[Epoch Times, March 15, 2022](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporters Li Yan and Yan Shu) On Tuesday (March 15), the Russian-Ukrainian war entered its 20th day. Leaders from three EU countries, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, visited Kyiv to send support for the Ukrainians. At this point, the Ukrainian capital was still smoky, and about half of the city’s 3.4 million people had fled, many spending the night in subway stations.
There were two powerful explosions in the capital before dawn on Tuesday. Emergency services said an apartment building was hit, killing two people. The mayor of Kyiv announced a 35-hour curfew.
A senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the war could end in May or even within a few weeks. The reason is that the Russian army has actually not continued reinforcements.
The Ukrainian-Russian delegation was due to resume the peace talks, which had been “technically suspended” the previous day, via video later on Tuesday.
So far, no progress has been announced in a series of talks between the two sides. The talks focused on allowing the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of aid to besieged cities, particularly the port of Mariupol in the east.
On Monday, the Russian army allowed the first car to leave the city, but 10 consecutive attempts to enact a local ceasefire to bring in aid convoys failed. Ukrainian officials said they would try again on Tuesday.
The Russian armoured columns pressing on Kyiv appeared to have stopped on the outskirts of the city, but the Russians had more success in the south, capturing several small cities near the Black and Azov coasts.
The MoD said in an intelligence update on Tuesday that there were demonstrations against the Russian invasion in the cities of Kherson, Berdyansk and Melitopol. Russian troops fired warning shots in Kherson to disperse the crowd. The mayor of Dniprorudne was reportedly kidnapped by Russian troops.
The following is a real-time update of the situation in Russia and Ukraine on March 15:
Biden signs $1.5 trillion bill to aid Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill totaling $1.5 trillion on Tuesday (15th). The bill would fund the functioning of the federal government through September and provide Ukraine with $13.6 billion in aid.
Speaking at the White House that day, before signing the bill, Biden told the audience that the United States was “further strengthening” its support for the “heroic Ukrainian people” as they defended their country.
The $13.6 billion will be used to fund defense training and military equipment for Ukrainians, as well as aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Fox journalist dies in fighting in Ukraine
Fox News CEO Susannah. Their Ukrainian correspondent, Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova, was on Monday outside Kyiv, Suzanne Scott said in a statement Tuesday. At the time of the report, he and cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski died in incoming gunfire.
“In order to update you on the tragic events of yesterday, we would like to report that journalist Sasha was also killed along with our photographer Pierre Zakzewski when their vehicle was hit by incoming artillery fire, They were on the field with Benjamin Hall,” Scott said in a statement.
“Sasha is only 24 years old and works as our advisor in Ukraine,” Scott continued. “She is incredibly talented and has worked directly with our entire team there for weeks, working around the clock to ensure that the world is Know what’s going on in her country.”
Scott also said that out of respect for Sasha’s family, “we delayed announcing this shocking news earlier today, and we extend our deepest condolences to them.”
Russia: Armistice conditions are Ukrainian demilitarization, non-joining NATO
Russia will stop its invasion of Ukraine when Moscow’s demands are met, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Tuesday (15th).
“The conditions are the demilitarization of Ukraine, the absence of threats to Russia on its territory, and the non-membership of NATO,” he added.
Defense official: Russia has fired more than 900 missiles but has not yet advanced towards Kyiv
Russian troops have fired more than 950 missiles in Ukraine, but the push to key cities has made little progress, senior defense officials told Fox News Channel.
Russian forces continued to bomb the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with increasing frequency in recent days against residential areas and civilian targets, but failed to advance toward the city with ground forces.
Russian forces also continued shelling around the cities of Mariupol and Kharkov, but faced stubborn Ukrainian resistance and failed to control them.
Biden to go to Europe next week to attend NATO summit to discuss Russia-Ukraine war
President Biden is expected to travel to Brussels, Belgium, next week for a NATO summit on the war in Ukraine, the White House said on Tuesday.
