The war in Ukraine continues, with Russia officially kicking off "phase 2" of the "special operation" launched by Vladimir Putin . Moscow troops are stepping up the offensive in the Donbass, while the siege of the port city of Mariupol continues.

According to what Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Ukrainian presidency and one of the negotiators, writes on Twitter, Kiev has offered Moscow a "special session of negotiations" in Mariupol. "We are ready to hold a special session of negotiations in Mariupol. To save our boys, (the battalion) Azov, the soldiers, civilians, children, the living and the wounded. All," the post reads.

And Putin challenges the international community by successfully testing a new ICBM, the Sarmat. It is capable, explains Mosca, of "penetrating any existing or future missile defense system". The Russian president said that the new missile will give Russia security guarantees "against current threats" and "will make those who are threatening Russia think". The test "is routine, not a threat," the Pentagon downplays.

In Mariupol, the resistance of the Ukrainian army is still barricaded in the Azovstal steel plant, the last bastion that the Russians are trying to storm. The ultimatum launched by the Russian general Mikhail Mizintsev, who asked the military to lay down their weapons, guaranteeing "safety and medical examinations", expired at 1:00 pm, but there is no sign of surrender.

Also from the Azovstal steel mill came the dramatic appeal of a Ukrainian marine: "The enemy is ten times more numerous than us, these could be our last hours of life", he said, asking the international community to "extract them" from there and take them to a third country.

In the evening, Moscow confirmed that "no one left the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol today through the humanitarian corridor", according to a note from the Russian Defense Ministry, quoted by TASS, accusing Kiev of having sabotaged the evacuation of civilians.

While the United States makes it known that the Russians in the Donbass are at a standstill, "they are not advancing" or making "significant conquests", news arrives of a large military parade organized by Moscow in Mariupol for May 9, the day in which Russia celebrates the anniversary of the victory over the Nazis in World War II. The Russian-appointed deputy mayor of the city Viktoria Kalachova made the announcement. "It will happen without a doubt. The people of Mariupol are waiting for this event," he told reporters, speaking of the parade of the "Immortal Regiment", as it is defined by the Russians.

With negotiations almost at a standstill and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying she "no longer trusts" Ukrainian negotiators, Moscow has nevertheless sent a document that is being studied in Kiev. Russia is demanding the recognition of Crimea and the independence of the Donbass and accuses Kiev of "dragging out the negotiation process".

Meanwhile, while new sanctions are being studied to target Russia , the US and Canada have confirmed a further shipment of weapons and supplies to the Ukrainian army, including heavy artillery. American President Joe Biden, in particular, is about to announce aid to Kiev for an additional 800 million dollars. Berlin, on the other hand, will not send heavy weapons to Kiev: "We need them", the German army said, while Scholz, in a speech that Kiev judged "very disappointing", said that the export capabilities of the German armed forces are exhausted.

And in the night came a new attack by Volodymyr Zelensky on the West on the armaments front. "If we had access to all the weapons we need, which our partners have and which are comparable to those used by the Russian Federation, we would have already ended this war," he said. "We would have already restored peace and freed our territory from the occupiers because the superiority of the Ukrainian army in tactics and wisdom is quite obvious."

In Kiev it was also the day of Charles Michel's visit. The president of the EU Council assured Ukraine full support: "We want Kiev to win," he said during the meeting with Zelensky. He also assured that "sooner or later we will also hit Russian oil and gas".

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Updates hour by hour:

Kiev, humanitarian corridor from Mariupol did not work

The humanitarian corridor from Mariupol "didn't work". This was stated by the Ukrainian authorities, who today hoped to evacuate six thousand civilians from the besieged city, including many women and children, but managed to take away only a few dozen.

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New sanctions package

The US has announced a new package of sanctions against Russia for the war in Ukraine. The commercial bank Transkapitalbank and a global network of over 40 individuals and entities are targeted. The measures also include visa restrictions for 635 Russian citizens. CNN reports it.

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Usa: "Started training of Ukrainian soldiers in the use of guns"

The training of Kiev forces by soldiers to use the Howitzer howitzers sent in Joe Biden's latest weapon pack "has begun." Defense officials said this at CNN without specifying in which country it is taking place. The soldiers from Kiev who are receiving the training "are just over 50".

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Pentagon: “Russian missile? Routine, it does not threaten "

The United States had been informed, under international agreements, that Russia was planning to test an ICBM before launch today. This was reported by two US Defense officials to CNN. For the Pentagon, testing is "a routine operation, not a threat".

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Dozens of civilians evacuated from Mariupol

A small convoy of buses carrying dozens of civilians on board left Mariupol as part of the humanitarian corridor agreed for today with Russia, headed for the areas of Ukraine controlled by the Kiev army. The Guardian reports it.

