BRUSSELS – European Union foreign ministers meet to weigh the effectiveness of the bloc’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid concerns over Moscow’s preparations for a full-scale attack in the east.
The ministers will hold talks with the International Criminal Court’s Attorney General Karim AA Khan amid mounting Western pressure to hold those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine accountable.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who is chairing Monday’s meeting in Luxembourg, deplored what he called the “brutal, brutal aggression” by Russian forces.
Borrell, who was in Ukraine over the weekend, says further EU sanctions on Russia are “always on the table”.
He says he is “fearful that Russian troops are massing in the east to launch an attack on the Donbass,” a region in the east after Moscow last week withdrew troops from around the capital Kyiv.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
– Ukrainian defenders step in while Russia ramps up firepower
– Biden, Modi talk as US urges hard line on Russia
— Ukrainian nuns open their convent doors to displaced people
– US doubts new Russian war chief can end Moscow’s hesitation
— Analysis: war, economy could weaken Putin’s position as leader
— For more coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
LONDON – Britain’s Defense Ministry says Ukraine repulsed several attacks by Kremlin forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, resulting in the destruction of Russian tanks, vehicles and artillery.
In an intelligence update released Monday morning, the ministry says Russian shelling continues in the two eastern regions.
“Russia’s continued reliance on unguided bombs reduces its ability to be discriminatory in targeting and conducting attacks, while significantly increasing the risk of civilian casualties,” the ministry said.
The ministry also said Russia’s “past use” of phosphorus munitions in the Donetsk region raises the possibility that they could be used in Mariupol as fighting for the city on Ukraine’s southern coast intensifies.
The story goes on
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand will send a military transport plane and a 50-strong support team to Europe and give Britain money to buy weapons as it significantly ramps up its response to the war in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday that the C130 Hercules aircraft would travel across Europe to transport much-needed equipment and supplies to key distribution centers. She said the plane would not fly directly to Ukraine as most military equipment is transported to the country overland.
Ardern said her government will also spend another NZ$13 million (US$9 million) in military and human rights support, including NZ$7.5 million for Britain to buy arms and ammunition. Ardern said that with 67 people deployed, New Zealand’s total contribution to the war effort would increase to NZ$30 million (US$20 million).
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LVIV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s president warned his nation Sunday night that the coming week would be as crucial as any in the war.
“Russian troops will advance to even larger operations in the east of our state,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.
He accused Russia of evading responsibility for war crimes.
“When people lack the courage to admit their mistakes, apologize, adapt to reality and learn, they turn into monsters. And when the world ignores it, the monsters decide it’s the world that has to adapt to them. Ukraine will stop all this,” Zelenskyy said.
“The day will come when they will have to admit everything. Accept the truth,” he said.
He again urged Western countries, including Germany, to provide more aid to Ukraine. In talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Zelenskyy said he had talked about “how to tighten sanctions against Russia and force Russia to seek peace.”
“I am pleased to note that the German position has recently changed in favor of Ukraine. I think that’s absolutely logical,” Zelenskyj said.
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BERLIN – Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.
The Austria Press Agency reported that Nehammer told reporters in Vienna on Sunday that he was planning the trip. This is followed by a trip to Kyiv on Saturday, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
APA reported that Nehammer wants to promote dialogue between Ukraine and Russia and will also address “war crimes” in his meeting with Putin.
Austria is a member of the European Union and has supported the 27-state bloc’s sanctions against Russia, although so far it has opposed the halting of Russian gas supplies. The country is militarily neutral and not a NATO member.
Nehammer said he made the trip on his own initiative and in consultation with top European Union officials. He said he also informed Zelenskyy and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.