National

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a new and defiant video message Saturday night as curfew set in for Ukrainians in Kyiv, saying "we will fight as long as it takes to liberate the country. " 

Driving the news: Zelensky also suggested Western allies were now prepared to cut off Russia from the SWIFT international payments system, a secure messaging service used by more than 11,000 banks and financial institutions throughout the world.

The move has been under consideration for a while, though some European nations have expressed concern that disconnecting Russian banks' access to the primary system for global financial transactions would cause significant collateral economic damage.

"Our diplomats fought around the clock to inspire all European countries to agree on a strong and fair decision to disconnect Russia from the international interbanking network," Zelensky said. "We also have this victory."

The big picture: A senior U.S. defense official told reporters earlier on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "more than 50% of his total assembled power now committed inside Ukraine," and that "tens of thousands" of troops have entered the country in the last 24 hours.

The official added that there are indications Russia did not anticipate this level of Ukrainian resistance and has had to commit more logistics and supplies, such as fuel, than initially planned.

The latest on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Zelensky tells Ukrainians: "We will fight as long as it takes"

Zelensky also suggested western allies were prepared to cut off Russia from the SWIFT international payments system.

Photo: Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a new and defiant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video message" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1497628453142773760" data-vars-content-id="06d18c02-6a54-4192-acd1-74d6cf80a957" data-vars-headline="Zelensky tells Ukrainians: &quot;We will fight as long as it takes&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1497628453142773760" target="_blank">video message</a> Saturday night as curfew set in for Ukrainians in Kyiv, saying &quot;we will fight as long as it takes to liberate the country. &quot; Driving the news: Zelensky also suggested Western allies were now prepared to cut off Russia from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SWIFT international payments system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/swift-russia-ukraine-sanctions-1a7a60c4-ffce-4078-aac8-50a5196baac4.html" data-vars-content-id="06d18c02-6a54-4192-acd1-74d6cf80a957" data-vars-headline="Zelensky tells Ukrainians: &quot;We will fight as long as it takes&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/swift-russia-ukraine-sanctions-1a7a60c4-ffce-4078-aac8-50a5196baac4.html" target="_self">SWIFT international payments system</a>, a secure messaging service used by more than 11,000 banks and financial institutions throughout the world.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

The State Department will begin evacuating families and nonessential staff from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv this week, according to a travel advisory published Sunday evening. 

Why it matters: The move underscores U.S. fears that a Russian invasion could destabilize Ukraine and threaten the embassy's ability to assist Americans.

The latest: White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a briefing on Monday that the U.S. does not intend to carry out an Afghanistan-like military evacuation, which is why Americans should leave Ukraine now.

The United Kingdom's Foreign Office announced earlier Monday it was also withdrawing some embassy staff and dependents from Ukraine's capital "in response to the growing threat from Russia," but that the British Embassy would remain open.

Driving the news: "On January 23, 2022, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action," the State Department said in a travel advisory.

"U.S. citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options."

"The security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice. Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kyiv."

Between the lines: Senior State Department officials told reporters on a briefing call that it was not a specific change in the security situation that led to Sunday's decision, but the "totality" of the Russian military buildup and threatening posture toward Ukraine over the last several months. 

The officials declined to offer estimates of how many family members will be evacuated or how many Americans remain in Ukraine, citing a lack of accurate data.

"Given that the President has said military action by Russia could come at any time, the U.S government will not be in a position to evacuate U.S. citizens," one official stressed. 

The big picture: Russia continues to amass forces on all sides of the Ukrainian border, including with significant new deployments to Belarus and additional military aid to Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The British government on Sunday accused Russia of hatching a plot to overthrow the Ukrainian government in Kyiv and install a pro-Russian puppet regime.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Friday with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, where he agreed to provide written answers to Russia's demands for a freeze on NATO expansion. 

Blinken said Lavrov once again assured him Russia has no intention of attacking Ukraine, but added: "We're looking at what is visible to all, and it is deeds and actions, not words, that make the difference."

Go deeper... In photos: Behind the frontlines in Ukraine 

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

State Department orders evacuation of U.S. diplomats' families from Ukraine

The move underscores U.S. fears that a Russian invasion could destabilize Ukraine.

