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LIVE UPDATES: UN Security Council to Hold Meeting on Ukraine February 24

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Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 following a plea from the people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk to protect their citizens amidst increased attacks from Ukraine.

2023-02-01T06:04+0000

2023-06-19T12:47+0000

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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), meets about the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict on August 28, 2014 in New York City. - Sputnik International

LIVE UPDATES: UN Security Council to Hold Meeting on Ukraine February 24

06:04 GMT 01.02.2023 (Updated: 12:47 GMT 19.06.2023)

Since October 10, the Russian military has been carrying out precision strikes on Ukrainian energy and military infrastructure in response to Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian territory, particularly the bombing of the Crimean Bridge carried out by Ukrainian intelligence.

Last month, fierce battles in Donetsk took place, with Russian forces successfully liberating the strategic town of Soledar.

The United States and western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation.

Last week, Germany pledged to send 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine, after being repeatedly urged to do so by some of its EU and NATO allies. The United States said it would send Ukraine 31 Abrams tanks and eight M88 recovery vehicles, noting that the delivery would take considerable time.

Follow Sputnik's live feed to find out more!

Table of contents

New firstOld first

02:51 GMT 02.02.2023

Ukrainian Troops Fired 10 Projectiles on Donetsk - DPR Office in JCCC

02:27 GMT 02.02.2023

Belgium Is Not Considering Supplying Aircraft to Ukraine - Defense Minister

Belgium is not considering supplying its F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, since all of them are involved in the tasks to protect the airspace of Belgium and other NATO member states, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said.

"Currently, Belgium cannot consider such an issue. Firstly, our F-16 aircraft are fully involved in the protection of our territory and the territory of the Benelux, and they also participate in collective defense, ensuring the air security of the Baltic states, " the Belgian minister said in an interview with local TV channel RTBF.

In addition, she said, the new F-35 aircraft, which are to replace the F-16s, will be delivered from the United States no earlier than 2025.

Last week, the Belgian government announced a new €92 million ($101 million) military aid package to Ukraine.

23:49 GMT 01.02.2023

Russia

Russian Envoy: US Not Ready for Diplomatic Fix to Ukraine Crisis, Prefers Keeping 'Controlled Heat'

1 February 2023, 23:54 GMT

18:56 GMT 01.02.2023

Russia Requested UNSC Meeting on Ukraine on February 8

18:53 GMT 01.02.2023

UNSC Meeting on Ukraine February 24 to Be Held on Ministerial Level

The UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine planned for February 24 will be held on a ministerial level, Maltese Ambassador to the United Nations Vanessa Frazier said on Wednesday.

"We have discussed it as a debate - high ministerial debates - and our foreign minister will be chairing the meeting," Frazier said. "We expect to have ministers of other Security Council member states there present for this debate. We cannot confirm yet whether all will be there or not. But we expect there to be many ministers for the event."

18:03 GMT 01.02.2023

Boris Johnson Says It’s in West Vital Interest to Ensure Russia’s Defeat in Ukraine

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday it was in the US and West’s vital interest to ensure Russia’s defeat in Ukraine, and all “tools to finish the job” must be given to Kiev.

“God bless America, having the guts and the wisdom to help, and I implore you now to follow the logic of what you are all doing, and give the Ukrainians the tools to finish the job. Give them the deep fire, the artillery systems. Give them the tanks, give them the planes because they have a plan. They know what they need to do,” Johnson said at an Atlantic Council conversation about sustaining support to Ukraine.

Johnson continued by saying that a Ukrainian victory over Russia’s Special Military Operation would “lift the threat” hovering above Georgia, Moldova, the Baltic States, and most of Eastern Europe.

The former Prime Minister then went to say that it was in the vital interests of not only the United States, but the West as a whole, to ensure that President Putin loses in Ukraine.

This would avoid “pointless expenditure” in the decades to come to protect areas that Russia could still attack, Johnson said, adding that allowing Moscow’s victory would mean a “dry run” for President Xi Jinping and the issue of Taiwan.

18:00 GMT 01.02.2023

UN Security Council to Hold Meeting on Ukraine February 24

The UN Security Council will convene a meeting on Ukraine on February 24, the council's program of work revealed on Wednesday.

It will mark exactly one year since Russia's special operation started.

17:58 GMT 01.02.2023

US Could Announce Weapons Package With GLSDBs for Ukraine as Soon as Friday, Report Suggests

The United States could announce a new weapons package for Ukraine valued at more than $2 billion and including longer range rocket systems as soon as Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The package, first reported by US media on Tuesday, is expected to contain Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB), which can strike up to 94 miles (150km) away. Previous reports only specified that the package could be announced as soon as later this week.

The majority of the funding, approximately $1.725 billion, will come from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which procures weapons for Ukraine from industry instead of pulling from US stocks, the earlier reports said. The GLSDB will be purchased using USAI funds, the reports said.

The package will also include other weapons systems and munitions, the reports added.

16:34 GMT 01.02.2023

German Vice Chancellor Opposes Deliveries of Fighter Jets to Ukraine

German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday that it would be wrong to provide Ukraine with fighter jets as Berlin seeks to avoid being "dragged into the war."