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UN Secretary General asks to see Putin and Zelensky

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres asked to be received by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky.

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Russian Crimea and Donbass independence in the negotiations

"The recognition of the current territorial realities, including the belonging of Crimea to Russia and the independence of the Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk", remain at the center of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This was stated by the spokeswoman of the Moscow Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, specifying that a draft Russian agreement was presented in Kiev on April 15, but the Ukrainian negotiators "try to drag the negotiation process through by refusing to take an approach. constructive "and" sometimes simply refusing to respond promptly to the proposals of the Russian side ". Interfax reports.

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Michel: "Sooner or later we will also hit oil and gas"

"Putin will not be able to destroy the sovereignty of Ukraine and even divide the EU. I have already said it: sooner or later we will also hit Russian oil and gas. We have already decided that we want to stop our dependence on Russia and we will we are working". This was stated by the president of the EU Council Charles Michel at a press conference from Kiev, responding to those who asked him about Germany's possible stop to further energy sanctions against Moscow.

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Michel: "We want Ukraine to win"

"We want Ukraine to win and we are determined to do everything to support Kiev. We will stand by" Ukraine "in the reconstruction process." The president of the EU Council Charles Michel said at a press conference from Kiev. "We fight for the founding values of the EU and democracy. It will also be important to gather evidence" of the crimes committed, he added.

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Zelensky: "EU blocks Russian oil"

"We ask Europe to include the oil embargo in the sixth package of sanctions, otherwise it will be an empty measure". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this during the press conference with the President of the European Council Charles Michel. "We are grateful to the EU for the five sanctions packages already approved but in our opinion they are not enough to sign the financing of Vladimir Putin's war", added Zelensky, clarifying that gas will also have to be sanctioned at some point.

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Russia tests new ICBM: "It will make those who threaten us think"

Russia said today it has successfully tested a new ICBM, the Sarmat, capable, according to the Ministry of Defense, of "penetrating any existing or future missile defense system". President Vladimir Putin said the new missile will give Russia security guarantees "against current threats" and "make those who are threatening Russia think".

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Moscow: "Victory parade on May 9 in Mariupol"

Russian forces will organize a large military parade in Mariupol on May 9, the day Moscow celebrates the anniversary of the victory against the Nazis in World War II. This was announced by the deputy mayor appointed by the Russians, Viktoria Kalachova, cited by Tass. "It will happen without a doubt. The people of Mariupol are waiting for this event," he told reporters, speaking of the parade of the "Immortal Regiment", as it is defined by the Russians.

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Putin: "Action in the WTO against illegitimate sanctions"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to prepare by June 1 a "strategy" with which Moscow will respond within the International Trade Organization (WTO) to Western sanctions, which he defines as "illegitimate" and "contrary to principles of the WTO ". Russian agencies report this.

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Kiev: "Russians could use phosphorus bombs"

The Russians could drop phosphorus bombs and the use of chemical weapons is not ruled out. This was said by Oleksandr Motuzianyk, spokesman for the Ukrainian defense ministry in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform.

Last 12 April - recalls Ukrinform - according to the founder of the Azov regiment Andriy Biletskyi three people were hit due to the use of an unknown poisonous substance, used. "It is not possible to determine exactly what it was - explains Kiev - it is necessary to examine the area and some inspections are underway. One hypothesis is that it may be phosphorus ammunition that can cause a response of this kind in the body but we do not exclude that the aggressor may use chemical weapons ".

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Usa: "The Russians are not advancing in the Donbass"

There has been no "significant breakthrough" by the Russian forces in their new offensive in the Donbass for now. This is the assessment of the American Defense according to reports from two senior CNN officials. The United States has observed some new attacks by Moscow, which look more like tests to probe the strength of the Ukrainian forces, explained one of the officials. However, the front lines remain steady, with no advancement by Russia.

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The Pentagon chief telephones the defense minister in China

A few hours before being received at the White House along with military leaders, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin phoned Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenge for the first time, breaking a communications impasse seen by Washington with growing concern due to the alliance between Beijing and Moscow against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. According to US media, Austin himself requested the call, after months of unsuccessful attempts to speak with General Xu Qiliang, the highest-ranking officer in the Communist Party structure.

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US fear Russian nuclear threat more than during the Cold War

The United States is more concerned today with Russia's nuclear threat than during the entire Cold War period. Pentagon sources report this to CNN, underlining however that the possibility that Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons is 1%. According to US defense officials, Minister Lloyd Austin receives "two, three briefings a week" on the matter from the US general who oversees the nuclear arsenal.

