Battle for Kyiv on; US OKs $350 million in military aid to Ukraine

Kyiv residents braced on Saturday for another night sheltering underground, as Russian troops closed in on Ukraine's capital and skirmishes were reported on the outskirts. Ukraine's leader, meanwhile, claimed the country's forces had repulsed the Russian assault, and he vowed to keep up the struggle and appealed for more help from the outside world.

"The real fighting for Kyiv is ongoing," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message in which he accused Russia of hitting infrastructure and civilian targets. "We will win," he said.

Kremlin said Russia resumed military operations in Ukraine after Kyiv refused to conduct negotiations. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had ordered Russian troops to stop their advance Friday as the two sides discussed the possibility of negotiations, but had failed to reach agreement on a format or location. Ukraine denied suggestions that it was refusing to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia but said it was also not ready to accept ultimatums or unacceptable conditions.


Meanwhile US President Joe Biden authorised the State Department to provide $600 million in immediate aid to Ukraine, including $350 million in military funding. Zelenskky said he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and "weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine". Several EU countries that are also NATO members have pledged new military aid.

The US is also weighing sanctions on Russia's central bank, according to people familiar with the matter, a move that would target much of the $643 billion reserves that Putin had amassed ahead of the invasion.