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LIVE UPDATES: US Not Planning at Present Biden Trip to Ukraine, White House Says

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Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February, after Kiev's forces intensified attacks against the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), prompting mass evacuations of civilians.
Ukrainian forces have fired at least 25 122-mm calibre shells targeting Donetsk, the DPR authorities confirmed on Monday. This is yet another intense shelling after Kiev attacked the city of Kramatorsk using a Tochka-U missile, which resulted in around 50 dead and 87 injured, according to DPR data.
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00:48 GMT 12.04.2022
Japan Imposes Additional Sanctions Against 28 Organizations From Russia, Hundreds of Individuals - Foreign Ministry
Japan is imposing additional sanctions against 398 individuals and 28 organizations from Russia in light of the events in Ukraine, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Among the individuals whose assets will be frozen are members of the Russian State Duma, including Valery Rashkin, Vasily Piskarev, Pyotr Tolstoy, Leonid Slutsky, Irina Yarovaya and others. Among the military personnel, under sanctions will be Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Yevmenov, First Deputy Navy Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Kasatonov, Russian Ground Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleg Salyukov and others.

Among the organizations on the sanctions list are JSC NPK Tekhmash, the Ryazan Design Bureau Globus and others.
Additionally, sanctions have been slapped on Russia's Sberbank and Alfa Bank, with their assets to be frozen, and transactions with them being prohibited. A ban is also introduced on new direct investment in Russia.
00:33 GMT 12.04.2022
US Urges All Countries Not to Do Major Weapons Transactions With Russia - Blinken
The United States is calling on all nations not to have major weapons transactions with Russia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press briefing after meeting with top Indian officials.

“We continue to urge all countries to avoid major new transactions for Russian weapons systems particularly in light of what Russia is doing to Ukraine,” Blinken said when asked whether Washington is considering imposing sanctions on India over procuring S-400 air defense systems. "We have not yet made a determination regarding potential sanctions or potential waivers under the CAATSA law.”

