Ukraine updates: Biden calls on Russia to free WSJ reporter

The Ukrainian military leadership has accused Russian forces of once again focusing on civilian targets.

“Having failed to achieve the desired results on the battlefield, the enemy continues to cynically terrorise the civilian population of our country,” the Ukrainian General Staff’s situation report said.

Among other things, the city of Zaporizhzhia and other places had been attacked with ballistic missiles. At least six so-called kamikaze drones were shot down by Ukrainian air defence, the report said. The information could not be independently verified.

The leaders of five European Union members helping the transit of Ukrainian farm produce to third countries have called for EU action over a glut that resulted from the goods not leaving for their destinations, bringing down prices in their own markets and angering farmers.

Poland, Romania and other countries in the region stepped in to help the transit after Russia blocked traditional routes when it invaded Ukraine 13 months ago.

The EU, which borders Ukraine, has waived customs duties and import quotas to facilitate the transport – also through Romania and Bulgaria – to non-EU markets that had counted on the deliveries.

But farmers in transit countries say much of the Ukrainian produce, especially the grain, stays, flooding their own markets and bringing prices down while fertilizer and energy costs are skyrocketing.

In a letter Friday to the European Commission and its leader, Ursula von der Leyen, the prime ministers of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria said the channels meant to take Ukrainian produce to the destination points are not working as expected.

They appealed to the EU’s executive arm to consider the urgent purchase by the 27-member bloc of the surplus produce and to provide funds for the speedy development of transport and storage infrastructure.

Lukashenko has said that Russia – which has already decided to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus – could, if necessary, put intercontinental nuclear missiles there too.

In an annual address to lawmakers and government officials, Lukashenko said Moscow’s plans to station nuclear arms on the territory of its close ally would help protect Belarus, which he said was under threat from the West.

“I am not trying to intimidate or blackmail anyone. I want to safeguard the Belarusian state and ensure peace for the Belarusian people,” Lukashenko said.

The executive board of the International Monetary Fund has approved a four-year $15.6bn financing package for Ukraine to help the country meet urgent funding needs as it continues to defend against Russia’s invasion, a source briefed on the decision has told Reuters.

The loan is Ukraine’s biggest since Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, and the first major package approved by the IMF to a country involved in an active conflict.

The decision formalises an IMF staff-level agreement reached with Ukraine on March 21 that takes into consideration Ukraine’s path to accession to the European Union after the war.

Ukrainians have gathered with Zelenskyy in Bucha to mark a year since the town was liberated from Russian occupiers, who left behind evidence of atrocities.

“On the streets of Bucha, the world saw Russian evil – evil without masks,” Zelenskyy said in Bucha, located on the outskirts of Kyiv.

The president said fierce Ukrainian resistance to the invasion has prevented Russia from committing even more such atrocities in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says the reaction in the United States to the arrest of a Wall Street Journal reporter is “revealing” and, if threats continue, the country would “reap the whirlwind”, the RIA news agency reports.

“This is … a self-disclosure of the so-called ‘democratic society’, which manifests itself simply as a liberal dictatorship,” Zakharova said.

“They immediately turn to threats, reprisals against Russian journalists. If this logic continues in the public space, they will sow a storm,” Zakharova said.

RIA also cited the ministry as saying that Gershkovich would be provided with consular support.

Japan has banned exports to Russia of steel, aluminium and aircraft, including drones, in its latest sanction package against Moscow, the trade ministry says.

The measure also prohibits Japanese companies from exporting industrial items such as construction machinery, ship engines, testing equipment and optical devices to Russia.

The ban will go into effect on April 7, the ministry said in a statement.

Ukraine’s foreign minister said Wimbledon’s decision to let Russian and Belarusian players compete as neutrals was “immoral” and urged the UK to deny them visas.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter, “Wimbledon’s decision to permit the participation of Russian and Belarusian players is immoral. Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime.”

“I call on the UK government to deny visas to their players.”

Wimbledon's decision to permit the participation of Russian and Belarusian players is immoral. Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime. I call on the UK government to deny visas to their players.

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 31, 2023

The head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said Ukrainian forces are suffering “serious losses” in Bakhmut, Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency reported.

On Telegram, Prigozhin said in response to a question, “No, the Ukrainian army is not running anywhere. The Ukrainian army is fighting bloody battles and defending Artemivsk [Bakhmut] at the cost of very serious losses.”

“Another important aspect that needs to be noted is the holding of the flanks,” Prigozhin said.

The Wagner boss added that Russian forces needed to focus on the city, but troops were advancing.

“There are about 800 high-rise buildings in Bakhmut. If we talk about each entrance, then you will get tired of listening to us. When we take Bakhmut, then we will talk about it,” he said.

