RUSSIAN and Ukrainian officials gave their most upbeat assessments yet as talk continued with a result ‘days’ away, says Ukrainian negotiator and adviser.
Mykhailo Podolyak, presidential adviser, said in a video posted online: “We will not concede in principle on any positions.
“Russia now understands this. Russia is already beginning to talk constructively.
“I think that we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days.”
RIA news agency quoted a Russian delegate, Leonid Slutsky, as saying the talks had made substantial progress.
He said: “According to my personal expectations, this progress may grow in the coming days into a joint position of both delegations, into documents for signing”
The news comes as Russian airstrikes have killed at least 35 people at a military base near the border of NATO member Poland.
The base is where foreign instructors were helping Ukrainians, however it is not known whether they were there at the time.
Foreign military instructors have worked at the Yavoriv International Center for Peacekeeping and Security.
Russian forces fired more than 30 cruise missiles at the Yavoriv military base near Lviv, injuring 57 people, according to Ukrainian authorities as Kyiv warns Vladimir Putin could start “provoking” Nato countries.
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up to the minute updates…
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World War Z has begun and Putin’s REAL target is us
This is a comment piece by Mark Almond
VLADIMIR PUTIN’S brutal invasion of Ukraine has sparked a potential global conflict.
If it spirals out of control — dragging in neighbouring Nato countries — World War Three could be on the cards.
Even without a nuclear Armageddon between Russia and the West, this crisis is the beginning of a long arm-wrestling match between the Kremlin and us (the West). I call it World War Z.
“Z” is the call-sign painted on the Russian tanks pouring into Ukraine. It symbolises the Russian term “Onward to Victory”.
Eighty years ago Churchill had his V for Victory sign as a symbol of hope against the Nazis.
Putin’s Z for victory is his sign for a grim future, with Russia’s neighbours under his heel and the rest of us under constant pressure.
Maybe a ceasefire will be arranged between Russia and Ukraine. There will be relief at anything that stops the slaughter of civilians.
But it will only be a pause in the new worldwide competition between Russia and the West. World War Z is only starting.
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‘We’re taking in refugees because it’s our moral obligation’
A BRITISH couple have said they want to open their home to Ukrainian refugees because it is their “moral obligation”.
Matthew and Hannah Hornsby are among those across the UK offering their spare rooms for people fleeing the war after the invasion by Russia.
The Hornsby’s told Sky News they already have a room prepared ready to welcome a family from Ukraine.
Mrs Hornsby said: “It’s a moral obligation, I think for us all here to be able to do something.”
Her husband said: “We’ve got the space to do this.
“We’ve got a family, we’ve got children, but what why would we refuse these people that are in desperate need?”
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Horror as Russian tank ‘runs over car killing two men and a teenage boy’
A RUSSIAN tank killed two men as it ran over a car while teenage boy burnt to death in the wreckage, according to Ukrainian police.
The trio were trying to flee when they were reportedly pulled over by Vladimir Putin’s troops in the city of Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine.
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Moment giant unexploded bomb removed from flat in Ukrainian city
THIS is the incredible moment a giant Russian bomb is removed from a flat in a city totally destroyed by Kremlin forces.
The explosive device’s removal meant a miracle escape for those inside the block but others in the city of Chernihiv have been less fortunate.
Russian forces have been accused of deliberately killing civilians in the city after 47 people died in one attack allegedly using deadly cluster bombs last week,
One person was killed today and another injured in a Russian airstrike that destroyed a residential block, emergency services said.
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Russia and Ukraine latest
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Brent Renaud was shot dead while fleeing Russian soldiers
Brent Renaud was shot dead while fleeing Russian soldiers who opened fire at him after he stumbled upon their checkpoint, it’s reported.
Juan Arredondo, who was wounded in the lower back, told Italian journalist Annalisa Camilli he and Mr Renaud were shot after they were stopped at a checkpoint just after a bridge in Irpin.
“We crossed the first bridge in Irpin. We were going to film other refugees leaving and we got into a car, someone offered to take us to the other bridge,” he said.
“We crossed the checkpoint and they started shooting at us. So the driver turned around and they kept shooting.”
Mr Arredondo said his colleague, who he named as Mr Renaud, was hit in the neck and remained on the ground earlier on Sunday.
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White House adviser warns Russia of ‘severe price’ if it carried out a chemical attack
The White House national security adviser has warned Russia that it would pay a “severe price” if it carried out a chemical weapon attack.
Jake Sullivan said the US and allies were consulting closely about the increased threat.
He added that any attack on the territory of a Nato member state would trigger a full response by the alliance.