From left, undersecretary for political affairs Victoria Nuland, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. chargés d'affaires in Ukraine Kristina Kvien during a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv. Photo: Yevhen Liubimov/ Ukrinform/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Ukraine

The State Department will begin evacuating families and nonessential staff from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv this week, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a travel advisory" data-vars-click-url="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ukraine-travel-advisory.html" data-vars-content-id="2663edeb-ef2e-429b-afaf-71416fc34162" data-vars-headline="State Department orders evacuation of U.S. diplomats&#x27; families from Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/ukraine-travel-advisory.html" target="_blank">a travel advisory</a> published Sunday evening. Why it matters: The move underscores U.S. fears that a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Russian invasion could destabilize Ukraine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/us-ukraine-russia-invasion-f54a180a-3b52-45f7-9774-067e28da8450.html" data-vars-content-id="2663edeb-ef2e-429b-afaf-71416fc34162" data-vars-headline="State Department orders evacuation of U.S. diplomats&#x27; families from Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/us-ukraine-russia-invasion-f54a180a-3b52-45f7-9774-067e28da8450.html" target="_self">Russian invasion could destabilize Ukraine</a> and threaten the embassy&#x27;s ability to assist Americans.

The European Union, U.S. and other Western nations on Saturday announced they would cut off a "certain number of Russian banks" from the SWIFT international payments system and impose restrictions on Russia’s Central Bank.

Why it matters: The measures will effectively cut Russia out of the world's most important financial messaging system and undermine the Kremlin's ability to use its central bank reserves to blunt the impact of other sanctions.

Ukrainian officials had demanded that Western allies cut Russia from SWIFT in response to the invasion and make the country a complete international and financial pariah.

Some European allies like Germany and Italy had previously expressed concern that disconnecting Russian banks' access to SWIFT would cause collateral economic damage, but agreed to take the step after public pressure and days of intensive meetings. 

On Sunday, Japan announced they would also block certain Russian banks from the SWIFT system, per Reuters. 

Details: The commitments agreed to by the U.S., EU,  France, Germany, Italy, U.K. and Canada on Saturday fall into five main categories, according to a joint statement.

Disconnect select Russian banks from SWIFT, a move that a senior Biden administration official referred to as the "Iran model."

Undermine the Russian Central Bank's ability to defend the ruble.

Limit the sale of so-called "golden passports" that allow wealthy Russians to become citizens of Western countries and exploit their financial systems.

Launch a trans-Atlantic task force to hunt down the assets of sanctioned Russians in order to ensure the penalties are enforced.

Step up coordination of against Russian disinformation and other forms of hybrid warfare.

What they're saying: "We will show that Russia's supposed 'sanctions-proofing' of its economy is a myth. The $600 billion+ war chest of Russia's foreign reserves is only powerful if Putin can use it," a senior administration official told reporters.

"Without being able to buy the ruble from Western financial institutions, for example, Putin's Central Bank will lose the ability to offset the impact of our sanctions. The ruble will fall even further. Inflation will spike and the Central Bank will be left defenseless," the official added.

"We're disarming 'Fortress Russia' by taking this action."

The official said the list of Russian banks that will be cut off from SWIFT will be finalized by the EU, since the company is based in Belgium.

The big picture: The latest steps come on top of major sanctions already announced by the U.S. in coordination with the G7 last week, including sweeping export controls and a freeze on billions of dollars' worth of Russian assets.

The EU, U.S. and U.K. separately announced on Friday that they would impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

With the new sanctions enforcement task force, the West will "collectively hunt down the physical assets of sanctioned Russian companies and oligarchs — their yachts, jets, fancy cars and luxury homes," the official said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with more countries exluding Russian banks from SWIFT. 

Western allies agree to expel some Russian banks from SWIFT payments system

The Western nations also agreed to impose restrictions on Russia’s Central Bank.

