EU leaders praise unity for Ukraine and against Russia

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the world is united in its response to the Russian attack on Ukraine last month and said that sanctions against Russia were proving to be powerful.

Scholz told reporters in Brussels Thursday after the NATO summit that “we are united in our commitment to see these sanctions through as long as necessary and to keep reviewing them for effectiveness.”

Scholz also said that Germany has committed to giving €370 million to Ukraine in humanitarian aid and pledged another €430 million for the global food supply to help prevent famines.

He called on the international community to help Europe shoulder the burden of the millions of refugees arriving from Ukraine.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi says “extraordinary unity among allies” characterized both the NATO and G-7 meetings in Brussels.

Draghi told reporters during a break in gatherings on Thursday that the unity pertained to both applying the sanctions against Russia as well as to ”deciding to toughen them if necessary.”

He described as “unanimous” the analyses by summit participants that the sanctions are being “extraordinarily effective. The Russian economy is strongly weakened.”

As for the drama of the millions of refugees from Ukraine, Draghi said the feeling among participants was that the humanitarian drama must be managed, in addition to on a European level, also on world level, with the full involvement of the United Nations.

Regarding China, ’’there was no condemnation, on the contrary, there was the hope that China contributes to the peace process,” the Italian leader said.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said Thursday that his country will recall its ambassador to Moscow for consultations in response to a succession of statements by Russia’s ambassador that have deeply offended Bulgaria’s government.

Petkov said the move comes on the heels of ”undiplomatic, sharp and rude” statements made by Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova.

The latest was on Monday, when Mitrofanova said in an interview with Russia 24 TV channel that “the people of Bulgaria do not support the rhetoric and actions of their government regarding Russia’s special operation in Ukraine.”

“This is why we will summon our ambassador from Russia for consultations. Usually, when a country summons its ambassador for consultations, the other country should follow suit and do the same,” Petkov said.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday warned, “Russia is capable of anything.”
"They don’t respect any rules,” Marin told reporters. “They don’t respect any international laws that they are actually committed to.”

Finland's foreign minister said Thursday that most Finns now supported the idea of their country joining NATO.

(AP)

Large anti-war demonstration in Bulgarian capital Sofia

Thousands of people took to the streets of Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, on Thursday to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to show solidarity with Ukrainians.

The rally, organized on social networks, followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call on people around the world to protest the month-long war.

Some of the 60,000 refugees from Ukraine joined the demonstration. Waving Ukrainian and European flags, protesters chanted “Stop the war,” “Stop Putin” and “Freedom for democratic Ukraine."

The organizers of the event said that it was time for Bulgaria to come out in large numbers in support of a sovereign Ukraine. (AP)

Russia and Ukraine confirm prisoner exchanges

Russians and Ukrainians exchanged prisoners on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian deputy prime minister and the Russian human rights delegate.

"In exchange for ten captured occupants, we got back ten of our military," Ukraine's Iryna Vereschuk wrote, saying it was the "first real exchange of prisoners of war" with Russia since the start of its offensive in Ukraine.

In addition, 11 Russian civilian sailors, survivors of a ship that sank in the Black Sea near Odessa, were sent to Russia against the return to Ukraine of 19 civilian sailors captured by the Russians.

"I confirm the information regarding the exchange of 10 Russian servicemen detained on Ukrainian territory for 10 Ukrainian servicemen. And there was also an exchange of Russian civilian sailors for Ukrainian civilian sailors," said the Kremlin's human rights delegate, Tatiana Moskalkova.

On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that two exchanges had already been organised since the start of the Russian invasion, without however specifying their dates or the number of prisoners concerned.

Two days earlier, Tatiana Moskalkova mentioned an exchange in Ukraine of nine Russian prisoners against Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of Melitopol, a southeastern Ukrainian city conquered by Moscow.

Vereschuk confirmed the exchange concerning the mayor of Melitopol on Wednesday, but she added that there had been no other.