The Indian military uses a variety of Russian-made weapons, including missile systems, tanks and artillery guns and has signed on additional deals, including the purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. India has taken a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict between Russia and the United States and its allies with respect to Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, and has refused to join the Western sanctions against Russia.
23:15 GMT 11.04.2022
Blinken Says After India Talks He Hopes Allies Do Not Increase Russian Energy Imports
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after talks with senior Indian officials that the Biden administration hopes its allies and partners will not increase purchases of Russian energy.
"Every country is differently situated, has different needs, requirements, but we're looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russia's energy," Blinken said during a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Indian counterparts on Monday.
18:28 GMT 11.04.2022
French Declares Six Russian Diplomats Personae Non Gratae
Six Russian diplomats have been declared personae non gratae in France, the French Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
“After a lengthy investigation, the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) on Sunday, April 10, uncovered a covert operation carried out by Russian special services on our territory. Six Russian agents operating under diplomatic cover and whose activities were contrary to our national interests have been declared personae non gratae,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that it had summoned a representative of the Russian embassy to inform him about Paris’ decision.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow will respond to the expulsion of diplomats from France.
Zakharova also said that Russia will not change its position on Ukraine due to expulsion of its diplomats from Europe.
17:49 GMT 11.04.2022
France's Macron Will Travel to Ukraine Only if Trip is "Useful"
"I am ready to go anywhere and even to Kiev if it could be useful, if it would help start a dialogue," French President Emmanuel Macron told BFM television.
17:29 GMT 11.04.2022
Austin, Blinken to Talk Anti-Russia Sanctions, Energy With Indian Counterparts - Official
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss with their Indian counterparts on Monday anti-Russia sanctions compliance and energy, a senior US administration official told reporters.
"Throughout the course of the 2 plus 2 today, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin of course will have a chance to go over these issues and many more including sanctions compliance, again, cooperation on food supply... [and] energy," the official said.
The meetings will also cover science and technology, partnership initiatives, people to people ties, counterterrorism, operationalizing the major defense partnership, space, cyber and emerging technologies, and multilateral cooperation on certain matters, the US official added.
17:28 GMT 11.04.2022
White House: US Not Currently Planning a Trip by Biden to Ukraine
The United States is not planning at present a visit by President Joe Biden to Ukraine, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday.
"We are not currently planning a trip by the President of the United States to Ukraine," Psaki said during a press briefing.
16:54 GMT 11.04.2022
Russia Informs UN of Preparations for Staged Discovery of Mass Grave Near Kiev
Moscow has informed the United Nations that a number of provocations are being prepared in Ukraine, including a staged discovery of a mass grave in Rakovka, near Kiev, to frame Russia, deputy envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Monday.
"Just over the past few days we have transmitted to the UN information on the following provocations that are being prepared," Polyanskiy said. "A staged discovery of mass graves in the town of Rakovka near Kiev."
In addition, Western journalists have arrived in the town of Kremennaya ahead of a false flag attack by Ukrainian forces which is intended to accuse Russian troops of shelling ambulances carrying patients.
"In the town of Belogorovka a chlorine reserve has been mined on the territory of a water canal. The plan is to blow it up when units of the national militia of the Lugansk People’s army approach," he continued. "In the town of Irpin, in the Kiev region, a provocation using the same script as in Bucha .... is being prepared. Members of the Ukrainian security forces intend to transport bodies from the morgue of the local hospital, put them in the basement in the suburb of the town. Then, the Ukrainian forces will organize a staged event of the shooting and elimination of the supposed special operation group from Russia that came from Irpin to kill witnesses of 'Russian war crimes.''
"We expect the circulation of videos of the staged events by western media," he added.
The alleged atrocities, intended to blame the Russian armed forces, are being staged with the support of British film directors, the deputy envoy said.
16:39 GMT 11.04.2022
China Envoy to UN: Missile Attack on Kramatorsk Train Station Must Be Investigated
The deadly missile strike on the train station in Kramatorsk must be investigated and any clams in the case should be based on the facts, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United NDai Bing said on Monday.
"China deplores that dozens of civilians including women and children were killed or injured in the attack on Kramatorsk train stating," Dai told a UN Security Council meeting. "The relevant circumstances and specific cause for the incident must be investigated and any claim should be based on facts."
On April 8, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) headquarters said that Ukrainian troops used a Tochka-U missile in an attack on the railway station in Kramatorsk. The DPR authorities said at least 50 people were killed and 87 others were injured in the attack.
The Russian Defense Ministry has refuted claims that it had hit the Kramatorsk train station, stressing that the photos of the missile's fragments shared by witnesses show that such missiles are only used by Ukrainian troops.
16:05 GMT 11.04.2022
A Ukrainian soldier stands in front of a destroyed Russian tank in an abandoned Russian army position, in the village of Malaya Rohan in the Kharkov region, Ukraine, April 9, 2022 - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.04.2022
Russia
Russian MoD: Kiev Prepares New Provocations to Accuse Russia of Violence Against Ukrainian Civilians
15:07 GMT 11.04.2022
Several Nations Considering Tank Deliveries to Ukraine, Senior US Official Says
Several countries are considering tank deliveries to Ukraine, a senior US defense official said on Monday.
"As far as I know, there are several nations that are considering that [tank deliveries to Ukraine]. And some tanks by some nations have been delivered to Ukraine. These are tanks that they know how to use - largely T-72s," the official told reporters.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said on Saturday that the Ukrainian conflict will end on the battlefield, pledging an additional 500 million euros ($543 million) from the European Peace Facility to Kiev.
The official also added that eight to 10 flights per day are carrying military materiel into Ukraine.
"You're talking about 8 to 10 flights per day into the region and there are constant convoys on the ground of materiel that are moving into the country and that continues and we want to preserve that," the official told reporters.
The United States is not aware of any plans to provide the S-400 air defense system to Ukraine, the official noted.
"I know of no plans to provide S-400 systems to Ukraine from anybody. This is not a system as you know, it's very, very much more advanced. It's not a system that the Ukrainians are trained on and know how to use," the senior said during a press briefing.
15:01 GMT 11.04.2022
Austrian Chancellor Says Talks With Putin Were Open But Tough
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Monday that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin was open and direct but tough.
"The conversation with President Putin was very direct, open and tough," Nehammer told reporters, as quoted by the Kurier newspaper.
The chancellor added that he told Putin that sanctions against Russia will stay and get tougher as "people die in Ukraine."
"This is not a friendly visit. I arrived directly from Ukraine and saw with my own eyes the immeasurable grief," Nehammer said, adding that he wanted to discuss humanitarian issues first of all.
14:53 GMT 11.04.2022
Josep Borrell, European High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs gestures as he speaks during an interview at EU Delegation office in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 3, 2021. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/File Photo - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.04.2022
Russia
EU Made No Decisions on Sanctioning Russian Oil, Gas, But Will Continue Discussions, Borrell Says
14:26 GMT 11.04.2022
Spanish Foreign Minister Welcomes Putin-Nehammer Talks Despite Having Low Expectations
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares welcomed the attempts to establish a dialogue with Moscow during the meeting between Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday.
Nehammer arrived in Moscow on Sunday for talks with Putin on the situation in Ukraine. On Saturday, he visited Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, and Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
"Of course, despite my skepticism [to the prospects of the meeting], any attempts to build bridges and establish dialogue is good," Albares told reporters before the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
The top Spanish diplomat expressed hesitancy over the result of the Putin-Nehammer talks.
"I don't expect anything significant from this trip," Albares added.
Putin and Nehammer had a one-on-one conversation as part of the chancellor's visit to Moscow. Journalists were not allowed to the meeting, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told reporters earlier in the day.
14:15 GMT 11.04.2022
Putin-Nehammer Talks Conclude After 90 Minutes, Austrian Media Reports
Austrian newspaper Kronen reported the completion of negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the meeting lasted about 90 minutes.
There is no information about the content of the negotiations yet, the newspaper said.
14:11 GMT 11.04.2022
Donetsk Militia Captures Mariupol Port, Says DPR Head
The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) head, Denis Pushilin, said on Monday that the DPR forces have captured the Mariupol port.

"Regarding the port of Mariupol, it is already under our control," Pushilin told Russia’s Channel One.

13:53 GMT 11.04.2022
Russian Humanitarian Aid for Zoos of Ukraine and Donbass Arrives in DPR - Moscow Zoo

"On 9 April, the first batch of humanitarian cargo within the #MiVmeste [We Are Together] initiative to help the zoos of Donbas and Ukraine arrived at the Pridorozhnoye Zoo in the DPR. The humanitarian aid includes compound animal feeding, dry feed, dehydrated milk, and veterinary medicines", the statement said.

13:37 GMT 11.04.2022
Russia's Ambassador to Warsaw Warns Poland Could Take Further Steps to Seize Russian Diplomatic Property
13:13 GMT 11.04.2022
Putin-Nehammer Meeting Starts, Kremlin Says
12:55 GMT 11.04.2022
Missiles Fired by Ukrainian Troops Fall in Courtyard of Apartment Building in Donetsk
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