The flags of the European Union (right) and Ukraine. Photo: Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images

The European Union, U.S. and other Western nations on Saturday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMjhGTeX0AMUVbQ.jpg" data-vars-content-id="728618c1-2d09-4c3d-a325-551635adfbec" data-vars-headline="Western allies agree to expel some Russian banks from SWIFT payments system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMjhGTeX0AMUVbQ.jpg" target="_blank">announced</a> they would cut off a &quot;certain number of Russian banks&quot; from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SWIFT international payments system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/swift-russia-ukraine-sanctions-1a7a60c4-ffce-4078-aac8-50a5196baac4.html" data-vars-content-id="728618c1-2d09-4c3d-a325-551635adfbec" data-vars-headline="Western allies agree to expel some Russian banks from SWIFT payments system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/swift-russia-ukraine-sanctions-1a7a60c4-ffce-4078-aac8-50a5196baac4.html" target="_self">SWIFT international payments system</a> and impose restrictions on Russia’s Central Bank.Why it matters: The measures will effectively cut Russia out of the world&#x27;s most important financial messaging system and undermine the Kremlin&#x27;s ability to use its central bank reserves to blunt the impact of other sanctions.

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

Axios World

Ukrainian troops were holding off a massive assault from Russia's military in Kyiv on Sunday, as streetfighting erupted in Kharkiv after President Vladimir Putin's forces entered Ukraine’s second-largest city on the fourth day of the unprovoked invasion.

The latest: Putin said Sunday that "aggressive statements" made by Western countries have led him to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a “special regime of combat duty," marking the second time he has alluded to Russia's nuclear arsenal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday rejected the Kremlin's offer of negotiations in Belarus due to the neighboring country not being neutral territory. He said he's willing to hold talks "in a country from whose territory rockets are not being fired."

Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a statement praising Ukrainian resistance Sunday, "Where are all those who promised to capture Kiev in 2 hours? Where are they at? I can't see them. ... The darkness will retreat. The dawn is near."

Meanwhile, Ukraine confirmed that Russian forces blew up a gas pipeline in Kharkiv. The city on the Russian border in northeast Ukraine has endured some of the most intense fighting of the war.

Warning that Russia would continue to cause "man-made disasters" by assaulting chemical plants and critical infrastructure, authorities posted instructions for civilians to close their windows and take other safety precautions.

What else is happening: Russia's defense ministry said all units were ordered to resume their offensive from all directions after a "pause" on Friday for possible negotiations with Ukraine, per state media.

A senior U.S. defense official told reporters Putin has "more than 50% of his total assembled power now committed inside Ukraine," and "tens of thousands" of troops have entered in the country in the last 24 hours.

The official added there were indications Russia didn't anticipate this level of resistance and had to commit more logistics and supplies, such as fuel, than initially planned.

Russia has restricted Twitter and Facebook within the country, as state media feeds viewers falsehoods about the invasion.

What they're saying: "Today we've seen a shift in Russian targeting towards critical civilian infrastructure, greater use of MLRS, and artillery in suburban areas. Unfortunately, my concern that this was going to get a lot more ugly and affect civilians is starting to materialize," tweeted CNA's Michael Kofman, one of the preeminent experts on Russia's military.

"The simple takeaway might be that the Russian military is getting frustrated, etc. but I also don't think we've quite judged the initial days of fighting very accurately ... My fear, looking at this 72 hours in, is all the worst is yet to come."

Zoom out: The European Union, U.S. and other Western allies reached an agreement on Saturday to disconnect select Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system and impose restrictions on Russia's Central Bank.

Germany announced it would send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles to Ukraine — a major reversal of its strict arms export policies that came after weeks of public pressure.

The White House has asked Congress to authorize $6.4 billion in emergency assistance for Ukraine, which would be divided between humanitarian and military aid.

Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Latvia said Saturday they would ban Russian airlines from their airspace. The move followed similar announcements from Poland, the United Kingdom, Moldova and the Czech Republic.

"We will paralyse the assets of Russia’s central bank," said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday. "This will freeze its transactions.  And it will make it impossible for the Central Bank to liquidate its assets." Photo: Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

What to watch: The United Nations Security Council will vote Sunday on whether to convene a special session of the UN General Assembly to debate Russia's invasion.

The procedural vote, which requires a nine-member majority to pass, is expected to advance since Russia can't exercise its veto power. 

On Sunday, Zelensky called for Russia to be stripped of it's security council seat, saying "“Russia has taken the path of evil, and the world should come to depriving it of its U.N. Security Council seat." 