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Brits to be given £350-a-month to open homes to Ukraine refugees with applications launched from TOMORROW
BRITISH families who open their homes to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war will be given a £350-a-month “thank you” payment.
The venture will kick off from tomorrow with hopes the cash incentive will encourage people to take in those who have been forced to leave their homeland behind.
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Ukrainian West Ham star Yarmolenko scores in first game since Russian invasion
ANDRIY YARMOLENKO broke down into tears after scoring on his return to first-team action for West Ham in the 2-1 win against Aston Villa.
The Ukraine superstar was given compassionate leave after Russia invaded his homeland and hasn’t featured since February 5 against Kidderminster.
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Chelsea given £110m Government lifeline to ensure they finish Premier League season
CHELSEA have been handed a £110million cash lifeline — to ensure they can finish the season.
The Government’s decision to ease their financial stranglehold on the Blues came as sanction-hit Russian owner Roman Abramovich was BANNED by the Premier League.
World and European club champions Chelsea were in danger of plunging into administration after the Government’s stringent licence limited funds to meet their £28m monthly wage bill and all other outgoings.
But MPs yesterday revealed that two days of negotiations with club chiefs had resulted in a revised licence which will now allow the Blues to access previously FROZEN television and prize money.
Chelsea are permitted to use all the potential £35m in TV income from the Prem and Uefa until the end of the season PLUS all prize money they are due from domestic and European competitions.
They are set to pocket £39m from the Prem if they stay in third place — and up to £36m if they retain their Champions League crown.
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More than 2,100 Mariupol residents killed
The City council of Mariupol have said that 2,187 residents in the city have been killed due to the Russian invasion.
Local officials said there had been at least 22 Russian strikes on the city in the past day.
“People have been in a difficult situation for 12 days. There is no electricity, water or heating in the city. There is almost no mobile communication. The last reserves of food and water are running out,” a statement said.
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Chelsea fans display Roman Abramovich flag
CHELSEA fans proudly displayed a banner in support of Roman Abramovich after the billionaire was slapped with sanctions by the UK government.
The oligarch was sanctioned over his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea are now unable to sell tickets to matches, with only season ticket holders able to attend games at Stamford Bridge.
Abramovich is also banned from selling the club or any players, with the Russian unable to make any money from the club with his assets frozen.
The Blues are not allowed to flog any club merchandise or extend stars’ contracts either, with only sales of food and drink in the stadium permitted.
With the club in disarray, fans have shown their support for Abramovich – who took over the club in 2003.
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Martin Roberts reveals he’s halfway through 26-hour ‘mercy dash’ to drop supplies in Ukraine
HOMES Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts has revealed he’s halfway through a 26-hour “mercy dash” in Ukraine.
The TV star took to Twitter in a video update as he admitted he had been driving through the night through France.
Martin, 58, looked exhausted as he filmed from his phone standing behind a van packed from top to bottom with supplies.
He admitted he had only slept a few hours as he prepared for the second leg of his journey across Germany and Poland.
It comes days after the star revealed his plans to drive the packed van across Europe to help those affected by Putin’s attacks in Ukraine.
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The New York Times have released a statement
The New York Times (NYT) have said that they are ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of the passing of Brent Renaud.
They have confirmed however, that he was not currently working for NYT and was carrying a badge that had been assigned to him ‘many years ago’.
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Volodymyr Zelensky put forward for a knighthood
HERO Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky has been put forward for a knighthood.
MPs have called on Boris Johnson to nominate the President for a gong in recognition of his bravery and inspirational leadership.
The ex-comedian turned politician has won a legion of fans for his determination to face down Russian forces invading his homeland.
MPs of all parties urged the PM to bestow the honorary knighthood after his stirring speech to a packed Commons via video link from his bunker in Kyiv.
When offered a way out of his country by the US, the dad-of-two, 44, responded: “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride.”
Tory MP Bob Seely, of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said: “Zelensky has been a true leader. He has given a voice and set an example to his people in their hour of courage.”
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Zelensky’s incredible speech to the House of Commons was up there with Churchill in 1940
This is a comment piece by Karren Brady
I DON’T keep a journal, but when something remarkable happens, I make a point of writing it down in the back of my diary.
Sometimes that is once a month. Sometimes it’s once a year.
I had one of those moments last week when, in my role as a member of the House of Lords, I was invited to the Commons to watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic address.
All business in both houses stopped so we could hear him speak, and translation was provided. And it was truly remarkable.
As I waited for the address to start, I sat chatting to Lord Fellowes (who wrote Downton Abbey and the fantastic new Sky series The Gilded Age).