Biden will attend a NATO “extraordinary” summit on March 24.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Biden would “discuss continued deterrence and defense efforts in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unwarranted attacks on Ukraine, and reaffirm our strong commitment to our NATO allies.”
Russia announces withdrawal from European Commission
Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (15th) that the country withdrew from the European Commission in Strasbourg, France on the same day.
The European Commission is independent of the European Union and its purpose is to uphold human rights and the rule of law. On February 25, the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, the agency suspended Russia’s membership.
In a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry referred to the suspension of membership, adding that NATO and EU member states were turning the European Commission “into an instrument of anti-Russian policy”.
The statement added that the Secretary-General of the European Commission (Marija Pejčinović Burić) was notified of Russia’s withdrawal.
Deputy Mayor of Mariupol: Russians are destroying the city
Sergei Orlov, the deputy mayor of Ukraine’s Mariupol city, said Russian troops were “destroying” the besieged city and that patients in hospitals were taken as prisoners.
“We had a lot of fighting on the streets, yesterday was bad,” he told CNN.
“They are destroying the city. For example, yesterday, we counted 22 planes bombing our city and at least 100 bombs were being used to bomb our city. The damage is very serious,” he added.
Orlov said a hospital in the city was occupied by Russian troops, who took doctors and patients as captives. He called it a “war crime”.
“The largest hospital in the 17th district of our city was occupied by the Russian army, who took doctors and patients hostage in this building. We have no access to them,” he said.
A Ukrainian official on Tuesday also accused Russian forces of taking people prisoner at the hospital. Donetsk Region Administrator Pavlo. Pavlo Kyrylenko said doctors and patients were forcibly held at the Mariupol Regional Intensive Care Hospital, also known as the Second Hospital.
According to the city council, 2,000 cars were able to leave Mariupol on Tuesday. But Orlov said 350,000-400,000 people were still in the city.
A large humanitarian aid convoy that was supposed to arrive last Sunday had not arrived in the city by Tuesday morning, according to officials.
Orlov said the city is experiencing shortages of food and water.
U.S. secretary announces sanctions on 11 Russian military leaders
In addition to a new round of sanctions from the Treasury Department, the Biden administration has targeted 11 Russian military leaders, some of whom have been involved in targeting Russian protesters and occupied Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced Tuesday. Repression of dissidents.
“The Russian government has intensified its crackdown on freedom of speech for its citizens, including members of the press, and against freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” Blinken said. “In Russia today, those who provide factual reports about the invasion or Critics of Putin face criminal charges.”
The action comes as the Russian National Guard “represses Russian citizens who took to the streets to protest their government’s brutal actions in Ukraine”. Blinken said the list of Russian military officials hit included National Guard captain Viktor Zolotov.
“In addition, Zolotov’s forces are also responsible for repressing dissent in the occupied territories of Ukraine,” Blinken said. The Ministry paid a heavy price for its brutal military invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in unnecessary casualties and suffering, including the deaths of children.”
The State Department also announced a new round of visa restrictions on 38 current and former Russian government officials believed to be involved in the crackdown on dissidents in Russia and abroad; a new round of sanctions on two officials of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB); Visa restrictions on 6 individuals for Chechen dissidents in Europe; and visa restrictions on 25 individuals for undermining Belarusian democracy.
Fox photographer killed in Ukraine
Fox News veteran cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski died of his injuries after being hit by incoming artillery fire outside the city of Kyiv on Monday. Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall, who was traveling with Zakzewski, was also injured in the Russian attack.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share this morning’s news about our beloved photographer Pierre Zakzewski. Pierre died in Holenka, outside Kyiv, Ukraine.” The outlet CEO Suzanne Scott said.
“Pierre was a war photographer, and during his long service with us, he covered almost every international story for Fox News, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria,” Scott said. “As a reporter, he His passion and talent are unmatched.”
“Our deepest condolences to Pierre’s wife Michel and family, please pray for them. And please continue to pray for Benjamin Hall, who is still hospitalized in Ukraine.”
