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LIVE UPDATES: Top Biden Adviser on Russia Departing White House National Security Council - Reports

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Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, after the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations.

2023-02-08T08:52+0000

2023-03-30T21:17+0000

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russia launched its special military operation in ukraine, donetsk and lugansk people’s republics, russia's special military operation, ukraine, ukrainian crisis, what is happening in ukraine, updates on ukraine war, war in ukraine, russia-ukraine conflict

LIVE UPDATES: Top Biden Adviser on Russia Departing White House National Security Council - Reports

08:52 GMT 08.02.2023 (Updated: 21:17 GMT 30.03.2023)

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 in response to calls by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) for protection from Ukrainian troops.

Since October 10, Russia has been targeting infrastructure which aids the Ukrainian military in retaliation for Ukraine's terrorist attacks, including an assault on the Crimean Bridge, executed by Ukrainian intelligence services.

The strikes have targeted power, defense industry, military command and communications facilities throughout Ukraine.

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

In January, 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. Washington said it would send Ukraine 31 Abrams tanks and eight M88 recovery vehicles, noting that the delivery would take considerable time.

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23:05 GMT 08.02.2023

NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.02.2023

World

NATO Chief: Alliance Needs to Be Prepared to Provide Long Haul Support to Ukraine

8 February 2023, 23:11 GMT

22:31 GMT 08.02.2023

Top Biden Adviser on Russia Departing White House National Security Council - Reports

President Joe Biden's top adviser on issues related to Russia, Eric Green, is departing from his role on the White House National Security Council (NSC), Bloomberg reported, citing national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Green is leaving his role as special assistant to the president and NSC senior director for Russia and Central Asia to retire after three decades in the foreign service, the report said on Wednesday.

Green has been absolutely central to the Biden administration's efforts in leading the charge to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable and his insights and actions have proven pivotal time and again, the report quoted Sullivan as saying in the statement.

Green coordinated US policy on Russia and Central Asia with the NSC leadership and other entities across the government and played a central role in crafting the Biden administration's response to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, the report said.

His departure was delayed once at the request of the White House, the report added.

22:28 GMT 08.02.2023

Germany Will Provide Military Support to Ukraine As Long As Necessary - Scholz

Germany will provide military support to Ukraine as long as necessary, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.

"We support Ukraine, we have provided financial, humanitarian and military support to it, with the help of heavy artillery, air defense and, recently, supply of tanks. We will keep doing this as long as it takes," Scholz said during a joint statement for the press, broadcast on the Élysée Palace's Twitter page.

In turn, Zelensky asked Macron and Scholz to provide Ukraine with aircraft and heavy weaponry as soon as possible.

The leaders will continue the talks during a closed-door dinner. The meeting at the Elysee Palace is held ahead of the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

22:08 GMT 08.02.2023

US Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.02.2023

World

US to Return Kiev Embassy to Full Staffing by Summer - Reports

8 February 2023, 22:07 GMT

18:08 GMT 08.02.2023

Pentagon Says Nothing to Announce on Fighter Aircraft for Ukraine

Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said on Wednesday that he has nothing to announce regarding the potential transfer of fighter aircraft from the United States to Ukraine.

“In terms of fighter aircraft, I don’t have anything to announce from the podium here today,” Ryder said during a press briefing.

Earlier on Wednesday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby likewise declined to comment on the possibility of the US providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, despite calls by Kiev for the aircraft.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also announced on Wednesday that the UK will expand its military training mission to cover fighter jet pilots.

18:07 GMT 08.02.2023

Austin to Attend NATO Ministerial, Ukraine Contact Group Meetings Next Week - Pentagon

The US defense secretary Lloyd Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will visit Brussels next week to take part in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting and the NATO defense ministerial meeting, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder told reporters on Wednesday.

"Secretary Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley are scheduled to travel to Brussels next week to host the ninth session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group" Ryder said during a press briefing. "In addition, Secretary Austin will attend the NATO defense ministerial at NATO headquarters also next week."

17:33 GMT 08.02.2023

Pink Floyd's founder, musician Roger Waters - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.02.2023

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

Pink Floyd Singer Roger Waters Says Russia Military Operation in Ukraine ‘Not Unprovoked’

8 February 2023, 17:33 GMT

16:43 GMT 08.02.2023

UK Prime Minister Sunak Not Ruling Out Any Option of Military Assistance to Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he did not rule out any options in providing military assistance to Ukraine.

"We have been discussing fighter combat aircrafts today," Sunak said at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky. "Nothing is off the table."

