It has cut diplomatic ties with Russia, offered weapons to anyone who wants them and declared an overnight curfew for Kyiv. But later on Thursday President Zelensky said Ukraine had suffered losses and a lot of aircraft and armoured vehicles had been destroyed. The Russian offensive was preceded by artillery fire and there were injuries to border guards, the DPSU said.
Leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen have both called for an accelerated roll-out of clean energy. Russia says some of its troops are being withdrawn from areas near the Ukraine border - but Nato says it can see no evidence of a withdrawal. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko plays down their significance, saying they are “normal exercises”. Russia says the crisis can only be solved if the West agrees to a list of demands, including a guarantee that Ukraine will never join Nato. Many are now trying to escape the country, with UN estimates suggesting over 100,000 people have already fled from their homes. A second night of attacks followed with heavy gunfire and explosions in parts of the capital.
UK will not look away from Russia invasion in Ukraine - PM
Talk of wider war in Europe and the potential need for mass mobilisation or a "citizen army" may sound alarming. But the head of the British Army Gen Sir Patrick Sanders is not alone in issuing a national call to prepare for a major conflict on European soil. Joe Biden is pressing Congress to embrace a bipartisan Senate deal to pair border enforcement measures with aid for Ukraine.
- Mr Johnson was among leaders of the G7 group of wealthy nations who met to discuss the situation.
- There is a sense in the upper echelons of the British military that many politicians and most of the public have not grasped the threat they see.
- Considering they have been accused of using nuclear and chemical agents in the UK, it might have been assumed the Russians wouldn't follow international rules on the battlefield, but the Ukraine conflict appears to have confirmed it.
- Last week Capita, the outsourcing specialist in charge of the Army’s recruitment, said soldiers who have visible tattoos, hay fever or a record of asthma should be allowed to join to solve the crisis.
If prices fall more quickly than currently expected the reverse would be true. Permanently higher energy prices could deliver an adverse supply shock that reduced potential output in the medium term, which in turn would damage the structural fiscal position. Many experts say it is too soon to tell how Russia's invasion will affect its participation in climate diplomacy and international action, such as at the next yearly United Nations climate talks, COP27, in Egypt in November. Air strikes continued overnight and into the early hours of Friday, with attacks being reported across the country - including on the capital Kyiv.
Opposition to Russia's demands
Retired members of essential professions – doctors, nurses, morticians, police – would be urged back into service. As in Ukraine, office techies could be in demand to operate drones on the front lines and to fend off cyberattacks. The conflict in Ukraine offers a glimpse of how Britain might prepare for self-defence. Checkpoints and pillboxes would be built at motorway junctions and city entrances.
"24 February showed that… Russia is now a manifest threat and will be for as long as Putin is in power and probably his successor as well. It is THE problem of European stability and security." While analysts say a direct conflict between NATO and Russia is unlikely, it is possible - particularly in the Baltic states, or Finland. Throughout https://euronewstop.co.uk/how-long-will-ukraine-last.html , Britain's military planners thought long and hard about what was needed to beat the Soviets if World War Three ever broke out. French President Emmanuel Macron has said the Russian attack on Ukraine is a "turning point" in European history. Speaking on Thursday US President Joe Biden described the invasion as a premeditated attack without provocation, justification and necessity.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been highly critical of the EU's financial and military aid for Ukraine and has maintained close ties with Russia. A little earlier, we told you about a report in the Financial Times that the EU was proposing to sabotage Hungary's economy if Budapest blocks further aid for Ukraine this week. Only aircraft deployed to protect energy facilities, or those carrying top Russian or foreign officials, will be allowed to fly with special permission in the designated zones, according to the Vedomosti daily newspaper. Moscow has claimed its forces have taken control of the village of Tabaivka in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region. Unnamed Indian government sources have suggested India wants to distance itself from Russia, according to Reuters news agency. Hungary previously said it would block further financial aid to Ukraine, but this morning suggested it was ready to compromise after the EU reportedly drew up plans to hit Budapest's economy.