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Kiev: "Received Russian proposals on negotiations, we study them"

Ukraine has received Russian proposals on negotiations between the two countries and is studying them. This was stated by the head of the presidential office in Kiev Mykhailo Podolyak, according to reports from Interfax. "Ukraine has handed over its proposals on provisions to opponents in the Istanbul negotiations. In particular, these concern security guarantees to prevent further attacks on our country in the future. The Russian side has studied them and presented their position. Now it's up to us to study, compare and draw conclusions, both political and legal, "Podolyak said.

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Mariupol humanitarian buses will also stop near the steel mill

The buses departing from Mariupol as part of the humanitarian corridor towards Zaporizhizhia agreed today will also stop near the Azovstal steel plant, where Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have found refuge: the mayor of the besieged port city, Vadim Boychenko said, specifying that the corridor is open from 2pm local time (1pm in Italy). The BBC reports it.

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Ultimatum expired, no sign of surrender

The Russian ultimatum for the Ukrainian forces who are resisting Mariupol expired at noon (13 Italian time) but there are no signs of surrender by the soldiers of Kiev. The BBC reports it. Although the besieged port city is surrounded by Russian forces, it has not yet fallen.

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Putin: "Peace will return to Donbass thanks to us"

Russian President Vladimir Putin assures that peace will come to the Donbass thanks to Russia and that Moscow will ensure that life in safety returns to normal in the region. This was reported by the Tass agency. The Russian president specified that the Donbass tragedy prompted Russia to start the special operation in Ukraine.

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Over 5 million Ukrainians have left the country

More than 5 million Ukrainians have left their country in war. The UN reports.

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Towards the ban of Russian tennis players from Wimbledon, wrath of Moscow

We are moving towards the ban of Russian and Belarusian tennis players from the Wimbledon tournament, according to reports from the London Times which cites the organizers of the tournament. The reaction of the Kremlin was immediate, defining the feared ban as "unacceptable".

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Moscow: "Draft documents on talks delivered to Kiev"

Russia has delivered a clearly worded draft document on talks to Ukraine and awaits a response. Now the ball is in the Kiev field. This was stated by the Russian presidential spokesman Dmitrij Peskov quoted by TASS.

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From Berlin no heavy weapons in Kiev, Ukraine "disappointed"

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's speech on Ukraine was greeted with "great disappointment and bitterness" in Kiev. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk, told the Dpa. Ukraine welcomed Germany's willingness to provide Kiev with additional arms financing, but not Scholz's claims that the German military's export capabilities are exhausted.

According to Melnyk, the German army could supply an unused part of its 400 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 800 Fuchs troop transport vehicles and about 120 PzH 2000 howitzers. , saying that all the weapons available to Germany are needed by the country to guarantee its defense within the NATO framework.

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Moscow: "We no longer trust the Kiev negotiators"

Russia no longer believes in Ukrainian negotiators. The spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova, told Russia-24 TV, according to reports from the Tass agency. "Now it is no longer a question of 'trust and verify', now it is simply 'verification' because there is no longer any trust in these people for a while," he said, commenting on the ongoing negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine.

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Kiev: “Great disappointment and bitterness for Scholz's speech

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's speech on Ukraine was greeted with "great disappointment and bitterness" in Kiev. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk, told the Dpa. Ukraine welcomed Germany's willingness to provide Kiev with additional arms financing, but not Scholz's claims that the German military's export capabilities are exhausted.

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Moscow: "A thousand Ukrainian military structures hit in 24 hours"

The Russian army hit more than a thousand military facilities in Ukraine in one day. This was stated by the spokesman of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov quoted by Ria Novosti. "Missile forces and artillery attacked 1,053 Ukrainian military infrastructures. Among them, 31 command posts, six fuel warehouses, 910 enemy weapons concentration points and 106 artillery firing positions were destroyed.

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Charles Michel in Kiev

The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, arrived in Kiev this morning. He made it known himself by posting a photo of his arrival at the station of the Ukrainian capital accompanied by the following caption: "In the heart of a free and democratic Europe".

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Humanitarian corridor in Mariupol

There is an agreement between the Ukrainian and Russian armies for the creation of a new humanitarian corridor to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, which is besieged by Moscow troops. This was announced by Kiev.

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Sanctions in Moscow, criticism from China

The freezing of assets of other states undermines world economic stability and must be stopped as soon as possible because it affects sovereignty: the Chinese permanent representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, told the Security Council that "even the arbitrary freezing of foreign exchange reserves of other countries is a violation of sovereignty and is equivalent to arming economic interdependence ". They are practices, added Zhang - with Russia in the crosshairs of US, EU and allied sanctions for the attack on Ukraine - that "undermine the foundations of world economic stability and bring new uncertainties and risks to international relations".

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Explosions in Mykolaiv

Explosions were reported in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, the capital of the region of the same name. The Kyiv Independent reports, adding that Mayor Oleksandr Senkevich has asked citizens to hide in shelters.

(Unioneonline)

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