German president pays surprise visit to Kyiv
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid a surprise visit to Kyiv Tuesday, his first since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.
In what appeared to be an effort to redeem himself, Steinmeier stressed his support for Ukraine after previously facing criticism from Kyiv for his erstwhile role in creating closer economic ties between Russia and Germany.
“My message to Ukrainians: you can count on Germany,” the president said.
In the months since the war began, Steinmeier expressed regret for his work with Russia, saying in early April, “My sticking to … Nord Stream 2, that was definitely a mistake. We held on to bridges that Russia no longer believed in, and of which our partners warned us.” Nord Stream 2 was a multi-billion dollar Baltic sea pipeline project that would have enabled more Russian gas to flow to Germany. The project was suspended in the days leading up to Russia’s invasion.
— Natasha Turak
All remaining men in occupied Kherson encouraged to join Russian-backed militia
A damaged car, which was carjacked by Russian soldiers, pictured in front of a damaged hospital building on Sept. 27, 2022, in Vysokopillia, Ukraine.
Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The remaining men in occupied Kherson are being encouraged to join a new local Russian-backed militia that would fight the incoming Ukrainian forces that have gradually been taking back land.
Russian authorities are urging civilians to leave the territory as Ukrainian forces approach, and say that 25,000 residents have left in the last week.
It’s not clear if the men remaining in the Kherson are being forced to fight on the Russian side, but making civilians serve in the armed forces of an occupying country is considered a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Kherson is one of four territories in eastern Ukraine that was illegally annexed by Russia in late September.
— Natasha Turak
Russia to raise Ukraine ‘dirty bomb’ accusation at U.N., diplomats say
Russia intends to raise at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday its accusation that Ukraine is planning a “dirty bomb” attack and has urged U.N. chief Antonio Guterres to do all he can to “prevent this heinous crime from happening.”
“We will regard the use of the ‘dirty bomb’ by the Kiev regime as an act of nuclear terrorism,” Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia wrote in a letter – seen by Reuters – to Guterres and the Security Council.
“We urge the Western countries to exert their influence on the regime in Kiev to abandon its dangerous plans threatening international peace and security,” he wrote. “We call on the Secretary-General of the United Nations to do everything in his power to prevent this heinous crime from happening.”
With Ukrainian forces advancing into the strategic Russian-occupied province of Kherson, top Russian officials phoned Western counterparts on Sunday and Monday to tell them Moscow suspected Ukraine of planning to use a so-called “dirty bomb” laced with nuclear material.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded by accusing Russia of planning such an attack itself to blame on Ukraine. Western countries also rejected Russia’s allegation as a pretext for intensifying the eight-month-long war, which began in February when Russian forces invaded neighboring Ukraine.
Russia has told council counterparts it will bring up the issue during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, diplomats said.
— Reuters
Safeguards inspectors to visit two nuclear locations in Ukraine, IAEA’s Grossi says following requests from Ukraine
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who is to head a planned mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine August 30, 2022.
Ukrainian Presidential Press Service | via Reuters
The International Atomic Energy Agency will visit two nuclear locations in Ukraine, following a request from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to disprove Russian allegations that Ukraine plans to use a “dirty bomb.”
“The IAEA inspected one of these locations one month ago and all our findings were consistent with Ukraine’s safeguards declarations,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement. “No undeclared nuclear activities or material were found there.”
Both sites are under the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s safeguards and receive regular visits from IAEA regulators, according to the agency. The IAEA said the purpose of the upcoming visit is to detect any undeclared nuclear activities or materials that could be consistent with Russia’s “dirty bomb” allegations.
— Rocio Fabbro
World Bank provides Ukraine with additional $500 million
A Ukrainian helicopter flies in Donetsk region, on September 22, 2022.
Anatolii Stepanov | Afp | Getty Images
The World Bank has distributed another $500 million to Ukraine to help finance the country’s critical spending needs.
The financing, provided by its lending arm, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, had been supported by $500 million in loan guarantees from the United Kingdom that were announced on Sept. 30, the bank said.
In total, the bank said it has authorized $13 billion in emergency financing for Ukraine, of which $11.4 billion has been distributed.
A report published in September by the World Bank, the Ukrainian government and the European Commission estimated reconstruction and recovery costs totaled $349 billion as of June 1. However, the number is expected to keep increasing as the war drags on.
— Natalie Tham