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Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn swift condemnation from President Biden and different world leaders after asserting a “particular navy operation” in Ukraine, in a speech that appeared to function a declaration of struggle.
State of play: Russian troops moved into jap Ukraine and huge explosions had been reported instantly after Putin’s speech, together with close to Kyiv. The assaults have killed at the very least 40 folks, officers mentioned Thursday.
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Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted {that a} “full-scale invasion” had begun.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned navy installations across the nation had been underneath assault and declared martial legislation. He mentioned he’d spoken to Biden and urged Ukrainians: “Keep calm, keep at dwelling, the military is doing its work.”
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Russia’s Protection Ministry claimed to be attacking navy targets and air bases, not inhabitants facilities.
What he is saying: Putin mentioned the navy operation could be meant to “demilitarize” Ukraine, however to not occupy it. That message seemed to be aimed not on the separatist republics the place Putin had already deployed troops, however to the nation as an entire and its leaders in Kyiv.
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“To anybody who would think about interfering from the skin: for those who do, you’ll face penalties larger than any you have got confronted in historical past. All related selections have been taken. I hope you hear me,” Putin mentioned.
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Putin referred to as on Ukrainian forces to put down their arms, and claimed “all accountability for attainable bloodshed” would fall on the federal government in Kyiv.
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He claimed Ukrainian forces provoked the battle, even supposing Russia has constructed up a power of over 150,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders over a number of months. He argued on Monday that Ukraine has no proper to exist as an unbiased nation.
What they’re saying: Biden issued a press release saying, “The prayers of the complete world are with the folks of Ukraine tonight as they endure an unprovoked and unjustified assault by Russian navy forces.”
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Biden promised Zelensky further U.S. assist of their name, per a White Home readout. He mentioned he’d meet with different G7 leaders Thursday and vowed “our allies and companions can be imposing extreme sanctions on Russia.”
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Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin spoke with NATO Secretary Common Jens Stoltenberg to debate the alliance’s response to the assaults, the State Division mentioned.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that the U.Ok. and its allies “will respond decisively” and that he is “calling for an pressing assembly of all NATO leaders as quickly as attainable.”
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French President Emmanuel Macron, who helped safe an “in precept” settlement for Biden and Putin earlier than Russian troops shifting into jap Ukraine put an finish to the deal, tweeted: “France strongly condemns the choice of Russia to start out a struggle with Ukraine. Russia should instantly put an finish to its navy operations.”
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who met with Putin in Moscow in an try and stave off a Russian invasion, denounced the assaults on Ukraine as “a blatant violation of worldwide legislation” that was unjustifiable.”
Value noting: As Putin was talking, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield was addressing an emergency session of the UN Safety Council. In a weird split-screen, a number of international locations then made pressing appeals to forestall a struggle that Putin had already declared. China’s consultant didn’t criticize Russia.
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Zelensky made an tackle of his personal on Wednesday night time, talking to the Russian folks on to plead for peace however warn that if Russia assaults, “you will note our faces, not our backs.”
Go deeper: The newest on the Russia-Ukraine disaster
Editor’s be aware: This text has been up to date with new particulars all through.
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