Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed new sanctions on Russia's financial sector in a bid to weaken the aggressor's wartime economy. Accordingly, not only representatives of the banking system in Russia are subject to punitive measures, but also the Moscow Stock Exchange.
"Today our state is taking a new sanctions step against all those who feed Russian aggression," said Zelenskyj in his video speech distributed every evening in Kiev yesterday. The sanctions issued by decree are the basis for allies in the West to also issue such punitive measures.
Zelenskyj to EU states: "sanctions against terror" follow
Zelenskyy reminded that with a view to the anniversary of the beginning of the Russian war of aggression this Friday, the tenth package of sanctions is already in the works. "We are working with our partners to strengthen it," said the head of state. In addition, the foreign ministers of the European Union want to discuss new sanctions in Brussels today. Zelenskyj demanded that every responsible state should join the "sanctions against terror".
The President also informed that he had been informed by generals about the situation at the front. He did not give details. "The situation is very difficult," he said, referring to the fighting in eastern Ukraine. "We are fighting. We are breaking the enemy invader and inflicting very heavy losses on Russia," said Zelenskyy. The more casualties Russia suffers in Bakhmut, Wuhledar and other places in Donbass, the sooner Ukraine can end the war with victory.
The Russian war of aggression against the neighboring country is entering its second year this Friday. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion on February 24 last year - partly on the grounds of protecting the Russian-speaking population from attacks by Ukrainian nationalists. Since then, destruction and death have determined everyday life in Ukraine as a result of Russian attacks with artillery, rockets and drones. More than 7,000 civilians have died in the war so far.
Russian governor: girl killed by artillery fire
The war continues to determine life in the Russian border regions. In the Belgorod region, a 12-year-old girl died as a result of artillery fire from the Ukrainian side, according to the governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
The girl was fatally injured by a projectile on the street in a village in the region. Independent media reported that several houses and cars were damaged in the shelling. According to Gladkow, there was also shelling in other towns in the area, some of which hit power lines.
The authorities in the border regions, including Kursk and Bryansk, have repeatedly complained of shelling from the enemy side since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Many people have died, there have been injuries and there has been destruction. Russia has repeatedly threatened Ukraine that if shelling continues on its territory, it will target the command centers in the capital, Kiev.
US government concerned about possible arms transfers from China to Russia
Meanwhile, the US government has expressed concern about possible arms sales from China to Russia. The US has information that China is "considering providing lethal support" to Russia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on US television yesterday. When asked what he meant by that, Blinken replied: "Weapons, primarily weapons." Ammunition would also fall into this category, Blinken explained.
He did not say which concrete indications this finding is based on. He made it clear to China's top foreign policy leader, Wang Yi, that such support poses a serious problem for US-China relations. According to Blinken, it is already known that Chinese companies are supporting Russia with "non-lethal" equipment. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, this also includes commercial drones from the manufacturer DJI.
What is important today
The foreign ministers of the EU states want to discuss new sanctions against Russia and further military aid for Ukraine today. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected as a guest in Brussels. With what is now the tenth package of sanctions, the EU wants to introduce further trade restrictions for electronics, special vehicles and machine parts. Tougher action should be taken to circumvent sanctions.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visits the training of Ukrainian soldiers on German battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. To this end, the SPD politician travels to the Panzer Troops School in Munster, Lower Saxony. The delivery of Leopard 2 main battle tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles is part of German military aid to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
