LIVE: Biden says US to give Ukraine drones, anti-aircraft systems

11:29 PM

Five bodies found in rubble of shelled dormitory in Ukraine's Chernihiv

Ukraine's emergencies service said rescue workers had found the bodies of five people, including three children, during searches on Wednesday of residential buildings damaged by shelling in the northern city of Chernihiv.

 

The bodies were found in the ruins of a dormitory building, it said in an online statement.

11:03 PM

Biden says US to give Ukraine drones, anti-aircraft systems

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the United States was offering an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine to combat Russia's invasion, with the new package including drones and anti-aircraft systems.

 

"It includes 800 anti-aircraft systems to make sure that the Ukrainian military can continue to stop the planes and helicopters that have been attacking their people," Biden said.

10:39 PM

Three killed after shelling and fire in Ukraine's Kharkiv

Three people were killed and five wounded after shelling caused a fire at a market in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's State Emergencies Service said on Wednesday.

 

The fire was later extinguished, it said in an online statement.

10:39 PM

Russian bombing hits theatre in Mariupol sheltering residents: City council

Russian forces bombed a theatre where civilians were sheltering in the encircled port city of Mariupol on Wednesday, the city council said.

 

It said the number of casualties was not yet known. Reuters could not independently verify the information. Russia denies targeting civilians.

9:56 PM

Kremlin says too early to disclose potential agreements on resolving Ukraine conflict: RIA

It is too early disclose any set of potential agreements between Moscow and Kyiv on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Psekov said on Wednesday according to the RIA news agency.

 

The comment came after the Financial Times earlier on Wednesday reported that Ukraine and Russia had made significant progress on a tentative 15-point peace plan.

 

The newspaper cited three people involved in the talks as saying the plan included a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal if Kyiv declares neutrality and accepts limits on its armed forces.

9:42 PM

Biden to address Zelenskiy appeal, still opposes 'no fly zone'

President Joe Biden will announce an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, but his position on a "no-fly zone" has not changed after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's urgent appeal to the U.S. Congress for military help to fend off a Russian invasion, the White House says.

 

Biden will address Zelensky's remarks in his planned speech, a White House official said. He also plans to detail funding to come from a massive spending bill Biden signed into law that includes $13.6 billion in new aid to Ukraine. The new funding will provide additional humanitarian, security and economic assistance, and roughly half of the aid package will be used to deploy troops to the region and send defense equipment to Ukraine.

9:38 PM

ICC insists on 'zero tolerance' of crimes against children in Ukraine

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday he insisted on "zero tolerance" of sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children as fighting intensifies in Ukraine.

 

In a rare trip into a conflict zone by a top international prosecutor, Karim Khan said he had met with Ukraine's foreign minister and prosecutor general during a short visit before visiting Poland.

 

He held virtual talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

9:25 PM

World Court orders Russia to cease military operations in Ukraine

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Russia on Wednesday to stop the military actions it started in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

 

"The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on Feb 24, 2022 in the territory of Ukraine," the judges said.

 

The judges added Russia must also ensure that other forces under its control or supported by Moscow should not continue the military operation.

8:41 PM

US warns Russia of consequences of any possible Russian use of chemical weapons

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on Wednesday with Nikolay Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, and warned him about the consequences "of any possible Russian decision to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine," the White House said.

 

The White House statement did not specify what those implications would be.

 

Washington and its allies have accused Russia of spreading an unproven claim that Ukraine had a biological weapons program as a possible prelude to potentially launching its own biological or chemical attacks.

8:37 PM

7.3 magnitude quake hits north Japan, tsunami alert issued

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook off the coast of Fukushima in northern Japan on Wednesday evening, triggering a tsunami advisory.

 

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake struck 60 kilometres (36 miles) below the sea.

 

The region is part of northern Japan that was devastated by a deadly 9.0 quake and tsunami that also caused a nuclear disaster.