A coalition of US newspapers has issued a statement calling for releasing the Wall Street Journal reporter Russia arrested on Thursday for allegedly spying.

The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and Politico said, “We are deeply troubled by Russia’s detention of Evan Gershkovich, a respected Wall Street Journal reporter whose coverage of Russia has been fair and accurate at a time when the world needs reliable information.”

“Evan’s detention is intended to have a chilling effect on independent journalism and deprive the public of essential news.”

“We call for the immediate release of Evan.”

Together @nytimes, @washingtonpost, @Bloomberg, and @politico call on Russia to immediately release @WSJ's Evan Gershkovich. "Evan’s detention is intended to have a chilling effect on independent journalism and deprive the public of essential news." https://t.co/feW41UW5Nc

— Michael Schwirtz (@mschwirtz) March 31, 2023

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that a new foreign policy strategy adopted by Putin identifies the West as posing an “existential” threat to Moscow.

“The existential nature of threats to the security and development of our country, driven by the actions of unfriendly states is recognised” in the policy, Lavrov said during a televised meeting of Russia’s security council.

“The United States of America is directly named as the main instigator and driver of anti-Russian sentiment,” he added.

On Friday, Putin signed off on a new Russian foreign policy strategy aimed at curtailing Western “dominance” and identifying China and India as key partners for the future.

“The Russian Federation intends to give priority to the elimination of vestiges of the dominance of the United States and other unfriendly countries in world politics,” the 42-page strategy document said.

China cannot be a mediator in the war in Ukraine but could play the role of facilitator to reach a peace deal with Russia, the European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said.

“China does not distinguish between aggressor and victim of aggression,” Borrell added in a panel held at the Spanish capital Madrid.

Moscow’s envoy to the United Nations in New York has denied that Russia has deliberately taken children out of Ukraine or allowed them to be adopted in Russia.

Two weeks ago, the ICC accused Putin of the unlawful deportation of people, particularly children, and their transfer from areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces.

Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the state-run news agency TASS in an interview, “We are talking about evacuation from a warzone in full compliance with obligations under international humanitarian law, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

“Millions of people have been evacuated in this way, including children who, in the overwhelming majority of cases, arrive in Russian territory with their parents, guardians and trustees.”

Nebenzia said only a few children had been found in orphanages or without parental care.

He added that Western suggestions that such children had been adopted were “deliberately misleading”.

“In reality, we are talking about temporary preliminary guardianship or temporary guardianship.”

US President Joe Biden calls Russia to free the Wall Street Journal reporter arrested on Thursday on espionage allegations.

When asked about Evan Gershkovich’s arrest, Biden told reporters, “let him go”, adding, “there is a process.”

The Wall Street Journal has “vehemently” denied the allegations by the Russian FSB and called for Gershkovich’s release.

The newspaper also suggested on Thursday that Russia’s ambassador to the United States should be expelled and said, “Expelling Russia’s ambassador to the US, as well as all Russian journalists working here, would be the minimum to expect.”

“The timing of the arrest looks like a calculated provocation to embarrass the US and intimidate the foreign press still working in Russia.”

Asked about @WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, an accredited American reporter, who was arrested in Russia on espionage charges, President Biden said, "Let him go" and added there is a process. pic.twitter.com/rdT4376D4Y

— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) March 31, 2023

Click here for a roundup of the war’s key events from day 401.

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Slovakia plans to increase the production of critical ammunition and artillery shells for Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad told journalists while travelling to Kyiv.

The country recently delivered a Kub air defence system, and the first of 13 promised Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets.

Slovakia will now take on “a key role in the production of ammunition for Ukraine,” Nad said.

“We are taking concrete steps to increase production of 155mm ammunition at our facilities by up to fivefold.”

The Slovakian defence minister hopes to assess how previous arms deliveries have proven themselves in combat during his trip to Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy marked 400 days of the war in his Thursday night address, praising those who helped strengthen the country’s resilience.

“This is a colossal path that we have walked. All together – everyone who fought and fights for Ukraine. Who took care and takes care about the state and Ukrainians. Who helped and helps our logistics. Who strengthened and strengthens Ukrainian resilience,” Zelenskyy said.

“Ukraine went through the most terrifying days of that February. We survived this winter as well. There is a colossal effort behind these words …”

Zelenskyy also mentioned Ukraine’s success in the battles for Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy, and the return of Kherson in his address.

“We are preparing our next steps, our active actions. We are preparing the approach of our victory,” he added.

