THE UK has warned China not to support Vladimir Putin's "brutal and illegal" war in Ukraine as the US pledged military aid today.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman was pressed on US intelligence assessments indicating Beijing was considering providing arms and ammunition to support the Kremlin's brutal invasion of Ukraine.
The spokesman said: "On this specific issue, any support for Putin's brutal and illegal war against Ukraine is deplorable. We expect China to stand up for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
It comes as US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv this morning to meet with Voldoymyr Zelenksy – the first visit to the war-torn country since the Ukraine war broke out in February.
Speaking after the pair held talks, Mr Zelensky said an agreed military support package worth $500m (£457m) will be sent from the US and details will be announced on Tuesday.
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
- Jimmy Grant
Germany sends warning to the world
Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius said Ukraine must win the war with Russia.
He warned that a Russian victory might embolden Moscow to attack other countries.
Reuters reports Pistorius said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference: “I made clear: Ukraine must win this war.”
“Russia is waging a brutal war of aggression and conquest against Ukraine, and if Putin had his way, this would only be the beginning.”
- Jimmy Grant
MoD releases map showing the situation in Ukraine
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a map showing the situation in Ukraine.
MoD tweeted: "The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.
"The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 20 February 2023.
"Find out more about the UK government's response: http://ow.ly/xlzO50MLvHz
"#StandWithUkraine"
- Jimmy Grant
Zelensky warns of 'world war' as Kremlin confirms visit by top Chinese diplomat
Speaking ahead of a visit to Moscow today by top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, Volodymyr Zelensky warned of "world war" if China sides with Russia.
Zelensky told Die Welt: "For us, it is important that China does not support the Russian Federation in this war. In fact, I would like it to be on our side. At the moment, however, I don’t think it’s possible.
"But I do see an opportunity for China to make a pragmatic assessment of what is happening here. Because if China allies itself with Russia, there will be a world war, and I do think that China is aware of that."
- Jimmy Grant
Recap: Biden's visit to Kyiv
During today's visit to Ukraine, Joe Biden vowed the US will stand with Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’.
The US president promised a support package worth $500m (£415.7m), expected to include more HIMARS missiles, artillery shells and radars, with more details expected tomorrow.
Biden gave a speech, saying: “One year later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands, democracy stands. The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you.”
He visited the Wall of Remembrance with Volodymyr Zelensky to pay tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers, and also met with religious leaders at Mikhailivskyi Cathedral, Kyiv.
Credit: Reuters - Joseph Gamp
Biden has now left Kyiv
The US President has now left Ukraine, after meeting hero leader President Volodymyr Zelensky this morning.
It was the first time Mr Biden has visited Kyiv since the invasion began last February.
He will visit Poland this week, according to the White House.
- Jimmy Grant
Biden meets religious leaders at Mikhailivskyi Cathedral
Today Joe Biden met the leader of the Ukrainian Church, Metropolitan Epifanyi, and a senior priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Lavrentyi, at Mikhailivskyi Cathedral, Kyiv.
Lavrentyi said: "He declared his wish and certainty that the US would continue to support Ukraine in all respects.
"Together with Zelenskiy, he said they don’t just hope, they believe in Ukraine’s victory. They are convinced it will happen.
"He was very welcoming. He was joking about. He said to me ‘Father you can smile’, probably because I was looking serious."
He added: "He looked around the church and said a few words about the fact that he is close to the church, a believer and has a religious education."
- Jimmy Grant
Watch: Biden and Zelensky's walkabout in central Ukraine
A video of US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's walkabout in central Ukraine has been posted on Twitter.
- Jimmy Grant
Zelensky calls for Russia to 'reimburse the damage'
During discussions with US President Joe Biden this morning, Volodymyr Zelensky called for Russia to pay for the damage its illegal invasion of Ukraine has caused.
The Ukrainian President said: "The rebuilding and recovery of justice is also important… and the aggressor has to take responsibility for the aggression and reimburse the damage."
Mr Zelensky then thanked The US for the country's assistance in making sure reparations are made.
- Jimmy Grant
In pictures: Biden visits Kyiv
Here are some more pictures of Joe Biden's surprise visit to Ukraine.
The US president shakes hands with Ukrainian Prime minister Denys Shmygal.
Biden and Zelensky visit the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
The two leaders attend a meeting in Mariinsky Palace, Kyiv.
Credit: AFP Credit: Reuters Credit: AFP
- Jimmy Grant
'The West bets on the strategic defeat of Putin'
Although the Kremlin is yet to make any comment on Biden's visit to Ukraine, a political analyst has said it confirms "the West bets on the strategic defeat of Putin."