(AFP)

Macron: French firms 'free to decide for themselves' over Russia operations

French President Emmanuel warned about “reputation risks” for French companies which are operating in Russia but said they are free to make their own choices.

“My position is to let the companies free to decide for themselves. That’s up to the companies’ leadership to assess” the situation, he said Thursday in a news conference in Brussels.

Macron’s remarks come after French automaker Renault announced plans to pause production at its Moscow plant in an apparent move to fend off mounting criticism.

Macron said he requested all French companies operating in Russia to comply with EU sanctions.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on French multinationals to stop indirectly supporting the war against Ukraine by leaving Russia, in a speech to the French parliament on Wednesday.

Naming Renault, supermarket chain Auchan and home improvement giant Leroy Merlin, Zelenskyy said they “must stop being sponsors of Russia’s war machine.”

(AP)

Biden joins EU Council meeting, says spokesman

New Ukraine law carries up to 12 years' jail for Russia 'collaboration'

The Ukrainian parliament has passed a much-anticipated bill that makes "collaboration" with Russia punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

The text was adopted by 350 votes for, none against and 39 abstentions, according to a press release published on the Rada website.

It adds to the Ukrainian penal code in force a new article entitled "Aid and complicity with the aggressor state", which punishes "from 10 to 12 years" in prison any "cooperation" with "the enemy", its administration and its armed forces or paramilitary groups.

In addition to the prison sentence, those convicted will be banned from holding administrative positions, including local ones, for up to 15 years and may have their property confiscated.

It is the first law of this kind to have been passed by the Ukrainian Parliament since the start of the Russian attack on February 24.

"It is a just sanction against those who help the aggressor," said Olena Chouliak, the leader of the presidential party "Servant of the people".

The prosecutor's office in Kherson, a southern city occupied by the Russian army, immediately announced on Telegram that it had opened an investigation against "two residents" of Nova Kakhovka, 80km further east, suspected of "helping of their own free will" the invading forces.

More than 360 Ukrainian deputies met Thursday for the first time in a month in the hemicycle of the Rada, in downtown Kyiv, near the Dnieper river.

(AFP)

France to provide experts to probe war crimes in Ukraine

France's Justice Minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, said on Thursday that "investigating war crimes in Ukraine is essential."

"France and the European Union support the (International Criminal Court) prosecutor's action Karim Khan and will provide judges, investigators and experts," he added. 

The country will also provide €500,000 in financial assistance to lead the investigation. 

Here's France's contribution to NATO's eastern flank

Polish plans to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine would trigger WWIII: Belarus

Belarus’ authoritarian leader has warned that a Polish proposal to deploy a Western peacekeeping force in Ukraine could trigger World War III.

President Alexander Lukashenko, who has allowed his ally Russia to use Belarus’ territory to launch an invasion of Ukraine, pointed Thursday at Poland’s offer of a peacekeeping mission made last week, saying “it will mean World War III.”

“The situation is very serious and very tense,” he added.

Lukashenko’s comment follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning at the start of the invasion of Ukraine that any foreign interference with Moscow’s military action would trigger an immediate Russian response that will lead to “the consequences you have never seen in your history.” A few days after the start of the invasion, Putin ordered to put Russia’s nuclear forces on special regime of combat duty.

(From AP)

Charles Michel re-elected EU Council President

EU leaders approved Michel for a second term as EU Council President which will see him remain in position until 30 November 2024.

EU leaders unanimously backed his second term.

"The President chairs European Council meetings and drives forward its work. He also ensures the external representation of the EU at his level on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy," the Council said in a statement. 

Russian use of chemical weapons would trigger 'response in kind': Biden

Asked about what NATO would do in the event Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine, Biden said they"would trigger a response in kind".

"The nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use," he added.

'Sanctions never deter', their maintenance do: Biden

The US President stressed that "sanctions never deter" but that "the maintenance of sanctions, increasing the pain" for the rest of the year, "that's what will stop him."

