Zelenskyy Declines To Discuss Attack On Russian Fuel Depot, US Commits $300 Mn In Security Aid | Top Developments

Kremlin has accused the Ukrainians of launching a helicopter attack on a fuel depot on Russian soil.

Vladimir Putin | Volodymyr Zelenskyy (File Photo PTI | Getty)

New Delhi: The ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, according to the White House, is a result of the aggression of the leadership in Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At her daily news conference in Washington earlier on Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that it is a war of aggression by the Russian leadership, by President Putin that has left millions of people displaced and homeless, PTI reported.

“We know who the aggressor is; that is President Putin and Russia. And beyond that, I do not have any comment on military tactics,” she said.

The White House Press Secretary, however, avoided commenting on the Russian statement that an apparent attack by Ukraine on one of its fuel depots is making it harder for Russia to stay engaged in the talks to end the war.

“We have seen those reports. We are not in a position to comment on the Kremlin's statements,” Psaki said noting Ukraine has not made any statements or confirmation of these reports.

Asserting this is a war that President Putin started, she said: “We have seen the people of Ukraine fight valiantly in the face of unprovoked Russian brutality, but there is one aggressor here, and that is President Putin and the Russian military at his direction.”

The White House Press Secretary’s remarks came as talks to stop the fighting in Ukraine resumed Friday.

Talks resumed as another desperate attempt to rescue civilians from the encircled city of Mariupol failed and the Kremlin accused the Ukrainians of launching a helicopter attack on a fuel depot on Russian soil.

Key Developments

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to comment on whether he ordered an attack on a Russian fuel depot. In an interview with FOX News, Zelenskyy said he does not discuss any orders he issues as commander in chief.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy early Saturday also warned Ukrainian people that retreating Russian forces were creating a complete disaster outside the capital as they leave mines across the whole territory, even around homes and corpses. He issued the warning as the humanitarian crisis in the encircled city of Mariupol deepened, the Associated Press reported.

• The Pentagon has committed $300 million in "security assistance" for Ukraine to "repel Russia's war of choice", spokesman John Kirby said, as reported by news agency AFP. The package includes laser-guided rocket systems, drones, tactical secure communications systems, and medical supplies.

• Earlier on Friday, the UN’s cultural agency said it had confirmed that at least 53 Ukrainian historical sites, religious buildings, and museums had sustained damage during Russia’s invasion. “This is the latest list but it is not exhaustive as our experts are continuing to verify a number of reports,” a UNESCO spokesman told AFP.

The remarks came as the body published a list of the 53 damaged sites in the country’s north and east.

Meanwhile, Russia, which had earlier this week said that it would reduce military activity near the Ukrainian capital and the northern city of Chernihiv to promote trust at the bargaining table, continued withdrawing some of its ground forces from areas around Kyiv.

The Russian forces earlier on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian authorities, blocked a 45-bus convoy attempting to evacuate people from Mariupol and seized 14 tons of food and medical supplies bound for the city.

Russia has so far reported cross-border shelling from Ukraine before, including an incident last week that killed a military chaplain, but not an incursion of its airspace.