By The Related Press
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraineian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the Russian blockade of Ukrainian sea ports prevents Kyiv from exporting 22 million tons of grain.
In his nightly tackle Monday, Zelenskyy mentioned the result’s the specter of famine in international locations depending on the grain and will create a brand new migration disaster. He prices that “that is one thing the Russian management clearly seeks.”
Zelenskyy accuses Moscow of “intentionally creating this downside in order that the entire of Europe struggles and in order that Ukraine doesn’t earn billions of {dollars} from its exports.”
He calls Russia’s claims that sanctions don’t enable it to export extra of its meals “cynical” and a lie.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Russian, Ukrainian troops battle block by block in key metropolis
— EU leaders conform to partial embargo on Russian oil
— Conflict in Ukraine provides to meals worth hikes, starvation in Africa
— Russia provides overseas debt cost system much like fuel one
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Observe AP’s protection of the warfare in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
BRUSSELS — European Union leaders reached a compromise Monday to impose a partial oil embargo on Russia at a summit targeted on serving to Ukraine with a long-delayed package deal of sanctions that was blocked by Hungary.
The watered-down embargo covers solely Russian oil introduced in by sea, permitting a brief exemption for imports delivered by pipeline.
EU Council President Charles Michel mentioned on Twitter the settlement covers greater than two-thirds of oil imports from Russia, “slicing an enormous supply of financing for its warfare machine. Most stress on Russia to finish the warfare.”
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KYIV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian president says a complete of 32 media staff have been killed in Ukraine because the starting of the Russian invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in his nightly tackle Monday that the quantity contains French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff.
The French information broadcaster BFM TV says Leclerc-Imhoff was hit by shrapnel whereas protecting a Ukrainian evacuation operation.
In his discuss, Zelenskyy mentioned: “A bit of greater than a month in the past I gave an interview to this very TV channel. It was my first interview to the French media throughout the full-fledged warfare. My honest condolences to colleagues and household of Frédéric.”
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Russian state fuel big Gazprom confirmed Monday it should halt fuel provides to a Dutch fuel dealer beginning Tuesday resulting from its refusal to pay for deliveries in rubles, a requirement to European nations Russian President Vladimir Putin put ahead earlier this 12 months.
GasTerra, primarily based within the northern Dutch metropolis of Groningen, introduced the shutoff Monday. It mentioned the transfer means Gazprom won’t ship some 2 billion cubic meters of fuel via Oct. 1, the date the provision contract ends.
In its assertion cited by the Russian state information company Tass, Gazprom mentioned that GasTerra has not paid for the fuel equipped in April.
The Dutch dealer mentioned it has purchased fuel from different suppliers in anticipation of a doable Gazprom shutoff and Dutch Local weather and Power Minister Rob Jetten mentioned in a press release that the federal government understands the cutoff will “haven’t any impact on the bodily supply of fuel to Dutch households.”
GasTerra is a non-public firm that’s owned by the Dutch arms of vitality giants Shell and Esso and the Dutch authorities.
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested France to not succumb to Russian “blackmail” over meals provides at a gathering with French International Minister Catherine Colonna.
Zelenskyy’s workplace says in its abstract of the Monday talks that Russia is utilizing meals safety points in an try to have worldwide sanctions eased. Ukraine has accused Russia of looting grain and farm tools from areas its troops maintain in Ukraine and of obstructing Ukraine’s exports of grain.
Zelenskyy’s workplace says he and Colonna mentioned sanctions, weapons provides and Ukrainian aspirations to affix the European Union.
Ukraine International Minister Dmytro Kuleba says it’s essential Colonna additionally visited Bucha, the sight of Russian atrocities.
Moscow has pressed the West to raise sanctions in opposition to it over the warfare in Ukraine, looking for to shift the blame for a rising meals disaster worsened by Kyiv’s incapability to ship grain whereas beneath assault. Britain has accused Russia of “attempting to carry the world to ransom,” insisting there could be no sanctions aid.
Ukraine says it’s grateful to France for supporting robust sanctions.
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PARIS — A French information broadcaster says a 32-year-old French journalist has been killed in Ukraine whereas “protecting a humanitarian operation.”
BFM TV says the journalist was fatally hit by shell shrapnel whereas protecting the Ukrainian evacuation operation on Monday. The broadcaster says Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff was in an armored automobile close to Sievierodonetsk, a key metropolis within the Donbas area.
