As Wednesday draws to a close in Kyiv and in Moscow, here are the key developments of the day:
Thursday will mark one month since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Thousands more people were able to escape cities under attack this week, but many remain pinned down as humanitarian corridors keep failing. Intense fighting continues over several key places, including the capital of Kyiv and the port city of Mariupol.
The U.S. government determined Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine by hitting civilian targets. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the conclusion was based on a “careful review” of information from public and intelligence sources. He said the attacks have resulted in nearly 5,000 civilian causalities.
Leaders of NATO and the G-7 prepare for an emergency summit. President Biden and European allies plan to announce new sanctions for Russia and new humanitarian aid for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany would not heed calls for NATO peacekeepers to enter the war in Ukraine. Poland is expelling 45 Russian diplomats as suspected spies
Russia will sell its natural gas to “unfriendly” countries in rubles only. Putin said the country will stop accepting euros and dollars from European or American gas buyers. The move appeared to be an attempt to prop up Russia’s flagging currency. the sanctions are working and now he wants to be paid in his useless money
Nestlé will limit its sales in Russia after criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Swiss conglomerate said it will remain in Russia only with essential products, such as infant food and hospital nutrition.