There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

8:30 PM

Earthquake jolts Japan's northeast coast, triggers tsunami warning

A strong earthquake jolted Japan's northeast coast on Wednesday, shaking buildings and triggering a tsunami warning.

 

The tremor registered magnitude 7.3, according to public broadcaster NHK.

7:51 PM

Biden to detail $800 million in Ukraine aid after Zelensky appeal for military support

President Joe Biden will announce an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an urgent appeal to the U.S. Congress for military help to fend off a Russian invasion.

 

The funding will come from a massive spending bill Biden signed into law that includes $13.6 billion in new aid to Ukraine. The new funding will provide additional humanitarian, security and economic assistance, and roughly half of the aid package will be used to deploy troops to the region and send defense equipment to Ukraine.

 

In his address to Congress, Zelensky compared the ongoing attacks in Ukraine to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that pulled the United States into World War Two, and begged lawmakers, and Biden directly, for more help.

 

 

7:49 PM

Russia's central bank does not need to print money, Putin says

Russia's central bank does not need to print money and the country has enough financial resources to fight current challenges, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

 

"Our economy and business have all necessary resources to meet all the goals set, challenges should only mobilize us," he said, adding that Russian economy would adapt to the new reality triggered by western sanctions on Moscow.

 

Putin also ordered the increase of financing on infrastructure, said the government would need structural changes to the economy and promised more support for families with children and increase in social payments as inflation is rising.

7:49 PM

Russia's central bank does not need to print money, Putin says

Russia's central bank does not need to print money and the country has enough financial resources to fight current challenges, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

 

"Our economy and business have all necessary resources to meet all the goals set, challenges should only mobilize us," he said, adding that Russian economy would adapt to the new reality triggered by western sanctions on Moscow.

 

Putin also ordered the increase of financing on infrastructure, said the government would need structural changes to the economy and promised more support for families with children and increase in social payments as inflation is rising.

7:44 PM

Putin says he is ready to discuss neutrality for Ukraine but presses on with campaign March

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia was ready to discuss Ukraine's neutral status in talks aimed at ending hostilities there, but that Moscow would still achieve the goals of its military operation, which was "going to plan".

 

Putin said the West had effectively declared Russia in default as part of its sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine, and that the conflict had merely been a pretext for the West to impose sanctions.

 

"The West doesn't even bother to hide the fact that its aim is to damage the entire Russian economy, every Russian," he said.

 

7:43 PM

Putin says keeping Russia in check is West's long-term policy

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that keeping Russia in check was a long-term policy of the West, and that its economic sanctions against Russia were short-sighted.

 

Putin said Western countries wanted to hit every Russian family with the sanctions, and accused them of engaging in an unprecedented information campaign against Russia.

 

7:38 PM

Ukraine has connected to European energy grid, says president

Ukraine has completed the process of connecting to the main European electricity grid, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Twitter on Wednesday.

 

"Now (Ukrainian) electricity flows in (the EU) and vice versa," he said.

 

The chief executive of a major Ukrainian power company told Reuters last week that Ukraine could get up to 15% of its power from the EU if its generating capacity was hit by Russia’s invasion.

7:16 PM

London Metal Exchange to resume nickel trading at 1400 GMT

The London Metal Exchange said on Wednesday nickel trading would resume at 1400 GMT after it halted the market due to a technical issue soon after re-opening.

7:12 PM

Zelensky received a standing ovation during his address to US Congress

7:05 PM

Zelensky tells US Congress, 'We need you right now'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited Pearl Harbor and the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on Wednesday as he appealed to the US Congress to do more to help Ukraine's fight against Russia.

 

“We need you right now,” Zelenskyy said in remarks livestreamed at the U.S. Capitol. He added, "I call on you to do more” Lawmakers gave him a standing ovation as he appeared on the video screen. 

 

US must sanction Russian lawmakers, block imports, Zelensky tells Congress, says 'peace is more important than income'

 

Zelensky plays graphic video to Congress showing toll of Russian war in Ukraine, appeals for no-fly zone.