"If you're Putin and you think that Europe is going to crack in a month or six weeks or two months, they can take anything for another month, but we have to demonstrate, the reason I asked for the meeting, we have to stay fully, totally thoroughly united," he added. 

US in favour of kicking Russia out of G20: Biden

Asked whether he would be in favour of Russia being removed from the G20. Biden said: "My answer is yes" but he emphasised that "Indonesia and others do not agree".

He also declared himself in favour of Ukraine attending the next G20 meeting.

Russia was suspended by the other members of the G8 in March 2017 following its illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

Biden says 'made clear' to China the consequences of helping Russia

The American leader told reporters he and Chinese President Xi Jinping "had a very straightforward conversation" a few days ago during which he "made he clear to him to make sure he understood the consequences of helping Russia."

"I made no threats," he added, but stressed, "he'd be putting himself in significant jeopardy".

"China understands that its economic future is much more closely tied to the west than it is to Russia," Biden said.

NATO 'never been more united': Biden

The US President said that Russian President Vladimir "Putin was banking on NATO being split" when it launched its invasion of Ukraine.

"NATO has never, never been more united than it is today," Biden said.

"Putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have since going into Ukraine," he added. 

Avoid Russian ports: Ukraine

Using chemical weapons would have 'catastrophic' consequences for Putin: Johnson

The British Prime Minister talked to reporters following the NATO and G7 summit and said leaders gathered in Brussels today discussed the threat of chemical or nuclear weapons in Ukraine with "utter horror."

He repeated that "the consequences would be very, very severe" if Russia was to use such weapons. 

He said NATO had to keep some "ambiguity about our response, but I think it would be catastrophic for him (Putin) if he were to do that and I think he understands that."

He added that Russia's claims that Ukraine has US-developed chemical weapons and talks about such weapons are meant to be "a distraction from what is really going on and that is a savage attack with conventional means" and an "absolute barbaric use of artillery."

What's on the agenda at the EU Council summit

• Russia's military aggression against Ukraine

  
  

• Security and defence: leaders are expected to approve the Strategic Compass

  
  

• Energy and the need to reduce dependence on Russia

  
  

• Economic issues 

  
  

• COVID-19: discuss will focus on the bloc's future instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

  
  

• External relations with discussions to prepare for an upcoming EU-CHina summit

  
  

The EU Council Summit has started

Macron insists about talks with Putin, warns of 'unprecedented' global food crisis

The French leader told reporters after the NATO and G7 summit that he and other leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have stressed that talks must continue with Russian President Vladimir Putin "to find ways and means for a negotiated solution" to the war.

He also said allies have stressed the need for solidarity on several fronts.

The first one is with regards to the influx of refugees pouring out of Ukraine, which he labelled "one of the greatest challenges the EU has faced since the end of WWII".

The second one concerns energy. He pointed out that Europe "is the biggest buyer of fossil fuels because we are not producers" and that work must be done to "control prices" and "reduce the purchasing elements which today go to Russia".

Finally, he emphasised the need for "food solidarity" as the war in Ukraine has already impacted prices of wheat and other cereals — Ukraine and Russia are some of the largest producers in the world.

He said an "unprecedented food crisis" is coming with countries in the Middle East and Africa likely to be particularly hit as they import from Ukraine and Russia and are "now having difficulties in obtaining supplies of wheat and other cereals."

The impossibility to sow in Ukraine because of the war will likely have an even more devastating impact on exports and prices "in 12 to 18 months", Macron said, warning that these difficulties could lead to "massive political consequences" in many countries.

France is now launching an initiative to mitigate this food crisis, he announced, in collaboration with the African Union to avoid shortages. 

EU refusing to pay for Russian gas in roubles

European leaders are unwilling to pay for Russian gas in roubles, as Vladimir Putin has demanded.

"We consider it a violation of existing contracts," Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi told reporters before heading to the EU summit.