French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to Leclerc-Imhoff. Macron tweeted the journalist “was in Ukraine to point out the truth of the warfare.” Macron says, “Aboard a humanitarian bus, alongside civilians pressured to flee to flee Russian bombs, he was fatally shot.”
Ukrainian Inside Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko says one other French journalist was wounded together with a Ukrainian lady who was accompanying them.
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MOSCOW — The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken on the cellphone to Turkish chief Recep Tayyip Erdogan and mentioned the scenario in Ukraine, amongst different issues.
In line with the Kremlin’s readout of the Monday name, “the emphasis was positioned on the problems of making certain protected navigation within the Black and Azov Seas, eliminating the mine risk of their waters.”
The readout says Putin “famous the readiness of the Russian facet to facilitate the unimpeded maritime transit of products in coordination with Turkish companions.” It says, “This additionally applies to the export of grain from Ukrainian ports.”
Ukraine has accused Russia of looting grain and farm tools from areas its troops maintain in Ukraine and of obstructing Ukraine’s exports of grain.
The Kremlin says Putin “confirmed” to Erdogan that Russia can export “vital quantities of fertilizers and agricultural merchandise” if sanctions in opposition to it are lifted.
Moscow has pressed the West to raise sanctions in opposition to it over the warfare in Ukraine, looking for to shift the blame for a rising meals disaster worsened by Kyiv’s incapability to ship grain whereas beneath assault. Britain has accused Russia of “attempting to carry the world to ransom,” insisting there could be no sanctions aid.
A prime U.S. diplomat has blasted the “barbarity,” “cruelty” and “lawlessness” of Russia’s invasion.
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WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is suggesting that there aren’t any plans for the U.S. to ship long-range rocket techniques to Ukraine, amid studies that the transfer is being thought-about.
Biden instructed reporters exterior the White Home on Monday that “we’re not going to ship to Ukraine rocket techniques that may strike into Russia.”
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Safety Council, mentioned that it was a “cheap” determination.
He mentioned that “in any other case, if our cities come beneath assault, the Russian armed forces would fulfill (their) risk and strike the facilities the place such prison selections are made.”
Medvedev added that “a few of them aren’t in Kyiv.” And he mentioned that “there isn’t a want for an extra clarification.”
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BRUSSELS — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is welcoming a proposal for the European Union to slap an embargo on Russian oil transported by ship and to exempt oil pumped overland via Ukraine to his nation.
Orban says the concept is a “good method.” However he desires ensures that “within the case of an accident with the pipeline” Hungary would “have the appropriate to get Russian oil from different sources.”
Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria depend on Russian oil and are reluctant to impose sweeping sanctions on crude. Russia provides greater than 60% of Hungary’s oil.
Orban’s remarks got here Monday at a rare EU summit targeted on serving to Ukraine, with sanctions a transparent focus of consideration.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala additionally says {that a} ban on “sea-transported oil has our assist.”
Fiala says his nation “merely can’t afford a scenario after we’d lack some oil merchandise.”
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BRUSSELS — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he’s assured {that a} “good resolution” to a standoff over a proposed European Union embargo on Russian oil will likely be discovered “ultimately.”
Scholz mentioned as he arrived at an EU summit Monday that Europe’s unity to date within the face of Russia’s assault on Ukraine sends a superb sign “and I’m very assured that we are going to accomplish that sooner or later too.”
Divisions have emerged over whether or not to focus on Russian oil in a brand new collection of sanctions, with Hungary main objections. However Scholz mentioned he noticed talks being carried out “with a will to succeed in an settlement.”
He didn’t tackle particulars of a doable resolution however mentioned the EU’s energy lies in fixing issues collectively and he’s “firmly satisfied that we will proceed discussing a superb resolution with one another at the moment and tomorrow.”
Scholz mentioned: “Nobody can predict whether or not this may really be the case, however all the things I hear sounds as if there may very well be a consensus, and ultimately there will likely be one.”
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VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lawmakers from NATO international locations are calling for an answer to move grain and different merchandise from Ukraine to get round a Russian blockade of Black Sea ports.
Spanish lawmaker Zaida Cantera mentioned that “Africa and the Center East import round 50% of those merchandise” and that, primarily based on U.N. knowledge, “Africa will face famine.” Cantera mentioned that ”might result in extra migrants arriving within the southern components of Europe.”