6:51 PM

Remember Pearl Harbour, Ukraine President tells US Congress

Zelensky cites Pearl Harbour, 9/11 attacks in appeal to US Congress for help against Russia, says "we need you right now".

6:25 PM

Moscow and Kyiv see signs of compromise on Ukraine's security status

Russia said on Wednesday that a neutral status for Ukraine with its own limited army, similar to Austria's, was being considered as a compromise in peace talks with Kyiv, while Ukraine spoke of outside powers guaranteeing its security.

 

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, in what it calls a special military operation to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine, but has made only stuttering progress and failed to seize any of its major cities.

 

Bolstered by the strength of its defence, Ukraine says it is ready to negotiate to end the war, but not to surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

5:46 PM

Ukraine president says any peace deal must offer security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that peace negotiations must lead to a fair deal for Ukraine that includes reliable security guarantees that protect it from future threats.

 

"We can and must fight today, now. We can and must defend our state, our life, our Ukrainian life. We can and must negotiate a just but fair peace for Ukraine, real security guarantees that will work," he said in a video address.

5:32 PM

Ukraine's financial system is stable, finance minister says

Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said on Wednesday Ukraine's financial system was stable and the government was fulfilling its social payment obligations despite the war with Russia.

 

"The banking system is stable, we do not have sharp exchange rate fluctuations," he said, declining to estimate the financial toll of the conflict.

5:32 PM

No confirmation yet of key Russian bond payment, bondholder says

International bondholders were still waiting on Wednesday to see whether or not Russia would make crucial coupon payments due on two of its government bonds.

 

One bondholder who requested anonymity told Reuters there had be no confirmation of a payment from Russia as yet, and that it was still not clear whether it would come.

 

If Russia does not make the payment in the correct form by the end of a 30 day grace period on April 15 its international market debt will be formally declared in default for the first time in more than a century.

5:15 PM

Kremlin says neutral Ukraine like Austria is possible compromise

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a neutral Ukraine with its own army along the lines of Austria or Sweden was being looked at as a possible compromise in talks with Kyiv.

 

"This is a variant that is currently being discussed and which could really be seen a compromise," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by RIA news agency on day 21 of what Russia calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

 

Peskov was commenting on remarks from Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's chief negotiator, who earlier told state TV: "Ukraine is offering an Austrian or Swedish version of a neutral demilitarized state, but at the same time a state with its own army and navy."

 

Ukraine has not confirmed it is willing to discuss neutrality. It says it is ready to negotiate to end the war, but not to surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

5:05 PM

Bhagwant Mann assumes office as Chief Minister of Punjab

5:03 PM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi

4:52 PM

Security guarantees for Ukraine are 'on the negotiating table', Ukrainian negotiator says

A "model" of legally binding security guarantees that would offer Ukraine protection from a group of allies in the event of a future attack is "on the negotiating table" at talks between Kyiv and Moscow, a Ukrainian negotiator said on Wednesday.

 

"Model of security guarantees is on the negotiating table.

 

What does this mean? A rigid agreement with a number of guarantor states undertaking clear legal obligations to actively prevent attacks," negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter.

4:28 PM

Russia sees 'business-like spirit' in Ukraine talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said a “business-like spirit” is emerging at talks with Ukraine that are now focused on a neutral status for the war-torn country.

 

“A neutral status is being seriously discussed in connection with security guarantees,” Lavrov said Wednesday on Russian channel RBK TV.

 

“There are concrete formulations that in my view are close to being agreed.” He didn't elaborate, but said “the business-like spirit” starting to surface in the talks “gives hope that we can agree on this issue.” he said.

 

Russia's chief negotiator in the latest round of talks with Ukraine, which started Monday and are set to continue Wednesday, said the sides are discussing a possible compromise idea for a future Ukraine with a smaller, non-aligned military.

 

“A whole range of issues tied with the size of Ukraine's army is being discussed,” Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said, according to Russian news agencies.