live blog
Status: 12/22/2022 01:41 am
US House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi received Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the US Congress. Zelenskyi previously spoke out against compromises on territorial issues in Ukraine. The developments in the live blog.
1:41 am
Russian lower house passes tougher penalties for “saboteurs”
In the midst of the war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian lower house has passed tougher penalties for “saboteurs”. The Duma in Moscow announced that a corresponding law had been passed by the deputies. The law provides for up to life imprisonment for domestic and foreign “saboteurs”.
The new law was intended to “protect our country and our citizens from the threat of terrorism and sabotage,” the Duma said. Its chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin, also referred to the ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine. The penalties for “saboteurs” should be “as severe as possible,” he demanded. The new law has yet to be passed by the House of Lords and signed by President Vladimir Putin.
In recent months, there have been a number of incidents, including explosions at key military bases and infrastructure facilities, for which Moscow blamed Ukraine.
1:38 am
Former Roscosmos chief Rogozin injured in Ukraine shelling
Former Russian Deputy Prime Minister and ex-head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, has reportedly been wounded by Ukrainian shelling at a hotel in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk. He told state broadcaster RT that shrapnel missed his spine by just an inch. Russian news agencies quoted one of Rogozin’s employees as saying that he was being treated in the hospital but that his life was not in danger.
1:36 am
Zelenskyj’s journey to Washington led through Poland
Zelenskyy’s surprise visit to Washington began late Tuesday with a secret train ride to Poland. The next morning he arrived in the southern Polish city of Peremyshl, where he was spotted with US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink at the train station, according to footage released by private broadcaster TVN. In Poland, he boarded a US government plane that landed on Wednesday around noon (local time) at the US military airfield at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, almost 20 kilometers southeast of Washington.
1:07 a.m
Pelosi receives Zelenskyj in the US Congress
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the US Congress. “Thank you, Mr. President, for honoring us with your presence,” Pelosi said. “The entire Congress, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, looks forward to your message of unity, courage and determination.” Selenskyj wanted to give a speech before the US Congress in the evening (local time). This should be addressed to the Americans, he emphasized.
12:30 a.m
Zelenskyy against compromises on territorial issues in Ukraine
With a view to possible peace negotiations with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has once again spoken out clearly against territorial compromises. At a press conference in the White House with his US colleague Joe Biden, Zelenskyy said he was proposing a global peace summit that would have to be about establishing territorial integrity and international order.
At the same time, Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of lying at a meeting on the Ukraine conflict in 2019, saying that he did not want war. The Kremlin chief no longer belongs to the civilized people, said Zelenskyj.
12:09 a.m
Biden assures Selenskyj more help for Ukraine
During his first foreign visit since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received further promises of aid from his most important ally in the USA. US President Joe Biden received him at the White House and announced further financial, military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. Among other things, his guest was assured of a modern Patriot air defense system and further ammunition supplies.