Biden in Kyiv, Japan rolls out aid and Putin faces ‘people’s court’: Live Ukraine updates
President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Japan announced a generous financial aid package, and a “people’s court” put Russian President Vladimir Putin on trial for the crime of aggression Monday as the war with Ukraine approached the one-year mark with no end in sight.
“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. He was just plain wrong,” Biden tweeted. “One year later, here we stand together – united with the people of Ukraine.”
“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv!” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on his official Telegram channel.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he made a decisive move because of “strong concern that Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia.”
The “people’s court” in The Hague, Netherlands, has no legal powers. But prosecutors said they will present evidence that Putin committed the crime of aggression by unleashing a devastating war that has killed thousands and left towns and cities in ruins.
Developments:
►Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has become more stable, and energy imports are nearing zero, state energy utility Ukrenergo announced. The company cited favorable weather conditions and the gradual increase in daylight hours.
►Starting from October, Ukrenergo’s key network facilities suffered extensive damages due to Russian missile and drone attacks, meaning they will need significant resources and time for complete restoration.
Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said he believes the West will transfer combat aircraft to Kyiv within one or two months. Biden and other Western leaders have thus far rejected Ukraine’s pleas for aircraft.
►King Charles III met with Ukrainian troops undergoing five weeks of basic training in Wiltshire, England.
BIDEN’ GUEST APPEARANCE:President Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine ahead of Russian invasion anniversary
Biden’s trip could be unprecedented. There are few, if any, examples of U.S. presidents traveling to an active war zone where there is no U.S. troop presence. Read more here.
– Kim Hjelmgaard and Rebecca Morin
trip to Poland to again assure Europe and the world that the U.S. will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Biden is scheduled to arrive Tuesday for his second visit in less than a year. The trip comes as Russia has started what is expected to be a fierce spring assault in Ukraine, and as polls show support softening among the American public for providing Ukraine with weaponry and direct assistance.
John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said Biden’s remarks will be directed at Americans, the Polish people and other allies – “And I suspect you’ll hear him messaging Mr. Putin as well and the Russian people.” Read more here.
– Michael Collins and Joey Garrison
WAR WEARY?:As Americans’ views on providing weapons to Ukraine soften, Biden plans to mark Russia invasion anniversary
They counted the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back
8 million refugees remain scattered in Europe, the U.S. and beyond. As the conflict they fled grinds on, their new roots grow deeper. Amid new jobs, languages and lives hangs a consequential question: Not just when to go home, but whether to go back at all.
How many ultimately return to Ukraine is a question with important ramifications for refugees, including those with temporary immigration status; for host countries that see tensions as new residents add to their workforce but strain their housing and schools; and for Ukraine’s capacity to rebuild its country and economy.
“The longer it lasts, the greater chance that people really start to envision and build up a life (outside of Ukraine) and not go back,” said Hanne Beirens, who heads the Migration Policy Institute of Europe. Read more here.
♦ Joe Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine ahead of Russian invasion anniversary, walks streets of Kyiv
♦ They counted the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back
♦ Biden in Ukraine: See photos of president in Kyiv nearly one year after Russia’s invasion
♦As Americans grow weary of Ukraine war, Biden plans to mark Russia invasion anniversary
Contributing: The Associated Press