The United States announced, Wednesday, April 6, a new salvo of sanctions “devastating” against Russia, accused of war crimes, while Ukraine has called on civilian populations to evacuate the east of its territory, now a priority target of the Kremlin. Here’s what to remember from the day.
The United States and the European Union plan a new salvo of sanctions against Russia
The new American measures, in response to “atrocities” committed in Ukraine, prohibit “brand new investment” in Russia and will apply the most severe constraints possible to the big Russian banks Sberbank and Alfa Bank, as well as to several important public companies. They also target Vladimir Putin’s daughters.
Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, in their thirties, are also on a new blacklist of EU sanctions examined by representatives of the Twenty-Seven. The European Commission is also proposing a halt to purchases of Russian coal and the closure of ports to Russian ships. Those sanctions will enter into force after publication in the official journal of the EU.
Joe Biden denounces “major war crimes” in Ukraine
“What is happening is nothing less than major war crimes. The nations responsible must unite to hold those responsible to account”, said the American president at a trade union conference in Washington. He also promised “to suffocate for years” the economic development of Russia.
Residents of eastern Ukraine urged to evacuate ‘now’
Regional authoritiess “call on the population to leave these territories and do everything to ensure that the evacuations take place in an organized manner”said Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, quoted by the Ministry of Absorption on Telegram, adding that it should be done “now” under penalty of “risking death”. The Russian army could launch a major offensive on Donbass, now the Kremlin’s priority target.
Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of blocking humanitarian access to Mariupol to hide the “thousands” of victims
In an interview with the Turkish television channel Habertürk, posted online by the presidency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of blocking humanitarian access to Mariupol to conceal the “thousands” casualties in this besieged and still bombarded city in southeastern Ukraine.
“I think one of the main reasons why we can’t get humanitarian aid into Mariupol is that until everything has been ‘cleaned up’ by the Russian soldiers, they are afraid the world will see what’s going on”did he declare.
Vladimir Putin denounces “a crude and cynical provocation” of kyiv
This is the first reaction of the Russian president on this affair which arouses international indignation. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Wednesday a “gross and cynical provocation” authorities of the Ukrainian authorities the discovery of corpses of civilians in the town of Boutcha, near kyiv, after the withdrawal of forces from Moscow.
Prior to Vladimir Putin, other Russian officials had denied any abuse by Moscow forces in Boutcha, with the Kremlin calling it a “falsification” the images of bodies littering the streets of this city published since last weekend by the media.
The war could last “months or even years” according to the head of NATO
According to NATO Secretary General, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not given up on his goal of “control the whole of Ukraine” and the war is likely to last “months or even years”. “That’s why we also have to be prepared for a long journey, both in terms of supporting Ukraine, maintaining sanctions and strengthening our defences.”Jens Stoltenberg said before the start of a meeting of Alliance foreign ministers.