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☆ Biden ready to run, US first lady says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden return to the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, Aug. 8, 2022. Some of the families, Jill Biden said, had hid underground for weeks before making their escape. When it was her turn to hear a doctor say that, Jill Biden said, "it was a little harder than I thought." Jill Biden is the only first lady to continue her career in addition to her ceremonial duties, teaching writing and English to community college students. Jill Biden recalled Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, reaching out on the eve of Joe Biden's inauguration two years ago.

☆ Ukraine imposes 50-year sanctions on Russian financial sector
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament imposed sweeping 50-year sanctions on Thursday on Russian financial institutions including the central bank, all commercial banks, investment funds, insurers and other enterprises. "It is a complete block on financial institutions of the Russian Federation accessing markets and assets in Ukraine. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the sectoral sanctions would affect hundreds of banks and tens of thousands of financial institutions registered in Russia. The measures include a ban on transactions with assets owned by the Russian Federation's financial institutions, a ban on establishing business relations and a ban on transactions and investments in Russian financial institutions, Svyrydenko said. Ukraine is also urging its Western partners to impose more sanctions on Moscow, including taking steps that target Russia's nuclear sector.

"We withstand all threats, shelling, cluster bombs, cruise missiles, kamikaze drones, blackouts and cold ... And we will do everything to gain victory this year." "Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko 1 2 3 4 5Igor, walking through Moscow, said Russia must win: "We're looking forward to it ending successfully. Despite strong support for Ukraine in the West, big developing nations, above all China and India, have kept clear of imposing sanctions on Moscow. Learn more about the Ukraine war.

☆ Ukraine unveils banknote for anniversary of Russian invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Valentin Ogirenko And Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Banknotes dedicated to the first anniversary of Russia's invasion on Ukraine are seen during a presentation at the Ukrainian National Bank in Kyiv, Ukraine February 23, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn OgirenkoKYIV, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine's central bank unveiled a commemorative banknote on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, with one side depicting three soldiers raising the national flag. The other side of the 20-hryvnia ($0.54) note features an image of two hands tied with tape, an apparent allusion to alleged war crimes Kyiv has accused Russian forces of committing in Ukraine. The central bank has worked hard since the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24 last year to keep the economy afloat and maintain stability. Ukraine has also imposed sanctions on Russian financial institutions.

☆ Landmarks lit, vigils held to mark first anniversary of Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS/LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Paris lit up the Eiffel Tower in blue and yellow and people draped in Ukrainian flags gathered at a vigil in London on Thursday, as the world marks one year of war between Ukraine and Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Feb. 24, 2022, the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two. Russia has called its actions "a special military operation," while Ukraine and the West call the attack an unprovoked land grab. "There will be a life after this war, because Ukraine will win," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a speech before the Eiffel Tower was lit up to show solidarity with Ukraine. [1/5] The Eiffel Tower is lit up in the national blue-and-yellow colours of Ukraine, to mark the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Paris, France, February 23, 2023.

☆ How Biden's wartime visit to Kyiv came together
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden's decision to make a risky wartime visit to Kyiv took root after a similarly clandestine mission just two months ago — when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to Washington and addressed a joint meeting of Congress, according to two sources familiar with the matter. But privately, among a small universe of senior officials, the thinking was that this might be the moment to realize a long-held hope among some officials for an even more potent demonstration of U.S. solidarity: having Biden visit Ukraine. "Discussions about possibly going have been underway for months and really accelerated in recent weeks," a senior administration official said. First lady Jill Biden made a surprise Mother's Day visit to western Ukraine, spending two hours in the border town of Uzhhorod to meet first lady Olena Zelenska. But the level of security needed for the president of the U.S. had long been considered incompatible.

"One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv," Biden said at the Warsaw Royal Castle Gardens as the crowd waved Polish flags. "Well I've just come from a visit to Kyiv and I can report Kyiv stands strong, Kyiv stands proud, it stands tall and most important, it stands free." "One year into this war, Putin no longer doubts the strength of our coalition, but he still doubts our conviction. U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 20, 2023. "Tonight I speak once more again to the people of Russia: The United States and the people of Europe do not seek to control or destroy Russia," Biden said.

☆ Toughened by war's scars, Kyiv presses on while Russia attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Dan Peleschuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] People walk down a street near anti-tank constructions as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in central Kyiv, Ukraine February 8, 2023. To avoid the lesson being disrupted by yet another Russian attack, she had quickly moved her class underground when the air-raid sirens sounded. "We teach math, biology, chemistry - everything according to the usual schedule," Olena, who declined to give her last name, told Reuters. Nearly a year after it began, Russia's invasion has upended life but also rallied a nation. Russia denies targeting civilians, and says its attacks are designed to weaken Ukraine's military.

