Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin says war was ‘unleashed’ on Russia

The Russian president delivered his annual Victory Day speech.

More than a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the countries are fighting for control of areas in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's forces are readying a spring counteroffensive, but Putin appears to be preparing for a long and bloody war.

For previous coverage, please click here.


0

US 'working diligently' to get WSJ reporter consular access: White House

The U.S. is continuing to push for consular access for Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing Tuesday, adding that "this is a priority" for President Joe Biden.

Asked how worrying it was the U.S. still didn't have consular access, Jean-Pierre said, "We're concerned."

"We're taking this very seriously," Jean-Pierre said, pointing to Secretary Antony Blinken’s conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov over the weekend. "We're working diligently, very hard to get a counselor to Evan.”

Jean-Pierre declined to say whether the U.S. was close to determining that Gershkovich was being "wrongfully detained" or provide a timeline of when that determination may happen, saying the State Department's process "is currently ongoing." That classification would allow the federal government to use more resources to try to free him.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson


US announces $2.6B in new security aid for Ukraine

The Pentagon announced $2.6 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine on Tuesday.

The aid will come in two forms: a $500 million presidential drawdown authority package pulling from existing U.S. stockpiles (the 35th such package for Ukraine); and $2.1 billion from Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds to procure new equipment.

Both the PDA and USAI packages are largely focused on providing munitions for Ukraine, including additional Patriot air-defense missiles and HIMARS ammunition. They also include anti-drone weapons, vehicles, communications equipment, spare parts and more.

-ABC News' Matt Seyler


At least 501 children killed, almost 1,000 injured since February 2022: UNICEF chief

At least 501 children have been killed and almost 1,000 others injured since February 2022, Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, tweeted Monday.

"Another tragic milestone for Ukraine's children and families," she wrote, adding: "This is just the UN verified number. The real figure is likely far higher, and the toll on families affected is unimaginable."


Russia to arrest anyone who supports ICC warrant for Putin

The Russian State Duma will arrest anyone who agrees with the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing him of committing war crimes, the State Duma said on its official Telegram channel Monday.

Russia will imprison those who "call for the implementation of the decision" of the International Criminal Court "on the arrest of Vladimir Putin accused of war crimes," the State Duma of the Russian Federation said.

"The profile committees of the State Duma are preparing amendments to the Federal Law 'On Security,' which will prohibit the activities of the International Criminal Court and international bodies directed against the Russian Federation on our territory and its citizens," Chairman of State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin said.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes in March, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.

-ABC News' Oleksiy Pshemyskiy


Zelenskyy has 1st call with China's Xi Jinping since war began

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping in what was the two leaders' first official contact since January 2022, before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Xi announced that he will send a special envoy to visit Ukraine and "other countries" to work on a political solution.

"I believe that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraine's ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations," Zelenskyy said in a statement on Twitter.

The Chinese government's official position still refuses to call the war an "invasion."

The call between the two leaders is said to have lasted an hour, according to Zelenskyy's office.

"Before the full-scale Russian invasion, China was Ukraine's number one trading partner. I believe that our conversation today will give a powerful impetus to the return, preservation and development of this dynamic at all levels," Zelenskyy said in a statement.

-ABC News' Karson Yiu, Cindy Smith and Will Gretsky