PUTIN has been slammed by Joe Biden as a ‘butcher’ during a meeting with Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Biden made the comment at a televised event at the national stadium in Warsaw.
He was on a visit to show support for Poland over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A reporter asked the president “You’re dealing every day with Vladimir Putin, look at what he’s done to these people. What does it make you think?”
Biden responded whilst walking away saying: “He’s a butcher.”
As the US President finished his speech in Warsaw Biden said: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power” about Putin.
He’d previously hit out at Putin and said he believes the Russian leader has been surprised in not being able to divide Nato allies.
The US President has been speaking during a trip to Warsaw, which has seen him meet Ukrainian government ministers.
Biden said: “I’m confident that Vladimir Putin was counting on being able to divide Nato, being able to separate the eastern flank from the west, being able to separate nations based on past histories.
“But he hasn’t been able to do it – we’ve all stayed together.
“I just think it’s so important that we, Poland and the United States, keep in lock step how we’re proceeding.”
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…
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Lviv mayor claims strikes were intended to send message to Biden
The Lviv Mayor, Andriy Sadovyy, has claimed that the Russian air strikes on the Lviv today were intended to send a message to US President Joe Biden.
He’s been speaking at a joint briefing with the head of the Lviv military civil administration for a broadcast on YouTube.
Sadovyy said: “I think that, with today’s strikes, the aggressor is sending greetings to President Biden, who is in Poland now. Lviv is 70 km away from Poland.
“I think the whole world should realise that the threat is extremely serious.”
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Klitschko speaks to the crowds in London
Former pro-boxer Vitali Klitschko has urged thousands of protesters in central London to stand with Ukraine.
Huge crowds gathered in London including Ukrainians living in the UK, politicians and celebrities, to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Klitschko told the crowd on a big screen near Nelson’s Column: “We defend, right now, the same principles.
“Please keep together with our country, keep together with Ukraine.”
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Sadiq Khan condemns Russia’s “barbaric aggression”
Speaking ahead of the demonstration, Mr Khan said he was there to condemn Russia’s “barbaric aggression”.
He said: “Londoners over the last few weeks have shown that we’re opening our arms to Ukrainian refugees, whether it’s by donating money to those charities doing a brilliant job in Ukraine or by opening our homes to those fleeing Ukraine.
“It is important throughout the next few days, weeks to make it far, far easier, and much more easier for those who are fleeing Ukraine to come here.
“You compare our Government’s actions versus the actions of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, it’s embarrassing.
“We’ve got be doing much more.”
The London leader also urged those in the capital to continue their “generosity” towards refugees.
He added: “I’m full of admiration for anybody who has the space to provide a room for those who have fled Ukraine.
“It’s really important families are not left to their own devices, the Government has to step up and support them.”
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Several rockets strike Lviv
Lviv – which had been a safer destination for refugees – had so far been largely spared bombardment that has devastated cities across Ukraine since Putin ordered his troops into the country on February 24.
But today several rockets struck the city close to the NATO border while Joe Biden was visiting the capital of Poland.
Lviv’s mayor Andriy Sadovyi said a fuel storage facility was on fire as a result of the shelling.
Thick black smoke rose from the first blast site on the city’s northeastern outskirts for hours before a second set of explosions were reported.
The regional governor, Maxym Kozytsky, said on Facebook at least five people had been injured in the first attack. Hours later, he reported three more explosions outside the city.
Humiliated tyrant Putin yesterday vowed his troops would focus on “liberating” pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donbas region.
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Russia and Ukraine latest
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First time Biden calls for change of power
On Saturday, Biden said unequivocally that Russian President Vladimir Putin should step down as the country’s leader.
“For God’s sake, this man cannot stay in power,” Biden said at the end of his speech.
It was the farthest Biden has gone in pushing for Russian regime change, and it signals a dramatic shift in American policy toward Moscow.
Previously, US officials stated that deposing Putin was not their aim.
