Biden announces additional $800 million in military aid for Ukraine: LIVE UPDATES
President Biden announced Wednesday that the U.S. will send an additional $800 million of security assistance to Ukraine to help it fight Russia's military.
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Zelenskyy says Russia's invasion could be the start of World War III
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could be the wart of World War III.
"Nobody knows whether it may have already started. And what is the possibility of this war if Ukraine will fall, in case Ukraine will? It's very hard to say," Zelenskyy said during an interview with NBC News Wednesday. "And we've seen this 80 years ago, when the Second World War had started ... nobody would be able to predict when the full-scale war would start."
The Ukrainian leader's comments come as he has urged the U.S. and other NATO countries to provide more assistance to Ukraine, with some being reluctant to do so in fear that it could spark an escalation with Russia that could lead to world war.
Zelenskyy has called for a no fly-zone over Ukraine, invoking Martin Luther King Jr. to make the case during his address to Congress.
"I have a dream. ... I can say, I have a need, a need to protect our sky," he said. "I need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same, the same you feel when you hear the words 'I have a dream.'"
Chinese official expresses support for Ukraine
Despite fears that China may help Russia avoid economic sanctions and may even provide military support to Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime, China's ambassador to Ukraine told officials in the western city of Lviv this week that his country will support Ukraine both economically and politically.
"We will always respect your state, we will develop relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. We will respect the path chosen by Ukrainians, because this is the sovereign right of every nation," Fan Xiangong, who relocated with the Chinese embassy from Kyiv to Lviv after Russian forces invaded on Feb. 24, told Lviv officials on Monday, according to the Lviv regional government.
"In this situation, which you have now, we will act responsibly. We have seen how great the unity of the Ukrainian people is, and that means its strength," Fan added.
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Canada removes Russia's RT from Canadian television
On Wednesday, the Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission announced a ban on Russian state-owned television channels following the invasion of Ukraine.
"The CRTC is also concerned with programming from a foreign country that seeks to undermine the sovereignty of another country, demean Canadians of a particular ethnic background and undermine democratic institutions within Canada," the commission said in a statement.
"Freedom of speech and a range of perspectives are a necessary part of our democracy. However, it is a privilege and not a right to be broadcast in Canada. Foreign channels can be removed from the authorized list should their programming not be consistent with the standards to which Canadian services are held, or their continued distribution no longer serves the public interest, as was the case for RT and RT France," Ian Scott, head of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), said. (READ MORE)
Ukrainians share human toll of Russian invasion, combat disinformation on social media
Amid the war in Ukraine, social media has become a much-needed outlet and a battlefield to fight Russian disinformation.
On social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Telegram, images of defiant Ukrainians are stirring support for the embattled nation. At the same time, social media influencers have become reliable sources for people hoping to understand daily life in the war zone.
Before the war, Kristina Korban was a Kyiv-based TikTok influencer who shared investing and personal finance tips. On the first day of Russia's invasion, Korban recorded herself describing the explosions she heard from her home. The video has since been viewed more than 9 million times.
"I never expected to get that much feedback. I try my best to just portray an accurate image of my experience," Korban said. "If they [followers] can relate to somebody emotionally, it will get them towards action or maybe taking a stand or maybe sharing information."
Biden condemns Putin as a 'war criminal,' Russia responds
Ukrainian president urges U.S. congressional action
US sends drones and Stingers to Ukraine
Law enforcement agencies donate tactical gear to Ukraine
Local law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are shipping tactical gear to Ukraine to defend against Russian forces.
Officials from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office say they were inspired to help after seeing images from Ukraine. Now they want to do anything they can to help save lives.
"It will stop certain rounds and obviously protect you from, you know, headshots and falling debris and some of the things that we're seeing on TV," Sheriff Kurt Hoffman said as he showed a ballistic helmet.