[1/3] A view of the destroyed village of Moshchun amid Russia's invasion, Kyiv region, Ukraine May 19, 2022. But before they can even begin to be answered, Kyiv is seeking billions just to ride out this year. After a 30% contraction in its economy in 2022, Ukraine will need $38 billion by the end of year to cover its budget deficit alone. "But to me, one of the surprises has been how the private sector has been so resilient." "Supporting Ukraine now is critical to avoid a devastating humanitarian crisis and to strengthen Ukraine for what it's doing for the rest of the world."

☆ Ukrainian village renamed after top general fighting Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Feb 15 (Reuters) - A village in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine has been renamed Zaluzhne in honour of Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the top general in the war against Russia. "The village of Vatutine is renamed Zaluzhne. Kharkiv regional council has supported this decision," Kuts wrote on Facebook after an online session of the regional council. The village, which has just over 1,200 residents, lies about 40 km (25 miles) southwest of the regional capital, Kharkiv. Together with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the four-star general has become the face of the war effort against Russia.

☆ Ukraine urges financial crime watchdog to expel Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Ukraine issued a new appeal on Wednesday to the global financial crime watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to exclude Russia and blacklist it as a high-risk jurisdiction, the finance ministry said. Russia is a member of the Paris-based FATF which will be holding plenary and working group meetings on February 20-24. A year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials have intensified appeals to their Western partners to tighten sanctions on Moscow to limit its ability to finance the war. We must stop Russia to protect not just Ukraine, but the entire global financial system." Ukrainian Central Bank Governor and other government officials issued similar appeals to FATF last year.

☆ A year into war, Ukraine's Zelenskiy defies Putin against the odds
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/4] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sings the national anthem during his visit in Kherson, Ukraine November 14, 2022. Nor does Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched his "special military operation" in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 and appears to be preparing for a long war. They underestimated his leadership qualities," said Volodymyr Fesenko, a Kyiv-based analyst who said Putin misjudged Zelenskiy. "(Putin) prepared a special operation not a full-fledged war ... because he thought Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian army were weak and that they would not be able to put up lengthy resistance. Anton Grushetsky, deputy director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, put public trust in Zelenskiy at 70% to 80%.

☆ New Russian offensive underway in Ukraine, says NATO
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Ukrainian defenders, who have already held out for months, were braced for new ground attacks, Ukrainian military officials said on Monday. The Russian assault on Bakhmut has been spearheaded by mercenaries of the Wagner group, who have made small but steady gains. The Ukrainian military reported Russian shelling all along the frontline and said 16 settlements had been bombarded near Bakhmut. The Ukrainian governors of Luhansk and Donetsk have recently said that a predicted Russian offensive had begun. Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, in what it calls a "special military operation" to "denazify" the country and protect Russian speakers.

☆ Explosions in Kyiv as Ukraine's power grid hit by Russian missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] People take shelter inside a metro station during massive Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine February 10, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav MusiienkoKYIV, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Several explosions could be heard in Kyiv as officials reported high-voltage facilities across Ukraine being hit by Russian missile attacks on Friday morning. Ukraine's power grid operator Ukrenergo said that several facilities in eastern, southern and western Ukraine had been hit, causing disruption to power supply. The mayor of eastern Ukraine's largest city, Kharkiv, confirmed an infrastructure facility there had been hit and warned of possible power outages as a result. Ukrenergo said Russia attacked Ukraine's grid overnight with drones and missiles, targeting power stations and transmission facilities.

☆ Russian forces strike Ukraine, air raid sirens wail across the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Smog is seen during a shelling, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the front line city of Bakhmut in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 9, 2023. Air sirens blared across the country during the morning rush hour and local officials urged civilians to take shelter, warning of potential new strikes. "Please do not ignore the air alert sirens, and go to the shelters." Air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television that Ukrainian air defences had shot down five of seven drones and five out of six Kaliber missiles launched at Ukraine. I want to stress again - do not ignore the air alert sirens," said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv city military administration.

☆ Ukraine's parliament amends 2023 budget, raises spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament approved changes to the 2023 state budget on Tuesday, raising state spending to support small businesses and channel more funds into reconstruction and recovery projects following Russia's invasion. Roksolana Pidlasa, the head of the parliamentary budget committee, said spending had been increased by 5.5 billion hryvnias ($150 million). Ukraine's budget deficit this year is expected to be about $38 billion. The finance ministry has said the budget received 35.8 billion hryvnias from tax revenues and 31.5 billion hryvnias from customs in January. The government also received 155.24 billion hryvnias in foreign aid last month.

☆ Russia asks Pink Floyd's Roger Waters to speak on Ukraine arms at UN
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Russia has asked Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters to speak to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday at a meeting that Moscow requested to discuss the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. said a U.N. Security Council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. Waters was criticized by supporters of Ukraine when he published an open letter on his website in September to Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska. The 15-member Security Council has met dozens of times since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine last Feb. 24. But it is unable to take any action because Russia is a veto power, along with the United States, China, Britain and France.

