TRANSCRIPT
Russia claims to want peace… but in Dnipro and Kharkiv, residents endured another night under aerial attack.
Moscow claims it has not struck energy infrastructure for more than a week.
Nonsense, according to Ihor Zhovka, from the Ukrainian President's Office.
“Let me note that since March 18, at least eight energy facilities were attacked by the Russian Federation.”
On the Black Sea, Ukraine’s Navy continues its regular patrols.
The Kremlin insists sanctions on its state agricultural bank must be revoked, and its access to the SWIFT international payment system restored, before it will abide by the maritime ceasefire.
Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State.
“So, we're going to evaluate that. Some of those conditions include sanctions that are not ours. They belong to the European Union.”
And the EU says it won’t budge on sanctions while Russian forces remain in Ukraine.
A move backed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who hopes the US will resist pressure from Moscow.
“Will the Americans stay strong?”
"I hope so. God bless, they will. But we'll see."
The Ukrainian President said he feared some in the US administration are under the influence of ‘Russian narratives’, and was asked if Donald Trump is closer to Putin than him.
"I don't know - it's difficult for me to say. I don't know what real relationships he's got, I don't know how many conversations he's had. Let m e put it this way, my relations with Trump are as close to enable me to which extent"
The Ukrainian President is in Paris for talks with other European leaders.
Their focus has shifted from sending troops as part of a peacekeeping force to increasing military aid to Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron is warning Europe will not be intimidated.
"I want to make this clear tonight - Russia should not have a right to review the support that we will provide and that we provide to Ukraine, nor shall it dictate the conditions of this sustainable peace, because the sovereignty of Ukraine and because the security of all Europeans are at stake."
NATO boss Mark Rutte trying to reassure Eastern European countries... who fear a ceasefire in Ukraine on Russian terms… would allow Vladimir Putin to regroup… and strike again in the coming years.
“If anyone were to miscalculate and think they can get away with an attack on Poland or any other ally, they will be met with the full force of this fierce alliance. Our reaction will be devastating.”
The EU making an unusual public request for citizens to ensure they have enough food, water and essentials to last at least 72 hours to supplement the supplies being stockpiled by governments.
Hadja Lahbib is the EU’s Commissioner for Crisis Management.
“It is secret places but you see where we have our stockpiling strategy, but we want to upgrade that, to reinforce our capacities of providing teams and experts in case of emergencies. So the EU will also work with member states to make sure people have essential supplies for at least 72 hours in a crisis."
Planning for what was once unthinkable.
