Russia-Ukraine latest updates: Ukraine’s EU accession ‘on track’
Ukraine news from September 15: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen meets Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
- EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed Ukraine’s path to accession and announced a fund of 100m euros ($100m) to rebuild schools, during a visit to Kyiv.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan, with Ukraine and Taiwan dominating the talks.
- EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed Ukraine’s path to accession and announced a fund of 100m euros ($100m) to rebuild schools, during a visit to Kyiv.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan, with Ukraine and Taiwan dominating the talks.
- Germany is to send two more multiple rocket launchers to Ukraine.
This live blog is now closed, thank you for joining us. These were the updates on the Russia-Ukraine war on Thursday, September 15:
US to soon announce new $600m arms package for Ukraine
The United States will soon announce a new $600m arms package for Ukraine to help the Ukrainian military battle Russia, US officials have said.
Biden would authorise the assistance using his Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to approve the transfer of excess weapons from US stocks, the officials told the Reuters news agency.
Two people familiar with the deliberations said the package could be announced later this evening.
Several sources expected the package to contain munitions, including more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
Two of the sources said the package would include ammunition for howitzers.
Pope says supplying weapons to Ukraine is morally acceptable for self-defence
It is morally legitimate for nations to supply weapons to Ukraine to held the country defend itself from Russia, Pope Francis has said while returning from a three-day trip to Kazakhstan.
Francis also urged Kyiv to be open to eventual dialogue, even though it may “smell” because it would be difficult for the Ukrainian side.
Biden to meet families to discuss Russia imprisonment of Griner, Whelan
President Joe Biden will meet Friday with family members of basketball star Brittney Griner and fellow US citizen Paul Whelan, who have been imprisoned in Russia, the White House has said.
“He wanted to let them know that they remain front of mind and that his team is working on this every day,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, cautioning that “unfortunately” there was no good news to give relatives on efforts to secure releases.
European energy crisis should be no surprise: Zurich Insurance chairman
The European energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine should come as no surprise and is a reminder that governments and companies should have switched more quickly to renewable energy, the chairman of Zurich Insurance says.
“There is nothing massively surprising in what is happening now in matters of the price of energy, of geopolitical tension,” Michel Lies, who is also steering committee chair of the Insurance Development Forum, told Reuters in an interview. He added it was like “somebody in January saying ‘oh crikey, it’s snowing’ – it snows sometimes in January.”
“We could have started a little bit earlier with more renewable energies, which would have made us a little less dependent on what is happening.”
The Insurance Development Forum, a partnership between governments and insurers supported by the United Nations and the World Bank, is working to make countries better prepared for natural catastrophes, Lies said, such as through so-called “parametric insurance”, which makes speedy payments if a specified catastrophe happens.
The forum will report at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt in November on its work to assess resilience to natural disasters around the world, he added.
In addition to climate change, which is worrying commercial insurers such as Zurich, Lies said people’s desire to move to coastal towns was contributing to the size of losses from natural disasters.
Freedom is ‘priceless’: Von der Leyen
Supporting Ukraine comes at a high cost, but “our freedom, the international peace order, and democracy, is priceless,” the EU chief has said when asked by Reuters about the potential effect of Europe’s unfolding cost of living and energy crises.
The EU’s sanctions on Russia are having a deep and visible impact, she also told the news agency during an interview in Kyiv, shortly after she met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Putin says he understands Xi’s concern over Ukraine
President Putin has said he understood China’s Xi Jinping’s concern about the situation in Ukraine, in what could be a first sign of friction between Moscow and Beijing.
The acknowledgement came after a week of stunning Russian losses on the ground. Since Russia’s invasion, China has trod a careful line, criticising Western sanctions against Russia but stopping short of endorsing or assisting in the military campaign.
“We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis,” Putin told Xi at their first meeting since the war began. “We understand your questions and concern about this. During today’s meeting, we will of course explain our position.”
Beijing’s support is widely seen as essential for Moscow, which needs markets for its energy exports and sources to import high-tech goods as it faces sanctions imposed by the West.The last time the two men met they signed a “no limits” friendship agreement between their two countries. Three weeks later, Russia invaded Ukraine.
IAEA board passes resolution to demand Russia leave Zaporizhzhia
The UN nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors has passed a resolution demanding that Russia end its occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
The resolution, which says the board calls on Russia to “immediately cease all actions against, and at” the Zaporizhzhia plant and “any other nuclear facility in Ukraine”, was passed with 26 votes in favour, two against, and seven abstentions, diplomats said.
Russia and China were the only countries that voted against the resolution.
The @iaeaorg Board of Governors has sent another strong message to Russia: cease immediately all actions threatening nuclear safety & security, and return the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant & all other Ukrainian territory to 🇺🇦 control. 🇦🇺 proud to vote for this important resolution. pic.twitter.com/NGf3jPIFje
— Richard Sadleir (@AusAmbVIE) September 15, 2022
Ukraine’s EU member status ‘on track’: EU chief
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she is impressed with the speed at which Ukraine is proceeding to become an EU member.
“The accession process is well on track. It’s impressive to see the speed, the determination, the preciseness with which you are progressing”, she said during a news conference with Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Ukraine could receive $1.4bn in emergency aid: IMF
The International Monetary Fund says it could provide about $1.4bn in emergency aid to Ukraine almost immediately if its executive board approves a new “food shock window”.
The additional funds were discussed earlier this week.
In Sarajevo, IMF officials met Ukrainian officials this week as they prepare to launch an in-person mission to start technical discussions, likely in Vienna, on a potential full-fledged programme in the “near future”, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters on Thursday.