400 days of our defense against 🇷🇺 full-scale aggression. This is a colossal path that we've endured. All together, everyone who has fought & keeps fighting for 🇺🇦. Who has cared & continues to care for 🇺🇦. Who has strengthened & keeps strengthening our resilience. 🇺🇦 will win. pic.twitter.com/9iU7KgOUZN

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 30, 2023

Wimbledon will allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete as “neutrals” this year, having banned players from the two countries last year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and complying with appropriate conditions,” the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said.

“The conditions have been carefully developed through constructive dialogue with the UK Government, the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and international stakeholder bodies in tennis, and are aligned with the Government’s published guidance to sporting bodies in the UK.”

Russia says a ceasefire in Ukraine right now would not help it achieve the goals of its “special military operation”.

The Kremlin responded to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who called for a truce “without preconditions” during an address to the nation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Russia had noted Lukashenko’s comments and that President Vladimir Putin would discuss it with him next week.

“In terms of Ukraine, nothing is changing, the special military operation is continuing because today that is the only means in front of us to achieve our goals,” Peskov said.

He said parts of China’s peace plan in Ukraine were “unrealisable at the moment, due to the unwillingness – or rather the inability – of the Ukrainian side to disobey their supervisors and commanders”.

Peskov referred to Moscow’s claims that Ukraine’s Western allies have ordered Kyiv not to pursue a ceasefire.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed concern over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“I transmitted our concern at the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Sanchez said at a news briefing in Beijing.

He added that he “encouraged Xi to talk to (Ukraine’s) President Zelenskyy” and “expressed support” for Zelenskyy’s peace formula announced last November.

Sanchez also said his country “wants to push for a balanced relationship with China based on reciprocity”.

Belarusian strongman and close Kremlin ally Alexander Lukashenko called for a “truce” and talks “without preconditions” between Moscow and Kyiv.

“We must stop now, before an escalation begins. I’ll take the risk of suggesting an end of hostilities … a declaration of a truce,” Lukashenko said during a televised state of the nation address.

“All territorial, reconstruction, security and other issues can and should be settled at the negotiation table, without preconditions,” added Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994.

The Kremlin said that all accredited foreign journalists could continue to work in Russia, a day after the country’s FSB security service arrested a Wall Street Journal reporter on espionage charges.

The Kremlin said reporter Evan Gershkovich had been carrying out espionage “under the cover” of journalism.

This is the first case against an American reporter since the Cold War.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says Western support for Kyiv is increasing the likelihood of nuclear war.

“As a result of the efforts of the United States and its satellites, a full-scale war has been unleashed in [Ukraine]. … A third world war with nuclear fires looms on the horizon,” the president said in a televised address to lawmakers.

Lukashenko also said Russia’s plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus were a chance to safeguard Minsk from Western threats.

Ukrainian athletes will not be allowed to participate in qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympics if they have to compete against Russians, a government minister says.

Oleh Nemchinov, secretary of Ukraine’s cabinet ministers, said the government’s decision was adopted after a proposal by Youth and Sports Minister Vadym Huttsait, who is also president of Ukraine’s Olympic committee.

“At a meeting of the government, a protocol decision was made on the proposal of colleague Huttsait that we take part in qualifying competitions only where there are no Russians,” Nemchinov was quoted as saying by Suspilne, Ukraine’s public broadcaster.

“Accordingly, participation outside these criteria may be grounds for depriving federations of their national status,” he said.

On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee recommended the gradual return to international competition for Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals.

Turkey’s parliament has approved a bill to allow Finland to join NATO.

Turkey was the last of the 30 members of the military alliance to ratify Finland’s membership after Hungary’s legislature approved a similar bill earlier this week.

Finland applied to join NATO last year together with Sweden. Twenty-eight members have approved Sweden’s membership, but Turkey and Hungary have yet to do so.

At least nine Russian missiles were fired over Kharkiv late on Thursday, Governor Oleh Sinegubov says on Telegram.

“A civil infrastructure object and private residential buildings were damaged in Kharkiv,” Sinegubov said. “Some of the rockets hit the ground and exploded in the air.

“As a result of the rocket attack, three people received minor injuries. Hospitalisation was not required.”

The governor said two men were injured and hospitalised due to an attack on “critical infrastructure facilities in Izyum”.

Ukraine is marking the first anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha from Russian occupation.

Kyiv’s forces recaptured Bucha and Irpin northwest of Kyiv in late March last year as Russian forces abandoned an attempt to seize the capital.

Harrowing images of bodies lying in the streets emerged after Russian forces left the town.

“More than 175 people were found in mass graves and torture chambers,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “9,000 Russian war crimes. 365 days since it is a free Ukrainian сity once again.

“A symbol of the atrocities of the occupying country’s army. We will never forgive. We will punish every perpetrator.”

The Russian occupation of the town lasted 33 days.