Ukraine Latest: U.K., Japan to Help Asia Shift From Russian Oil
Follow the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war here.
(Bloomberg) -- U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in London where they are expected to discuss a plan to support Asian nations in diversifying away from Russian oil and gas.
Russian forces have been slowed by supply line and morale problems in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman said.
More than 300 civilians have been evacuated from war-blasted Mariupol in a new “safe passage operation,” according to Osnat Lubrani, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine.
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Key Developments
All times CET:
Oil Advances Before OPEC+ Meet After Surging on EU Russian Ban (6:12 a.m.)
Oil steadied ahead of an OPEC+ meeting on supply after surging on the European Union’s plan for a phased ban on Russian crude.
The EU plans to ban Russian oil over the next six months and refined fuels by the end of the year, to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine. The bloc is also targeting insurers in a move that could dramatically impair Moscow’s ability to ship oil around the world.
U.S. Sent Cyber Team to Lithuania Over Threat of Russian Hacking (4:15 a.m.)
The U.S. rushed cyber forces to Lithuania to help defend against online threats that have risen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an Army general said Wednesday.
“Our deployment in Lithuania was directly related to the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine,” Major General Joe Hartman, who commands the U.S. Cyber National Mission Force, told reporters at a roundtable interview in Nashville.
U.K. to Provide Aid for ‘Most Vulnerable’ (1:55 a.m.)
The U.K. will provide 45 million pounds to help Ukrainians most in need because of the war, the British government announced Thursday. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement that the assistance would support “the most vulnerable in Ukraine, particularly women and children, who are facing increased risk of sexual violence and exploitation.”
The money will be directed to United Nations agencies and other relief organizations working in Ukraine.
Blinken Reaffirms NATO’s Open Door Policy in Meeting With Sweden (1:37 a.m.)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s open door policy in a meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde in Washington. They also discussed additional ways to support Ukraine against “the Kremlin’s unprovoked and brutal war,” the U.S. State Department said.
Sweden along with Finland, have been deliberating NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said that joining the alliance will help to improve safety in the Baltic region.
U.K., Japan to Discuss Plans to Help Asia Diversify From Russian Oil (1:15 a.m.)
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in London here they are expected to discuss a plan to support Asian nations to find energy supplies to diversify away from Russian oil and gas. Both leaders will also agree in principle to a new military pact for joint cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
“Bilateral meetings are expected to focus on Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and how international alliances can continue to exert maximum pressure on President Putin’s regime while supporting Ukraine and other European countries affected by the barbaric invasion,” the U.K. government said in a statement.
300 More Civilians Evacuated From Mariupol (12:15 a.m.)
More than 300 civilians have been evacuated from war-blasted Mariupol in a new “safe passage operation,” according to Osnat Lubrani, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine.
“Many came with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, and we will now support them during this difficult time, including with much-needed psychological support,” Lubrani said in a statement on Wednesday.
The civilians in this latest evacuation came from Mariupol and other cities and towns and are “receiving assistance in Zaporizhzhia,” Lubrani added.
Russian Troops Bogged Down in Ukraine, Pentagon Says (10:09 p.m.)
Russian troops have not made the kind of progress in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine “that they have wanted to make,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday, citing problems with supply lines and morale.
“We don’t believe they have solved their logistics and sustainment issues” he said, adding that Russian troops are “wary” of getting out too far ahead of their supply lines. Kirby also said that their missile strikes have been off target but that the U.S. does not know whether that’s related to technical problems, Ukrainian defenses, or “incompetence” on the part of the Russians.
Russia Announces Humanitarian Corridors From Mariupol (8:47 p.m.)
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it will offer safe passage for civilians still trapped in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol on May 5 to 7, Tass reported.
The humanitarian corridors will be open from 8 a.m to 6 p.m over the three days, the ministry said. The civilians can choose whether to go to Russia or Ukrainian-controlled areas, according to Interfax.
Russia has seized control of almost all of the port city of Mariupol after a brutal weeks-long siege. The remaining defenders are holding out in the giant industrial facility, where hundreds of civilians have taken refuge.
U.S. Military Spells Out Weapons Training for Ukrainians (6:23 p.m.)
The U.S. is training Ukrainians on new weapons systems, including artillery and drones, in Grafenwoer, Germany, according to Brigadier General Joseph Hilbert, head of the 7th Army Training Command in Europe. He told reporters that a first group of Ukrainian trainees is back in the fight in Ukraine, and a second group of about 50 to 60 is now being instructed.
“They understand how to operate it and employ it as effectively as they can on their own and in accordance with their own tactics and their own doctrine,” Hilbert said of the new equipment. “The soldiers that we are receiving here are absolutely motivated, incredibly professional.”
The U.S. hasn’t had any problems getting the small groups of Ukrainians into Germany and back again, according to Hilbert and Lieutenant Colonel Todd Hopkins, who is also overseeing training. The officials acknowledged challenges, including providing instruction through translators.
Biden Wants to Talk to G-7 About More Russia Sanctions (6:10 p.m.)
President Joe Biden said he would consult with Group of Seven allies this week about more potential sanctions on Russia. After the EU proposed a ban on Russian oil imports by year’s end, Biden told reporters the U.S. is “always open to additional sanctions” and that he would discuss with G-7 members “what we’re going to do or not do.” Senior Biden administration officials have said they are looking at ways to tighten existing sanctions in order to prevent Moscow from evading them.
Russian Billionaire Challenges EU Sanctions (4:45 p.m.)
Russian metals billionaire Alisher Usmanov is appealing the European Union’s decision to impose strict sanctions on him in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He filed his appeal at the EU’s General Court on April 29, asking judges also to suspend the sanctions until there’s a final ruling, according to a court filing. A spokesperson for Usmanov declined to comment. Usmanov’s case is part of an increasing number of challenges at the Luxembourg-based court since the bloc started issuing sanctions on Feb. 28.
The EU, along with the U.S. and U.K., has targeted Russia’s ultra-wealthy and Usmanov has had his 156-meter (512-foot) yacht detained.
EU Tussles With Holdouts Over Latest Sanctions (3:10 p.m)
EU diplomats discussed the sixth package of sanctions Wednesday, with Hungary objecting to the oil phase-out timing. Greece, Malta and Cyprus raised questions about banning transport of oil between third countries, saying the move will just help Europe’s competitors, according to two diplomats. The diplomats aim to conclude the package by the end of the week, or by May 9 at the latest, the diplomats said.
Greece and Cyprus have large shipping industries while Malta is a so-called flag state, where companies can register their vessels for ownership purposes.
U.K. Bars Russia From Using Consultants (2:45 p.m.)
The U.K. cut Russia off from using management consultants, accountants and public relations firms, part of a further tranche of sanctions.
The government in London also announced additional measures against 63 Russian individuals and organizations, many of them targeting people connected to news outlets in an effort to punish what it called “the spread of lies.”
Portuguese Premier to Visit Kyiv Soon (2:30 p.m.)
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced he will travel to Kyiv in the near future to sign a “significant” financing agreement, part of the International Monetary Fund’s support for Ukraine.
“Regardless of the dynamics of the EU accession process, we have to provide immediate answers to the emergency needs of the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian people,” Costa said.
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