QUICK READ April 18: Ukraine declares fighting to the end in Mariupol

A man takes a selfie in front of a destroyed Russian tank in the village of Andriivka in the Kiev region of Ukraine on April 17 – Photo: AFP

* On CNN on April 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is not ready to give up territory in the east of the country to end the war with Russia.and that Kiev is readying a stiff resistance in the face of any impending large-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Zelensky said that the fight for control of the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine could shape the entire outcome of the war. Ukraine’s President warned that Russia may try to capture Kiev again if it captures Donbass.

* On April 17, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announced The strategic port city of Mariupol in the southeastern part of the country has “not yet fallen” and Ukrainian forces defending the city against a Russian attack will “fight to the end.”. His statement came hours after Russia’s ultimatum – demanding the surrender of Ukraine’s remaining defensive forces in Mariupol – lapsed.

Reporting from the Russian capital Moscow, Al Jazeera correspondent Dorsa Jabbari said Russian officials have not made any public comment after the deadline for the surrender of Ukrainian forces in Mariupol had passed. The Russian Defense Ministry set a deadline for Ukrainian soldiers still entrenched in the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to lay down their weapons and leave from 6 am to 13 pm on April 17 (local time).

A housing complex in the city of Mariupol on April 16. Russia has issued an ultimatum to “give up or die” for Ukrainian soldiers in this fierce battle – Photo: AFP

* The Pope urged leaders to “listen to the people’s cry for peace”. According to AFP news agency, during the Urbi et Orbi Plenary Blessing on Sunday in front of 50,000 people in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis said: “There is a need to stop flaunting strength while the people are being held by the people. are suffering”.

* In an interview with CNN broadcast on April 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a recent remote exchange, he invited French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Ukraine to witness firsthand evidence of what Russian forces have done.

President Zelensky said he also thinks US President Joe Biden will visit Ukraine at some point, although White House officials have said Biden has no plans to make such a trip.

* Russia confirmed that Europe will lose when sanctioning the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). Mr. Dmitry Rogozin – CEO of Roscosmos, said that Europe will suffer more due to sanctions against Roscosmos.

According to Rogozin, the West will eventually have to resume cooperation with Moscow, but must meet the conditions set by Russia.

“Cooperation will be resumed in one way or another, but the focus will change. Because now we will cooperate first with countries that are constructive or neutral. After the tension subsides, those who impose sanctions will have to discuss with us the conditions we offer,” Rogozin described in an interview with Belarusian TV channel ONT on April 17. .

A man named Ihor (left) greets a woman named Lyudmila who has just returned from Poland on a night train, as they stand at the Kiev-Pasazhyrskyi train station in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on April 17 – Photo: AFP

* According to Reuters news agency, Oleh Synehubov, head of the Kharkov region, said: Kharkov city center and Saltivka suburbs were shelled on April 17, demolished apartment buildings and left at least 5 dead and 20 injured.

* On April 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed with the Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva on the issue of ensuring financial stability for Ukraine and preparing for the reconstruction of the country. after war. “We now have a clear plan and a vision of the prospects. I am sure the cooperation between the IMF and Ukraine will continue to be successful,” he said.

* According to Russia’s Tass news agency, on April 17, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that in the past 24 hours Russia’s missile and artillery forces hit 113 Ukrainian military targets, in the past 24 hours. There are 4 army control centers, 4 artillery batteries, 2 fuel depots…

Konashenkov said that since the start of the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, the Russian armed forces have destroyed 136 combat aircraft, 471 drones, 249 air defense systems, 254 systems missile launchers, 2,308 tanks and armored fighting vehicles… of Ukraine.