HERE ARE THE latest developments relating to the war in Ukraine:
Hello, good afternoon. Gráinne Ní Aodha here. We’ll start with a quick multimedia catch-up of what has been happening today.
Here is the video message from the commander who issued a plea to the world to help the last remaining soldiers in the destroyed and decimated city of Mariupol.
A video message from 🇺🇦 Marines in Mariupol.
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) April 20, 2022
“This might be our last address to the world… We have over 500 wounded and hundreds of civilians (at the Azovstal). We ask the world leaders to help take us to a third country.” pic.twitter.com/EfRns2wy90
The European Council president Charles Michel, who represents the 27 leaders of EU countries – has arrived in Kyiv and was taken to Borodyanka, on its outskirts.
In Borodyanka.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) April 20, 2022
Like Bucha and too many other towns in #Ukraine
History will not forget the war crimes that have been committed here.
There can be no peace without justice. @ZelenskyyUa pic.twitter.com/9as6Qk4lGe
Our reporter Céimin Burke is in Przemyśl, on the edge of Poland’s border with Ukraine. and is documenting the humanitarian aid arriving, the refugees fleeing war, and the Ukrainians returning home.
You can follow Céimin’s tweets here.
It's a hive of activity at the Humanitarian Aid Centre in Przemyśl. There's buses arriving with refugees, volunteers unloading van loads of supplies, a restaurant serving pizza and a football match in progress. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/FXrMshQGvI
— Céimin Burke (@CeiminB) April 20, 2022
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue analyst Aoife Gallagher told The Good Information Project’s Open Newsroom on Russian disinformation that “the human brain has a tendency towards conspiracy theories”.
Left over from our hunter-gatherer days, we have an instinct to see patterns where there are none.
Added to that, she says “Russian disinformation aims to find cracks in society, such as Black Lives Matter, and exploit those cracks. It might sound grandiose but Putin’s goal is to destroy liberal democracy.
“It’s a hybrid conspiratorial community where Putin represents the ‘anti-woke’.”
Aoife Gallagher tells us Russia is a "well-oiled disinformation machine" but their tactics aren't very sophisticated. Refers to Bucha, Russian claims that dead bodies in the street were "crisis actors" and "could be seen moving." Says same tactics were used in Syria and Georgia.
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) April 20, 2022
This has just been tweeted: Russia’s jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve chemical, has asked France’s voters, in French, to vote for Emmanuel Macron this Sunday.
It’s quite an extraordinary thread, if you fancy a read of it:
“Every time the European right shows sympathy for Putin’s ‘conservatism’, it puzzles me” he says. “They are hypocrites… They hate the middle class and treat workers with contempt. In Russia, those who work are very poor.”
1/18 Je me rends compte de l'ironie de la situation: un prisonnier politique russe s'adresse aux électeurs français. Mais techniquement, je suis en prison à cause d’une plainte déposée par une entreprise française.
— Alexey Navalny (@navalny) April 20, 2022
More than five million Ukrainians have now fled their country following the Russian invasion, the United Nations said, in Europe’s fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II.
Bloomberg is reporting that “a small but growing number of senior Kremlin insiders” are quietly questioning Vladimir Putin’s decision to go to war.
The report says:
“The ranks of the critics at the pinnacle of power remain limited, spread across high-level posts in government and state-run business.
“They believe the invasion was a catastrophic mistake that will set the country back for years, according to ten people with direct knowledge of the situation.”
Further to the piece on disinformation, here’s a fascinating insight into Putin’s Russia and the information they have access to – revolving around the funeral of a young Russian man Sergey Muraviev.
Sergey Muraviev’s aunt says everyone in her village and the surrounding ones supports Putin, because ‘if he [Putin] didn’t behave like this then maybe here too in Russia it would be a lot worse than it is now.’ This is Vladimir Putin’s heartland. pic.twitter.com/vShgWaG2W8
— Emma Burrows (@EJ_Burrows) April 19, 2022
Hello, Jane Moore here to take you through the liveblog for the next while.