"Nobody in Europe knows what roubles look like. Nobody will pay in roubles," said his Slovenian counterpart Janez Janša.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution blaming Russia for humanitarian crisis in Ukraine

The resolution, tabled by Ukraine, was adopted with 140 votes in favour, 38 abstentions (including China) and five votes against which were from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea. 

EU and US to present 'new chapter in energy partnership': VDL

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen just told reporters that the EU and the US will on Friday "present a new chapter in our energy partnership."

"It is about additional energy from the US for the EUthus replacing Russian LNG we had so far," she mentioned. 

She also described Brussels on Thursday as "the centre of the free world" and stressed that the "bonds are stronger than ever before" between allies.

Ukrainians protest outside EU parliament in Brussels

As NATO, the G7 and the EU Council meet in the city, protesters call for more weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Watch here:

Watch: Russian ship destroyed in Azov Sea at Berdyansk, claims Ukraine

Plumes of black smoke billow from a large grey vessel docked next to big cranes following what the Ukrainian navy says was a strike on the Russian ship Orsk.

More here:

Russian naval vessel destroyed in Azov Sea near Mariupol

euronewsA Russian ship was gutted by flames and explosions in the Ukrainian port of Berdyansk as fire also burnt on one of two naval ships leaving the area.

Residents flee fighting at Irpin near Kyiv

Dozens of people fled fighting around Kyiv on Thursday in an area that Ukraine claims it has recaptured from Russia, said AFP journalists present at the scene.

Intense exchanges of heavy artillery could be heard from the suburb of Irpin, northwest of the capital, and columns of smoke could be seen rising in the sky.

Houses caught fire, forcing residents to leave the suburb where they had until now been able to continue to live despite the proximity of the fighting.

A depot also caught fire near residential buildings in the west of the capital, while civilians managed to take refuge behind a supermarket.

"The houses are destroyed, only the basements remain," Leonid Markevych, a 55-year-old entrepreneur, told AFP as he left his house outside Irpin.

"Every morning, every evening, every day the Russians attack and every day our boys repel them, he added. "So we receive heavy artillery fire day and night."

The inhabitants, including children, were transported out of Irpin in emergency vehicles before being received in a reception centre where police officers checked their papers and their belongings. They were then evacuated on board yellow buses. 

The people of Irpin left with everything they could take with them, including their pets.

The advance of Russian troops on Kyiv has since been halted by Ukrainian forces in several districts.

Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said on Wednesday that "almost all of Irpin was already under the control of Ukrainian soldiers".

"Our message to the Russians: leave our country, go home. (...) We are ready to defend every building, every street, every corner of our city. The whole city now has combat posts", he warned.

(AFP)

Zelenskyy invites Sweden to help rebuild Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Sweden to help rebuild his country as he marked one month of the Russian invasion during an address to Swedish parliament.

“This is a month now,” Zelenskyy said during a speech by video link Thursday. “We have not seen a destruction of this scale since World War II.”

“Just look at what the Russian army has done to our country ... A month of bombings similar to what we have seen in Syria,” Zelenskyy said, adding 10 million people have been displaced.

He called on “Swedish companies and state to come rebuild” the country.

Zelenskyy, speaking through an interpreter, also raised an alarm about the possibility of Russia using nuclear and chemical weapons.

His speech was broadcast live before members of the 349-seat Riksdagen which gave him a standing ovation. (AP)

Estonia to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP

President Kaja Kallas made the announcement following the extraordinary meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels. 

Defence expenditures are estimated to have reached about 2.29% of Estonia's GDP last year. 

The Baltic country is one of just 10 of NATO's 30 members to have respected to 2% commitment. 

US to give $1 billion in humanitarian aid, welcome 100,000 refugees

"Today, the United States is announcing that we are prepared to provide more than $1 billion (€910 million)  in new funding towards humanitarian assistance for those affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and its severe impacts around the world, including a marked rise in food insecurity, over the coming months," the White House has announced.

