NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP) -- Ukraine’s cities stood under relentless Russian fire as NATO leaders met in Brussels on Thursday, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the alliance to provide unlimited aid to balance the battle against Moscow. As Western leaders worried about Russia using chemical, biological or even nuclear weapons, Zelenskyy charged that on Thursday morning, Russia used phosphorous bombs on civilians and added to the uncounted death toll. Below, the latest on the war in Ukraine:
THURSDAY MARCH 22, 2022
9:14 p.m.- EU leaders dismiss Putin's threat to force European nations to use rubles to pay for oil
President Vladimir Putin’s threat to have “unfriendly” countries pay for Russian natural gas exports only in rubles from now on has got the not-so-friendly treatment from European Union nations.
Several EU leaders have come out saying it would be a gross violation of their contracts. From German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, they said they would not meet such demands.
The Russian threat is potent since the EU imports 90% of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40% of EU gas.
Economists say such a move seems designed to try to support the ruble, which has collapsed against other currencies since Russia invaded Ukraine and Western countries responded with far-reaching sanctions against Moscow.
Making such demands though, would fundamentally change contracts and render them null and void, several European leaders said during the first day of their EU summit.
7:24 p.m.- Ukraine requests hundreds more anti-tank and anti-aircraft ordinance per day
The Ukrainian government submitted a new list of requested military aid from the United States that included an ask for 500 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and 500 Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States daily.
NATO countries including the U.S. had already sent 17,000 anti-tank missiles and 2,000 anti-aircraft missiles by March 7 — less than two weeks after the beginning of the Russian invasion.
As Ukraine increasingly bemoans weapons shortages, NATO countries have stressed that military aid is flowing as fast as possible.
A $350 million American military aid package has already been deployed to Ukraine, and the U.S. is already distributing two more packages totaling $1 billion.
5:30 p.m. - Thousands of Bulgarians protest over Ukraine's invasion
Thousands of people took to the streets of Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, on Thursday to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to show solidarity with Ukrainians.
The rally, organized on social networks, followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call on people around the world to protest the month-long war.
Some of the 60,000 refugees from Ukraine joined the demonstration. Waving Ukrainian and European flags, protesters chanted “Stop the war,” “Stop Putin” and “Freedom for democratic Ukraine.”
The organizers of the event said that it was time for Bulgaria to come out in large numbers in support of a sovereign Ukraine.
4:15 p.m. - Zelenskyy shares emotional video compilation highlighting 1 month of Ukraine's invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a powerful video on Instagram about the deadly scope of Russia's month-long invasion in Ukraine.
WARNING: The video below contains extremely graphic and disturbing imagery.
"In a month of the war, 4379 houses were destroyed. 6.5 million Ukrainians left their homes. Thousands were killed, including 121 children. Stop Russian fascism!" he wrote.
3:45 p.m. - Adams 'applauds' WH acceptance of 100K Ukrainian refugees; NY landmarks to be illuminated yellow & blue
Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro heralded on Thursday the acceptance of 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.
"We thank President Biden for listening to our call to use every tool at his disposal to welcome Ukrainians to the U.S. affected by the Russian invasion. As the home to the largest Ukrainian population in the U.S., New York City is ready to work hand in hand with our state and federal partners to safely reunite Ukrainians with their loved ones and connect them with city resources and support," they said in a statement. "Those fleeing war, persecution, or disasters are always welcome here. We also applaud the Biden administration's efforts and investments to protect public health, democracy, and human rights for vulnerable groups in Ukraine."
The praise comes as New York State landmarks will be lit blue and yellow on Thursday night to signify the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
“As the proud home of the largest Ukrainian population in the United States, New York will continue to stand by the Ukrainian people in their fight against tyranny and oppression,” Governor Hochul said. “Our prayers are with the innocent victims of the unconscionable violence that continues to be perpetrated on a free and sovereign nation.”
Several state buildings raised the Ukrainian flag on Thursday in support of the Ukrainian people.
2 p.m. - Russia should be expelled from G20: Biden
President Joe Biden said in a news conference on Thursday that Russia should be kicked out of the G20, and that NATO would respond if Russia uses chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.
"We will respond if he uses it," Biden said about Putin.