Southern Ukraine on verge of 'humanitarian catastrophe,' Zelenskyy warns
White House stands firm on opposition to no-fly zone over Ukraine despite Zelenskyy plea
The White House said Wednesday that it continues to stand in opposition to a no-fly zone over Ukraine as the country fights back against Russia, suggesting the move would have repercussions that would send the United States into World War 3.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's requested during an address to Congress Wednesday that the U.S. agree to a no-fly zone over his country. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration is "not interested in getting into World War III."
Psaki said Biden watched Zelenskyy's address to Congress from his private library and found his remarks to be "passionate" and "powerful."
"We are in very close touch with the Ukrainians. Nothing that he asked for or said today was a surprise in that sense. If we were President Zelenskyy, we would be asking for everything possible as well," Psaki said. "He is watching his country and his people be attacked and brutalized by President Putin and the Russian military."
Putin will claim escalation 'whatever you do': Sen. Thune
US sends another $1 billion in defensive aid to Ukraine, State Dept breaks down what's included
The U.S. nearly doubled its defensive aid for Ukraine Wednesday after President Biden announced the approval of an additional $800 million in arms for the war-torn nation.
The decision came just days after the U.S. said it would rush another $200 million worth of small arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft defenses – pushing the total U.S. supply of defensive equipment for Kyiv to $2 billion over the last year.
"As the president said today, America stands with the forces of freedom in Ukraine," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. "What's at stake here are the principles of freedom. The right to determine one's own future – a right that Ukrainians have shown the world they will fight to preserve."
Russian airstrike hits Ukrainian theater sheltering 'hundreds'
Biden: Putin is a ‘war criminal’
President Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" on Wednesday just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the U.S. Congress for more assistance in the fight against Russian forces invading his country.
The president had initially said "no" when asked by Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich if he considers Putin a war criminal, but circled back about 30 seconds later and said, "Did you ask me whether I would call… Oh, I, I think he is a war criminal.
"Earlier in the day, Biden condemned Russia's invasion and said the U.S. is sending more weapons to Ukraine, including anti-aircraft, anti-armor weapons, body armor, guns, and drones.
Former Miss Ukraine on fleeing homeland: This is a true humanitarian catastrophe
White House wont allow for transfer of MiG fighter jets to Ukraine
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the White House has not changed its stance on allowing for the transfer of Polish MiG fighter jets to Ukraine, saying such a move could escalate NATO tensions with Russia.
Psaki cited a Defense Department assessment that found allowing for the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine could be viewed by the Russians as "escalatory," something the U.S. is hoping to avoid.
The press secretary stressed that the U.S. would still continue to provide Ukraine with military assistance, though that assistance would be focused on defensive weapons that the Ukrainians have soo far used effectively.
Psaki also argued that the Defense Department has assessed that the Ukrainian military still has "several squadrons of mission capable aircraft that are not being utilized."
White House says there is 'not a difference' between no fly-zone and 'humanitarian' no fly-zone
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the White House has determined that there is "not a difference" between a no fly-zone that would shutdown all airspace over Ukraine and a "humanitarian" no fly-zone, saying both could be interpreted as escalatory by the Russians.
The comments come as calls have grown from Ukraine for NATO to implement a no-fly zone in the country to help it defend itself from Russian aircrats.
The U.S. has ruled out such a tactic, fearing that it could escalate the war into a conflict between Russia and NATO.
Biden says Putin is a war criminal
President Biden told reporters that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal.
Asked if Putin was a war criminal by Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich Wednesday, Biden initially said no, but after asking Heinrich to repeat the question Biden then confirmed he believed Putin is a war criminal.
The comments come after the White House has been cautious about characterizing Putin as a war criminal since he launched the Russian invasion of Ukraine, choosing caution in an effort to avoid escalating tensions with Russia that could lead to a conflict between the country and NATO.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during her Wednesday press briefing that Biden was "speaking from the heart" when he made the remarks, adding that there is a "legal process" for determining war crimes.
Psaki said Biden was “speaking to his own passion” and added, “but there is a legal process going on” at State.
"The president’s remarks speak for themselves, he was speaking from his heart and from what he has seen on television," Psaki said.
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