"This funding will provide food, shelter, clean water, medical supplies and other forms of assistance. We are also announcing an additional $320 million (€290 million) in democracy and human rights funding to Ukraine and its neighbours," it added.

It also announced that it will welcome 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russia's aggression.

"In particular, we are working to expand and develop new programmes with a focus on welcoming Ukrainians who have family members in the United States," it said.

Washington, London slap sanctions on more Russian nationals

The US targeted an additional 400 people and entities:

• 328 Duma members and the Duma as an entity. 
• Herman Gref, the head of Russia’s largest financial institution Sberbank and a Putin advisor since the 1990s. 
• Russian elite Gennady Timchenko, his companies and his family members. 
• 17 board members of Russian financial institution Sovcombank. 
• 48 Large Russian defense state-owned enterprises that are part of Russia’s defense-industrial base and produce weapons that have been used in Russia’s assault against Ukraine’s people, infrastructure, and territory, including Russian Helicopters, Tactical 

Meanwhile, the UK targeted 59 Russian personalities and companies and six Belarusian entities.

The companies targeted include Russian diamond giant Alrosa, private military services group Wagner, and hydroelectric power plant group Rushydro.

The list of targeted personalities includes the founder of Tinkoff Bank, Oleg Tinkov, and the influential boss of Russia's leading bank Sberbank, Guerman Gref, as well as Polina Kovaleva, daughter of the alleged mistress of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who lives in London and whom anti-corruption activists have called on to sanction.

NATO leader agree reset of long-term deterrence

The reset will see the deployment of "substantially more forces in the eastern part of the alliance at higher alertness," Stoltenberg said.

"In the air, we will deploy more jets and strengthen our integrated air and missile defence," he also said, adding that there will also be more submarines and combat ships deployed. 

The reset also includes plans enhancing cyber defence capabilities as well as the alliance's preparedness and readiness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

More details will be provided at the NATO summit in Madrid in June. 

Chemical weapons could affect people in NATO countries: Stoltenberg

The NATO chief said leaders are concerned about the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, "partly because we see the rhetoric and we see that Russia is trying to create some kind of pretext" that it could use to "chemical and biological weapons"

"Any use of chemical weapons will completely change the nature of the conflict" and "will have widespread consequences", he added. 

"It will affect the people of Ukraine, but there's also a risk it will have a direct effect on people living in NATO countries" 

He said NATO has agreed to provide Ukraine with equipment to protect itself against chemical, biological, nuclear threats including medical support and training for contamination and crisis management. 

"Our top military commander General [Tod] Wolters has activated NATO's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense elements," he also said. 

FULL STORY HERE:

NATO to send Ukraine support to counter Russia chemical weapons threat

euronewsNATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said leaders are concerned that Russia "is trying to create some kind of pretext" to use "chemical and biological weapons" in Ukraine. #EuropeNews

NATO to provide Ukraine with more military assistance

NATO leaders also agreed that it is of "vital importance" that they provide "even more military assistance" to Ukraine including in cyber security, Stoltenberg said. 

He said the "significant military supplies" provided by NATO so far to Ukraine, including anti-tank weaponry, are "proving highly effective."

He said leaders wanted to "ensure the conflict does not escalate further because this could be even more dangerous and even more devastating".

NATO leaders have so far refused to provide Ukraine with fighter jets or to impose a no-fly zone over the country, arguing that it could escalate the conflict. 

NATO to deploy four new battle groups

Stoltenberg told reporters that NATO leaders have agreed the creation of "four new battle groups" in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

He flagged that there are "eight multinational NATO battle groups now from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea."

Jens Stoltenberg's term as NATO Secretary-General extended

Stoltenberg announced on Twitter that NATO leaders had extended his term as NATO Secretary-General until 30 September 2023.

"Allies thanked the Secretary-General for his leadership and dedication, particularly at this critical moment for the international security," NATO said in a statement. 

Ukraine situation map

Here's the latest update from Britain's Ministry of Defence regarding the fighting in Ukraine:

Russia denounces 'artificial obstacles' to humanitarian evacuations and deliveries

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, has met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer.

