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Despite Russia's relentless assault, top Ukrainian advisers to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated Tuesday that there might be room for comprise even as Russian forces stepped up their bombardment of Kyiv.
One aide said the negotiations had become “more constructive” while another described the talks as “very difficult and viscous” with “fundamental contradictions” between the two sides. Still, “there is certainly room for compromise," presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said.
The latest round of talks comes as 29,000 people fled from Ukrainian cities, making use of nine humanitarian corridors that had been previously established. The majority of the people evacuated from the embattled city of Mariupol and made their way by private car to Zaporizhzhia and surrounding regions.
In Kyiv, a new 35-hour curfew went into effect as its mayor warned that the city faced a "difficult and dangerous moment." Even as the fighting raged, the leaders of three European countries traveled to Ukraine's capital to meet with Zelenskyy in a bold show of support.
Senate unanimously passes resolution condemning Putin, Russia's actions
The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a symbolic move that comes with no orders for sanctions, prohibitions or military operations.
The resolution by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also expresses support for war crime investigations of the Russian government and military and encourages efforts to hold President Vladimir Putin and his political supporters and military leaders accountable.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the resolution "sends an unmistakable message that the U.S. Senate stands with Ukraine, stands against Putin."
Earlier in the day, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized President Joe Biden's response to Russia's invasion, saying "American hesitancy and weakness" have invited Putin's continued incursion.
U.S. farmers feel the squeeze as Ukraine invasion sends livestock feed costs higher
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could force some livestock farmers in the Midwest to pay double for animal feed, a tight enough squeeze to push farms out of business, farmers and agriculture experts say.
Commodity prices for corn — part of the essential diet for steers, pigs, chickens and turkeys — had been on the rise before the war began about three weeks ago, and they have skyrocketed since then, demonstrating how the conflict is affecting industries globally.
The farmers are also being affected by rising fuel costs, as many of them use diesel to power their tractors and other heavy machinery.
Best friends say goodbye as Russian invasion forces separation
Official says Russian troops took 500 hostage in Mariupol
LVIV, Ukraine — Russian troops seized a hospital in Mariupol and took about 500 people hostage during another assault on the southern port city late Tuesday, regional leader Pavlo Kyrylenko said.
Russians troops drove 400 people from neighboring houses into Regional Intensive Care Hospital, Kyrylenko said on the messaging app Telegram. About 100 doctors and patients also are believed to be inside, he said.
The troops are using those inside the hospital as human shields and are not allowing anyone to leave, he said.
“It’s impossible to leave the hospital, they are shooting hard,” Kyrylenko said.
Kyrylenko said the main building of the hospital has been heavily damaged by shelling, but medical staff are continuing to treat patients in makeshift wards set up in the basement.
He called on the world to respond to these “gross violations of the norms and customs of war, these egregious crimes against humanity.”
The Ukrainian army’s General Staff says Russian troops are trying to block off the city from the western and eastern outskirts of the city. “There are significant losses,” it said in a Facebook post.
Ukraine seeks armed drones, jamming gear, surface-to-air missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles from U.S.
To bolster its defenses against invading Russian forces, Ukraine is asking the Biden administration for armed drones, anti-ship missiles, “off-the-shelf” electronic jamming equipment and surface-to-air missiles that can strike aircraft at a higher altitude, according to four sources with knowledge of the request.
The wish list recently submitted to Washington by Ukraine also includes a request for more portable Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and Javelin anti-tank weapons, which have proved crucial in the government’s fight against a larger, better-armed Russian force, said the sources, including two European diplomats familiar with Kyiv’s requirements.
Ukraine wanted help to bolster its electronic warfare efforts against Russia with “off-the-shelf” gear, including satellite navigation and communications-jamming equipment and ground-based communications to oversee drones, the sources said.
Russia using long range attacks to demolish Ukrainian cities
Ukraine sees room for compromise with Russia
Ukraine said Tuesday it saw possible room for compromise in talks with Russia as Russian forces stepped up their bombardment of Kyiv.
A top Ukrainian negotiator, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, described the latest round of talks with the Russians, held via videoconference, as “very difficult and viscous” and said there were “fundamental contradictions” between the two sides, but he added that “there is certainly room for compromise.” He said the talks will continue Wednesday.
Zelenskyy also struck a more hopeful tone in a video message, saying that "positions in negotiations are starting to sound more realistic."
"But we still need time so that decisions could be made in the interests of Ukraine," he added.
Earlier in the day, another aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ihor Zhovkva, struck a more optimistic note, saying that the negotiations had become “more constructive” and that Russia had softened its stand by no longer airing its demands that Ukraine surrender.
Biden to speak following Zelenskyy's address to Congress
President Joe Biden is expected to speak about providing aid to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's virtual address to Congress on Wednesday, a source confirmed.
Several senators said Tuesday they expected Zelenskyy's address to focus on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in his country and what he contends is the need for a no-fly zone.
The virtual address will take place in an auditorium in the Capitol Visitor Center. Only lawmakers can attend in person, but a livestream will be available for public viewing.
'These guys were the best of us': Four Ukrainian officers killed in air raid mourned
LVIV, Ukraine — Mourners bowed their heads to honor four of the 35 people killed in Sunday’s air raid on Yavirov. Inside the Church of the Most Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, it was standing room only — and faces young and old streamed with tears as the four servicemen were given a stately send-off.
Col. Oleg Yashishin, 55, Maj. Kyrylo Vyshyvanyi, 35, Maj. Serhii Melnyk, 39, and Maj. Rostyslav Romanchuk, 30, were officers of Ukraine’s military educational institutions who trained future officers for the armed forces, according to the National Academy of Land Forces.
“Our enemies that invaded our country are trying, first of all, to kill the best sons and daughters of the Ukrainian nation,” said Col. Anton Myranovych, a spokesman for the National Academy of Land Forces. “I’m trying to keep my emotions right now. … For everyone who’s losing his friends, his family, his relatives, people who we know, it’s a tough time. But at the same time, it’s another motivation for us to keep defending our country.
“These guys were the best of us. … We will never forget them. We will never forget how they were brave, how they were professional, how they were ready to do everything possible not just for themselves, but for entire Ukrainian people and for entire world, as well," Myranovych said.
