Russia closes in on besieged Mariupol
The Kremlin accused Ukraine of going back on commitments it had made during the peace talks
ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE: Mariupol could fall into Russian hands within “hours”, a Ukrainian official said, as the enemies agreed on Wednesday to a humanitarian corridor for civilians to flee the devastated port city following a two-month siege.
As fighting raged in the country’s east and south, the president of the European Council Charles Michel arrived in Kyiv, where he vowed the EU would do “everything possible” to help Ukraine win the war. “You are not alone. We are with you,” Michel said during a press conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Michel’s visit comes as the West continues to pour weapons into Ukraine amid a renewed Russian push into the eastern Donbas region where a new offensive launched this week has led to an uptick in fighting.
Hours ahead of Michel’s arrival, the Pentagon said that Ukraine had recently received fighter planes and parts to bolster its air force, following repeated calls from Kyiv for heavier weapons.
Ukraine’s air force later hit back at the claim, saying they had only received spare parts to help replenish their existing fleet and had not been given additional aircraft.
The announcement came as the battle for Mariupol appeared to be nearing a crucial tipping point, after nearly two months of devastating fighting that has seen untold numbers of civilians trapped and killed.
Separately, Russia on Wednesday said its forces had launched 73 airstrikes across Ukraine, hitting dozens of locations where troops were concentrated.
Russia, Ukraine trade barbs
The Kremlin accused Ukraine on Wednesday of going back on commitments it had made during peace talks and said this was having bad consequences for the negotiations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the pace of talks left much to be desired and the ball was in Kyiv’s court after Russia handed a document to the Ukrainian side. He said Moscow was waiting for a response.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator said on Tuesday it was hard to predict when peace talks might resume.
Ukrainian president said on Wednesday he had not seen or heard about a document that the Kremlin said it had sent to Ukraine in connection with peace talks.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told Bulgaria’s BNT TV that Ukraine would not cede on territory in any negotiations with Russia. “We won’t allow the Russian army to stay in the territories that have been occupied since February 24, these are absolute red lines,” Kuleba said via a translator.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden will convene top US military leaders on Wednesday in an annual White House gathering that takes on special significance as the war in Ukraine enters a risky new phase and Washington plans more military aid.
Russia tests ICBM
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia has successfully tested the Sarmat ICBM, saying the weapon capable of carrying nuclear charges will make Kremlin’s enemies “think twice”.
The Sarmat - dubbed Satan 2 by Western analysts - is among Russia’s next-generation missiles that Putin has called “invincible”, and which also include the Kinzhal and Avangard hypersonic missiles.