He added that the United States would support the expulsion of Russia from the G20, similar to when the country was kicked out of the then-G8 over its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
1 p.m. - G7 leaders warn Russia over use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons in Ukraine
The leaders of the G7 released a joint statement on Thursday that warned Russia against the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons amid its brutal invasion of Ukraine.
"We warn against any threat of the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons or related materials," the statement read.
The members also denounced Russia's efforts to advance disinformation suggesting Ukraine was preparing to use a chemical or nuclear weapon.
"We categorically denounce Russia’s malicious and completely unfounded disinformation campaign against Ukraine, a state in full compliance with international non-proliferation agreements," they added. "We express concern about other countries and actors that have amplified Russia’s disinformation campaign."
12 p.m. - UN General Assembly backs resolution blaming Russia for Ukraine's humanitarian crisis
The U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a resolution blaming Russia for humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and urging an immediate cease-fire and protection for millions of civilians and the homes, schools and hospitals critical to their survival.
Thursday’s vote on the resolution was 140-5 with only Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea joining Russia in opposing the measure. There were 38 abstentions, including China.
The resolution deplores Russia’s shelling, airstrikes and “besiegement” of densely populated cities, including the southern city of Mariupol, and demands unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
10:30 a.m. - Ukraine: Russia 'forcibly' moving civilians
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says Russia is making arrangements to forcibly relocate thousands of civilians to Russia from the besieged port of Mariupol.
It said Thursday Russian forces had taken 6,000 Mariupol residents “to Russian filtration camps in order to use them as hostages and put more political pressure on Ukraine.”
"Kremlin continues the tradition of Stalin's deportations," Ukraine's Ministry of Defense tweeted. "Thousands of citizens are first forced by occupiers to pass through 'filtration' camps and then sent to settlements in Siberia and the easternmost parts of the continent. #SaveMariupol #RussianWarCrimesinUA."
The Foreign Ministry expressed concern for 15,000 people from a district of Mariupol under Russian control, saying Russian troops were confiscating their identity documents and insisting they traveled to Russia. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russian troops of obstructing attempts to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, including by seizing bus drivers sent to collect civilians.
10 a.m. - US to broaden Russian sanctions, accept 100K Ukrainian refugees
The United States will expand its sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, targeting members of the country’s parliament and the central bank’s gold reserves, the White House announced Thursday.
At the same time, Washington will increase its humanitarian assistance by welcoming 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and providing an additional $1 billion in food, medicine, water and other supplies.
The White House announced the initiatives as U.S. President Joe Biden and world leaders gathered in Brussels for a trio of summits in response to the Russian invasion, seeking new ways to limit the economic and security fallout from the conflict.
9 a.m. - Zelenskyy urges NATO to provide ‘military assistance without limitations’
Ukraine’s president has pleaded with NATO to provide his embattled nation with military assistance.
Zelenskyy urged NATO to provide Ukraine with “1% of all your planes, 1% of all your tanks.” “We can’t just buy those,” Zelenskyy said. “When we will have all this, it will give us, just like you, 100% security.”
Ukraine is also in dire need of multiple launch rocket systems, anti-ship weapons and air defense systems, Zelenskyy said. “Is it possible to survive in such a war without this?,” he asked.
8 a.m. - Russia's stock market reopens nearly 1 month after invasion
The Russian stock market has resumed limited trading under heavy restrictions, almost one month after prices plunged and the market was shut down following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trading of a limited number of stocks including energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft took place under curbs that are meant to prevent a repeat of the massive selloff that took place Feb. 24 in anticipation of Western economic sanctions. Foreigners cannot sell and traders are barred from short selling, or betting prices will fall. The benchmark MOEX index gained 8% in the first minutes of trading.
7 a.m. - Biden, world leaders open 1st of trio summits on Russia's War in Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden and world leaders have opened the first in a trio of summits in Brussels focused on pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
Europe’s diplomatic capital is hosting an emergency NATO summit as well as a gathering of the Group of Seven industrialized nations and a summit of the 27 members of the European Union.
Biden is attending all three meetings, beginning with NATO.
The president and the leaders of other NATO countries met for a group photo memorializing their urgent gathering before they went into the meeting, which was expected to last for several hours.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg opened Thursday’s meeting by saying the alliance is determined to continue to ratchet up the costs on Russia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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