"I will say that I do not think it is right to supply fighter jets now," Habeck said on the air of the ZDF broadcaster.

When asked by a journalist to clarify whether such a move would be wrong only now or in general, the vice chancellor clarified that he did not think it was right to supply fighter jets "in general."

The vice chancellor noted that throughout the conflict, Germany has tried to find a balance, in other words "to give Ukraine as much support as possible, avoiding that Germany itself, or Europe, or the whole world be dragged into the war."

"Of course, it is not entirely clear where the red line is drawn. Many people say - and I also respect those concerns - that even the decision to supply battle tanks is too far-reaching. I do not think so. But there is some difference between battle tanks and fighters or naval equipment. And from my point of view, that difference should be preserved," Habeck added.

15:10 GMT 01.02.2023

Netanyahu Says 'Looking Into' Providing Support to Ukraine Including Iron Dome

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with CNN that he is considering providing military assistance to Ukraine including the iron dome.

When asked whether he would consider providing Ukraine with military aid including the iron dome and other defensive technology, Netanyahu said, “Well, I'm certainly looking into it.“

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in mid-October that Israel could no longer supply military hardware to Ukraine due to "operational reasons." At the same time, he promised that Israel would help Ukrainians develop an air raid warning system and would provide relief aid.

14:28 GMT 01.02.2023

14:23 GMT 01.02.2023

Austrian President Paying Official Visit to Ukraine

Newly elected Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen paid an official visit to Kiev on Wednesday.

"After almost one year of war, #Ukraine is not forgotten. Together with President @ZelenskyyUa and the brave people of Ukraine – we stand for European values," Van der Bellen tweeted.

The Austrian leader also visited Bucha and expressed his condolences to the Ukrainian people for the alleged victims of Russian shelling.

13:20 GMT 01.02.2023

Moscow: Macron's Words About Possible Jets Delivery to Kiev Only Increase Zelensky's Insatiable Appetite

The words of French President Emmanuel Macron about the possible delivery of aircraft to Ukraine will only increase the "insatiable appetite" of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

On Monday, Macron that Paris would consider sending more weapons, including warplanes, if Ukraine lodged a formal request. According to the president, in the issue of arms supplies, France proceeds from three criteria: usefulness and effectiveness of a particular type of weapon for the Ukrainian army, that supplies should not lead to an escalation of the conflict, and that they should not weaken the defense capability of the French army.

"It's kind of absurd. Does the French president really believe that if weapons, heavy weapons, are supplied, it will not lead to an escalation of the situation? Such statements only increase the already insatiable appetite of Zelensky," Zakharova told a briefing.

13:12 GMT 01.02.2023

Russian Mod’s Latest Statements on The Ukraine Crisis

11:17 GMT 01.02.2023

F-16 infographic promo - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.02.2023

Multimedia

Which NATO Countries are Ready to Share Their Jets With Ukraine?

1 February 2023, 11:14 GMT

11:17 GMT 01.02.2023

Moscow Kremlin and Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge. In the background: the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.02.2023

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

Kremlin on US Aid to Kiev: Direct Way for Escalation That Will Not Change Events Course

1 February 2023, 11:13 GMT

11:00 GMT 01.02.2023

WATCH Russian Railway Troops Operating Special Armored Train

An armored train of Russian Railway Troops. File photo - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.02.2023

Military

Video: Russian Railway Troops Operating Special Armored Train

1 February 2023, 10:53 GMT

10:51 GMT 01.02.2023

Biden May Meet With Zelensky in Poland to Discuss Peace Formula, Media Reports

US President Joe Biden may hold a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Poland, Polish newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The possibility of Biden’s meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, as well as with Zelensky is being considered, the newspaper said. It is expected that during the meeting the Ukrainian leader will present a 10-point peace formula and will call for holding an international conference on the Ukrainian conflict.

The paper also noted that two cities, Rzeszow and Warsaw, are being considered for the meeting.

On Monday, Biden told reporters that he would visit Poland at some point in the future, but he did not yet know when. His previous visit to Poland as the head of state took place in March 2022.

10:46 GMT 01.02.2023

UK, Australian Foreign, Defense Ministers to Discuss Training Ukrainian Soldiers

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will hold a two-day meeting with their Australian counterparts, during which the parties will discuss security issues, including training of Ukrainian soldiers, the UK foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

"Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will host their Australian counterparts, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, in London, Salisbury and Portsmouth this week for the annual UK-Australia ‘AUKMIN’ summit. Following bilateral talks with their opposite numbers on Wednesday, the group will visit Salisbury Plain to see Australian and UK troops training Ukrainian soldiers." the ministry said in a statement.

10:01 GMT 01.02.2023

US Aid to Kiev is Path to Escalation That Won't Change Course of Events, Kremlin Says

The latest US aid package is a direct path to escalating tensions, but it will not change the course of events in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Earlier in the week, British media reported, citing two US officials, that the US was preparing to provide Ukraine with a new $2.2 billion weapons package, including longer-range rockets for the first time.

"Yes, this is a direct path to heating tensions ... we see this, this requires additional efforts from us. But once again, this will not change the course of events, the special military operation will continue," Peskov told reporters.