☆ Fact Check-Photos show Ukrainian politician Kira Rudyk, not Olena Zelenska
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Side-by-side photos of Ukrainian member of parliament Kira Rudyk are being shared on social media with false claims they show Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine. The miscaptioned photos can be seen online (here), (here). The photos can be seen on Rudyk’s public, verified Instagram profile. Reuters photos of Olena Zelenska can be seen (here). Photographs of Ukrainian politician Kira Rudyk have been miscaptioned by online users saying they show Ukraine’s first lady.

☆ Ukrainian authorities raid home of billionaire Kolomoiskiy
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Ukrainian state security officials searched the home of billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoiskiy on Wednesday, in what several media outlets said was an investigation into possible financial crimes. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) did not immediately reply to a request for comment about the reports, and Kolomoiskiy could not be reached for comment. Ukrainian anti-corruption officials are also investigating a case in which they suspect eight people of embezzling assets and funds from a state-controlled oil company formerly tied to Kolomoiskiy. The United States sanctioned him in 2021 "due to his involvement in significant corruption". U.S. authorities have also alleged Kolomoiskiy and a business partner laundered stolen funds through the United States.

In a statement that did not name Kolomoiskiy, the SBU published the same photographs, but with the person's face blurred out. If someone is not ready for change, then the state itself will come and help them change," Arakhamia wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The head of the State Bureau of Investigation said the law enforcement action was "only the beginning". The oligarchs took control of swathes of industry during the post-Soviet privatisations of the 1990s and wield influence to this day. Reporting by Olena Harmash; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Timothy Heritage and Gareth JonesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ukraine on mission to ban Russia from Paris Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

At least 220 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have died in the war, Huttsait said, with over 340 sports facilities damaged or ruined. However, there has been little public support yet from other nations for an outright ban on Russians at Paris. "Certainly, there is some attempt by the International Olympic Committee to allow our athletes to participate in international competitions," said Stanislav Pozdnyakov, head of Russia's Olympic Committee. 'LIVES MORE IMPORTANT THAN MEDALS'The IOC's previous recommendation to ban Russians and Belarusians has been applied by many sports federations. Should that happen, Ukraine's sporting authorities and athletes will face a "very difficult decision" whether to boycott Paris, Huttsait said.

☆ Ukraine on mission to ban Russia from Olympics, IOC says sanctions stand
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Vadym Huttsait, 51, a former Olympic fencing champion, told Reuters the idea of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals was unacceptable. Moscow said on Tuesday it would welcome any IOC moves to allow its athletes to compete in the Olympics. But hours later the IOC said it was standing by sanctions imposed against the countries over Russia's invasion. There has been little public support yet from other nations for an outright ban on Russians at Paris. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier'LIVES MORE IMPORTANT THAN MEDALS'The IOC's initial recommendation to ban Russians and Belarusians has been applied by many sports federations.

☆ Ukraine says pilots would need six months for F-16 combat training
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Before the invasion, even the idea of supplying lethal aid to Ukraine was highly controversial, but Western supplies have since shattered taboo after taboo. "The pilots are saying it is not a problem to fly the F-16, they could learn it within several weeks. Ihnat said in addition to the pilots, aviation engineers and other specialists would need training. Ukraine has already started work in different regions to create airfield infrastructure for Western planes, he said. Oleksiy Danylov, the secretary of the National Defense and Security Council, posted a video on Twitter of a Western fighter jet taking off and wrote "Soon in Ukraine".

☆ Ukraine needs $17 bln in additional financing for energy repairs - PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Ukraine will need an additional $17 billion in financing this year for energy repairs, de-mining and to rebuild infrastructure, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Friday. The energy sector has been severely damaged following four months of Russian missile and drones attacks. Shmyhal said the government hosted a meeting with Western partners this week to coordinate financial support in a transparent and efficient way. Another $17 billion this year will be needed for fast reconstruction of the energy, humanitarian de-mining, rebuilding of the housing, critical and social infrastructure," Shmyhal said at the meeting. Mustafa Nayem, a prominent former journalist who had been a deputy infrastructure minister since 2021, would head the newly-created agency.

☆ Russia launches air attack, Ukraine shoots down missiles - officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 26 (Reuters) - Russia launched its latest air attack on Ukraine during rush hour on Thursday morning and officials told Ukrainians to take cover in shelters as air defence forces shot down incoming missiles. A Reuters reporter heard the sound of a missile flying overhead at a low altitude, about 30 kms from the capital Kyiv. Two missiles were spotted over the territory of the Mykolaiv region, its governor, Vitaly Kim, said on the Telegram messaging app. At least two northwest through Mykolaiv region," he said. Fifteen of the drones were downed around the capital Kyiv where there were no reports of any damage.

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