Russia continues with its Ukraine offensive as its soldiers close in on capital Kiev, drawing condemnations and expansive economic sanctions from the West. Follow our live updates: 

Friday, February 25, 2022

Russia vetoes UN draft resolution condemning itself over Ukraine

Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution telling Moscow to stop attacking Ukraine and withdraw all troops immediately.

The veto was expected, but the United States and its supporters argued that the effort would highlight Moscow’s international isolation.

The 11-1 vote — with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining — showed significant but not total opposition to Russia’s attack on its smaller, militarily weaker neighbour.

The resolution’s failure paves the way for backers to call for a swift vote on a similar measure in the 193-member UN General Assembly, where there are no vetoes. There was no immediate timetable for a potential Assembly vote.

Spearheaded by the US and Albania, the Security Council resolution would have deplored Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine. 

It called for Moscow to immediately pull out its military and stop using force against Ukraine, and reverse a decision recognising two separatist areas in eastern Ukraine as independent.

Zelenskyy: Russia to storm Kiev tonight

Ukraine’s president said late Friday that Russia will try to “storm” the capital and he vowed to resist, according to media reports.

Russia will use “all available forces to break the resistance. Despicably, cruelly, and inhumanly,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Facebook, according to Ukraine’s official news agency Ukrinform.

“Tonight they will storm,” said Zelenskyy. “I must say quite frankly, this night will be harder than the day.”

“Many cities of our state are under attack — Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv — our boys and girls in the Donbass, the cities of the south, special attention to Kiev,” he said. “We can't lose the capital.”

“The fate of Ukraine is being decided now,” he said.

US, Canada impose sanctions on Putin, Lavrov

The US imposed sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu for Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, US Treasury Department said.

"Following a telephone conversation President (Joe) Biden held with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and in alignment with the decision by our European allies, the United States will join them in sanctioning President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and members of the Russian national security team," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a news conference earlier.