Ukraine war: CNN, BBC and Co. interrupt work in Russia

Created: 05/03/2022 06:06

By: Florian Naumann, Lucas Maier

As a result of a law being signed, several media houses are ending their work in Russia.

The news ticker.

• The Ukraine war rages on unabated.

  The hope of a negotiated solution is currently low.

• After Vladimir Putin signed the law: CNN, BBC and Co. interrupt work in Russia (see update from March 5, 5:20 a.m.).

• Another emergency meeting of the UN Security Council convened (see update from March 5, 2:50 a.m.

  ).

• This

  news ticker on the negotiations in the Ukraine war

  is continuously updated.

Update from March 5, 5:20 a.m .:

After the signing of a tightened media law in Russia, several media houses are ending their work in the country.

The package of laws signed by Vladimir Putin restricts freedom of expression in Russia, which also affects independent media reporting, as the dpa reports.

The legislative package provides for up to 15 years in prison for spreading alleged "misinformation" about the Russian armed forces.

CNN, BBC, CBC/Radio-Canada and Bloomberg have suspended all or part of their operations in Russia as a result of the signing.

"In light of this situation, and out of concern for the risk to our journalists and staff in Russia, we have temporarily suspended our on-the-ground reporting in Russia while we obtain clarity on this legislation," Canadian broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada told dpa .

War in Ukraine: UN Security Council calls emergency meeting

Update from March 5, 3:39 a.m .:

The Ukraine war has consequences for Russia on a sporting level.

The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) has announced that it has imposed further measures against Russia and Belarus.

According to these, from March 7, 2022 until further notice, no athletes or referees may take part in competitions of the International Gymnastics Federation.

This also applies to the upcoming world championships in acrobatic gymnastics.

The FIG also included the latest recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the sanctions decision, according to the publication.

Update from March 5, 2:39 a.m.:

Again

Emergency UN Security Council meeting called.

At the request of the USA and Albania, another meeting on the Ukraine war is scheduled.

The meeting should take place at 3 p.m. local time in New York, the afp announced, citing diplomatic circles.

After the public meeting, the members of the council should deliberate in camera.

It should be about a draft resolution by France and Mexico, according to afp.

This should demand a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and the delivery of humanitarian aid, it said.

With Russia having a veto right in the UN Security Council, it is extremely unlikely that a resolution will be passed in the future.

Ukraine war: After nuclear bombardment – ​​Macron wants to propose measures “in the next few hours”.

Update from March 5, 12:50 a.m.:

In order to prevent “miscalculations, military incidents and escalations” in Ukraine, the United States has set up a so-called “deconfliction” hotline.

The phone line is said to be between the headquarters of the European command and the Russian Defense Ministry,

reports.

In a first test, the connection would have worked, it is said.

Update from March 4, 11:27 p.m .:

 According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia has no intention of dividing Ukraine with its attack on the neighbor.

Rather, Moscow is striving for guarantees for its own security, the agency Tass quoted on Saturday night (local time) from an interview with Peskov on the broadcaster "Sky News Arabia".

Among other things, Peskov listed “the increasing influence of Nazi ideology” in Ukraine as a reason for the war effort.

"We want to free them (Ukraine) from this ideology." In addition, the expansion of NATO infrastructure has increased in Ukraine, and Russia sees this as a threat to its security.

Ukraine war: Selenskyj disappointed with NATO cancellation of no-fly zone

Update from March 4, 11:06 p.m .:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj reacted with disappointment to NATO’s refusal to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

The alliance gave the green light for another bombing of Ukrainian cities and villages, Zelenskyy said in a video speech on Friday.

He doesn't know who NATO can protect, whether it's capable of defending its own countries.

Blood is being shed in Ukraine "for our common Europe, our common freedom, our common future".

You can't just buy your way out of it with deliveries of diesel.

After consultations with the foreign ministers of the member states in Brussels, the NATO Secretary General said on Friday that the Allies agreed that NATO aircraft should not operate in Ukrainian airspace.

You have a responsibility to prevent the war from escalating beyond Ukraine.

Ukraine war: Macron wants to present measures after nuclear bombardment

Update from March 4, 10:20 p.m .:

After the shelling of the Ukrainian Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to propose specific measures “in the next few hours” to ensure the security of the five Ukrainian nuclear plants.

Macron was "extremely concerned" about the risks to nuclear security posed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said on Friday.

According to the Elysée, Macron's proposals are derived from the specifications of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Based on these proposals, both sides would have to reach an agreement to jointly ensure the "safety maintenance" of these sites, the statement said.

Moscow continues to deny the shelling and speaks of an act by Ukrainian "saboteurs"

French President Emmanuel Macron is concerned about the safety of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

(Archive image) © Julien Mattia / Imago

Update from March 4, 8:30 p.m .:

After a meeting of EU foreign ministers on the situation in Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the sanctions of the EU * would not apply to the Russian population.

The war in Ukraine is the president's war.

"Only Putin can end it." Borrell also stressed that the EU sanctions were not aimed at a change of power in Russia.

They were imposed because of the war against Ukraine.

However, he sees no resurgence of the Cold War in the confrontation with Russia.

"This isn't East versus West, this isn't a rerun of the Cold War," Borrell said.

It is about principles such as the sovereignty of all nations and territorial integrity.

"We defend international law."

Ukraine war: UN Security Council emergency session

Update from March 4, 7:00 p.m

.: At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the United States accused Russia of endangering civilians across Europe because of the attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

"By the grace of God, the world narrowly escaped a nuclear catastrophe last night," said US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Friday after Russian troops shelled Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

“It was incredibly reckless and dangerous.

And it threatened the security of civilians in Russia, Ukraine and Europe.”

"Last night's Russian attack has put Europe's largest nuclear power plant at serious risk," the US ambassador said, calling on Russian forces to withdraw from the nuclear power plant immediately.

Russia, on the other hand, denied all guilt: According to the Russian UN Ambassador Wassili Nebensja, alleged Ukrainian saboteurs were to blame for the fire.

Accordingly, a Russian unit was attacked by a "Ukrainian sabotage group" on the site of the nuclear power plant, which later set it on fire.

Ukraine demands international mediation for negotiations with Russia

Update from March 4, 6:15 p.m .:

Ukraine called for international mediation for its talks with Russia about an end to hostilities.

"We don't trust the Russian Federation at all, so we want to have a responsible international mediator," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said on Friday in Lviv, western Ukraine, according to the Unian agency.

The Ukrainian side will follow all legal formalities and record all Russian violations.

Podoljak also confirmed that a third round of negotiations is planned for this weekend.

The talks would probably take place again in Belarus because the Russian side rejects other mediating states.

Dialogue in the Ukraine war: Putin sends signal

Update from March 4, 5:45 p.m .:

According to the Kremlin, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin indicated in a phone call with Chancellor Olaf Scholz* that he was willing to engage in dialogue – but at the same time insisted on the fulfillment of Russian demands.

The Kremlin announced on Friday in Moscow that Russia is open to talks with the Ukrainian side and anyone who wants peace in Ukraine.

"On the condition that all Russian demands are met."

In the communication, these conditions were listed again individually: Accordingly, it is about "demilitarization" and "denazification" as well as a neutral and non-nuclear status of Ukraine.

Moscow is also demanding that Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014, be recognized as Russian territory and that the administrative borders of the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk should be sovereign.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Parties accuse each other of obstruction

Update from March 4, 5:30 p.m.:

One day after a second round of negotiations, Kiev and Moscow have accused each other of obstructing escape corridors for civilians.

"Ukraine has sent all necessary requests to international organizations for the creation of special corridors (...)," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishchyna said on Friday, according to a statement.

"Unfortunately, the Russian side did not agree to this."

The Russian Foreign Ministry, on the other hand, said they had contacted the United Nations about the corridors.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin also emphasized "the destructive nature of the actions of the Ukrainian authorities, which prevented the civilian population from freely exiting to safe areas along the humanitarian corridors set up by the Russian side," Moscow said.

Ukraine war: US minister pays respect to EU

Update from March 4, 5:25 p.m .:

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has paid tribute to the EU for its reaction to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

"The speed with which she acted, the measures she took - both in terms of sanctions and support for Ukraine - I don't think it's an exaggeration to call it historic," Blinken said on Friday afternoon on the sidelines of consultations with colleagues from Canada and Europe in Brussels.

Ukraine rejects Russian claims about Zelenskyy

Update from March 4, 5:15 p.m .:

Ukraine has rejected new Russian claims about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy* fleeing abroad.

"That's wrong!

The President is in Kyiv.

He is with his people!” the State Service for Information Security announced on Friday.

The Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of an information war and the spread of false news in the conquered Ukrainian territories.

Russian Parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin had previously written to the Telegram news service, citing Ukrainian “MPs” that Zelenskyy had left the country.

"He is now in Poland," claimed Volodin.

The day before, Ukrainian secret services had warned that Russia could spread false reports about Zelenskyy's alleged escape.

Ukraine war: NATO accuses Russia of using cluster bombs

Update from March 4, 4:55 p.m .:

NATO accuses the Russian army of using cluster bombs during its advance in Ukraine.

"We have registered the use of cluster bombs," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday.

There are also reports "of the use of other types of weapons that violate international law".

The human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) also condemned the use of cluster bombs, which are said to have been used in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

The Russian armed forces used this weapon "on February 28 in at least three neighborhoods of Kharkiv," the organization said on Friday.

"The use of cluster bombs in populated areas shows an absolute disregard for people's lives," HRW said.

Cluster bombs consist of a grenade-like container containing smaller explosive projectiles called submunitions.

In the case of cluster munitions, a significant part of the charge does not explode immediately, but remains a danger to the population for a long time as duds in the ground. Their use is prohibited by the Oslo Convention of 2008, which Moscow has not signed.

Update from March 4, 4:05 p.m .:

The UN Security Council is still dealing with the fights at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia on Friday.

Another emergency meeting is scheduled for 5.30pm CET.

Councilor Norway, which requested the meeting along with a number of western countries, said: "Armed attacks on peacefully used nuclear facilities are a violation of international law."

The US Embassy for Ukraine even spoke of a "war crime" on Thursday afternoon.

"Putin's reign of terror goes one step further with the shelling of Europe's largest nuclear power plant," the embassy said on its Twitter account on Friday.

"It is a war crime to attack a nuclear power plant."

Shots and a fire broke out on the site of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

© Zaporizhia nuclear power plant via AP/ dpa

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine: New round apparently at the weekend

Update from March 4, 3:44 p.m .:

Apparently there will be a third round of negotiations with negotiators from Russia and Ukraine this weekend.

According to the German government, Vladimir Putin informed Chancellor Olaf Scholz about this.

Update from March 4, 3:10 p.m .:

Turkey keeps its airspace open to Russian aircraft – unlike many western countries.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu defended the decision on Friday: He justified it with the fact that people from Russia could still get to European countries and vice versa. 

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, Turkey has positioned itself clearly against Russia's actions*, but has largely omitted concrete measures to the detriment of Moscow and has also refrained from sanctions.

NATO member Turkey maintains close relations with both Ukraine and Russia and has repeatedly emphasized in the course of the war that it does not want to give up either partner.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: According to the Kremlin, no agreement is in sight

Update from March 4, 2:34 p.m .:

Moscow remains skeptical in the talks with Ukraine: According to the Kremlin, even after the second round of negotiations on Thursday, no agreement is in sight.

"So far there has been no talk of documents," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday in Moscow, according to the Interfax agency.

"The talks that took place were a good opportunity to make our idea of ​​solving this problem clear to the Ukrainian side." Now more depends on Kiev's reaction.

Ukraine negotiations: Putin is now giving the West “advice”

Update from March 4th, 2:30 p.m .:

Vladimir Putin * has warned neighboring countries of an escalation of the situation in the Ukraine war.

"I would advise you not to exacerbate the situation, not to introduce restrictions, we are fulfilling all our obligations and will continue to fulfill them," said the Russian head of state in Moscow on Friday, according to the Interfax agency.

"We have no bad intentions towards our neighbors." Putin said he saw no need to worsen relations.

He participated via video link in the commissioning of a new ferry between Ust-Luga near St. Petersburg to the Baltic Sea region of Kaliningrad (formerly Koenigsberg).

The 200 meter long ship is intended to bring food and building materials to the Baltic Sea exclave, for example.

Because of the Russian war against Ukraine, many Western countries have denied overflights to Russian planes.

Ukraine negotiations: Stoltenberg makes gloomy prognosis - NATO wants to support other countries

Update from March 4, 1:54 p.m .:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has asked Russia for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

In a press statement in Brussels, he affirmed: "NATO does not want a war with Russia."

"The coming days will probably be even worse, with more death, more suffering and more destruction," said the outgoing NATO chief.

At the same time, Stoltenberg complained that the Kremlin's ambition was "to choose a larger sphere of influence".

The alliance will support each individual member country if necessary, emphasized the Norwegian.

But cooperation with Finland and Sweden - both non-NATO countries - is also being expanded.

Sweden recently reported a violation of its airspace by Russian military aircraft.

In Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, too, they want to "do more" and there is broad agreement on this, said Stoltenberg.

He spoke of "upscaling", specifically through joint exercises.

Stoltenberg

ruled out a no-fly zone enforced by NATO (

The NATO Secretary General emphasized that neither NATO aircraft nor those from other Western countries should fly in Ukraine.

"We have to be very careful not to trigger a major conflict in Europe," said Stoltenberg.

"For these reasons: No no-fly zone."

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Asselborn against no-fly zone - "world catastrophe" with NATO participation

Update from March 4, 12:57 p.m .:

Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has rejected the Ukrainian request for a no-fly zone enforced by the West over Ukraine.

Such a no-fly zone would have to be decided by the United Nations and the question arises as to who would control this zone, said the longest-serving chief diplomat of the NATO countries on Friday on the fringes of the alliance's deliberations in Brussels.

Military action by NATO would be "a world catastrophe," he warned.

"I think we have to keep our feet on the ground now," said Asselborn.

One should not allow oneself to be provoked and involved.

Like Asselborn, the Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský spoke out clearly against a no-fly zone.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj * had previously urged the NATO states to prevent Russia from launching further air attacks on his country.

"If you don't want to close the sky now, give a deadline," he said.

"Tell me, how many people should fly in the air, how many arms, legs, heads do you need for that to get through to you?"

Ukraine negotiations: Putin under UN pressure, Russian envoy reacts snotty - "Do not take any lectures"

First report

: Geneva/Minsk – A second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine did not result in a major breakthrough on Thursday.

But diplomatic efforts continue on the world political stage and behind the scenes: the pressure on Russia in the Ukraine conflict * is growing.

Meanwhile, ally Belarus is playing down its role, at least officially.

Ukraine, Russia and the negotiations: Human Rights Council follows Baerbock's appeal

The UN Human Rights Council launched investigations into possible human rights violations by Russia in Ukraine on Friday.

A commission of inquiry is to investigate and document violations of the law.

The commission should also appoint those responsible so that they can be held accountable in court, according to the resolution adopted by the Council in Geneva on Friday.

32 of the 47 member countries voted in favor, two against (Russia and Eritrea), 13 abstained.

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock campaigned worldwide for approval of the resolution.

China, Cuba and Venezuela made it clear that they opposed the resolution, but then abstained.

China's position on the Ukraine war is viewed with particular suspicion in the West.

Ukraine war: Russia under diplomatic pressure - "Do not take lectures from Western countries"

The Russian representative in the Council spoke of a waste of money.

At the start of the urgent debate on Thursday, he said his country would not take any lessons from Western countries that have themselves intervened militarily in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Moscow portrays the democratically elected government in Ukraine as illegitimate and extremist and a threat to Russia's security.

The Council "strongly condemned" Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

141 member states of the United Nations did so at the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

There five countries rejected the resolution, 35 countries abstained.

Gennady Gatilov, Ambassador of Russia, speaks at the UN Human Rights Council.

© Martial Trezzini/dpa

Russia and Ukraine at War: New EU Sanctions on the Way

In Germany, a debate seemed to flare up about a possible NATO mission in Ukraine.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz thought aloud about this option in the face of a fire in a Ukrainian nuclear power plant - although it was not that far, as he emphasized.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz explicitly ruled out a NATO action.

On Thursday in the TV talk "Maybrit Illner", but also on Friday during a visit to the troops in Schwielowsee near Potsdam.

Meanwhile, Baerbock announced new sanctions together with the EU*.

"Beyond the three severe sanctions packages that we have already decided on, we will take further measures that target Putin's center of power," said the foreign ministry head on Friday before consultations with her NATO and EU colleagues in Brussels.

According to Brussels, punitive measures against the Russian gas and oil industry are under discussion.

Ukraine-Russia talks: Lukashenko denies involvement in war

Meanwhile, Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has emphatically denied his country's involvement in the war against Ukraine.

"The Belarusian army did not take part in the special operation and does not intend to take part in it," Lukashenko said in Minsk on Friday, according to state media.

"There is no need for that." There were also no requests for interference.

"You have no cause for concern," he said to the Belarusians.

At the same time, Lukashenko emphasized that the forces on the border with Ukraine would be strengthened.

There are repeated attempts to draw Belarus into the conflict.

Like Russia, Lukashenko describes the war as a “special operation”.

Moscow could soon subject the use of words like "attack" or "invasion" within its own country to draconian prison sentences.

The ruler*, often referred to as the “last dictator in Europe”, had made his country available to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a deployment area against Ukraine.

Russian planes, helicopters and rockets also flew from Belarusian territory.

At the same time, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators use Belarus as a place for negotiations.

The leadership in Kyiv has meanwhile claimed that Belarusian forces are also fighting in Ukraine or are preparing for an attack.

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