We’ll start with the UK Ministry of Defence’s latest intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.
The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 20, 2022
The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 20 April 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/3G5g6gI6k7
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/njroAK8M85
Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players from the 2022 tournament in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Russian men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev and Belarusian female world number four Aryna Sabalenka are the leading players affected by the ban.
In a statement, The All England Lawn Tennis Club said: “In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players.
“It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to Wimbledon.”
Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club, said: “We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime.
“We have very carefully considered the alternative measures that might be taken within the UK Government guidance but, given the high profile environment of The Championships, the importance of not allowing sport to be used to promote the Russian regime and our broader concerns for public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to proceed on any other basis at The Championships.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared a video of European Council president Charles Michel, who is visiting Kyiv today.
In a tweet, Zelenskyy said they spoke about sanctions against Russia, defense and financial support for Ukraine, as well as a questionnaire on EU membership, which Zelenskyy formally submitted yesterday.
“Thank you for a meaningful meeting and solidarity with the people,” Zelenskyy said.
Великий друг🇺🇦 – Президент Європейської ради Шарль Мішель @eucopresident сьогодні у Києві. Обговорили санкції проти Росії, оборонну та фінансову підтримку нашої держави й відповіді для анкети щодо відповідності критеріям ЄС. Дякую за змістовну зустріч і солідарність з народом 🇺🇦! pic.twitter.com/luZDNxbmcc
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia has successfully tested the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, saying the next-generation capable of carrying nuclear charges will make the Kremlin’s enemies “think twice.”
“I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile,” Putin told the army in televised remarks.
“This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats and make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country, think twice.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has concluded a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Martin said that he received a first-hand account of the “shocking and horrific campaign of terror on civilians in Ukraine by Putin’s regime”.
Shmyhal stopped at Shannon Airport in Co Clare briefly before continuing on to Washington DC.
The Taoiseach said the pair discussed a further set of potential sanctions against Russia by the EU as well as Irish support for Ukraine’s application for EU membership.
Met the Ukrainian PM @Denys_Shmyhal in Shannon today.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 20, 2022
He gave me first hand account of shocking and horrific campaign of terror on civilians in #Ukraine by Putin’s regime.
I assured him of Ireland’s support for strongest sanctions against Russia and for Ukraine’s EU membership. pic.twitter.com/EOPTteCuCb
Russia has presented Ukraine with a draft document outlining its demands as part of peace talks and is now awaiting a response from Kyiv, the Kremlin’s spokesman said.
Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with reporters that Russia has passed on a draft document containing “absolutely clear, elaborate wording” to Ukraine and now “the ball is in their court, we’re waiting for a response”. Peskov did not give further details.
He blamed Ukraine for the slow progress in negotiations, and claimed that Kyiv constantly deviates from previously confirmed agreements.
“The dynamic of work on the Ukrainian side leaves much to be desired, the Ukrainians do not show a great inclination to intensify the negotiation process,” he said.
Ukraine presented Russia with its own draft last month in Istanbul, where the two sides held talks aimed at ending the conflict.
It has been unclear how regularly the two sides have spoken to each other since then.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visiting EU chief Charles Michel have held a joint press conference in Kyiv.
Speaking following their meeting, Zelenskyy said that European Union membership is a “priority” for Ukraine.
“Regarding our future membership in the EU, it is a priority for our state, for the strength of our people, those who are ready to defend our land against Russian invaders even without arms,” he said.
Michel vowed that the bloc will do all it can to ensure Ukraine can win the war against Russia.
“You are not alone. We are with you, and will do everything which is possible to support you and to make sure that Ukraine will win the war,” Michel said.
He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not succeed in dividing the EU in its response to the war.
“The Kremlin’s goal is to destroy the sovereignty of Ukraine, it’s also to divide the European Union, and he will not succeed,” he said.
