Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the battle for Mariupol on Thursday and canceled plans to storm the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in a sprawling steel plant.
Putin called the military effort to liberate Mariupol a “success” and urged Ukrainian troops holed up in the Azovstal plant to surrender, promising “decent treatment” for all and medical attention to the wounded. He ordered Russian troops to blockade the plant.
“There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities,” Putin said. “Block off this industrial area so that the fly does not fly through.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters remained inside the Azovstal steel plant. Putin
“The territory of the Azovstal plant with the remnants of nationalists and foreign mercenaries located is securely blocked,” Shoigu said. Putin and Shoigu’s comments appeared to reflect a change in strategy in Mariupol, where the Russians previously seemed determined to take every last inch of the city.
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Zelenskyy: Russia ‘playing’ regarding peace talks
The Kremlin said Russia gave Ukraine demands as part of peace talks. Zelenskyy said he’s open to talks with Vladimir Putin but disputed those reports.
Patrick Colson-Price, USA TODAY
Latest developments:
►The United States plans to provide $500 million more in financial assistance for Ukraine to sustain critical government operations to help support salaries, pensions and other programs, said a Treasury official was not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the announcement. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to reveal the deal in a meeting Thursday with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
►The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine has surpassed 5 million and continues to rise, the U.N. refugee agency says. Another 7.7 million have been displaced within the country.
►Britain announced new sanctions on 26 companies and military leaders, including some generals accused of “committing atrocities” on the front lines. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the sanction targets “have blood on their hands.
►Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of not taking peace talks seriously, saying Ukraine hasn’t received any documents listing demands.
►In a survey of 27 countries, an Ipsos survey found that 61% of adults think Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses a significant risk to their country. That number was highest in Japan, where 87% of people surveyed believe the invasion poses a significant threat.
President Joe Biden will announce additional military aid for Ukraine today totaling about $800 million, matching a drawdown of the same amount last week as Russia concentrates attacks on the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas. Biden will announce the aid during remarks on the war from the White House Roosevelt Room, according to a White House official.
The latest infusion of security assistance, which includes more artillery and artillery rounds, brings the total U.S. aid to Ukraine during Biden’s presidency to about $4 billion. That includes $3.4 billion since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly pushed Western allies, particularly the U.S., to provide more aid amid allegations that Putin directed war crimes and genocide. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby this week said weapons and other equipment have arrived in Ukraine in “unprecedented speed.”
– Joey Garrison
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Contributing: The Associated Press
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