Air defences a priority to protect Ukraine: Zelenskyy
Speaking at a joint news conference with EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s air defence systems were a priority to protect the country from Russian strikes.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine had not yet received a positive response from Israel on the possible supply of aerial and air defence systems promised previously by Germany, and the United States had not yet arrived in Ukraine.
EU to provide 100 million euros to rebuild schools in Ukraine: EU chief
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU will provide Ukraine with 100 million euros (about $100m) to help rebuild schools in the country following the war.
During a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen said, “We will never be able to match the sacrifice that the Ukrainians are making … but what we can tell you is that you’ll have your European friends by your side as long as it takes.”
Germany to supply two more rocket launchers to Kyiv
Germany will supply two multiple rocket launchers to Kyiv, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said in Berlin.
“We have decided to deliver two more MARS II multiple rocket launchers including 200 rockets to Ukraine,” she told a conference of the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr.
Training the Ukrainian operators is expected to start in September.
“On top of this, we will send 50 Dingo armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine,” Lambrecht announced, referring to an armoured vehicle that the German military extensively used during NATO’s military operation in Afghanistan.
Leaders meet at the SCO summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Uzbekistan.
EU chief given award during visit to Kyiv
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen was awarded the First Class of the Order of Yaroslav the Wise during a visit to Kyiv to strengthen relations between Ukraine and the EU.
Ukraine gained EU candidacy status in June at the same time as Moldova.
Dear Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUA, thank you so much for the award of the First Class of the Order of Yaroslav the Wise.
This is a great honour.
I accept it in the name of all EU citizens.
And as a symbol of our strong bond. pic.twitter.com/6W8JPLTao3— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 15, 2022
Publishing rights for Novaya Gazeta revoked in blow to indepedent Russian media
The online publishing rights for Russia’s most prominent independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, were pulled on Thursday in another blow to the country’s media landscape.
The respected investigative newspaper, whose chief editor Dmitry Muratov was co-awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, has been pushed towards complete closure in recent months.
The newspaper explained that the decision was taken following requests from Russia’s federal media watchdog, Roskomnadzor, who said the newspaper had violated the country’s controversial “foreign agents” law.
“We have the right to appeal the decision, we will certainly use it,” the paper said on social media.
During the hearing, Muratov described the decision as akin to the paper’s “murder” and said the court was depriving readers of “their right to information,” according to a statement from the newspaper.
Putin slams attempt to create a ‘unipolar world’ at SCO summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed attempts to create a “unipolar world” and praised China’s “balanced” approach to Ukraine as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Holding their first in-person talks since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Putin took direct aim at the United States, saying: “Attempts to create a unipolar world have recently acquired an absolutely ugly form and are completely unacceptable.”
Putin tells Xi Jinping that Moscow backs Beijing’s ‘One China’ policy
Russia’s president told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Moscow backs Beijing’s “One China” policy, opposes “provocations” by the United States in the Taiwan Strait, and said Russia values China’s “balanced position” on Ukraine.
The two leaders were meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan in their first face-to-face meeting since Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine in February.
Ukrainian minister for foreign affairs calls missile attack a ‘war crime’
Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba tweeted about the missile attack on the water dam in Kryvyi Rih and said: “Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih hydraulic structures is a war crime and an act of terror.
“Beaten by Ukrainian army on the battlefield, Russian cowards are now at war with our critical infrastructure and civilians. Russia is a terrorist state and must be recognised as such.”
Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih hydraulic structures is a war crime and an act of terror. Beaten by Ukrainian army on the battlefield, Russian cowards are now at war with our critical infrastructure and civilians. Russia is a terrorist state and must be recognized as such.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) September 14, 2022
US would cross ‘red line’ if it supplies Ukraine with HIMARS missiles: Russia
Russia’s foreign ministry has said if the United States decides to supply Kyiv with longer-range missiles for US-made HIMARS systems in use by Ukraine, it would cross a “red line” and become “a party to the conflict”.
In a briefing on Thursday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that Russia “reserves the right to defend its territory”.
Putin meets with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan, the Russian president met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Russian foreign ministry says ammonia exports are blocked by Ukraine
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that pipeline exports of ammonia, a crucial component of fertiliser, had been blocked by Ukraine.
In a briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said there were “no obstacles” to ammonia exports from the Russian side.
No alternative to Russian gas: senior manager at Gazprom
A senior manager at the Russian energy giant Gazprom said there was no alternative to Russian gas for Europe.
Oleg Aksyutin, the deputy chief executive officer of Gazprom, also told a conference that no significant additional supplies of liquefied natural gas could be expected in the foreseeable future.
Putin and Xi to meet as Russia seeks allies
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan on Thursday, with Moscow seeking to shore up support as its invasion of Ukraine falters.
The two leaders are in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand to attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional security group formed by Beijing and Moscow as a counterweight to the influence wielded by the United States.
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from Samarkand, said Putin is expected to press Xi for clearer backing over Moscow’s offensive.
“Experts and sources that we have spoken to say that Ukraine will be the number one issue on the table,” Serdar said.
“Russia is seeking the full support of China for its invasion. So far, China has refrained from providing solid support,” he said. “[China] says the war in Ukraine was provoked by NATO, however, it hasn’t said that it is a justified invasion.”
Who controls what in Ukraine?
Here are three maps, which Al Jazeera updates daily, charting the war:
‘The path to the return of all our territories is getting clearer’: Zelenskyy
On Telegram, President Zelenskyy addressed supporters and commented on the success of the counteroffensive and said:
“The path to the return of all our territories is getting clearer. We see the contours of restoration of our state’s territorial integrity. We know this is a hard path, but it is possible to pass it. And we are doing that.”