Ukraine

Ukrainian president says security guarantees must first be in place as he pushes back at suggestions he plans to hold poll under US pressure.

[…] Under the scheme, Ukraine will be able to spend 60 billion euros ($71.2 billion) of the loan on desperately-needed weapons to fight off Russia’s invasion, with the rest earmarked for general budget support.

A UN humanitarian convoy reached frontline communities in Ukraine’s Dnipro region on Wednesday, delivering critical medical and hygiene supplies as fighting continues to take a heavy toll on civilians and infrastructure across the country. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that access to the town had been “extremely difficult due to the continued fighting.” Of the 10,000 people who lived there before the full-scale invasion in February 2022, only about 500 remain, “most of them older people and people with disabilities.”

The US wants Ukraine and Russia to end their war by June, and has offered to host talks between the two sides next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. … Russia, which occupies around 20 percent of Ukraine, is pushing for full control of its neighbor’s eastern Donetsk region as part of a deal.

[…] Russian, Ukrainian and US teams took part in the talks in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, with the main sticking points believed to be territorial concessions Ukraine is under pressure to make and security guarantees for it to prevent further Russian attacks if a deal is agreed to end the four-year war.

[…] The discussions will focus on the importance of sustained multilateral dialogue and the OSCE’s continued engagement as a platform for dialogue and renewed constructive exchanges to address wider security challenges across the OSCE region. They will also address efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end and the OSCE’s potential role in contributing to a just and lasting peace.

Ukraine has accused Russia of committing "winter genocide" after another round of massive air strikes targeted energy and civilian infrastructure.

Addressing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency remains focused on preventing a nuclear accident as fighting continues to endanger critical infrastructure.

The European Commission is announcing €153 million in emergency aid to Ukraine and refugee-hosting Moldova, as millions Ukrainians face freezing temperatures without power under sustained Russian bombardment of energy infrastructure.

[…] The Washington-based think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), gathered its data from information from military personnel, intelligence agencies and various governments.