In Putin’s New Threat Amid War, Ukrainian Statehood At Stake

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened the existence of Ukrainian statehood as his army’s invasion of the neighbour faces stiff resistance and his economy is increasingly asphyxiated by sanctions.

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“The current (Ukrainian) authorities must understand that if they continue to do what they are doing, they are putting in question the future of Ukrainian statehood,” Vladimir Putin said. “And if this happens, they will be fully responsible.”

The city council of Ukraine’s Mariupol said an evacuation of some of 400,000 residents trapped by encircling Russian forces would start at 12 pm, local time (1000 GMT) on Sunday under a temporary ceasefire that will last till 9 pm. A similar plan had to be abandoned on Saturday after the ceasefire was not fully observed, with both sides trading blame.

Ukraine today claimed more than 11,000 Russian troops have been killed since Vladimir Putin declared war on the eastern European country on February 24.

Since Russia’s invasion 10 days ago, the economic and humanitarian toll of the war has spiralled, sending nearly 1.5 million people fleeing Ukraine.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the US and other allies to provide military assistance, including warplanes.

Vladimir Putin has escalated warnings against NATO, threatening a wider war if a no-fly zone is set up. Putin said that there would be “colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but also the whole world”

if such a step was taken. “Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict by that country,” Putin said.

Card payment giants Visa and Mastercard join the growing list of international brands refusing to do business with Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

The siege came as Russian forces inched closer to the capital Kyiv in an assault that has become ever-more indiscriminate — and deadly. Working-class towns such as Bucha and Irpin are in the line of fire, and air raids broke many people’s resolve to stay.

Putin will today meet Turkish President Erdogan, whose country, a NATO member, shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine announced that a third round of ceasefire talks with Russia would go ahead on Monday.