"We appreciate your depoliticised, international humanitarian law-oriented approach in various conflict situations," Lavrov told Maurer.

"We are interested in problems that are currently accumulating in Ukraine being resolved," he also said.

He added that "artificial obstacles to the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid must be removed."

Ukraine has accused Russia of preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to cities under siege and of preventing the safe evacuation of residents by shelling evacuation routes to non-occupied parts of the country. 

Russia meanwhile, has offered to open humanitarian corridors to its territory.

China refutes it has spread disinformation about war in Ukraine

A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that "accusing China of spreading disinformation related to Ukraine is in itself disinformation."

"China has been making positive efforts to realise a ceasefire and end the fighting at an early date, avoid humanitarian crisis and restore peace and stability.

"We have always maintained that Ukraine should be a bridge for communication between East and West, not a frontline in great power rivalry. EU countries should uphold the principles of strategic autonomy and work with Russia and Ukraine and other relevant countries to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture through dialogue and negotiation in the spirit of indivisibility of security," he added. 

"The US and NATO should also engage in dialogue with Russia to address the root cause of the Ukraine crisis," he said.

He then said that the "best way for the US to prove its innocence on the issue of biolabs in Ukraine and other places around the globe is to open up for international scrutiny."

Moscow has claimed to have intercepted docuemnts that porve the existence of US-sponsored labs in Ukraine that were developing pathogens and injecting them in birds with the purpose of sending them towards Russia.

Washington and other allies have rejected this as "preposterous" and "fake" and warned it could be a false flag pretext used by Moscow to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. 

40,000 foreign fighters 'ready to defend Ukraine'

The Ukrainian government said that 40,000 foreigners from 52 countries "are ready to defend Ukraine and fight for the future of democracy."

Kyiv has repeatedly called on foreigners to join its fight against Russia and facilitated visa requirements for those joining its international legion. 

Here's one account, from Pierre, a young Frenchman, who previously traveled to Syria to fight jihadists. 

Zelenskyy demands more weapons and fighter jets from NATO

The Ukrainian president has addressed NATO leaders and urged them to provide his country with military assistance "without restrictions".

"As without restrictions, Russia is using its entire arsenal against us," he said, according to a statement from his office.

"Ukraine does not have powerful anti-missile weapons. It has much smaller aircraft than Russia. Therefore, their advantage in the sky is the use of weapons of mass destruction. And you see the consequences today: how many people were killed, how many peaceful cities were destroyed."

"You have thousands of fighter jets! But we haven't been given one yet. We appealed for tanks so that we could unblock our cities that are now dying," he went on.

"You have at least 20,000 tanks! Ukraine asked for a percentage, one percent of all of your tanks! Give or sell to us. but we do not have a clear answer yet.

"The worst thing during the war is not having clear answers to requests for help," he stressed. 

He urged NATO to provide one percent of their jets, tanks, MLRS volley fire systems, anti-ship weapons and air defence equipment.

"After such a war against Russia, I ask, never again, never tell us that our army does not meet NATO standards. We have shown what our standards are capable of and how much we can contribute to overall security in Europe and the world, how much we can do to protect against aggression against everything we value, that you value," he added. 

15,800 Russian troops killed in Ukraine: Kyiv

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry claimed that 15,800 Russian soldiers have now lost their lives since the invasion on 24 February.

Russia admitted to 498 fatalities after a week of hostilities but has not released numbers since.

Neither number has been independently verified. 

NATO's Jens Stoltenberg to speak at 13:40

UK to provide extra 6,000 missiles to Ukraine: Johnson

Britain's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that "the UK will provide an additional 6,000 missiles to Ukraine, in addition to the 4,000 NLAW's and Javelin missiles already supplied."

He added that it is also providing £25 million (€30 million) in financial backing for the Ukrainian military.

"The UK, working with our allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine and stand against tyranny. We will win together," he said.

