Latest news about Russia and the war in Ukraine

European Council President Charles Michel told the European Parliament that “measures related to oil and even gas will be required sooner or later” against Russia, in addition to the coal import ban being discussed by the EU.

The new sanctions package proposed by the European Union will require the approval of all 27 member states. While this is the bloc’s fifth round of sanctions against Russia since it invaded Ukraine on February 24, critics say it needs to go ahead and ban Russian oil and gas imports, which bring Russia billions of dollars in revenue per week.

The European Union is highly dependent on Russia for its energy needs, importing nearly 40% of its gas and 37% of its oil from the country in 2020.

– Natasha Turak

The Hungarian Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador for what it described as insults from Kyiv over Hungary’s stance on the Russian invasion.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Petr Szyjjarto called on Ukrainian leaders to “stop insults to Hungary and recognize the will of the Hungarian people,” referring to President Viktor Orban’s recent re-election after he refrained from directly criticizing Vladimir Putin and voiced opposition to energy sanctions against Russia. Hungary is highly dependent on Russian gas for its energy needs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Hungary’s leadership, calling it a “Russian offshoot in Europe” while telling EU leaders “to stop listening to Budapest’s excuses.”

Szijjarto responded to the comments, noting that Hungary had taken in hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, recognized Ukraine’s sovereignty and condemned the Russian invasion. Orban has not vetoed European Union sanctions against Russia yet.

– Natasha Turak

Washington is set to announce new US sanctions on Wednesday that will block all new investments in Russia, sources familiar with the matter told NBC News.

The measures will also punish Russian state-owned companies and financial bodies, as well as Russian government officials and their family members, the sources said.

The sanctions package is being implemented in full swing with European Union allies and G7 countries in response to allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.

– Natasha Turak

Russia faces a new set of sanctions from the European Union after evidence emerged of alleged atrocities committed against civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

The European Union is set to unveil new sanctions this weekwhich will include a ban on coal imports.

“We will impose a ban on the import of coal from Russia, worth 4 billion euros ($4.39 billion) annually. This will reduce another important revenue source for Russia,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday.

The European Union imported 19.3% of its coal from Russia in 2020, according to data from the European Statistical Office.

– Natasha Turak

The British Ministry of Defense said, on Wednesday, that Russian air strikes are continuing in the besieged city of Mariupol, eastern Ukraine.

“The humanitarian situation in the city is getting worse,” the ministry said in a statement on Twitter, adding that about 160,000 residents are still trapped in the city without electricity, heating, water, and no ability to communicate with the outside world.

The ministry said that Russian forces had prevented humanitarian aid from arriving, in what it described as an attempt to pressure the city to surrender.

– Natasha Turak

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson invited the Russians To find the truth and share it.

“Your president is accused of war crimes,” Johnson said. “But I can’t believe he’s acting in your name.” Video Address the Russian people directly.

“The atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha, Irbin and elsewhere in Ukraine terrified the world,” he said, speaking in Russian and English.

He went on to explain the alleged atrocities committed by Russian forces: slaughtering civilians, raping women, burning bodies and “dumping them in mass graves, or leaving them lying in the street.”

Ukrainian officials have said that more than 300 civilians were tortured and killed by Russian forces in the town of Bucha outside Kyiv, only to be discovered after Moscow withdrew from those areas.

Media photographs also revealed the corpses of civilians in the streets – some of whom had their hands and feet tied – during that But not everyone gets their dreams fulfilled Mass graves seized.

Russia is waging an information war In addition to its military operations.

NBC News correspondent Ken Dylanian stated that the Russian people were “fed a consistent propaganda system” by Russian state media. The Kremlin described the unjustified and unjustified war in Ukraine as a “special military operation.”

“The reports are so shocking, so disgusting, it’s no wonder your government is trying to hide them from you,” Johnson said.

“But don’t just take my word for it,” he added, calling on them to access independent information over a VPN connection. “And when you find the truth, share it.”

Charmaine Jacob, Joanna Tan

Intel Corporation The US chipmaker has announced the suspension of all business operations in Russia.

“Intel continues to join the international community in condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine and calling for a speedy return of peace. Starting immediately, we have halted all business operations in Russia,” the company said in a statement.

This follows the company’s move a month ago to suspend all shipments to Russia and Belarus.

“We are working to support all of our employees during this difficult situation, including our 1,200 employees in Russia,” she added.

Intel joins a growing list of software companies that have halted operations or shipped them to Russia, including inspirationAnd the succulentsAnd the IBM.

– Chelsea Ong