Zelensky asks for more planes in conversation with US Congress
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a video call with about 300 members of the US Congress on Saturday. Which reports AP . news agency† In the conversation, the president called for new sanctions, such as a US ban on Russian oil, and new arms supplies.
Zelensky, who still resides in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, called for more fighter jets, drones and the introduction of a no-fly zone in his country. Both NATO and the US have previously brushed aside the latter requirement, because the risk of a direct confrontation with Russia would be too great.
The US may want to send F16s to NATO countries in Eastern Europe. These countries, in turn, would have to send MiG fighter jets to Ukraine, as Ukrainian army pilots are trained for those planes. The US Congress is also said to be working on a USD 10 billion aid package for Ukraine, with military and humanitarian aid. An import ban on Russian oil was also discussed. There would be increasing support for such a ban, although the US government fears the economic consequences.
After speaking with Congressmen, Zelensky also telephoned US President Joe Biden. On Twitter Zelensky writes that discussions included “security, financial support for Ukraine and the continuation of sanctions against Russia”.
Doctors Without Borders: humanitarian situation in Mariupol is catastrophic
The situation in the southern port city of Mariupol is catastrophic. This is reported by a local aid coordinator of Doctors Without Borders on the website of the organization† Airstrikes and shelling on the city are said to have continued and food supplies for both city residents and Médecins Sans Frontières staff are “dangerously small”.
“There is no water, electricity or heating. Internet and telephone services have been cut off. Hospitals, supermarkets, residential buildings have suffered heavy damage. And it is not possible to bring relief supplies into the city,” says the coordinator on the site. “We spoke to one of our employees via satellite phone on both Friday and Saturday and he told how people are literally forced to live on snow.”
The organization calls for ensuring that people who want to leave leave safely and says that everything must be done to save the lives of citizens. The city, with almost half a million inhabitants, has been surrounded by the Russian army for several days. An evacuation attempt on Saturday was postponed because Russian troops did not adhere to the agreed ceasefire.
Visa and Mastercard to cease operations in Russia
Visa and Mastercard, two of the largest credit card companies in the world, have ceased operations in Russia. The two companies have announced this. Credit cards issued in Russia no longer work abroad, vice versa, cards issued abroad no longer work in Russia.
“Our colleagues, our customers and our partners have been affected in ways most of us could not imagine,” Mastercard writes. in a statement† “We do not take this decision lightly. Mastercard has been operating in Russia for over 25 years. We have almost 200 colleagues there who make this company so important to many stakeholders.”
“We are compelled to act after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the unacceptable events we have witnessed,” said Al Kelly, Visa chief executive. on the website from the company. “This war and the ongoing threat to peace and stability require that we respond in accordance with our values.”
Earlier, the two credit card companies already took steps in response to the sanctions that the United States imposed on several Russian banks. These banks were blocked from the Visa and Mastercard networks.
KLM picks up almost three hundred Ukrainians from the Dominican Republic
278 Ukrainians who were stranded in their country because of the war in the Dominican Republic were picked up on Saturday with a KLM aircraft. The group landed at Schiphol in the afternoon, reports NH News† It is unknown what will happen to the group.
Earlier this week, the Dominican Ministry of Tourism wrote that at least 1,900 Ukrainian tourists were trapped on the island. They are allowed to stay in their hotel until they can go home or another country.
It is not yet clear what will happen to 15,000 stranded Russian tourists. Due to the closure of European, American and Canadian airspace, they cannot simply fly back to Russia. The Dominican authorities say they are still looking for a solution.