Russia warns of WWIII after top US officials visit Kyiv | ABS-CBN
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Russia warns of WWIII after top US officials visit Kyiv
Russia warns of WWIII after top US officials visit Kyiv
Joshua Melvin,
Agence France-Presse
Published Apr 26, 2022 07:52 AM PHT
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KYIV, Ukraine - Russia on Monday warned the Ukraine conflict risked escalating into a third world war and accused Kyiv of playing at peace talks a day after visiting US officials said Ukrainian forces could beat back Moscow's invasion.
KYIV, Ukraine - Russia on Monday warned the Ukraine conflict risked escalating into a third world war and accused Kyiv of playing at peace talks a day after visiting US officials said Ukrainian forces could beat back Moscow's invasion.
The conflict has triggered an outburst of support from Western nations that has seen weapons pour into Ukraine to help them wage war against Russian troops.
The conflict has triggered an outburst of support from Western nations that has seen weapons pour into Ukraine to help them wage war against Russian troops.
Speaking to Russian news agencies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Kyiv's approach to floundering peace talks, saying the risk of a World War III "is serious".
Speaking to Russian news agencies, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Kyiv's approach to floundering peace talks, saying the risk of a World War III "is serious".
"It is real, you can't underestimate it."
"It is real, you can't underestimate it."
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While he said talks with Kyiv would continue, Lavrov accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of "pretending" to negotiate, adding: "You'll find a thousand contradictions."
While he said talks with Kyiv would continue, Lavrov accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of "pretending" to negotiate, adding: "You'll find a thousand contradictions."
For months, Zelensky has been asking Ukraine's western allies for heavy weapons -- including artillery and fighter jets -- vowing his forces could turn the tide of the war with more firepower.
For months, Zelensky has been asking Ukraine's western allies for heavy weapons -- including artillery and fighter jets -- vowing his forces could turn the tide of the war with more firepower.
The calls appear to be resonating now, with a host of NATO countries pledging to provide a range of heavy weapons and equipment, despite protests from Moscow.
The calls appear to be resonating now, with a host of NATO countries pledging to provide a range of heavy weapons and equipment, despite protests from Moscow.
"The first step in winning is believing that you can win," Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told a group of journalists after he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Zelensky in Kyiv.
"The first step in winning is believing that you can win," Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told a group of journalists after he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Zelensky in Kyiv.
"We believe that we can win -- they can win -- if they have the right equipment, the right support."
"We believe that we can win -- they can win -- if they have the right equipment, the right support."
The highly sensitive US trip by two of President Joe Biden's top cabinet members came as fighting continued across Ukraine, casting a long shadow over Easter celebrations in the largely Orthodox country.
The highly sensitive US trip by two of President Joe Biden's top cabinet members came as fighting continued across Ukraine, casting a long shadow over Easter celebrations in the largely Orthodox country.
ZELENSKY HAILS RESISTANCE
"Thanks to the courage, the wisdom of our defenders, thanks to the courage of all Ukrainians -- our state is a true symbol of the struggle for freedom," Zelensky said in his evening address vowing victory.
"Thanks to the courage, the wisdom of our defenders, thanks to the courage of all Ukrainians -- our state is a true symbol of the struggle for freedom," Zelensky said in his evening address vowing victory.
Following a weekend full of fighting, at least five people were killed and another 18 injured on Monday after a Russia rocket attack targeted railway infrastructure in the central Ukraine region of Vinnytsia.
Following a weekend full of fighting, at least five people were killed and another 18 injured on Monday after a Russia rocket attack targeted railway infrastructure in the central Ukraine region of Vinnytsia.
On Monday, the governor of a Russian region bordering Ukraine accused Kyiv of bombing one of its villages, injuring two civilians and damaging several houses.
On Monday, the governor of a Russian region bordering Ukraine accused Kyiv of bombing one of its villages, injuring two civilians and damaging several houses.
"A village was targeted... It is already clear that there are injured civilians," Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram.
"A village was targeted... It is already clear that there are injured civilians," Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram.
Russia in recent weeks has accused Ukrainian forces of striking targets on Russian soil, including two villages in Belgorod and another in the region of Bryansk.
Russia in recent weeks has accused Ukrainian forces of striking targets on Russian soil, including two villages in Belgorod and another in the region of Bryansk.
The governor of the Kursk region near Ukraine also said Russian forces had shot down two Ukrainian drones in the early hours of the morning.
The governor of the Kursk region near Ukraine also said Russian forces had shot down two Ukrainian drones in the early hours of the morning.
UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced Monday that Britain would send Ukraine armored vehicles able to fire missiles against Russian warplanes.
UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced Monday that Britain would send Ukraine armored vehicles able to fire missiles against Russian warplanes.
"These Stormer vehicles will give Ukraine forces enhanced short-range anti-air capabilities both day and night," he said.
"These Stormer vehicles will give Ukraine forces enhanced short-range anti-air capabilities both day and night," he said.
The United States has been a leading donor of finance and weaponry to Ukraine, and a key sponsor of sanctions targeting Russia.
The United States has been a leading donor of finance and weaponry to Ukraine, and a key sponsor of sanctions targeting Russia.
But it had not previously sent top officials to Kyiv. Several European leaders have already travelled there to underscore their support.
But it had not previously sent top officials to Kyiv. Several European leaders have already travelled there to underscore their support.