She spoke on the NATO parliamentary meeting, which was moved to the Lithuanian capital after initially being slated for Kyiv.
On the finish of their one-day gathering, the NATO lawmakers authorised a decision calling for stronger sanctions in opposition to Russia and an elevated provide of weapons to Ukraine.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, mentioned throughout the assembly that his nation won’t settle for any “land for peace” offers with Russia.
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BARCELONA, Spain — NATO Secretary-Common Jens Stoltenberg says subsequent month’s summit in Madrid will likely be a “historic” alternative to strengthen the alliance within the face of Russian aggression in opposition to Ukraine.
Talking at a gala in Madrid to mark Spain’s fortieth 12 months as a NATO member, Stoltenberg mentioned he regarded ahead to welcoming Sweden and Finland on the summit on June 29-30.
He mentioned that “on the Madrid summit we are going to chart the best way forward for the subsequent decade.” He added that “we can even be joined by Finland and Sweden, who’ve simply made historic functions to affix our alliance.”
However the chief of the 30-member alliance didn’t tackle Turkey’s reluctance to opening the doorways to Sweden and Finland.
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MOSCOW — Russia says it might use an association much like that used for funds for its fuel provides to pay its dollar-denominated overseas money owed.
The Vedomosti enterprise every day on Monday quoted Finance Minister Anton Siluanov as saying that Russia will provide the holders of its Eurobond obligations a cost system bypassing Western monetary infrastructure.
Russia beforehand has supplied pure fuel clients to determine an account in {dollars} or euros at Gazprombank, then a second account in rubles. The importer would pay the fuel invoice in euros or {dollars} and direct the financial institution to trade the cash for rubles.
The system goals to keep away from a threat of funds for fuel being frozen as a part of Western sanctions in opposition to Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
Siluanov instructed Vedomosti {that a} comparable mechanism will likely be set for Eurobond holders, with a proposal to open overseas forex and ruble accounts at a Russian financial institution.
“In funds for fuel, we’re credited with overseas forex and it’s transformed into rubles,” Siluanov was quoted as saying. “The Eurobond settlement mechanism will work in the identical method, simply within the different route.”
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LVIV, Ukraine — The mayor of a Ukrainian metropolis on the epicenter of the Russian offensive says that fierce avenue battles are happening there.
Sievierodonetsk Mayor Oleksandr Striuk instructed The Related Press in a phone interview Monday that “Russian troops have entered the town and avenue combating is occurring.” He added that the Ukrainian defenders have been combating to push the Russians out.
Striuk added that “the Russian troops have superior a couple of blocks towards the town middle.”
He mentioned that “now we have no energy and no communications. The town has been utterly ruined.”
The mayor mentioned that 12,000-13,000 civilians left within the metropolis are sheltering in basements and bunkers to flee relentless Russian bombardment. He mentioned that “the variety of victims is rising each hour, however we’re unable to rely the useless and the wounded amid the road combating.”
Striuk mentioned that 1,500 residents of the town have died because the begin of the warfare.
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KYIV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian band that gained the Eurovision Music Contest says it has offered the trophy at public sale to boost funds to purchase tools for the Ukrainian army.
Kalush Orchestra mentioned on social media that the trophy was offered within the on-line public sale late Sunday for $900,000 to a cryptocurrency group throughout a live-streamed fundraising occasion.
“Buddies, you might be unreal!” Kalush Orchestra mentioned in an Instagram publish. “Because of everybody who donated.”
Serhiy Prytula, a Ukrainian TV presenter who hosted the public sale, mentioned on Twitter {that a} additional 11 million hryvnia ($370,000) was raised in a web-based raffle for the pink bucket hat Kalush Orchestra frontman Oleh Psiuk wore throughout the Eurovision efficiency. He mentioned the hat was gained by a person within the Czech Republic. Prytula mentioned the funds could be used to purchase a drone.
Eurovision mentioned late Monday that the music contest will give Kalush Orchestra a brand new trophy to exchange the one offered at public sale.
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MOSCOW — Professional-Russian authorities in southern Ukraine say that two civilians have been wounded by an explosion that they blamed on Ukraine.
Halyna Danylchenko, who was appointed mayor of the town of Melitopol after its takeover by Russian troops, mentioned that Monday’s explosion wounded two native volunteers who have been concerned in deliveries of humanitarian help to metropolis residents. She mentioned that they have been hospitalized.
