Putin snubs west’s long-range rockets after threatening strikes – live

When President Donald Trump was impeached in late 2019 after pressuring Ukraine‘s leader for “a favor,” all while withholding $400 million in military aid to help confront Russian-backed separatists, even the most staunch defense hawks in the Republican Party stood virtually united by Trump’s side.

But as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military marched toward Kyiv this February, threatening not only Ukraine but the rest of Europe, Republicans and Democrats in Congress cast aside impeachment politics, rallied to Ukraine’s side and swiftly shipped billions to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s defense.

The question ahead, as Ukrainians battle Russia’s grinding invasion now past its 100th day, is whether the rare bipartisanship on Capitol Hill is resilient enough to withstand Trump’s isolationist influences on his party or whether Republicans who yielded to Trump’s “America First” approach will do so again, putting military and humanitarian support for Ukraine at risk.

Spain is reportedly going to supply Ukraine with Leopard tanks and air defence systems, according to media outlet El Pais.

Spain will also provide essential training to the Ukrainian military in how to use the tanks. It would take place in Latvia, where the Spanish Army has deployed 500 soldiers within the framework of NATO’s Enhanced Advanced Presence operation.

A second phase of training could take place in Spain, according to the sources cited by El Pais.

The paper said Spain’s defence ministry is finalising a delivery to Kyiv of low-level Shorad Aspide anti-aircraft missiles, which the Spanish Army has replaced with a more advanced system.

Spain has so far supplied ammunition, individual protection equipment and light weapons.

Sources told El Pais the offer of increased support was raised when prime minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ukraine and met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on April 21, but had been delayed by the complexity of the operation.

“Several explosions in Darnytskyi and Dniprovskyi districts of the capital,” Mr Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app, adding, “Services are already working on site. More detailed information – later.”

A witness for Reuters saw smoke in the city after the explosions.

Ukraine-based journalist Nika Melkozerova reported “Kyiv is shelled” and that “at least five blasts” were heard near her home in the capital.

Giving an address on the 101st day of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of the resultant deaths of hundreds of children – all of whom he said “would be alive now if only one person in Moscow had not caused this catastrophe.”

According to a readout of his statement, Zelenksy said: “Today in our country the memory of children who died from Russian aggression was honored. Over the past day, the worst figure – the number of children killed – has not changed. 261 children. That’s how many Ukrainian children lost their lives because of Russia. But this is the official number. The more we learn about those who were buried in the occupied territories, the greater, unfortunately, may be the number of names on this list.

“It’s scary to read. Year of birth, place of residence, circumstances of death… All of them would be alive now if only one person in Moscow had not caused this catastrophe.

“This can no longer be fixed. Because this war is already going on. But the terrible consequences of this war can be stopped at any moment.

“The Russian army can stop burning churches. The Russian army can stop destroying cities. The Russian army can stop killing children. If the same person in Moscow just gives such an order. And the fact that there is still no such order is an obvious humiliation for the whole world.”

You can read Zelensky’s address in full here.