Russia bans entry to Canada’s prime minister, foreign minister and defence minister
Russia has barred Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand from entering the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry tweeted on Tuesday. .
The tweet said the individuals had been “blacklisted” from March 15.
Russia imposes sanctions on US President Biden
Russia has imposed sanctions on U.S. President Joe Biden and his son, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, other U.S. officials and “individuals associated with them,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“In response to a series of unprecedented sanctions…beginning March 15 of this year, Russia’s ‘block list’ placed President J. Biden, Secretary of State A. Blinken, Secretary of Defense L. Austin on a reciprocal basis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff M. Milley, as well as a number of department heads and prominent U.S. personalities,” the statement said.
Being on the country’s stop list means their activity is deemed “undesirable” by Russia.
The statement went on to explain that this retaliatory step was “the inevitable result of the extreme Russia-phobia line adopted by the current U.S. administration.”
“At the same time, we do not refuse to maintain official relations if it is in our national interest. If necessary, we will resolve issues arising from the identities of those who appear on the ‘blacklist’ so that high-level contacts can be arranged,” the statement continued. said.
Here is a list of people who have been put on Russia’s “block list”:
U.S. President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan Sullivan, CIA Director William Burns, White House press secretary Jen Psaki, Biden’s deputy national security adviser for international economics, Daleep Singh , USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Wally Adeyemo and Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chairman of the Board of Exim Bank
The statement announced that additional sanctions would follow to expand the list to include “senior U.S. officials, military officials, lawmakers, businessmen, experts and media who are “Russian-phobic or contribute to incite hatred against Russia and impose restrictive measures” people”.
Three EU leaders head to Kyiv
The leaders of the three European countries will travel to Kyiv on Tuesday (March 15) to meet Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal, the Polish government said.
Reuters reported that it was the first foreign leader to visit the Ukrainian capital since the Russian invasion and a striking symbol of Ukraine’s success so far against Russian aggression.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński, Czech Prime Minister Peter Fia Petr Fiala and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša will visit the Ukrainian capital as representatives of the European Council.
“The visit was arranged in consultation with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,” the statement said.
“The purpose of this visit is to confirm the unequivocal support of the entire EU for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. The purpose of this visit is also to present a broad package of support for Ukraine and Ukrainians.”
The statement said they would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky’s office confirmed the plans.
Morawiecki’s aide, Michal Dwoczyk, told reporters that the delegation had crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border and was taking a train to Kyiv, where they were expected to arrive before the curfew went into effect. The Polish leader called it a historic mission.
French and German officials back Russian TV’s anti-war editor
French and German officials have expressed support for Marina Ovsyannikova’s anti-war behavior. The Russian TV editor held up an anti-war sign during Monday’s live broadcast.
Her lawyers were unable to find her for some time after the protests ended, but a photo posted on Telegram on Tuesday showed her with a lawyer.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for Ovsannikova at a news conference on Tuesday.
“France strongly condemns any jailing of journalists, as well as any manipulation, and obviously we will take diplomatic measures aimed at providing embassy protection or asylum protection to your colleagues,” Macron said. On the same day, he went to a Ukrainian refugee center in the Maine-et-Loire region, about 300 kilometers southwest of Paris, France.
Macron also said he would discuss the issue directly in his next call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In addition, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner also tweeted his support for Ovsannikova.
U.S. issues new round of sanctions on Belarusian president
The United States on Tuesday imposed a new round of sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who backed Russia in the Ukraine war.
The sanctions apply to Lukashenko and his wife Halina. Their property and interests in the United States will be frozen and they will not be allowed to do business with Americans.
A number of other Russians, including a Russian judge, have also been targeted for human rights violations, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
The U.S. has previously sanctioned Belarus for its role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including expanding export control policies to Belarus to prevent technology and software from being transferred to Russia through the country
Ukrainian negotiator: Negotiations with Russia underway
Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podoliak said in a brief message on Twitter on Tuesday that talks with Russia were ongoing.
