What happened today (May 20) : NPR
Alexei Alexandrov / AP
As Friday wraps up in Kyiv and in Moscow, here are the main developments for the day:
Russia says it has completed its takeover of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupolwith the defense minister claims that Russian forces captured the Azovstal steel mill, the last bastion of the Ukrainian resistance. The Ukrainian government was not immediately available for comment. Meanwhile, fighting heats up in eastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian attack turn parts of Donbas area into “hell.” The governor of Luhansk said Russian attacks had killed dozens of residents in the key city of Severodonetsk, including three adults who were killed in the attack. Russia attacks a school where civilians reside.
The Group of Seven Rich Economies will provide $19.8 billion in economic aid to Ukraine. Financial assistance separate from arms and humanitarian assistance, to help the Ukrainian government maintain services for its population. The deal was made by G7 financial leaders from the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Japan. According to a major estimateUkraine’s economy is expected to shrink 35% because of the war.
Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum said Russia will cut off natural gas supplies on Saturday morning. Finland is applying to join NATO and has refused Russia’s request for gas payments in rubles. Russia before cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, which also refused to pay in rubles. Gasum’s chief executive said Finland was prepared for the cuts and “there will be no disruption to the gas transmission network.” Gas account provided by Russia about 5% Finnish energy consumption.
Former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder step down as the chairman of the Russian oil company Rosneft. A longtime friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Schröder faces growing calls to sever financial ties with Russia’s state-owned energy companies and the Nord Stream gas pipeline. connecting Russia and Germany. On Thursday, German lawmakers stripped of many privileges of Schröder for the country’s former leaders and a European Parliament vote hinting that he might face sanctions. Schröder, who served as chancellor from 1998 to 2005, is seen as instrumental in Germany’s increasing energy dependence on Russia.
Depth
Russia aims to take advantage control of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.
Millions of people rushed to leave Ukraine. Now the queue to go home stretched for miles.
A photographer uses toys to reflect children’s experiences in war.
Two versions of history collide like Finland and Sweden seek to join NATO.
Against the horrors of wartime rape, The Nobel Peace Prize Winner Won’t Give Up Hope.
Urgent report
Russia’s war in Ukraine is changing the world: See its ripple effects in all corners of the world.
Previous developments
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