“For us, it’s not about regime change. The Russian people have to decide who they want to lead them,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, according to CNN.
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‘That’s how I will help my country more’
OLEKSANDR USYK has broken his silence after confirming he will rematch Anthony Joshua.
AJ was beaten over 12 rounds by the Ukrainian in September and has been training for the sequel ever since.
But the rematch was thrown into doubt after Usyk, 35, bravely took up arms to defend his nation amid Russia’s invasion.
And it looked as though Joshua, 32, would have to take an interim bout in the meantime.
But it has since emerged Usyk will leave Ukraine to train for a fight against AJ once more.
He captioned an Instagram video: “I decided to start preparing for a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
“A large number of my friends support me, all the rest of the good and peace. Thank God for everything.”
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Sky News crew come under Russian artillery fire
Sky News crew came under fire from Russian artillery as they dived to the ground for cover in Ukraine.
Special correspondent Alex Crawford and her team were attempting to cross a bridge being used by civilians desperately trying to flee the northern city of Chernihiv when “a salvo of rockets came raining down”.
It comes just weeks after another Sky crew were shot in a hail of bullets near the capital Kyiv, with reporter Stuart Ramsay and cameraman Richie Mockler both hit.
In the latest incident, chilling footage shows the crew being to get “get down” as they dive to the ground amid screaming as shelling strikes near the bridge over the Desna River.
As a calm Crawford tries to describe the scene, the team quickly scramble back into the vehicle as they are warned of further incoming shelling.
“The shelling is very close,” Crawford says while on the ground before they are told to “get out” by a panicked rescue worker.
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‘Long fight ahead’
Biden claimed that the war would not be over within days or months.
He said: “We need to be clear-eyed – this battle will not be won in days, or months, either. We need to steel ourselves for the long fight ahead”
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Biden gives message to Russian people
Biden Said: “I have worked with Russian leaders for decades… I have always spoken directly and honestly to you, the Russian people.
“You the Russian people are not our enemy… Millions of families are being driven from their homes, including half of all Ukraine’s children…
“Of all people, you the Russian people, still have the memory of being in the same situation… Whatever your generation experienced… These are not memories of the past because it’s exactly what the Russian army is doing right now.”
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Biden speaks in Warsaw
US President Joe Biden has begun speaking in the Polish capital Warsaw.
“American forces are here to defend NATO allies,” says Biden, adding that the US has a “sacred obligation to defend each and every inch of NATO territory.”
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‘He’s a butcher’
Putin has been described as a butcher by Joe Biden, during a meeting with Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Biden made the comment at a televised event at the national stadium in Warsaw.
He was on a visit to show support for Poland over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A reporter asked the president “You’re dealing every day with Vladimir Putin, look at what he’s done to these people. What does it make you think?”
Biden responded whilst walking away saying: “He’s a butcher.”
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Lviv rocked by cruise missile blasts
Earlier we reported that three missiles had been heard hitting Lviv.
At least five people were injured after the blasts in Lviv, which is just 45 miles from Nato member Poland’s border.
Thick black smoke was seen rising from a TV tower as the city’s air raid sirens were activated.
TV towers across Ukraine’s other cities have also been a target of missile strikes throughout the war.
It is the first time Putin’s military might has been seen from the centre of the city, which has been a safer destination in the country for refugees.
Lviv’s mayor Andriy Sadovyi said a fuel storage facility is on fire as a result of the shelling. He urged everyone to stay in shelters.
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Mayor of London attended the march
A large crowd, including the Mayor of London, gathered near Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon for a march and vigil to send a unified message of support to the people of Ukraine.
A sea protesters draped in the Ukrainian colours of yellow and blue then made their way towards Trafalgar Square.
Crowds held banners reading “stop Putin’s war”, “no fly zone” and “solidarity with Ukraine” and sang as police officers followed.
Chants of “we stand with Ukraine” rang out as traffic behind was brought to a standstill.
