Ukraine war news live updates: Zelensky demands ‘just punishment’ for Putin as hundreds arrested at Russia protests today

EU foreign ministers are seeking new sanctions on Russia and increased arms deliveries to Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putin’s first wartime mobilization order since World War II.

EU ministers will meet formally next month to discuss the sanctions package and formalize the restrictions imposed on Moscow.

European Union President Josep Borrell said the bloc would “unanimously” support the upcoming measures.

Vladimir Putin’s military mobilization order and his nuclear threat confirm that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is failing, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in New York, where world leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly.

“Canada condemns Putin’s irresponsible escalation of the war, his partial military mobilization, his nuclear threats, and Russia’s hasty referendum on trying to annex parts of Ukraine as unacceptable,” Mr Trudeau said.

“Putin’s actions just show that his invasion has failed,” he added.

The draft order issued by the Russian leader was “closer to acknowledging something he didn’t want to admit to the Russians … it’s an example of what he planned did not happen,” Mr Trudeau said.

Russia has released some captured Ukrainian fighters after a protracted battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspline said on Wednesday.

Citing the Azov Battalion, which was involved in most of the fighting, Susprin said there was an exchange of fire near the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. It doesn’t provide any details.

The original founder of the Azov battalion, Andrei Biletsky, showed a victory gesture marked “in service” as he held a prisoner. Reuters could not immediately confirm when the photo was taken.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia said that Russia had released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine under the mediation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Among those released were five British nationals.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has escalated sharply, with Vladimir Putin announcing a partial mobilization of troops in a special address to the nation on Wednesday (David Harding Write).

Putin said about 300,000 people, especially reservists with active duty experience, would be called up, a move that comes after Moscow faced multiple military setbacks seven months after its invasion of Ukraine.

In a clear threat to the West, he warned against “nuclear blackmail”, threatening to respond with the power of his own vast arsenal. He said he was not bluffing to use all the means at his disposal to protect Russian territory, which appeared to be a veiled reference to Russia’s nuclear capabilities.

“We are talking about partial mobilization, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be conscripted, and most importantly, those who serve in the armed forces have a certain military expertise and relevant experience,” Putin said.

His speech shocked many people around the world and led thousands of Russians to try to flee the country.

A Downing Street spokesman said Liz Strass and Joe Biden condemned Vladimir Putin’s recent statements about Ukraine and discussed energy security at a UN meeting in New York.

In a statement released after the two men met in private for the first time, the spokesman said the two leaders agreed that Putin’s belligerence demonstrated “the need for allies to continue to provide Ukraine with economic and military support. Prime Minister to President Biden Updates her recent announcement that the UK will recommit to at least the same level of defence support for Ukraine next year.

“Both leaders discussed the growing threat that authoritarian regimes pose to our values ​​and the international system. The Prime Minister informed President Biden of plans to update the UK’s comprehensive assessment to ensure the UK is adequately equipped to deal with threats from China and Russia. and other countries’ evolving challenges.

“Leaders emphasized the need to end our overreliance on authoritarian states in our energy, technology and manufacturing supply chains.

“They agreed to redouble their bilateral efforts to reduce energy dependence on Russia and increase the amount of renewable and other forms of energy from democracies. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to net-zero emissions, with the UK outlining UK to A plan to become a net energy exporter by 2040, thanks in large part to renewable energy.

“The Prime Minister and President Biden also discussed some of the global challenges that the UK and the US are working closely together to address, including efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

Five British nationals arrested in Ukraine and held by Russian-backed forces are being returned to their families, Prime Minister Liz Strauss has revealed.Jane Dalton Write).

“Very welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are returning safely, ending months of uncertainty and pain for them and their families,” she tweeted. .

His MP Robert Jenrick said British fighter Aiden Aslin, sentenced to death by a pro-Russian court, was among those freed.

He tweeted: “Aiden’s return has brought months of painful uncertainty to Aiden’s beloved Newark family, who have been subjected to Aiden’s false trial every day but never lost hope. When they are united as family again, they can finally live together in peace.”

Mr Aslin, 28, moved to Ukraine in 2018 and later joined the country’s armed forces.

Volodymyr Zelensky said it was impossible for Ukraine to remain neutral in the war with Russia because he set red lines for a negotiated end to the conflict.

Ukraine’s president said in a recorded speech to the United Nations that his country had committed crimes and that Kyiv wanted “just punishment” for Russia.

He offered what he called five non-negotiable peace terms. These include punishment for Russian aggression, restoration of security in Ukraine, and territorial integrity and security.

The British foreign secretary will denounce Moscow’s atrocities in Ukraine when he meets his Russian counterpart for the first time at a summit in New York tomorrow.

James Cleverley will confront Sergey Lavrov at a special meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday, when foreign ministers will discuss the war.

Mr Cleverley will be committed to working with allies to hold Russia accountable and bring justice to the victims.

He will also argue that Moscow plans to determine the outcome of a referendum on Russian-controlled eastern and southern Ukraine to become part of Russia.

Later on Thursday, Mr Cleverley will take part in a meeting focused on responsibility for Ukraine’s war crimes.

Security forces have detained more than 1,300 people in Russia during protests condemning the mobilization, a human rights group said, hours after Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s first military draft since World War II.

The independent OVD-Info protest monitoring group said more than 1,311 people had been detained as of late night, including at least 502 in Moscow and 524 in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, based on information gathered from 38 Russian cities.

Unsanctioned gatherings are illegal under Russia’s anti-protest law. Irina Volk, a Russian interior ministry official, said in a statement cited by Russian news agencies that police had stopped so-called small protests.

“In many areas, there are attempts to conduct unauthorized operations, but there are very few actors involved,” Volker said.

“These were stopped. Those who violated the law were detained and brought to the police station to be investigated and held accountable.”

Here are some photos from the protests in St. Petersburg, we brought you earlier photos from Moscow [see here]

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has accused President Vladimir Putin of trying to “smear hundreds of thousands” in a “criminal war” after ordering a partial mobilization of Russian reserves.Emily Atkinson Write).

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny made the remarks through a video message recorded from prison released by his lawyer. He warned that Putin’s new military order would lead to a “massive tragedy”.

Mr Navalny, who has served more than 10 years in prison, said: “This would lead to a huge tragedy, a lot of deaths… To keep his personal power, Putin went into neighbouring countries and killed people there. A large number of Russian citizens are now being sent away into this war.

“It is clear that this evil war is getting worse and deeper, and Putin is trying to involve as many people as possible. He is going to smear hundreds of thousands of people in this blood.”