“In recent weeks we have demonstrated even in difficult circumstances that the 27 member states, we were systematically able to take decisions all together by unanimity.”
Returning to Clare, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been speaking following his meeting with the Ukrainian Prime Minister.
Martin met Denys Shmyhal at Shannon Airport during a stopover while on his way to Washington for a series of meetings.
Speaking to reporters, the Taoiseach said they spoke about the “appalling” massacres in Ukraine and the continuing attacks on civilians in towns across the country.
Speaking about food instability, he said “the largest grain silos in Ukraine have all been leveled. So there’s a very clear strategic objective there to create a food crisis on top of the energy crisis that has been created, as well as raging an immoral and unjust war on Ukraine itself”.
You can read more about their meeting here.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has asked to meet with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine in their respective capitals, a UN spokesman has said.
As the war in Ukraine rages, Guterres made the request in letters that were sent yesterday to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The Pentagon has said that Russia’s test of a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile is not seen as threatening to the US and its allies.
Moscow “properly notified” Washington of the test under its nuclear treaty obligations and “it was not a surprise,” said Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby.
The Pentagon ” has not deemed the test to be a threat to the United States or its allies,” he told reporters.
The US Defense Department also said that Ukraine has received parts for their aircraft from allies but not complete warplanes, correcting its earlier statement that built-up aircraft had been delivered.
While fixed-wing aircraft have been offered by an unidentified country to bolster Kyiv’s fight against Russia, “they have not received whole aircraft from another nation,” Kirby said.
The International Monetary Fund has said that it expects Ukraine’s debt in 2022 to increase to 86% of GDP due to Russia’s invasion.
It added that the country’s budget deficit will reach 17.8%.
⚡️IMF expects Ukraine's debt to reach 86% of GDP in 2022.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 20, 2022
The International Monetary Fund adds that the country’s budget deficit will reach 17.8%.
In 2021, Ukraine’s government debt reached 49% of the country’s GDP, which peaked at $181 billion.
Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament has been slammed as “unfair” by men’s tour organisers the ATP.
All England Club chiefs today revealed their move in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But ATP bosses claim the ban, which extends to all Lawn Tennis Association events in Britain, is discriminatory and sets a damaging precedent.
Russian and Belarusian players had been allowed to compete in ATP tournaments since the war in Ukraine started, although they were not able to use their national flags.
The ITF had already banned both countries’ teams from the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.
“We believe that today’s unilateral decision by Wimbledon and the LTA to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from this year’s British grass-court swing is unfair and has the potential to set a damaging precedent for the game,” an ATP statement said.
“Discrimination based on nationality also constitutes a violation of our agreement with Wimbledon that states that player entry is based solely on ATP Rankings.
We strongly condemn Russia’s reprehensible invasion of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with the millions of innocent people affected by the ongoing war.
“Our sport is proud to operate on the fundamental principles of merit and fairness, where players compete as individuals to earn their place in tournaments based on the ATP Rankings.”
At present, the ATP insists they have no plans to change their stance on allowing Russians and Belarusians to take part in their tournaments.
“It is important to stress that players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete at ATP events under a neutral flag, a position that has until now been shared across professional tennis,” the statement said.
“In parallel, we will continue our joint humanitarian support for Ukraine under Tennis Plays for Peace.”
Pledging to consider a further response to the Wimbledon ban, the ATP said: “Any course of action in response to this decision will now be assessed in consultation with our Board and Member councils.”
A Ukrainian MP has shared footage of a line of buses and ambulances she says are being prevented from entering Mariupol to evacuate civilians.
Lesia Vasylenko said Russian troops still will not allow “innocent women and children to leave” the besieged city.
All these buses and ambulances are waiting to evacuate civilians from #Mariupol. But #Russia still doesn’t give the ok for innocent women and children to leave. The city continues to be battered and bombed pic.twitter.com/cMMDeYkTKe
— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) April 20, 2022
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