NATO to remain 'not engaged' in Ukraine: Belgium

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, stressed to reporters ahead of the NATO summit that the alliance "is not an engaged party in this war and we will remain not engaged in this war."

"We'll do anything to weaken the Russian Federation," he added, citing sanctions and flagging "additional investments" the Belgian governments will make over the coming years to be more operational militarily.

"We know that the requirements coming from NATO, the bar has been risen higher and we need to be ready to show our solidarity and be able to pull our weight," he said.

A possible red line for intervention though would be the use of "chemical weapons or anything else (that) would be used that would have definitely grave consequences," he said.

He also said that NATO has been "quite clear" in its messages to China regarding the events in Ukraine.

"Please keep distance and up to now China has done so and I would hope that the international solidarity towards keeping distance from this type of war remains," he said. 

Mariupol citizens 'forcibly' deported to Russia: Ukraine

The spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, said that about 6,000 residents of besieged port city Mariupol have been "forcibly" deported to "Russian camps where they may be used as hostages."

"Humanitarian convoys fleeing to non-occupied parts of Ukraine still being shelled. This barbarity must end," he added. 

NATO battle group headed to Romania

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said he welcomes "NATO's decision to deploy a battle group" to the country following a request from Bucharest. 

He described it as "a major step in consolidating NATO's deterrence and defence posture and the entire eastern flank."

NATO ready to make Ukraine war 'even more painful' for Russia: Lithuania

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the NATO summit is an opportunity to send a signal to both Russia and Ukraine "that we are ready to provide all necessary military assistance in order to make this war or military operation as they call it, for Russia, even more painful."

He added that it also sends a signal to allies, especially, "those allies which are directly exposed to the threats," naming his country among them.

He emphasised that with Belarus now "fully integrated "in the Russian military apparatus, Lithuanians "don't have any buffer anymore."

"We don't have the time to react and this changes the military calculus of NATO entirely. This is the reason why we have to build the deterrence through very credible deployment of foreign troops, NATO troops, and of course, we are ready to do our homework," he added, stating that defence spending will be increased to 2.5% of GDP this year and to 3% in the following years.  

Lithuania, like its fellow Baltic countries Estonia and Latvia, as well a Poland, is home to a NATO Enhanced Forward Presence. 

There are currently 4,000 NATO troops deployed in the country. 

NATO summit of 'great importance' to Hungary: Official

Hungry's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, said that "every minute there's war in Ukraine means a security threat for Hungary," in comments relayed by government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs.

Zoltan added that Budapest is "open to negotiations on the strengthening of NATO's eastern wing."

There are currently 800 NATO troops in Hungary.

Packed afternoon for Western leaders

Here is what's coming this afternoon (all times CET):

• 13:15: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg to give a conference following the meeting of NATO leaders;
• 14:00: G7 summit starts;
• From 16:30: EU Council summit starts with US President Joe Biden attending;
• 18:00: Biden leaves the EU council summit;
• 19:00: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses EU leaders via videoconference.

At least 128 children killed in Ukraine war, official says

Lyudmyla Denisova, Ukraine's human rights commissioner, said on Thursday that 128 children had been confirmed killed and 172 injured since the start of the war.

The actual number, she added, is likely much higher but difficult to confirm due to ongoing fighting.

UK announces further 65 sanctions against Russian businesses and elites

The UK foreign secretary announced a further 65 sanctions against Russian businesses, banks and elites.

Liz Truss announced sanctions against "key industries supporting Russia’s illegal invasion".

"Putin should be under no illusions – we are united with our allies and will keep tightening the screw on the Russian economy to help ensure he fails in Ukraine. There will be no let-up," Truss said in a statement.

The new companies sanctioned include Russian Railways, the defence company Kronshtadt and Russian paramilitary organisation, the Wagner Group. Six additional banks were also included in the sanctions as well as the world's largest diamond producer.

It brings the number of businesses and individuals sanctioned by the UK since the beginning of the invasion to over 1,000, the government said.

