” Zelensky said. “It simply came to our notice then. “But we have about 10,000 injured and it is difficult to say how many will survive.” (AFP via Getty Images) Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 19:02 1650216739
Germans need to start saving energy to allow Russia to release Russian gas, says minister
German Finance Minister Robert Habeck has called on Germans to start saving energy to make his country more independent of Russian oil and gas. Mr Habeck said Germany could become less dependent on Russia if citizens reduced their energy consumption and suggested using the train or bicycle instead of driving whenever possible. “I ask everyone to contribute to energy savings right now,” he said in an interview. “Every kilometer that is not traveled is a contribution to facilitating the escape from Russian energy supply. We also protect the climate. “ German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Hubek (L) talks with Chancellor Olaf Solz (Getty Images) Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 18:32 1650214976
The Minister of Transport of the United Kingdom welcomes the Ukrainian family to his home
Transport Secretary Grand Saps today welcomed a three-generation Ukrainian family to his home. Mr Saps had previously spoken of plans to keep the family at home, but they had not yet arrived in the UK. He now announced their arrival, along with their dog Max, in a post on social media. Mr Saps told the Times last month that his family would be hosting a six-year-old boy, his mother and his 75-year-old grandmother. “These people are literally leaving their lives, they do not know if their home will be there when they return,” he said. “Their family must be separated. “Every time we enter into a family discussion about it, the discussion literally ends.” (PA) Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 18:02 1650212719
Five were killed in further rocket attacks in Kharkov, according to Ukraine
Ukrainian officials say five people have been killed and 13 injured in renewed rocket attacks in Kharkov. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Minister, said the city center was “bombed around 1:30 and 2:00 p.m.” “The occupiers fired at the city from multiple rocket launchers,” Gerashchenko added. “Residential and administrative buildings were damaged. “There are fires in various locations in the city center.” Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 17:25 1650211399
Russia must withdraw from Ukraine, says Canterbury Archbishop in Easter Sunday sermon
Canterbury Archbishop Justin Welby has called on Russia to declare a ceasefire and withdraw from Ukraine in its Easter Sunday sermon. Archbishop Welby said Easter was a time for people, not “blood and iron.” He added: “Let this be the time for a Russian ceasefire, a withdrawal and a commitment to talks.” (PA) Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 17:03 1650209419
Zelensky invites Joe Biden to visit Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated a request to Biden to visit his country. Speaking to CNN’s State of the Union, Zelensky said: “I think he will. It’s his decision of course, for the security situation, it depends. “But I think he’s the leader of the United States and he has to come here to see.” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had previously said the issue had been discussed with Ukrainians. The president “would very much like the opportunity to go to Ukraine,” Sullivan said, “but it was not under any serious planning.” Holly Bancroft17 April 2022 16:30 1650207632
The “sad” situation in Mariupol could be a “red line” in the ceasefire talks
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said the “terrible” situation in Mariupol could be a “red line” in the course of peace talks. He said he had had no contact with Russian diplomats in recent weeks and that no high-level talks were under way. “Mariupol can be a red line,” he told CBS News today. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba (Evelyn Hockstein / AP) Earlier, Russia had given a deadline to Ukrainian troops in Mariupol at 3 p.m. GMT to be delivered otherwise they will be “destroyed”. But Ukrainian troops continue to defy the demand, said Deputy Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Lamiat Sabin17 April 2022 16:00 1650205832
At least two were killed in a “deliberate killing of civilians” in Luhansk
Russian troops are accused of firing on the town of Zolote in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, killing at least two people and wounding four others. This was reported in the Telegram application by Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk regional military administration. Location Zolote, in eastern Ukraine (Google Maps) Vladimir Putin’s soldiers reportedly destroyed two floors of an apartment building. Mr Haidai said: “This is a deliberate murder. There is nothing but residential buildings in that area. “The Russians deliberately targeted civilians.” Russia has denied that it targeted civilians since Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Lamiat Sabin17 April 2022 15:30 1650204032
Ukrainian troops in Mariupol defy threat to surrender – Deputy PM
Ukrainian forces remaining in Mariupol continue to defy Russia’s request to surrender, said Deputy Prime Minister Dennis Smihal. “The city has not fallen yet,” he told ABC’s This Week, adding that Ukrainian troops were still in control of parts of the city. Archive photo of Denys Shmyhal [R] with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky It comes after Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said: “Anyone who continues the resistance will be destroyed.” Russia had given the Ukrainian troops a deadline of 3 p.m. GMT today to be delivered. Konashenkov said those who surrendered “were guaranteed their lives.” In addition, Mr. Shmyhal said he would attend meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington this week to seek more financial assistance to Ukraine. Lamiat Sabin17 April 2022 15:00