Sunak also said that he had spoken with Zelensky on Wednesday, among other things, about providing Ukraine with longer-range weapons than Kiev currently had.

Earlier in the day, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the parliament that London will continue to support Kiev to ensure "decisive military victory" in 2023.

"Our objective remains to ensure a Ukrainian victory in this conflict ... that's why we have accelerated and increased our support militarily for Ukraine this year," he said, adding that "we will continue to support Ukraine to ensure decisive military victory on the battlefield this year."

16:42 GMT 08.02.2023

White House on F-16s: US Will Continue to Discuss Military Capabilities With Kiev

The White House declined on Wednesday to go ahead of any announcements when asked about the possibility of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, but said they continue to discuss with Kiev its military needs "in real time."

"I am just simply not going ahead of any announcements of future security assistance," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told a briefing, when asked whether Washington will send F-16s to Ukraine.

He noted that the Ukrainians have made clear that they want fighter aircraft.

"We are going to continue to talk with them again in real time about capabilities and what can be provided," Kirby added.

Kiev has long been asking the US and other NATO allies for F-16 fighter jets to bolster its forces amid Russia's special military operation. Politico reported in January, citing sources, that a group of US military officials was quietly lobbying for the delivery of F-16s to Kiev and that it was gathering momentum in the US Defense Department amid Ukraine's preparations for a planned offensive this spring.

16:02 GMT 08.02.2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky laugh during the latter's surprise visit to London on February 8 2023 - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.02.2023

World

Beggar on the Streets of London: Zelensky's Surprise UK Visit — Video

8 February 2023, 16:01 GMT

15:55 GMT 08.02.2023

US in Contact With Ukraine on Military Needs Almost Daily - Kirby

The United States is engaged almost daily with Ukraine on its military needs and capabilities, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.

"We are in constant communication with them, almost every day about what their capabilities are, what their needs on the battlefield are, and we’ve evolved that over time," Kirby told a briefing.

Last week, the US announced a new $2.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which included armored vehicles and longer-range rockets.

In total, the country has committed $30 billion in security assistance to Kiev since the beginning of the Biden Administration

15:35 GMT 08.02.2023

EU Leaders to Discuss Russia Sanctions, Possible Use of Frozen Assets on Thursday: Source

EU heads of state and government will discuss tougher sanctions against Russia and the possible use of frozen assets at a summit on Thursday, a senior European source told reporters in Brussels.

The EU leaders will also discuss the issue of responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine and will sum up the assistance provided to Ukraine, he added.

15:17 GMT 08.02.2023

Large-Scale Influx of Weapons in Ukraine Amplifies Concerns Regarding Escalations, Risks of Diversion - UN's Nakamitzu

The influx of arms into any conflict areas increases the risk of escalation and diversion of the weapons, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

"The large scale influx of weapons into any armed conflict amplifies concerns regarding the escalation of the conflict and risks of diversion," Nakamitsu said on Wednesday.

14:02 GMT 08.02.2023

13:52 GMT 08.02.2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.02.2023

World

Demands for Supply of Combat Aircraft, Submarines to Kiev Harm Allies' Unity: Scholz

8 February 2023, 12:57 GMT

13:45 GMT 08.02.2023

Air Raid Sirens Go Off in Kiev

12:42 GMT 08.02.2023

UK's Sunak Announces Training Program for Ukrainian Jet Pilots During Zelensky's Visit

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday that his government would expand the military training mission for Ukrainians to cover fighter jet pilots and marines.

The UK has trained 10,000 Ukrainian troops in the past six months and plans to upskill a further 20,000 soldiers this year.

"I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future," Sunak said.

He welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to London on Wednesday in what is the Ukrainian president's first trip to the United Kingdom since Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine almost a year ago.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has called for Russia to pay for the damage done to Ukraine through seized assets during a Parliament session on Wednesday.

12:07 GMT 08.02.2023

Germany Will Not Participate in 'Speculation' About Military Supplies of Combat Aircraft and Submarines to Ukraine - Scholz

12:06 GMT 08.02.2023

Scholz: EU Will Introduce More Sanctions Against Russia in Near Future

The European Union will introduce more sanctions against Russia in the near future, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.

"We, as the European Union, will again step up sanctions against Russia — on the anniversary of the start of the war," Scholz told lawmakers.

11:55 GMT 08.02.2023

Germany Will Not Participate in 'Speculation' About Military Supplies of Combat Aircraft and Submarines to Ukraine: Scholz