My first impression was that the poor man looked exhausted.
Zelensky said he hadn’t slept and it showed.
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American journalist killed by Russian troops
AN AMERICAN journalist has been killed by Russian troops while covering the war in Ukraine, according to police in Kyiv.
Reporter Brent Renaud was reportedly shot dead in Irpin, just outside the capital.
Kyiv police said on Twitter that a journalist had been shot dead and another had been wounded in Irpin.
It said: “In Irpin, the Russian occupiers have just shot the international journalists of the New York Times.
“One killed, one wounded. Now militiamen try to take out the victim from a combat zone.”
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Zelensky outlines most important task
Zelensky says the most important task is to bring aid to the besieged city of Mariupol.
He said a humanitarian convoy was just 80km which has been under constant attack from Russian forces for almost a week.
“We are doing everything to break the resistance of the occupiers, who are blocking even priests of the Orthodox Church,” Zelensky wrote, in a post on Facebook.
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Abramovich’s mansion ‘could be used to house Ukraine refugees’
ROMAN Abramovich’s £150m Kensington mansion could soon be home to Ukrainian refugees thanks to a government proposal.
Cabinet sources have revealed Levelling-up Secretary Michael Gove has put forward the idea to house the homeless victims of war in the lavish homes of Russian oligarchs.
Michael Gove said he wants to “explore an option” of using sanctioned individuals’ properties to house Ukrainian refugees.
He told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: “I want to explore an option which would allow us to use the homes and properties of sanctioned individuals – as long as they are sanctioned – for humanitarian and other purposes.
“There’s quite a high legal bar to cross and we’re not talking about permanent confiscation.
“But we are saying: ‘you’re sanctioned, you’re supporting Putin, this home is here, you have no right to use or profit from it – and more than that, while you are not using or profiting from it, if we can use it in order to help others, let’s do that’.”
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Russian convoy ambushed by Ukrainians using anti-tank missiles
ANOTHER Russian convoy is ambushed by brave Ukrainians using lethal anti-tank missiles.
Footage of the successful counterattack – the latest of several caught on film in a matter of days amid Putin’s crumbling invasion – shows a rocket make a direct hit.
Posted online, the clip shows what appears to show one of the convoys being obliterated as Russian troops quickly scatter.
At least one Russian tank and one armoured personnel carrier seems to have been hit by the missiles – which were fired from behind trees.
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Ukrainian refugee killed when bus she was in veered off motorway in Italy
A UKRAINIAN woman has died as she fled the Russian invasion after a bus carrying around 50 refugees veered off a motorway and overturned in Italy.
Several people are also reportedly injured following the crash early this morning on the A14 highway in the Emilia-Romagna region.
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‘In the name of God, I ask you, stop this massacre’
Pope Francis has recently condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine.
“In the name of God, let the cry of the suffering people be heard, and let the bombings and attacks stop,” he said during his weekly Sunday prayer at the Vatican.
“In the name of God, I ask you, stop this massacre.”
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Russia and Ukraine latest
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Western spies say Putin’s bloated face & lust for violence down to medical care
VLADIMIR Putin has “roid rage” potentially from a steroid treatment for cancer – causing his bloated face and lust for violence, intelligence bosses have claimed.
It’s thought the Russian leader’s decision to invade Ukraine might have been sparked by not only his unhinged mental state, but also by a worrying physical health condition.
Putin, 69, was described as “ashen and bloated” in pictures released by the Kremlin.
And the ruler has bizarrely been forcing visitors to sit a staggering distance away from him.
The Russian president, normally cutting a rugged and manly figure, looked pale and unfit as his forces pounded Ukraine’s cities.
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British families to be paid over £2,000 to open homes to refugees
BRITISH families will be paid over £2,000 to open their homes to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
They will be given the £350-a-month “thank you” cash if they provide a room rent-free for a minimum six months.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove will unveil the “Homes for Ukraine” scheme today to provide thousands of displaced people with safety.
It will include a fast-track visa system which will go live this week — allowing the first wave of refugees to arrive within days. Householders who lay down the welcome mat will be eligible to receive a total of £2,100 tax-free for six months.
Mr Gove said last night: “The UK stands behind Ukraine in its darkest hour. The British public understand the need to get people to safety as quickly as we can.
“I urge people across the country to join the effort and offer their support to our Ukrainian friends. Together we can give a safe home to those who desperately need it.”
The action comes after days of simmering outrage over Britain’s tardy response to Europe’s biggest humanitarian crisis since World War Two.
