Volodymyr Zelensky laid out Ukraine’s red lines for a negotiated end to the country’s war with Russia, hours after Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilization of Moscow’s reserve forces. In a remote address to the UN Security Council in New York, Mr Zelensky said a crime had been committed against his nation and Kyiv wanted “just punishment” for Russia. The Ukrainian president set, as he said, five necessary conditions for peace. These included punishment for Russian aggression, restoration of Ukraine’s security, and guarantees of territorial integrity and security Meanwhile, police arrested more than 1,300 people in protests across Russia in response to Mr Putin’s order to prepare up to 300,000 military reservists for service in his country’s combat campaign against its neighbour. Putin also accused the West of considering using nuclear weapons against Russia and warned that Moscow would “use all means at our disposal” if threatened by the US, UK or EU. Britain said Russia’s mobilization was a “clear admission” that the invasion of Ukraine was failing.

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Russia Frees Ukrainian Prisoners – Suspline

Russia has released some of the Ukrainian fighters it captured after a prolonged battle for the port city of Mariupol earlier this year, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspline reported on Wednesday. Suspline, citing the Azov battalion unit that did much of the fighting, said an exchange took place near the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. He did not give details. The Telegram account of Andriy Biletsky, the original founder of the Azov Order, showed him giving a victory sign with the caption “On duty” as he held one of the prisoners. Reuters could not immediately verify when the photo was taken. Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia said Russia had released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine after mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Among those released were five British nationals. Liam James22 September 2022 03:10 1663807800

Putin threatens the West with nuclear weapons

In a dramatic escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of military forces in a special address to the nation on Wednesday (David Harding writes). Putin said members of the military reserve, some 300,000 people, especially those with active duty experience, would be called up, a move that comes after Moscow faced a series of military setbacks seven months after its invasion of Ukraine. And in an apparent threat to the West, he warned of “nuclear blackmail”, threatening to respond with the force of his massive arsenal. He said he was not bluffing about using all means at his disposal to protect Russia’s territory, which appeared to be a veiled reference to Russia’s nuclear capability. “We are talking about partial conscription, that is, only citizens who are currently in the reserve will be subject to conscription, and mainly those who served in the armed forces have some military specialty and relevant experience,” Putin said. His speech alarmed many around the world and caused thousands of Russians to try to leave the country.

Putin threatens the West with nuclear weapons

Biden called out “Russian aggression” at the UN General Assembly Liam James22 September 2022 01:50 1663803300

Truss and Biden condemn Putin in first private meeting

Liz Truss and Joe Biden condemned Vladimir Putin’s recent statements on Ukraine and discussed energy security at a meeting at the UN in New York, a Downing Street spokesman said. In a statement after the pair’s first private meeting, the spokesman said the leaders agreed that Mr. Putin’s belligerent behavior showed “the need for allies to continue their economic and military support for Ukraine. The Prime Minister briefed President Biden on her recent announcement that the UK would commit to at least the same level of defense support for Ukraine next year. “Both leaders discussed the increased threat that empires pose to our values ​​and the international system. The Prime Minister informed President Biden of the UK’s plans to update the Comprehensive Review to ensure the UK is fully equipped to meet the evolving challenge from countries such as China and Russia. “Leaders stressed the need to end over-reliance on authoritarian states in energy, technology and manufacturing supply chains. “They agreed to redouble bilateral efforts to reduce energy dependence on Russia and increase the amount of renewable and other forms of energy flowing from democratic states. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to reach net zero and the UK outlined plans for the UK to be a net energy exporter by 2040, largely thanks to renewables. “The Prime Minister and President Biden also discussed a number of global challenges that the UK and US are working closely together to address, including efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” Liam James22 September 2022 00:35 1663800053

Russian-backed forces free five Britons held captive, Truss says

Five British nationals arrested in Ukraine and held by Russian-backed forces are being returned to their families, Prime Minister Liz Truss has revealed (Jane Dalton writes). “Very welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine have been returned safely, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families,” he tweeted. Aiden Ashlin, a British militant who had been sentenced to death by a pro-Russian court, is among those released, his MP Robert Jenrick said. He tweeted: “Aiden’s return ends months of agonizing uncertainty for Aiden’s loving family in Newark who suffered every day from Aiden’s sham trial, but never gave up hope. As they are united as a family once again, they can finally be at peace.” Mr Aslin, 28, moved to Ukraine in 2018 and later joined the nation’s armed forces.

Five Britons held in Ukraine by Russia-backed forces freed, Truss says

Aiden Ashlin among those released after mediation by the Saudi crown prince Liam James21 September 2022 23:40 1663798272

Zelensky puts red lines on the peace deal with Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian neutrality in the war with Russia was out of the question as he laid out his red lines for a negotiated end to the conflict. In a recorded speech at the United Nations, the Ukrainian president said a crime had been committed against his nation and Kyiv wanted “just punishment” for Russia. He presented, as he said, five non-negotiable terms for peace. These included punishment for Russian aggression, restoration of Ukraine’s security, and guarantees of territorial integrity and security. Zelensky addresses the UN on Wednesday (AFP/Getty) Liam James21 September 2022 23:11 1663796753

UK Smart Condemns Russian Atrocities in Meeting with Moscow’s Top Diplomat

Britain’s foreign secretary is set to condemn Moscow’s atrocities in Ukraine when he meets his Russian counterpart for the first time at a summit in New York tomorrow. James Cleverley will face Sergei Lavrov on Thursday during a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where foreign ministers are set to discuss the war. Mr Smart will pledge to work with allies to hold Russia accountable and seek justice for the victims. He will also argue that Moscow plans to rig the results of referendums to become part of Russia that are due to be held in Russian-controlled areas of eastern and southern Ukraine. Later on Thursday, Mr. Expna will participate in a meeting that will focus on accountability for war crimes in Ukraine. Cleverly meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York (AP) Liam James21 September 2022 22:45 1663794413

More than 1,300 arrests in Russian anti-mobilization protests

Security forces have arrested more than 1,300 people in Russia at protests denouncing the mobilization, a rights group said, hours after Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s first military deployment since World War II. The independent protest monitoring group OVD-Info said that according to information it had gathered from 38 Russian cities, more than 1,311 people were detained by late evening – including at least 502 in Moscow and 524 in St Petersburg, Russia’s second most populous city. Unsanctioned gatherings are illegal under Russia’s anti-protest laws. Russian Interior Ministry official Irina Volk, in a statement cited by Russian news agencies, said police had broken up efforts to hold what she called small protests. “In many areas, there were attempts at unauthorized actions that gathered an extremely small number of participants,” Volk was quoted as saying. “All that stopped. And all the people who violated the laws were arrested and taken to police stations for investigation and determination of their responsibility.” Below are some photos from a St. Petersburg protest, we brought you photos from Moscow earlier [see here] (EPA) (EPA) (EPA) Liam James21 September 2022 22:06 1663792769

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has accused President Vladimir Putin of trying to “trap hundreds of thousands of people” in a “criminal war” after he ordered a partial mobilization of Russian reserves (Emily Atkinson writes). Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny made the remark in a prison video released by his lawyers. He warned that Putin’s new military order would lead to “mass tragedy”. Navalny, who is serving a prison sentence of more than 10 years, said: “This will lead to a huge tragedy, huge numbers of deaths … to maintain his personal power, Putin went to a neighboring country, killed people there and now is sending a huge amount of Russian citizens…