Nobody has claimed duty for the explosion, which Danylchenko blamed on Ukraine and denounced as a “cynical terror assault by the Kyiv regime” in remarks broadcast by Russian state tv.
Melitopol was captured by Russian forces early within the marketing campaign.
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MOSCOW — Authorities in a Russia-backed separatist area in jap Ukraine say not less than 5 civilians have been killed in new Ukrainian shelling.
The separatist authorities mentioned these killed throughout the shelling of the town of Donetsk included a 13-year outdated boy. They mentioned one other 13 civilians have been wounded in shelling Monday that broken three faculties within the metropolis.
Donetsk Mayor Alexei Kulemzin mentioned that the Ukrainian forces apparently used U.S.-supplied artillery techniques within the assault.
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An official put in by Russia within the Kherson area of southern Ukraine says grain from the realm is being despatched to Russia.
Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of the Russia-backed administration for the Kherson area, instructed Russia’s Tass state information company on Monday that grain from final 12 months’s harvest was being delivered to Russian consumers.
“There may be area for storing (the subsequent crop) though clearly there may be a number of grain right here,” Stremousov was quoted as saying. “Now persons are partially exporting, having reached agreements with those that are shopping for from the (Russian) facet.”
Tass additionally reported that Stremousov mentioned sunflower seeds may very well be despatched to Russian processing vegetation to make sunflower oil.
Ukraine has accused Russia of looting grain and farm tools from territories held by its forces and the U.S. has alleged Russia is jeopardizing world meals provides by stopping Ukraine from exporting its harvest.
Russian troops overran many of the Kherson area within the early weeks of the warfare and have tightened their grip on the realm since. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin visited the area earlier this month and prompt it might grow to be a part of “our Russian household.”
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MOSCOW — The Russian army says it has struck a shipbuilding manufacturing unit in Ukraine’s south.
Russian Protection Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov mentioned Monday {that a} Russian artillery strike on the shipyard within the port of Mykolaiv destroyed Ukrainian armored automobiles parked on its territory.
Konashenkov mentioned that Russian artillery hit 593 areas of focus of Ukrainian troops and tools and 55 artillery batteries over the past 24 hours.
He added that the Russian air drive hit three command posts and 67 troop places.
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KYIV, Ukraine — A regional governor says an intense battle is occurring for the important thing metropolis of Sievierodonetsk in jap Ukraine.
Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai mentioned that that Russian forces have entered the outskirts and have been pushing towards close by Lysychansk. He mentioned Monday that two civilians have been killed and one other 5 have been wounded within the newest Russian shelling.
The Ukrainian army additionally mentioned that Russian forces have been reinforcing their positions on northeastern and southeastern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk and bringing extra tools and ammunition into the realm to press their offensive.
Sievierodonetsk has been a key goal of the Russian offensive in Ukraine’s jap Donbas industrial heartland. The town has served as the executive middle for the Luhansk area, which makes up Donbas along with the neighboring Donetsk area.
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BERLIN — Germany’s governing events and the primary opposition celebration have reached a deal to maneuver forward with an enormous improve in protection spending that Chancellor Olaf Scholz introduced three months in the past.
Scholz instructed German lawmakers three days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began that the nation would commit 100 billion euros ($107 billion) to a particular fund for its army and lift its protection spending above 2% of GDP — a measure on which it had lengthy lagged.
Scholz wished to anchor the particular fund within the structure. That requires a two-thirds majority in each homes of parliament, which means that the chancellor wanted assist from the center-right opposition Union bloc.
Talks on the difficulty grew to become mired in particulars, however the two sides reached an settlement Sunday night time that clears the best way to convey the fund to parliament. Amongst different issues, funding for cyberdefense and assist for companion international locations will come from Germany’s common funds, not the particular fund.
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MOGADISHU, Somalia — Households throughout Africa are paying about 45% extra for wheat flour as Russia’s warfare in Ukraine blocks exports from the Black Sea.
Some international locations like Somalia get greater than 90% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine. That’s forcing many individuals to substitute wheat for different grains. However the United Nations is warning that the value hikes are coming as many components of Africa are going through drought and starvation.
The U.N. already had warned that an estimated 13 million folks have been already going through extreme starvation within the wider Horn of Africa area because of a persistent drought. The World Meals Program chief say’s Russia’s warfare on Ukraine is “piling disaster on prime of disaster” for the world’s poor.