"Many countries are going to come forward and provide additional munitions and howitzers. So we're going to push as hard as we can, as quickly as we can, to get them what they need," Austin said.
"Many countries are going to come forward and provide additional munitions and howitzers. So we're going to push as hard as we can, as quickly as we can, to get them what they need," Austin said.
Blinken and Austin also said US diplomats would begin a gradual return to Ukraine this week and announced $700 million (653 million euros) in additional military aid.
Blinken and Austin also said US diplomats would begin a gradual return to Ukraine this week and announced $700 million (653 million euros) in additional military aid.
SUPPLY LINES HIT
Forty German diplomats will meanwhile be heading home from Russia after Moscow announced their expulsion, following Berlin's decision to kick out 40 Russian diplomats earlier this month.
Forty German diplomats will meanwhile be heading home from Russia after Moscow announced their expulsion, following Berlin's decision to kick out 40 Russian diplomats earlier this month.
From The Hague, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor is to join an EU investigations team to probe "alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine", officials said.
From The Hague, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor is to join an EU investigations team to probe "alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine", officials said.
Russia's air force targeted 82 Ukrainian military sites, including four command posts and two fuel depots, and the army fired high-precision missiles at 27 targets in their latest attacks, the Russian defense ministry said on Monday.
Russia's air force targeted 82 Ukrainian military sites, including four command posts and two fuel depots, and the army fired high-precision missiles at 27 targets in their latest attacks, the Russian defense ministry said on Monday.
The Ukrainian defense ministry said Russia was continuing to hit infrastructure and supply lines bringing military assistance from Ukraine's partners.
The Ukrainian defense ministry said Russia was continuing to hit infrastructure and supply lines bringing military assistance from Ukraine's partners.
Ukraine's second city Kharkiv remains partially surrounded and Moscow's forces are regrouping in the south, but a Russian attempt to break through towards Zaporizhzhia in the east failed, the ministry added.
Ukraine's second city Kharkiv remains partially surrounded and Moscow's forces are regrouping in the south, but a Russian attempt to break through towards Zaporizhzhia in the east failed, the ministry added.
Russia on Monday accused Kyiv of preventing civilians trapped with Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks from leaving the besieged industrial center despite a ceasefire announcement.
Russia on Monday accused Kyiv of preventing civilians trapped with Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks from leaving the besieged industrial center despite a ceasefire announcement.
The defense ministry had said it would allow a civilian evacuation from Mariupol's sprawling steel plant, which has been sheltering the remaining Ukrainian resistance in the southeastern port city.
The defense ministry had said it would allow a civilian evacuation from Mariupol's sprawling steel plant, which has been sheltering the remaining Ukrainian resistance in the southeastern port city.
But the Russian army on Monday evening said no one used the proposed humanitarian corridor.
But the Russian army on Monday evening said no one used the proposed humanitarian corridor.
A video posted by the far-right Azov Regiment, whose fighters are based in Azovstal, showed war-weary women and children sheltering in the plant's underground bunkers, pleading for relief.
A video posted by the far-right Azov Regiment, whose fighters are based in Azovstal, showed war-weary women and children sheltering in the plant's underground bunkers, pleading for relief.
"There are 600 people here. No water, no food. What are we going to do here? How long will we stay here?" asked one woman.
"There are 600 people here. No water, no food. What are we going to do here? How long will we stay here?" asked one woman.
"We haven't been out for two months now. I don't even know what the weather is like there. It feels like it's still February 28," said another woman.
"We haven't been out for two months now. I don't even know what the weather is like there. It feels like it's still February 28," said another woman.
Mariupol, which the Kremlin claims to have "liberated", is pivotal to Russia's war plans to forge a land bridge to Russian-occupied Crimea -- and possibly beyond, as far as Moldova.
Mariupol, which the Kremlin claims to have "liberated", is pivotal to Russia's war plans to forge a land bridge to Russian-occupied Crimea -- and possibly beyond, as far as Moldova.
burs-ds/bgs/sw
burs-ds/bgs/sw
© Agence France-Presse
Read More:
ukraine
ukraine crisis
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Volodymyr Zelensky
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Biden thanks Black Americans for their support
Biden thanks Black Americans for their support
Reuters
Published Feb 07, 2024 12:33 PM PHT
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During an event to mark Black History Month on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden told the audience at the White House he expects to be back next year celebrating the date, hinting at a successful re-election campaign.
During an event to mark Black History Month on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden told the audience at the White House he expects to be back next year celebrating the date, hinting at a successful re-election campaign.
Biden thanked the Black Community for their support and called on voters to choose honesty, decency, dignity, and respect.
Biden thanked the Black Community for their support and called on voters to choose honesty, decency, dignity, and respect.
On Saturday, Biden won the South Carolina Democratic primary - the first officially sanctioned race of the party's nominating season.
On Saturday, Biden won the South Carolina Democratic primary - the first officially sanctioned race of the party's nominating season.
While Biden, 81, faced little opposition, the vote was being closely watched amid concerns about his popularity, especially among Black voters.
While Biden, 81, faced little opposition, the vote was being closely watched amid concerns about his popularity, especially among Black voters.
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Four years ago, it was South Carolina's Black vote in the state's primary that helped ignite Biden's campaign and ultimately propel him to the White House.
Four years ago, it was South Carolina's Black vote in the state's primary that helped ignite Biden's campaign and ultimately propel him to the White House.
(Production: Gerardo Gomez)
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