Founder of political analysis firm R.Politik, Tatiana Stanovaya, said: "It will be for them another proof that Washington has unambiguously chosen its camp.
"It’s a proof of total disruption with Russia, confirmation that now the West bets on the strategic defeat of Putin."
She added: “I am expecting that tomorrow Putin may be extremely hawkish with the West in his annual address.”
- Jimmy Grant
Biden: 'The world stands with you'
During his shock visit to Kyiv today, Joe Biden gave a speech vowing support to Ukraine.
The US president said: "One year later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands, democracy stands. The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you."
- Jimmy Grant
Biden promises US will stand with Ukraine for 'as long as it takes'
US President Joe Biden promised the US will stand with Ukraine for "as long as it takes".
Biden pledged another $500million (£400million) in support to Ukraine, with the latest aid package expected to include more HIMARS missiles, artillery shells and radars.
Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Biden's visit as an "extremely important sign of support".
- Jimmy Grant
Zelensky adresses reporters in Kyiv
Moments ago Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv that negotiations with Joe Biden this morning have been "fruitful".
The Ukrainian president said: "Negotiations today were very fruitful, very important and very crucial."
He added: "We hope this year 2023 will become a year of victory."
- Jimmy Grant
In pictures: Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv
Credit: AFP Credit: AFP Credit: AFP Credit: AFP - Jimmy Grant
White House issues statement about Biden's visit to Ukraine
The White House has released a statement about Joe Biden's visit to Ukraine.
It reads: "As the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskiy and reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
"When Putin launched his invasion nearly one year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the west was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong.
"Today, in Kyiv, I am meeting with President Zelenskiy and his team for an extended discussion on our support for Ukraine. I will announce another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments.
"And I will share that later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.
"Over the last year, the US has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help defend Ukraine with unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support – and that support will endure."
- Louis Allwood
Joe Biden and Zelensky embrace
The embrace between the two is highly symbolic as the US has warned China could start arming Russia.
Vladimir Putin will likely by fuming over Biden's visit as he today meets with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi.
- Louis Allwood
New military package
The White House stated the package will include HIMARS ammunition, anti-armour systems and air surveillance radars.
In a statement from Joe Biden he said: "Over the last year, the United States has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help defend Ukraine with unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support – and that support will endure."
- Louis Allwood
Pictured: Zelensky and Joe Biden meet
"Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians," said Zelensky, sharing a photo of them shaking hands on Telegram.
- Louis Allwood
Joe Biden and Zelensky discuss military aid
The Ukrainian president has announced that the pair have discussed long-range weapons and a new military aid package.
Zelensky stated the support package will be worth $500m (£415.7m) with more details coming tomorrow.
- Louis Allwood
Joe Biden laid a wreath at war memorial
Joe Biden was seen laying a wreath at the war memorial in Kyiv today.
It comes as an air alert was issued across most of Ukraine, including its capital city, local officials have reported.
The alerts lasted a total of 20 minutes in Kyiv.
- Louis Allwood
Biden welcomed by MPs
Joe Biden's shock visit comes after it was expected he would be visiting Poland today.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko welcomed the US President.
- Louis Allwood
Nato secretary general adds to call for West to step up military supply
During the Munich Security Conference, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for more efforts to be put into military support towards Ukraine.
“We must give Ukraine what they need to win and prevail as a sovereign, independent nation in Europe.
“The biggest risk of all is if Putin wins. If Putin wins in Ukraine, the message to him and other authoritarian leaders will be that they can use force to get what they want.”
Stoltenberg emphasised that this is the only way Ukraine can beat the Russian forces.
- Louis Allwood
Biden meets Zelensky
Joe Biden met with Ukraine's hero president Volodymyr Zelensky during the highly secretive and unprecedented trip.
Pictures showed him walking with Zelensky at St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv.
Biden's visit came just days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion.
- Louis Allwood
Joe Biden makes shock visit to Kyiv
Joe Biden has made a shock visit to Ukraine as fears loom of a massive new offensive by Russia.
The US President suddenly appeared in Kyiv after he was expected to be making a visit to Poland.
- Louis Allwood
Putin's forces slammed
Vladimir Putin's forces have been slammed by the US government as they "formally determined" that Russian forces had committed "crimes against humanity".
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, US Vice-President Kamala Harris accused Russian forces of carrying out "gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape and deportation".
In retaliation, Russia’s ambassador to the US said the claims were an attempt to "demonise" Russia.
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