The city was a blur of blue and yellow as they marched in the beautiful 18 degree heat.
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Thousands march through London
THOUSANDS of people have today marched through London in a sea of blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.
Brits are today standing up to Vladimir Putin during a ‘London stands with Ukraine’ protest march and vigil to send a unified message of support to the Ukrainian people.
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Explosions in Lviv
It is being reported that there are several explosions in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
We’ll bring more details as they emerge.
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Russia’s plummeting morale
Ukraine is now littered with the burnt out wrecks of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles, charred remains of downed aircraft, and the dead bodies of soldiers – many of who were teenage conscripts.
As the fighting takes its toll on Russian troops, stories are beginning to emerge of anger and plummeting morale.
One soldier allegedly drove his tank into his commanding officer as he protested horrific losses among his comrades.
Colonel Yuri Medvedev was hospitalised with severe leg injuries after the reported incident.
Russia accidentally revealed it has lost 10,000 troops, when the figure was disclosed by a pro-Kremlin newspaper.
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Mariupol destruction
Almost 90% of the southern city of Mariupol has been damaged or destroyed, while numerous atrocities have been reported, including the shelling of a theatre killing 300, or the bombing of a maternity hospital.
But these atrocities should sadly come as little surprise to those who have been following the actions of Putin’s thugs in recent years.
From the bloody civil war in Syria to the brutal annexation of Crimea, and even killing their own people, Putin’s top generals have been accused of waging savagery across the world for decades.
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Russia and Ukraine latest
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Joe Biden thinks Putin has been surprised with difficulty of dividing Nato allies
Joe Biden says he thinks Putin has been surprised in not being able to divide Nato allies.
The US President has been speaking during a trip to Warsaw, which has seen him meet Ukrainian government ministers.
Biden said: “I’m confident that Vladimir Putin was counting on being able to divide Nato, being able to separate the eastern flank from the west, being able to separate nations based on past histories.
“But he hasn’t been able to do it – we’ve all stayed together.
“I just think it’s so important that we, Poland and the United States, keep in lock step how we’re proceeding.”
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Zelensky: Russia ‘bragging’ about nuclear arms ‘fuelling dangerous arms race’
RUSSIA bragging about its nuclear capabilities is “fuelling a dangerous arms race”, President Zelensky said today.
Speaking to the Doha forum in a live video broadcast, the leader said: “They are bragging that they can destroy with nuclear weapons not only a certain country but the entire planet.”
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky also called on Qatar, which organises the annual meeting of international political and business leaders, to increase production of natural gas to counter Russian efforts to use energy as a weapon.
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In pictures: Biden inspects Guard of Honour at Warsaw presidential palace
President Joe Biden reviews the Guard of Honor during a welcome ceremony ahead of his meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
The image was taken outside the Presidential Palace in Warsaw this morning.
It comes as Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said the country received additional security pledges from the US on developing defence co-operation.
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Ukraine recieves more pledges from US as Biden visits Warsaw
Ukraine received additional security pledges from the United States on developing defence co-operation, its Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Saturday.
“We did receive additional promises from the United States on how our defence co-operation will evolve,” Kuleba told reporters.
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In pictures: Moment man narrowly avoids shelling in Kharkiv
A man hurries to walk away from a building that was just hit by a Russian bombardment just moments earlier.
The structure has caught on fire after intense shelling from the invading forces.
The frightening image was captured in the Moskovskyi district in Kharkiv, Ukraine, yesterday afternoon.
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Minister hints Russia ‘scaling back’ may not be the truth
A Government minister warned that Moscow’s claims should be treated sceptically after hints at a possible scaling back of the conflict.
Policing minister Kit Maltouse told BBC Breakfast: “I’m not qualified to say, but what I do know is there’s an awful lot of misinformation and disinformation flying around in this awful conflict.
“And we need to take care that what first appears may not in fact be the truth. Let’s hope there may well be a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible.”