LIVE: Biden says US to give Ukraine drones, anti-aircraft systems

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the United States was offering an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine to combat Russia's invasion

7:43 PM

Putin says keeping Russia in check is West's long-term policy

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that keeping Russia in check was a long-term policy of the West, and that its economic sanctions against Russia were short-sighted.

 

Putin said Western countries wanted to hit every Russian family with the sanctions, and accused them of engaging in an unprecedented information campaign against Russia.

 

7:38 PM

Ukraine has connected to European energy grid, says president

Ukraine has completed the process of connecting to the main European electricity grid, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Twitter on Wednesday.

 

"Now (Ukrainian) electricity flows in (the EU) and vice versa," he said.

 

The chief executive of a major Ukrainian power company told Reuters last week that Ukraine could get up to 15% of its power from the EU if its generating capacity was hit by Russia’s invasion.

7:16 PM

London Metal Exchange to resume nickel trading at 1400 GMT

The London Metal Exchange said on Wednesday nickel trading would resume at 1400 GMT after it halted the market due to a technical issue soon after re-opening.

7:12 PM

Zelensky received a standing ovation during his address to US Congress

7:05 PM

Zelensky tells US Congress, 'We need you right now'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited Pearl Harbor and the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on Wednesday as he appealed to the US Congress to do more to help Ukraine's fight against Russia.

 

“We need you right now,” Zelenskyy said in remarks livestreamed at the U.S. Capitol. He added, "I call on you to do more” Lawmakers gave him a standing ovation as he appeared on the video screen. 

 

US must sanction Russian lawmakers, block imports, Zelensky tells Congress, says 'peace is more important than income'

 

Zelensky plays graphic video to Congress showing toll of Russian war in Ukraine, appeals for no-fly zone.

6:51 PM

Remember Pearl Harbour, Ukraine President tells US Congress

Zelensky cites Pearl Harbour, 9/11 attacks in appeal to US Congress for help against Russia, says "we need you right now".

6:25 PM

Moscow and Kyiv see signs of compromise on Ukraine's security status

Russia said on Wednesday that a neutral status for Ukraine with its own limited army, similar to Austria's, was being considered as a compromise in peace talks with Kyiv, while Ukraine spoke of outside powers guaranteeing its security.

 

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, in what it calls a special military operation to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine, but has made only stuttering progress and failed to seize any of its major cities.

 

Bolstered by the strength of its defence, Ukraine says it is ready to negotiate to end the war, but not to surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

5:46 PM

Ukraine president says any peace deal must offer security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that peace negotiations must lead to a fair deal for Ukraine that includes reliable security guarantees that protect it from future threats.

 

"We can and must fight today, now. We can and must defend our state, our life, our Ukrainian life. We can and must negotiate a just but fair peace for Ukraine, real security guarantees that will work," he said in a video address.

5:32 PM

Ukraine's financial system is stable, finance minister says

Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said on Wednesday Ukraine's financial system was stable and the government was fulfilling its social payment obligations despite the war with Russia.

 

"The banking system is stable, we do not have sharp exchange rate fluctuations," he said, declining to estimate the financial toll of the conflict.

5:32 PM

No confirmation yet of key Russian bond payment, bondholder says

International bondholders were still waiting on Wednesday to see whether or not Russia would make crucial coupon payments due on two of its government bonds.

 

One bondholder who requested anonymity told Reuters there had be no confirmation of a payment from Russia as yet, and that it was still not clear whether it would come.

 

If Russia does not make the payment in the correct form by the end of a 30 day grace period on April 15 its international market debt will be formally declared in default for the first time in more than a century.

5:15 PM

Kremlin says neutral Ukraine like Austria is possible compromise

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a neutral Ukraine with its own army along the lines of Austria or Sweden was being looked at as a possible compromise in talks with Kyiv.

 

"This is a variant that is currently being discussed and which could really be seen a compromise," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by RIA news agency on day 21 of what Russia calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

 

Peskov was commenting on remarks from Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's chief negotiator, who earlier told state TV: "Ukraine is offering an Austrian or Swedish version of a neutral demilitarized state, but at the same time a state with its own army and navy."

 

Ukraine has not confirmed it is willing to discuss neutrality. It says it is ready to negotiate to end the war, but not to surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

5:05 PM

Bhagwant Mann assumes office as Chief Minister of Punjab

5:03 PM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi

4:52 PM

Security guarantees for Ukraine are 'on the negotiating table', Ukrainian negotiator says

A "model" of legally binding security guarantees that would offer Ukraine protection from a group of allies in the event of a future attack is "on the negotiating table" at talks between Kyiv and Moscow, a Ukrainian negotiator said on Wednesday.

 

"Model of security guarantees is on the negotiating table.

 

What does this mean? A rigid agreement with a number of guarantor states undertaking clear legal obligations to actively prevent attacks," negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter.

4:28 PM

Russia sees 'business-like spirit' in Ukraine talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said a “business-like spirit” is emerging at talks with Ukraine that are now focused on a neutral status for the war-torn country.

 

“A neutral status is being seriously discussed in connection with security guarantees,” Lavrov said Wednesday on Russian channel RBK TV.

 

“There are concrete formulations that in my view are close to being agreed.” He didn't elaborate, but said “the business-like spirit” starting to surface in the talks “gives hope that we can agree on this issue.” he said.

 

Russia's chief negotiator in the latest round of talks with Ukraine, which started Monday and are set to continue Wednesday, said the sides are discussing a possible compromise idea for a future Ukraine with a smaller, non-aligned military.

 

“A whole range of issues tied with the size of Ukraine's army is being discussed,” Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said, according to Russian news agencies.