Here are the main developments as Thursday nears its end in Moscow and Kyiv.
Russia had occupied Snake Island in February, and Ukraine was able to regain control. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian troops were evacuated from Snake Island after the overnight bombardment by Ukraine. Russia claimed it evacuated the island in a “goodwill gesture” to Ukraine’s grain exports. Famously, the Black Sea strategic outpost is where Ukrainian soldiers refused to surrender to Russian warship Moskva.
Biden stated that the U.S. would contribute $800 million more to Ukraine’s security assistance. Biden spoke at the conclusion of the NATO summit and said that the war would not end with Russia defeating Ukraine, and that the allies would continue to support Ukraine “as long it takes”. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated earlier that his country has no problem with Sweden and Finland joining NATO, but would respond if NATO built up a military presence at its northern borders.
Amnesty International stated that the Mariupol bombing was a war crime. The human rights group has released a new report that concludes that the attack was “almost certainly” carried out by Russian fighter planes. Hundreds of civilians were sheltering in the building during March’s siege of the southern port town that Russian troops now control.
Russia was asked by the European Court of Human Rights to make sure two British prisoners don’t receive the death penalty. A court in a Russian-backed part of Ukraine sentenced Shaun Pinner to death and Aiden Aslin, both aged 21, to their executions. Russia’s government pulled out from the European rights jurisdiction following the invasion of Ukraine and said that it does not comply with European court orders.
Ukraine claimed it severed ties with Syria because it recognized the independence of eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk, Donetsk areas at Russia’s request. According to Ukraine’s foreign ministry, it has ordered the closing of both its and Syria’s embassies due to the crimes committed by the Syrian regime. This is friendly with Moscow. Kyiv stated that it would also impose trade embargos and other sanctions on Syria.
According to Secretary of State Blinken, Putin is not willing to participate in Ukraine negotiations.
Tensions between NATO member Lithuania and Russia are increasing in the Baltic.
Russia’s sanctions, graded. Planet Money’s NPR Indicator evaluates the effectiveness economic sanctions imposed against Russia.
The world is being changed by Russia’s war on Ukraine: You can see its ripple effects all around the globe.
More daily recaps can be found here. You can find NPR’s coverage of more details and context here. Subscribe to NPR’s State of Ukraine podcast to receive updates throughout the day.
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