“Negotiations on the main negotiating platform resumed,” he tweeted, on “general provisions, ceasefire, withdrawal of troops from the country’s territory.”
The two sides had started a fourth round of talks on Monday before a “technical pause” until Tuesday.
The Russian delegation said late Monday that talks are now taking place “every day”, state media reported.
Kyiv mayor announces 35-hour curfew
The mayor of the Ukrainian capital announced on Tuesday that a 35-hour curfew will be imposed, effective from 8 p.m. local time tonight.
“Today is a difficult and dangerous time,” said Mayor Vitali Klitschko, according to Reuters.
“The capital is the heart of Ukraine and will be defended,” he added. “Kyiv is now a symbol of European freedom and security and a forward operating base, and we will not give it up.”
At least four people were killed in an airstrike and shelling of Kyiv on Tuesday as Russian forces tightened their grip on the Ukrainian capital, authorities said.
2,000 civilian vehicles flee Mariupol
About 2,000 civilian vehicles have managed to leave the besieged Ukrainian port city through a so-called humanitarian corridor to the west, the Mariupol city council said on Tuesday.
After leaving the city, people will go to Zaporizhzhia, which is controlled by the Ukrainian side. The Mariupol City Council said 2,000 more vehicles were waiting to leave the city. The route is over 160 miles long.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on social media that the corridor will be open from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. local time on Thursday.
The city council is advising people to delete messaging apps and photos from their phones before travelling, not to take pictures on the way and to avoid driving at night.
As of Tuesday morning, a large convoy of humanitarian aid that was due to arrive on Sunday had still not arrived in the city, according to officials.
Canada imposes new round of sanctions on Russia
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced in a statement Tuesday that Canada is imposing a new round of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including sanctions on 15 individuals who contributed to and supported President Vladimir Putin’s choice. Russian officials who invaded the country imposed restrictions.
The new measures seek to put more pressure on Putin to change course and align with measures taken by Canada’s international allies. According to Global Affairs Canada, the sanctions demonstrate a global commitment to imposing sweeping economic measures on the Russian leader to undermine its ability to wage war against Ukraine.
“Canada will not loosen its support for Ukraine and its people. President Putin has made the choice of (further) illegal and unreasonable aggression. He has a choice too – by immediately ending the senseless violence and withdrawing his troops “Canada will not hesitate to take further action if the Russian leadership cannot change course,” Jolly said in a news release.
German Chancellor: German economy threatened by Ukraine war
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds a press conference after talks with the King of Jordan at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 15, 2022. (Hannibal Hanschke/AFP/Getty Images)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told a joint news conference with Jordanian King Abdullah II on Tuesday that the Ukrainian war combined with sanctions on Russia has had a negative impact on the German economy. threatening.
“We have to be very clear that this Ukraine war also presents us with challenges regarding the economic consequences of sanctions,” Scholz said in Berlin on Tuesday. “Some countries have expressed concerns about food security due to insufficient deliveries from Russia and Ukraine. .”
“We have to make sure our economy can get through these difficult times,” he added.
Germany is the largest economy in Europe.
Scholz and King Abdullah condemned the ongoing war in Ukraine and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “immediately cease all combat operations and withdraw his invading forces”. Scholz reiterated his willingness to hold talks to end the war.
“Recession is increasingly likely,” economic research agency ZEW warned on its website on Tuesday, with Germany seeing “the biggest drop in economic forecasts ever.”
Ukrainian presidential adviser: war may end in May
Ukraine’s war is expected to end by early May, when Russia’s resources to attack its neighbors are exhausted, Oleksiy Arestovich, adviser to the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, said late Monday.
Reuters reported that so far, talks between Kyiv and Moscow have yielded little but a few humanitarian corridors away from the besieged Ukrainian city.
In a video released by several Ukrainian media outlets, Arestovich said the exact timing will depend on how much resources the Kremlin is willing to devote to the operation.
