Here are the latest updates on the war in Ukraine:
Prime Minister Justin Trinto announced additional $ 100 million in humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees on Saturday, along with new measures to facilitate the entry of Ukrainians into Canada at a world conference on Saturday. The European Commission will commit 1 billion euros to support Ukraine and the countries hosting refugees fleeing the war after the Russian invasion, EU chief executive Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday. Ten humanitarian corridors to evacuate people from the besieged areas of Ukraine have been agreed for Saturday, said Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk. Ukraine held a prisoner exchange with Russia on Saturday, the third such exchange since the start of the war, and 12 soldiers are returning home, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in an online post. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Kyiv on Saturday, Ukrainian and British officials said.
3:00 p.m. ET
Zelensky says he remains committed to peace, renews call for more weapons
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (R) speaks with the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) during their meeting in Kyiv, April 9, 2022. STRINGER / AFP / Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Associated Press on Saturday that he was committed to the pursuit of peace despite Russian attacks on civilians that have taken the world by surprise. He said that no one wants to negotiate with people who tortured their nation – “as a person, as a father, I understand very well.” But he said “we do not want to miss opportunities, if we have them, for a diplomatic solution.” Zelensky said he was confident the Ukrainians would accept peace despite the horror they had seen in the war. Meanwhile, Russian troops are regrouping for an expected escalation of fighting in eastern Ukraine, including the besieged port city of Mariupol that Ukrainian defenders are fighting to maintain. So Zelensky renewed his call for countries to send more weapons. He says they have to fight for life – not “for dust when there is nothing and there are no people. That is why it is important that this war is stopped. “ – The Associated Press 1:45 p.m. ET
12 soldiers and 14 civilians return home after exchanging Ukrainian prisoners with Russia, says official
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk speaks to the media about security breaches in Stanytsia Luhanska Ukraine, February 19, 2022. ANTON SKYBA / The Globe and Mail Ukraine held a prisoner exchange with Russia on Saturday, the third such exchange since the start of the war, and 12 soldiers are returning home, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in an online post. Vereshchuk also said that as part of the agreement, 14 civilians were returning to Ukraine. He did not say how many Russians were released. – Reuters 1:30 p.m. ET
Trinto announces additional $ 100 million in assistance to Ukrainian refugees
Prime Minister Justin Trinto speaks to members of the Ukrainian Community at the Ukrainian National Hamilton Federation in Hamilton, Odd. on Friday, April 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Pete PowerPeter Power / The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trinto announced additional $ 100 million in humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees on Saturday, along with new measures to facilitate the entry of Ukrainians into Canada at a world conference on Saturday. Mr. Trinto announced the new support at an event organized by the international defense organization Global Citizen. Saturday’s announcement means Canada has now committed a total of $ 245 million in humanitarian aid to the war in Ukraine. The government says the money will help provide emergency health services and items such as shelter, water and food in Ukraine and neighboring countries where refugees are taking refuge. Canada’s contribution is part of a total of $ 12.4 billion pledged by the international community, including the European Union. Some of the new measures Canada is implementing for refugees include targeted charter flights from Ukraine to Canada, short-term income support and up to two weeks’ stay in a hotel for Ukrainians seeking refuge in Canada. Earlier this week, Canada also offered to help Ukraine’s economy through a $ 1 billion commitment to keep the war-torn government afloat. – Salmaan Farouki 1:10 p.m. ET
The European Commission is committed to € 1 billion to support Ukraine
The European Commission will commit 1 billion euros to support Ukraine and the countries hosting refugees fleeing the war after the Russian invasion, EU chief executive Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday. “Six hundred million of them will go to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian authorities and partly to the United Nations,” von der Layen said at a fundraising event for Ukraine in Waraw, Poland. “And 400 million euros will go to the front line countries that are doing such an excellent job and helping the refugees who are coming,” he said. – Reuters 12:45 p.m. ET
The IMF is creating a safe way to channel aid to Ukraine
The International Monetary Fund has set up an account to provide donor countries with a secure way to channel financial aid directly to war-torn Ukraine. The multilateral lender said in a statement on Friday that it was opening the account at the request of several member states. The aim is to help Ukraine meet its payment obligations and help stabilize its economy by using loans or grants from concentrated resources. The IMF says Canada has proposed launching up to C $ 1 billion ($ 795 million) into Ukraine through the new account. Two weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the IMF approved an emergency $ 1.4 billion loan to Ukraine. – The Associated Press 11:50 a.m. ET
The downgrade of the S&P shows that Russia is heading for a historic default on foreign loans
People pass in front of an exchange office screen displaying the US dollar and euro exchange rates against the Russian ruble in Moscow on February 28, 2022. Pavel Golovkin / The Associated Press Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded its rating on Russia’s ability to repay its foreign debt, signaling growing prospects that Moscow will soon default on external loans for the first time in more than a century. S&P Global Ratings issued the “selective bankruptcy” downgrade late Friday, after Russia arranged to make foreign currency payments in rubles on Monday, when they expire in dollars. He said he did not expect Russia to convert the rubles into dollars within the 30-day grace period. The S&P said in a statement that its decision was based in part on the view that sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine “are likely to increase further in the coming weeks, hampering Russia’s willingness and technical capacity to comply.” and the terms of its obligations. to foreign debt holders “. While Russia has signaled that it remains willing to pay its debts, the Kremlin has also warned that it would do so in rubles if its foreign currency accounts remain frozen. – The Associated Press 10:30 a.m. ET
Britain’s Johnson visits for help as Zelensky prepares for ‘tough battle’ in Ukraine
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) is welcomed by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv on February 1, 2022. PETER NICHOLLS / AFP / Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Kyiv on Saturday, Ukrainian and British officials said. Johnson’s visit began with a one-on-one meeting with Zelensky, Andriy Sibyha, deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said on Facebook. Johnson met Zelensky “as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” a Downing Street spokesman said. “They will discuss the long-term support of the United Kingdom in Ukraine and the prime minister will present a new package of financial and military assistance.” Johnson’s visit to the Ukrainian capital had not been announced in advance and comes as Russia gathers troops in the east of the country. “The United Kingdom will send more defense weapons to Ukraine and work with G7 partners to target every pillar of the Russian economy to ensure Putin’s failure,” Johnson wrote earlier on Saturday. – Reuters 10:20 a.m. ET
Warsaw fundraiser seeks commitments for Ukraine
The head of the European Union’s executive branch is leading a fundraising event in Warsaw for Ukraine and the people who have left the country. European Commission President Ursula von der Layen attended the event hosted by Polish President Andrzej Duda and – from a distance – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trinto and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Saturday’s Promise is taking place in Warsaw as more than 2.5 million of the 4.4 million people who have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion have entered Poland. Many have stayed, although some have moved to other countries. It was convened jointly by von der Leyen and Trudeau, and aims to motivate political leaders and world celebrities to provide funding and other donations to the people of Ukraine. – The Associated Press 9:30 a.m. ET
Italy will reopen its embassy in Kyiv after Easter
People walk outside the Italian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 13, 2022, almost two weeks before the Russian invasion.VALENTYN OGIRENKO / Reuters The Italian foreign minister reportedly told staff that Italy would reopen its embassy in the Ukrainian capital after Easter. The ANSA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio on Saturday as telling his ministry’s crisis unit that Italy “would be one of the first to return” to Kyiv. He described it as “another gesture to show support for the Ukrainian people, in a certain way.”
