What’s Happening With Ukraine Right Now?

Everything You Need To Know About the Brewing Tensions

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Bailee Acreman, Co-Editor in Chief

As of this morning, after negotiation talks between Ukraine and Russia, three large explosions were heard in Kyiv nearly immediately after. President Joe Biden held an address last week to speak about America’s actions surrounding Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. 

Key points included sanctions placed on Russia by the United States and other Nato allies, American military presence on Ukraine’s eastern border, and whether or not the nation will be removed from SWIFT, a high security network that connects thousands of financial institutions around the world. 

Since Nato allies have placed heavy sanctions on Russia, their Ruble has crashed by 44 percent. Anti-war protests have broken out across the country, with over 2,000 people being arrested. Multiple protests in favor of Ukraine have broken out in multiple countries as well, including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and several other countries.

“Putin’s aggression against Ukraine will end up costing Russia dearly economically and strategically,” said President Biden. “Putin will be a pariah on the international stage. Putin’s choice to make a totally unjustifiable war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly told a U.S. official in response to an offer of evacuation, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”

Even though Putin has said that his military poses “no threat” to Ukrainian civilians, the reported number of civilian casualties is at least 352, with 14 children according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior and is feared to be higher. 

Conflicts have escalated quickly, with new updates constantly arising. For live updates, visit https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-28-22/index.html.