Russia-Ukraine War – Live: Zelensky says Putin’s aggression ‘must fail’ as he makes plea for weapons

[ad_1]

Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine’s war will not continue if Vladimir Putin dies

To get free, real-time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our breaking news emails.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia’s aggression “must fail” as he urged Western leaders to provide his country with more weapons.

Addressing a Joint Expeditionary Force meeting via video link on Monday, Mr. Zelensky said: “Russian aggression can and must fail. The task now is to make sure that happens faster.

I invite you to do everything in my power to hasten the defeat of the occupiers.

Zelensky asked European leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to send new equipment such as air defense systems and other weapons.

It comes after Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 35 “kamikaze” drones in the early hours of Monday while people were sleeping, hitting critical infrastructure in and around Kyiv in Moscow’s third air attack on the Ukrainian capital in six days.

The Ukrainian Air Force said its air defenses shot down 30 incoming drones, which were targeting the country’s power grid and causing blackouts.

View Latest Update 1671453025 Rishi Sunak Urges European Leaders To Ignore Moscow’s Calls For A Ceasefire

Rishi Sunak urged European leaders to ignore any calls from Moscow for a cease-fire until it withdraws from occupied territories in Ukraine.

At a meeting in Riga, Latvia of the Joint Expeditionary Force, the prime minister said the allies must provide military assistance and weapons as well as ignore “meaningless” calls for a ceasefire.

Sunak said: “We must be clear that any unilateral call for a ceasefire by Russia is completely meaningless in the current context.”

I think it will be a false call, and Russia will use it to regroup and strengthen its forces. Until they withdraw from the occupied territories, there can and should not be real negotiations.

“But what we can do is think about that time now, think about what we’re going to do in terms of guarantees of security.”

He added that the coalition should continue to focus on “weakening Russia’s ability to regroup and resupply”.

This includes “going after its supply chains and removing international support,” and in particular being “strong” in criticizing Iran for supplying drones to Moscow.

Farwa Shah Dec 19 2022 12:30

1671451212 Russia uses ‘poorly trained convicts’ to boost attack on Ukraine, Defense Ministry says

Britain’s Ministry of Defense says Russia is using “poorly trained convicts” to bolster its attack on Ukraine.

The Russian military proxy group, Wagner, continues to play a major role in the attacks in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine and is often provided with little protective equipment.

The group’s recruits are being treated as “expendable” and “likely to be threatened with immediate execution,” the Department of Defense says in its latest update.

Farwa Shah December 19, 2022 12:00

Volodymyr Zelensky says Russian aggression ‘must fail’

Volodymyr Zelensky says that Russia’s aggression “must fail” and asked the leaders of the Nordic countries to provide his country with weapons.

Addressing a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force via video link on Monday, the Ukrainian president said: “Russian aggression can and must fail. The task now is to make sure this happens faster.

“I invite you to do everything in their power to hasten the defeat of the occupiers.”

He added that millions were left without heat and water after Russia launched more drone attacks last night.

Zelensky said: “Let me ask you to increase the possibility of supplying air defense systems to our country

“An air shield of Ukraine at 100 percent, would be one of the most successful steps against Russian aggression and this step is needed now.”

Farwa Shah December 19, 2022 11:20

1671448519 Volodymyr Zelensky asks European leaders for weapons to fight Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked European leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to provide the country with a range of weapons systems to fight Russia.

“I ask you to increase the possibility of supplying air defense systems to our country, and to help speed up relevant decisions made by our partners,” Zelensky said via video link during a meeting of countries in Riga, Latvia.

The Joint Expeditionary Force, led by Britain and designed to quickly respond to crises in northern Europe, includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Farwa Shah December 19, 2022 11:15

1671446759 Ukraine announces that the Eurovision 2023 contestant is living from the Kyiv bomb shelter

Ukraine has announced its submission to the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 live from a bomb shelter in Kyiv.

The electric duo TVORCHI will compete for their country, who won this year, in next year’s competition.

The program was broadcast live from a Kyiv metro station, which doubled as a bomb shelter, on Saturday (November 17).

Farwa Shah December 19, 2022 10:45

1671444935 Rishi Sunak arrives in Riga, Latvia

Rishi Sunak has arrived in Riga, the capital of Latvia, to meet with Northern European allies and discuss countering Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The prime minister will urge his fellow Joint Expeditionary Force commanders to continue supporting Ukraine after announcing a major new artillery package to the nation.

He will continue his tour with a short plane ride to Estonia later on Monday, where he will meet British forces and sign a new technology partnership.

Farwa Shah December 19, 2022 10:15

1671443404 Ukraine estimates that 98,000 Russian soldiers have been killed

More than 98,800 Russian soldiers have been killed during the ongoing war against Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian military.

More than 10,000 Russian APVs, vehicles, and tanks were also destroyed, as well as about 500 aircraft, helicopters, and boats.

Farwa Shah December 19, 2022 09:50

Pictures: Russia launches “kamikaze” drone strikes on Kyiv

Russia unleashed 35 “kamikaze” drones over Ukraine in the early hours of Monday, when many people were asleep, hitting critical infrastructure in and around Kyiv in Moscow’s third air attack on the Ukrainian capital in six days.

Ukraine’s air force said its air defenses shot down 30 incoming drones, the latest in a series of Russian missile and drone attacks since October that have targeted Ukraine’s power grid causing blackouts in the winter.

(EPA)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AP)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain December 19 2022 09:15

1671439851 EU on Russia sanctions stumbles as the European economy withers

EU unity on sanctions against Russia is starting to falter as concerns about the impact on the ailing European economy dampen resolve to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine.

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday on a ninth package of sanctions, but the talks have been tense, with Russia’s neighboring Poland and Baltic states campaigning for tougher measures, while Western countries, such as Germany, have been more reluctant.

European Union diplomats told Reuters that some countries such as Belgium and Greece, as well as Hungary, which still depend heavily on Russian energy imports, opposed more sweeping measures.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to impose sanctions that hit Russia hard enough, without excessive collateral damage to the EU,” a Belgian government spokesman said ahead of the deal at the EU leaders’ summit.

After this week’s talks, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the latest sanctions deal a “missed opportunity,” saying he was disappointed that EU countries spent more time discussing waivers than taking tougher steps.

Recent measures have targeted entities linked to the Russian military, cracked down on drones and froze the assets of two Russian banks among other restrictions.

But the tension was felt during the talks. Sources said Lithuania and other countries objected to moves to secure carve-outs to exempt a handful of Russian oligarchs involved in farming and fertilizer, though that row was eventually defused.

Poland and the Baltic states, which are closer to the front line, have circulated a proposal in recent weeks for more far-reaching sanctions, including on Russian gas and its nuclear industry, and have argued against exemptions, such as sales of Russian steel and diamonds.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain December 19 2022 08:50

1671438831 Watch Zelensky’s message for world peace that FIFA refused to show before the World Cup final

Ukrainian government officials urged FIFA to show the clip, which showed Mr Zelensky calling for “the unification of all countries of the world”.

The Kyiv Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted the message on Twitter as Argentina and France prepare for a clash in Qatar, writing that “there is still time for FIFA to show the pre-match video that unites people and symbolizes fair play.”

The letter added: “Do not be afraid that the world will hear the words of peace.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain December 19 2022 08:33

[ad_2]