Biden administration announces sanctions against more Russian officials
From CNN’s Nikki Carvajal
The Biden administration on Friday announced sanctions against more Russian officials beyond Russian President Vladimir Putin and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.
The officials — members of Russia’s National Security Council — include Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, according to a US Treasury Department statement.
“Treasury has previously designated eleven members of the Russian Security Council and will continue to impose costs on the ruling elite as Russia prosecutes this brutal war of choice,” the statement said.
The White House had announced earlier Friday plans to impose sanctions on Putin, making him the highest-profile target in the effort to impose costs on the Russian economy and Putin’s inner circle.
3 key quotes from Ukrainian President Zelensky’s late-night message
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a late-night message on Friday outlining the situation in his country as Russian forces continue to advance on the capital city of Kyiv.
If you’re just reading in now, here are the key lines from the video message:
- He said tonight is a make-or-break moment for Ukraine: “This night will be very difficult, and the enemy will use all available forces to break the resistance of Ukrainians,” Zelensky said, later adding, “the fate of Ukraine is being decided right now.”
- He accused Russia of attacking kindergartens: “There is nothing that could possibly explain why the kindergartens and civilian infrastructure are being shelled,” the Ukrainian President said.
- He said there are losses on both sides: “Our main goal is to finish this slaughter. The enemy losses are very grave — today there were hundreds of killed soldiers who crossed our border and came on our land,” Zelensky said. But he added: “Unfortunately, we also suffer losses.”
Road traffic along Ukraine’s western border has increased during Russia’s invasion
From CNN’s Jason Kurtz
The latest map of eastern Europe shows increased road traffic along Ukraine’s western border.
Amid the invasion from Russia, Ukrainians are seeking refuge in neighboring nations. Moldova, Belarus and Georgia don’t require visas for Ukrainian passport holders, and many other countries in the region don’t require a visa for at least 30 days.
On the map below, increased road traffic is represented by orange circles.
Zelensky accuses Russia of attacking “kindergartens and civilian infrastructure”
From CNN’s Jonny Hallam
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his video message Friday evening that Russian forces have attacked “civilian infrastructure,” including kindergartens.
Addressing the people of Russia while speaking Russian, Zelensky said, “There is nothing that could possibly explain why the kindergartens and civilian infrastructure are being shelled. “
He continued: “What kind of war is this against the Ukrainian children? Who are they? Are they also neo-Nazis? Or are they NATO soldiers that imposed a threat to Russia?”
Zelensky’s remarks come after Russian President Vladimir Putin made baseless claims about Ukrainians to his security council on Friday. Putin frequently repeats the baseless and inaccurate claim that the democratically elected Ukrainian government is a “Nazi” or “fascist” regime.
Zelensky went on to say that “many” cities are under attack and pleaded with Ukrainian citizens “to be very careful.”
“Please help each other, especially the elderly, the lonely, those who need your support,” he said. “In case of any danger, please go to the shelters.”
Chef José Andrés says World Central Kitchen will provide meals along the Ukrainian border
From CNN’s Jason Kurtz
Celebrity chef and global humanitarian José Andrés has responded to the Russian invasion in Ukraine, pledging to provide meals along the country’s western border through his organization World Central Kitchen.
Andrés posted on his personal Twitter account, saying in part:
“We must come together as a force for good! @WCKitchen is on Poland border delivering meals tonight.”
In 2021, Andrés was a recipient of Jeff Bezos’ Courage and Civility Award, an honor which came with $100 million.
Now Andrés has earmarked some of those funds for Ukraine, saying “In addition to your donations…I am committing support from the Bezos award to Ukraine.”
Here is Andrés’ tweet:
Zelensky asked Israeli PM to mediate negotiations with Russia, Ukrainian ambassador to Israel says
From CNN’s Hadas Gold in Jerusalem
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to host and help mediate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel told CNN.
“Our president believes Israel is the only democratic state that has great relations with both Russia and Ukraine and that could be used in order to facilitate those negotiations,” Yevgen Korniychuk told CNN Friday evening.
Korniychuk said Jerusalem is preferable to Minsk where previous talks took place because Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and Ukraine does not “believe in the legitimacy” of Belarus’ current leader Alexander Lukashenko.
“(We) definitely need to change the venue and we believe Jerusalem could be a good place for that,” Korniychuk said.
As for the Israeli response to the request, Korniychuk said they “neither agree or deny it, they’re considering it, and that’s a positive sign.”
A spokesperson for Bennett would not comment further beyond the official read out issued about the call, which made no mention of the mediation request.
Ukrainian President confirms Russian forces are advancing on Kyiv from the north and east
From Tim Lister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russian forces are closing in on Kyiv, advancing on the capital from the north and the east.
In his late-night video message Friday, Zelensky told Ukrainians:
“Our main goal is to finish this slaughter. The enemy losses are very grave — today there were hundreds of killed soldiers who crossed our border and came on our land.”
Zelensky added, “unfortunately, we also suffer losses. Ukrainians resist the Russian aggression heroically. This aggression cannot be justified, so the occupiers have to come up with more absurd accusations to say at least something.”
After taking an airbase just north of the city on Thursday, Russian forces are now close to the capital of Kyiv. They are also advancing along two routes from the north and at least one from the east.
Russia blocks UN Security Council resolution condemning invasion of Ukraine
From CNN’s Richard Roth
Russia has used its veto power to block a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning its invasion of Ukraine.
The vote was 11 in favor, one against, and three abstentions. China, which has declined to criticize Russia’s attack, was among the abstentions at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City on Friday.
Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, is currently serving as this month’s council president.
Zelensky says he agreed to “more help, more support” from world leaders
From CNN’s Tim Lister in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that he talked with a number of world leaders, and agreed to “more help” amid Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky specifically said he talked with President Biden as well as the French, German and Dutch leaders.
“And I’ve agreed on more help, more support, considerable support. I thank all the leaders and especially the President Biden,” he said.