NATO leaders gather at summit to discuss Ukraine and defence strategy

The leaders of NATO's 30 member states gathered in Brussels on Thursday where they are set to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.

The are expected to agree to strengthen NATO's defence and increase forces in the east.

"We must reset our deterrence and defence for the longer-term," said Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

They will be addressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who said he is expecting "serious steps" at the NATO summit, which will be followed by meetings of the G7 and EU later today.

At least 4 dead and 6 injured in bombing near Luhansk

At least four people died, including two children, and six others were injured in Russian strikes in a town near Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, according to the governor of the region, Serhiy Gaidai.

He added that the toll was likely to "turn out to be much higher", accusing the Russian troops are using heavy weapons because they can't move forward.

(AFP)

Half of Ukrainian children displaced due to war, Unicef says

More than half of Ukrainian children have been displaced due to the war in Ukraine, Unicef has said.

Around 4.3 million children - more than half of the country's estimated child population of 7.5 million - have been displaced in the month since the war started.

NATO not simply a geographic alliance, Canada's Trudeau says

NATO is not just "a geographic alliance", but also one that believes in the rule of law and democracy, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said.

He said NATO was united in showing Putin that he had committed an error by invading Ukraine.

'We have to double our efforts', Estonia PM says

"We have to double our efforts," said Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as she arrived at the NATO summit on Thursday, emphasising that "Putin cannot win this war."

She said that NATO needed to discuss ways to increase defence spending and how to do so wisely.

Ukraine says it destroyed Russian landing ship

Ukraine’s navy on Thursday reported destroying Russia’s large landing ship, Orsk, near the port city of Berdyansk.

A short Facebook statement about the ship was accompanied with photos and videos of fire and thick plumes of smoke in the port.

The Russian military has not commented on what happened to the ship.

Berdyansk has been under Russian control since 27 February.

(AP)

Putin has made a big mistake, Stoltenberg says ahead of NATO summit

"President Putin has made a big mistake," NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said as he arrived at a NATO summit meeting.

Stoltenberg said Putin underestimated the strength of the Ukrainian people.

He added that use of chemical weapons would change the conflict, saying it would be a "catastrophe".

Stoltenberg said NATO was "facing the most serious security crisis in a generation" and that allies needed to invest more in defence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address NATO allies at the summit today.
 

Western allies to discuss Ukraine war in three separate meetings 

Joe Biden has landed in Brussels to send Vladimir Putin the message that, in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Western alliance is stronger than it has ever been since the end of the Cold War.

The US President has a packed agenda for his trip to the Belgian capital: his day will start in the morning with an emergency NATO summit to then be followed by a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) and conclude by joining his EU counterparts at the European Council building.

The extraordinary coincidence of the three high-level encounters responds to the deteriorating situation inside Ukraine, where the Russian advance has stalled but the death toll continues to mount and cities are shelled and bombed. 

Read the full story here.

Russia to expel more American diplomats

The US has said Russia is expelling more US diplomats, having received a list on Wednesday of those who have been declared "persona non grata".

It didn't say how many diplomats were affected by the order, which generally results in the expulsion of those targeted within 72 hours.

Russia warned that it was close to severing diplomatic relations with the United States, which would be an unprecedented move.

The State Department called Wednesday’s move “Russia’s latest unhelpful and unproductive step” in relations between the countries. It urged Russia “to end its unjustified expulsions of US diplomats and staff.”

Zelenskyy urges protests one month after start of war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged people in the west to take a stand against the Russian invasion in a speech in English posted to his Telegram channel as he marked one month since the beginning of Russia's invasion.

"I ask you to stand against the war," Zelenskyy said, urging people to take to the streets.

"The world must stop the war. I thank everyone who acts in support of Ukraine, in support of freedom, but the war continues... one month already, that long," he said.

Speaking ahead of several important Western summits, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was waiting for meaningful steps. He once again called for a no-fly zone and for aircraft to support the war.