Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine
Germany in ‘confidential talks’ with Ukraine over security guarantees, Scholz says
Germany is having confidential talks with Ukraine’s leadership about security guarantees it can offer Kyiv to ensure its stability after the Russian invasion, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told parliament.
“We are in talks on guarantees with Ukraine,” Scholz said, according to a Reuters translation. “These talks are confidential.”
Scholz also said that Germany can only send arms to Ukraine that it will actually know how to use, pointing out that Ukraine’s forces have long used much older equipment, meaning weapons once used by the army of former Communist East Germany are an appropriate fit.
Germany’s decision to send offensive weaponry to a conflict zone following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine represented a historic reversal in policy and the first such move since World War II.
— Natasha Turak
Pope Francis holds Ukrainian flag from Bucha, condemns ‘massacre’
Pope Francis holds the Ukrainian flag that was sent to him from the town of Bucha, where tied bodies of civilians who were shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found, during the weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, April 6, 2022.
Vatican Media | Reuters
Pope Francis unveiled a war-torn Ukrainian flag from the besieged city of Bucha during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
“This flag comes from the war,” Pope Francis said, adding that Ukrainian children had brought him the blue and yellow bicolor flag.
“These children had to escape and come to a foreign land: this is one of the fruits of war. Let us not forget them and let us not forget the Ukrainian people,” he said, introducing the children to the audience.
Pope Francis described the reports from Bucha as a “massacre” and “horrendous cruelty” and called for an end to the war.
Pope Francis kisses the Ukrainian flag that was sent to him from the town of Bucha where tied civilians were shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found, during the weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, April 6, 2022 in this screengrab taken from a video.
Vatican Media | Reuters
“Recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought new atrocities, such as the massacre of Bucha,” he said.
Last month, he issued a strong condemnation of the war in Ukraine, saying the “unacceptable armed aggression” must stop before it reduces cities to cemeteries.
— Amanda Macias
Authorities urge civilians to evacuate Donbas region as Russia focuses attacks on Ukraine’s east and south
Families walk on a platform to board a train at Kramatorsk central station as they flee the eastern city of Kramatorsk, in the Donbass region on April 5, 2022.
Fadel Senna | AFP | Getty Images
Thousands of people are trying to flee Ukraine’s Donbas region as Russia intensifies its shelling in the country’s east and south.
“I appeal to every resident of the Luhansk region — evacuate while it is safe … While there are buses and trains — take this opportunity,” Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai wrote on the Telegram messaging app, according to a Reuters translation.
Families hold…
Read More: Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine