Ukraine negotiations: US warns against Russian use of weapons of mass destruction

Created: 03/11/2022, 22:07

By: Patrick Mayer, Cindy Boden, Stephanie Munk

Russia announces a change of course in war talks with Ukraine.

The US warns against the Russian use of weapons of mass destruction.

The news ticker.

• Ukraine conflict*: On Wednesday, March 9, Russia declared that it was no longer seeking to overthrow the Ukrainian government

  (update from March 9, 11:11 a.m.)

  .

• The EU has decided on further sanctions against Russia and Belarus

  (see update from March 9, 10:38 a.m.).

• China criticizes the US embargo on oil and gas from Russia and warns US President Joe Biden*

  (see update from March 9, 10 a.m.).

• More on the background of the Ukraine crisis* here.

This news ticker has ended.

You can read new information on the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and further diplomatic efforts here.

Update from March 9, 7:36 a.m

.: The US government has warned of a possible Russian use of chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine.

By spreading false information, Moscow wants to pave the way for the unjustified war of aggression in Ukraine to continue to escalate, US President Joe Biden* spokeswoman Jen Psaki warned on Twitter on Wednesday.

Russia is following a clear pattern of behavior - either to use weapons of mass destruction itself or to fake an attack by the Ukrainians in order to construct a justification for continuing the war, Psaki wrote.

Ukraine War News: Bio-weapons accusation by Putin government

Psaki's statement came after allegations by Russia that Ukraine is developing nuclear or biological weapons.

Only on Monday (March 6) did the Russian Ministry of Defense claim that there was a network of biological laboratories in Ukraine working on behalf of the US Department of Defense.

However, international fact-checkers have long since invalidated this claim.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday that the "Russian misinformation is complete nonsense."

The United Nations had previously stated that it had no knowledge of weapons of mass destruction allegedly produced in Ukraine.

Russia's ruler: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

© IMAGO / Hans Lucas

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Ukraine negotiations: Russia with a sudden change of course - Zelenskyj "ready to take certain steps"

Update from March 9, 8:45 p.m .:

For the first time since the start of the Ukraine war two weeks ago, the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Sergey Lavrov and Dmytro Kuleba, will meet on Thursday for negotiations.

The two are meeting in Antalya, Turkey, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is also taking part in the talks.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly offered to mediate in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

The Russian government recently spoke of "progress" in negotiations with the Ukrainian side and, unlike before, assured that it would not seek to overthrow the government in Kyiv.

For his part, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj* made his willingness to compromise clear and moved away from the call for his country to join NATO.

However, observers do not expect a breakthrough and a quick end to the violence in Ukraine.

Negotiations on the Ukraine war: President Volodymyr Zelenskyj declares willingness to compromise

Update from March 9, 7:43 p.m .:

Before the negotiations between Moscow and Kiev on a possible peace solution on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized his willingness to compromise.

"In every negotiation, my goal is to end the war with Russia.

And I'm also ready to take certain steps," said Selenskyj of the

this Wednesday .

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet in Turkey on Thursday.

"One can make compromises, but these must not be a betrayal of my country," emphasized Zelenskyy, without giving details.

However, the other side must also be willing to make compromises.

He "didn't want to talk publicly about the details yet", especially since he still has no direct contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Only after the direct talks between the two presidents can we end this war."

Russia is demanding that Ukraine recognize the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea as Russian territory and the breakaway "People's Republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

In addition, Kyiv should undertake not to join NATO and remain neutral.

Negotiations on the Ukraine war: Russia is under pressure from Japan

Update from March 9, 6:35 p.m .:

Moscow is literally under political pressure from all sides.

Japan renewed territorial claims against Russia in the middle of the Ukraine war.

It's about a group of islands in the Pacific.

Update from March 9, 5:20 p.m .:

Russian President Vladimir Putin* called Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) again on Wednesday about the Ukraine conflict.

The Kremlin said it was about the "diplomatic efforts" surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin also informed Scholz "about the measures to set up humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from the combat zones".

Scholz and Putin have spoken several times about the Ukraine conflict.

So both had called each other last Friday.

Negotiations on the Ukraine war: Great Britain sends more anti-tank missiles to Kyiv

Update from March 9, 3:40 p.m .:

The British government wants to continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian troops with arms deliveries.

This was announced by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on Wednesday in Parliament in London.

So far, 3,615 so-called NLAW anti-tank missiles have been delivered, Wallace said.

More are to follow.

The government also wants to send a small number of Javelin anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.

In addition, tests are underway to send Starstreak surface-to-air missiles.

"It is vital that Ukrainians gain the ability to fly and suppress Russian airstrikes," Wallace said.

Negotiations on the Ukraine war: EU extends sanctions against Russia and Belarus

Update from March 9, 3:15 p.m .:

In view of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the EU countries have agreed to further expand sanctions against Russia and its partner country Belarus.

As the EU Commission announced in Brussels on Wednesday, 14 more Russian oligarchs and prominent businessmen will be added to the list of people whose assets will be frozen in the EU and who will no longer be allowed to enter the country.

In addition, a ban on the export of shipping equipment and the exclusion of three Belarusian banks from the Swift communications network are planned.

According to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, other oligarchs and businessmen as well as members of the Russian Federation Council are on the EU sanctions list.

A total of 160 people were affected, she said.

According to von der Leyen, it also ensures that sanctions cannot be circumvented by using so-called crypto assets such as Bitcoin.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister calls for a significant increase in German military aid - "new historical guilt"

Update from March 9, 1:50 p.m .:

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has warned Germany against taking on new historical guilt through insufficient aid for his country in the conflict with Russia.

So far, the federal government has “done too little,” Kuleba wrote in a guest article for the newspaper

published on Wednesday .

Among other things, he called for further deliveries of weapons from Germany, including combat aircraft.

"Either Germany will become a leading nation in supporting Ukraine and fighting Russian evil," Kuleba stressed.

"Or Germany will have a new historical guilt for lost lives and destroyed cities." The Foreign Minister was referring to the war crimes committed by the Nazi regime during World War II in Ukraine.

Ukraine war: fighter jets for Kyiv?

Poland's head of government still sees NATO on the train

Update from March 9, 1:40 p.m .:

From the point of view of Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the decision to transfer Polish fighter jets to Ukraine lies with NATO.

Despite Washington's clear skepticism about this plan, the Polish Prime Minister said on Wednesday that this option would have to be agreed within the transatlantic military alliance.

"That's why the decision lies in the hands of the Americans, lies in the hands of NATO," said Morawiecki, according to a translator, after a meeting with Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Vienna.

On Tuesday evening, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a plan for the indirect transfer of combat aircraft to Ukraine: the government in Warsaw was prepared to relocate MiG-29 jets to the US Ramstein Air Force base in Rhineland-Palatinate and make them available to the United States place.

The US Department of Defense immediately described the proposal as "untenable" and referred, among other things, to the geopolitical concerns when fighter jets fly from a US or NATO base into contested Ukrainian airspace.

Russia-Ukraine talks: Put an end to senseless bloodshed

Update from March 9, 11:59 a.m.:

Russia is no longer aiming to overthrow the government in Kiev, Russia announced today

.

Now there are more details about it.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the aim of the Russian army was "not to occupy Ukraine, or to destroy its statehood, or to overthrow the government".

The army's actions were "not directed against the civilian population".

Zakharova also said: "Parallel to the military special operation, negotiations are underway with the Ukrainian side to put an end to the senseless bloodshed and resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces." Another round, which will take place on Thursday, March 10, is planned mainly revolve around escape corridors for civilians, the ministry spokeswoman said.

Zakharova accused the Ukrainian government of obstructing efforts to evacuate civilians.

"Information about escape corridors is intentionally not passed on to the population," she said.

People who wanted to leave the country for Russia would be "forced to go west to safety".

Around two million Ukrainians would like to be brought to Russia, she claimed.

Update from March 9, 11:47 a.m .:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan* has accused Germany and Europe of a “witch hunt” against Russian artists in connection with the Ukraine war.

Just as Turkey is not abandoning Ukraine, it also does not accept "practices resembling a witch hunt against the Russian people, Russian literature, their students and artists," Erdogan told his conservative Islamic ruling party, the AKP, in Ankara on Wednesday .

Erdogan gave the example of dealing with the Russian star conductor and Putin friend Valeri Gergiev without naming his name.

At the beginning of March, the Munich Philharmonic parted ways with Gergiev, who is a friend of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin*.

Despite being asked to do so, the conductor had not distanced himself from Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Gergiev has been unloaded from renowned houses and orchestras all over the world.

Ukraine war: "We don't want to overthrow the current government" - Russia declares sudden change of course

Update from March 9, 11:11 a.m .:

According to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Russia is not aiming to overthrow the Ukrainian government.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that "some progress had been made" in negotiations with government officials in Kyiv to settle the conflict.

The Russian troops were not tasked with "overthrowing the current government".

Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin has made several demands on Ukraine.

© picture alliance/dpa/Pool Sputnik Kremlin/AP |

Alexei Nikolsky

Update from March 9, 10:38 a.m .:

In the Ukraine war, the EU countries have agreed on stricter sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

As the French Presidency announced on Twitter on Wednesday, the new punitive measures are aimed at other Russian officials and at oligarchs "involved in Russian aggression against Ukraine".

Other oligarchs and their relatives are said to be on a list of people whose assets are frozen in the EU and who are no longer allowed to enter the country.

In addition, three Belarusian banks will be excluded from the Swift international payment system.

In addition, the EU ambassadors in Brussels also approved the ban on the export of shipping equipment.

In order to close loopholes in the previous three sanction packages, regulations on cryptocurrencies and export bans on certain technologies were also added.

According to the current French EU Council Presidency, the formal decision to extend the sanctions will be made in writing.

After that, they can be published in the EU Official Journal and come into force.

The EU states were still unable to agree on the stop on energy imports from Russia demanded by Ukraine, even after a corresponding decision by the USA.

Ukraine war: China criticizes US embargo on Russian oil and gas

Update from March 9, 10 a.m.:

The US sanctions against Russia, which US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday, March 8, are met with displeasure in China.

China has clearly criticized the US import ban on oil, gas and coal from Russia as a reaction to the Ukraine war.

"Weaving the big stick of sanctions doesn't bring us peace and security," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told the press in Beijing on Wednesday.

It will only cause great difficulties for the affected countries for the economy and the well-being of the people.

"Everyone loses in this scenario, and sanctions only increase division and confrontation." On Tuesday, China had brought itself into play as a mediator in the Ukraine war, while at the same time professing its partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

China once again committed itself to cooperation with Russia: They maintain good cooperation in the energy sector.

"We will continue normal trade cooperation," the spokesman said.

Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks at a press conference (archive photo).

© picture alliance/dpa/kyodo

He also commented on possible punitive actions and sanctions by the US if Chinese banks and companies do not comply with the other sanctions previously imposed: China will take "all necessary measures" to resolutely defend the legitimate interests of Chinese companies and individuals.

China opposes any unilateral sanctions and an extension of the US side's jurisdiction beyond American territory, said Zhao Lijian.

In dealing with the Ukraine issue and Russia, US President Joe Biden should take China's concerns seriously and avoid undermining China's rights and interests.

Update from March 9, 9:35 a.m .:

As the Reuters news agency reports, the fast-food chains Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut are pausing their activities in Russia in response to the Ukraine war.

All 70 KFC branches in Russia operated directly by the company were temporarily closed, and this is also planned for all Pizza Hut branches.

There are at least 1000 KFC restaurants in Russia, but most of them are franchised.

Other large chains such as McDonalds and Starbucks have already withdrawn from Russia*.

Negotiations: Before Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey – Dobrindt calls for more help for countries with refugees

Update from March 9, 8:37 a.m .:

In view of the increasing number of Ukrainian war refugees in Germany, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt is asking the federal government for more help for states and municipalities.

A distribution mechanism is needed quickly.

You can read more about the reactions from Germany in our news ticker.

War negotiations - Ukraine admits: "Yes, we are drastic"

First report from March 9th:

Kiev/Moscow – Ukraine* continues to insist on its position.

She wants to urge Western countries and companies to take additional punitive measures against Russia.

"Every sanction, every company that leaves Russia is a step closer to victory," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Facebook on Wednesday night (March 9).

"It is a preserved human life, a childhood without fear, an undestroyed house, a hospital, a school."

In order to achieve sanctions against Russia or arms deliveries to Ukraine, many complex talks are necessary.

“There are attempts by individual partners to limit themselves to half solutions.

Some try to play for time.

But we're not slowing down," explained Kuleba.

He asked for understanding for the occasional intense urge.

“Sometimes the partners accuse the President, me, all of us, of being harsh.

Yes, we are drastic.

Sometimes ruthless,” said the Foreign Minister.

But this happens above all to those who are not entirely sincere.

Ukraine negotiations: Zelenskyy no longer pushes for NATO membership

Another urge, however, had recently weakened: According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyj*, Ukraine no longer insists on NATO membership.

Zelenskyy said in an interview with US broadcaster ABC on Monday evening that he had "softened his stance on this issue some time ago" because NATO was apparently not ready "to accept Ukraine".

As a further concession to Moscow, he agreed to a "compromise" on the status of the separatist areas of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

According to Russia, Ukraine's desire to join NATO was one of the main reasons for the invasion.

Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin* demands a “neutral” status for Ukraine.

Moscow says it feels threatened by NATO's eastward expansion.

You can read more about the events in Ukraine in our live ticker.

Ukraine negotiations: Zelenskyi adviser ready to talk about possible neutrality

Zelenskyi's foreign policy adviser, Ihor Chevka, has shown himself willing to discuss his country's possible neutrality.

"Such questions could be discussed in negotiations, that's quite possible," he said on Tuesday evening on the ARD "Tagesthemen".

"But such negotiations and a possible agreement can only come about after the hostilities have stopped," he said, referring to possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.