“I think no later than May, early May, we should have a peace deal, maybe sooner, we’ll see, I’m talking about the latest possible date,” Arestovic said.
“We’re at a fork in the road now: either there will be a peace deal very soon, within a week or two, withdrawal of troops and everything,” he said, or “a deal by mid-April or the end of April”.
Still, Arestovich said that even with a peace deal, small-scale tactical clashes could continue for a year.
The Ukrainian war began on February 24 with Russian President Vladimir Putin calling for a “special military operation” in the former Soviet republic. It was the largest attack on a European country since World War II.
Ukrainian authorities: At least 19 killed in northwest China on Monday
At least 19 people were killed and nine injured when a television tower near the city of Rivne in northwestern Ukraine was attacked on Monday, Vitalii Koval, head of the regional administration in the northwestern Ukrainian city of Rivne, said on Tuesday.
“The rescue mission is still in progress, as of 8:30 a.m. (Tuesday), we have 19 dead and nine injured,” he said. “We are continuing to clear the debris. This is not the final number, we are still a few hours away. Clean up the whole area.”
The tower was attacked at 5:20 a.m. local time on Monday, and authorities initially reported no casualties in the attack.
However, Kowal said radio and television broadcasts in the area continued.
Zelensky lobbying JEF leaders: To help us is to help ourselves
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the leaders of Britain’s Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) via video on Tuesday, saying: “We are all targets of Russia, so if Ukraine does not stand up, everything will be bad for Europe, so I hope you pass Help us to help ourselves”.
“We are doing our best to get the jet fighters and missile defense systems that our country needs,” Zelensky said as the war in Ukraine continues for 20 days.
The meeting was chaired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London. Leaders from Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway also attended.
JEF aims to develop military capabilities through joint exercises, prevent various crises, and act together in crisis situations. The organization’s main operating environment is the Nordic and Baltic regions.
The United States and NATO allies have been refusing to provide Ukraine with warplanes because they do not want a direct conflict with Russia that could lead to a third world war.
UN: Nearly 3 million people flee Ukraine
Nearly 3 million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Tuesday.
Since February 24, 2,969,600 people have fled the Ukrainian border, with about 1.8 million taking refuge in Poland and nearly half a million in Romania, the UNHCR said.
UK government announces new round of sanctions on Russia
The British government on Tuesday (March 15) announced a new round of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on luxury goods exports to Russia and tariffs on Russian goods worth more than $1 billion.
Britain will also deny its most-favored-nation trade tariffs on hundreds of Russian and Belarusian exports, effectively depriving both countries of key benefits as members of the World Trade Organization.
An additional 35 percent tariff on Russian goods will apply to imports including vodka, steel, art and fur.
“Our new tariffs will further isolate the Russian economy from global trade, ensuring that it cannot benefit from a rules-based international system that it does not respect.” Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said on the same day said in a statement.
“These new measures will further tighten growing economic pressure on Russia and ensure that UK actions are consistent with the sanctions imposed by our allies.”
The government said it would publish details of the export ban at a later date, but said previous bans included items such as high-end fashion, art and luxury cars.
China says G20 is not suitable for discussing Ukraine
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters on Tuesday that the G20 forum should not “discuss political and security issues such as Ukraine”.
“The G20 is the main forum for international economic cooperation and is not an appropriate place to discuss political and security issues such as Ukraine,” Zhao Lijian said in response to a related question. The Indonesian government is said to be planning to take the Ukraine crisis off the agenda of the G20 summit.
The G20 is an intergovernmental forum made up of the world‘s largest economies, including the United States, China and Russia. The group’s next summit of leaders will be held in Bali, Indonesia, in October. In addition to the Leaders Summit, special events are organized throughout the year, including working groups, Sherpa meetings and ministerial meetings.
CNN reported that in February, the issue of Russia’s imminent invasion of Ukraine dominated a meeting of G20 finance ministers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Leaders have warned that any conflict will have economic consequences.
Responsible editor: Lin Yan