Zelensky also announced that Ukraine had submitted a request to the International Court of  Justice to investigate Russia. "Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression."

By the numbers: The UN has confirmed at least 240 civilian casualties since the invasion began, but believes the "real figures are considerably higher."

More than 350,000 refugees have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries since Russia launched its invasion.

At least 100,000 refugees are displaced internally in Ukraine and "the numbers are most likely much higher," the UN said on Saturday.

Between the lines: Zelensky has emerged as a resolute and unifying wartime leader for his country during the first days of the Russian invasion, calmly delivering patriotic speeches from his phone on the darkened streets of Kyiv.

Go deeper: The latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis

Editor's note: This article has been updated throughout.

Russian troops enter Ukraine's second-largest city as assault continues in Kyiv

Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million in northeast Ukraine near the border with Russia, has endured intense attacks.

The aftermath of a rocket strike on an apartment building in Kyiv. Photo: Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Ukrainian troops were holding off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive assault from Russia&#x27;s military" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/russian-troops-invade-ukraine-encircle-kyiv-9b4acc6a-1bb1-4862-8280-11b09471608e.html" data-vars-content-id="9b4acc6a-1bb1-4862-8280-11b09471608e" data-vars-headline="Russian troops enter Ukraine&#x27;s second-largest city as assault continues in Kyiv" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/russian-troops-invade-ukraine-encircle-kyiv-9b4acc6a-1bb1-4862-8280-11b09471608e.html" target="_self">massive assault from Russia&#x27;s military</a> in Kyiv on Sunday, as streetfighting erupted in Kharkiv after President Vladimir Putin&#x27;s forces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entered Ukraine’s second-largest city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/russian-troops-enter-ukraine-city-kharkiv-fda24969-611b-4fde-bdd1-db7af52dde06.html" data-vars-content-id="9b4acc6a-1bb1-4862-8280-11b09471608e" data-vars-headline="Russian troops enter Ukraine&#x27;s second-largest city as assault continues in Kyiv" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/russian-troops-enter-ukraine-city-kharkiv-fda24969-611b-4fde-bdd1-db7af52dde06.html" target="_self">entered Ukraine’s second-largest city</a> on the fourth day of the unprovoked invasion.The latest: Putin said Sunday that &quot;aggressive statements&quot; made by Western countries have led him to put <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the nuclear deterrent forces in a “special regime of combat duty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/putin-nuclear-forces-9d1a2823-9512-4ab3-89f2-118ee37e0970.html" data-vars-content-id="9b4acc6a-1bb1-4862-8280-11b09471608e" data-vars-headline="Russian troops enter Ukraine&#x27;s second-largest city as assault continues in Kyiv" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/putin-nuclear-forces-9d1a2823-9512-4ab3-89f2-118ee37e0970.html" target="_self">the nuclear deterrent forces in a “special regime of combat duty</a>,&quot; marking the second time he has alluded to Russia&#x27;s nuclear arsenal.

The United Nations Security Council on Sunday voted to convene a special session of the UN General Assembly on Monday to debate Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Why it matters: This will only be the 11th time since 1950 that the General Assembly convened such an emergency session.

Eleven of the 15 member states voted in favor while only Russia voted against — but could not exercise its veto power on the procedural motion. 

China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained as they did on Friday during a vote on a draft UN Security Council resolution deploring Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Eighty-seven countries — including the same 11 members of the Security Council — supported or co-sponsored the resolution though Russia used its veto to block it.

Mapped: 87 countries condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the UN

UN Security Council votes to convene rare emergency session over Ukraine

This will only be the 11th time since 1950 that the General Assembly convened such an emergency session.

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya is seen during the Security Council meeting on Feb. 25. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council on Sunday voted to convene a special session of the UN General Assembly on Monday to debate Russia&#x27;s invasion of Ukraine.Why it matters: This will only be the 11th time since 1950 that the General Assembly convened such an emergency session.

Jennifer Koons

Stories

UN Security Council votes to convene rare emergency session over Ukraine

Russian troops enter Ukraine's second-largest city as assault continues in Kyiv

Western allies agree to expel some Russian banks from SWIFT payments system

Zelensky tells Ukrainians: "We will fight as long as it takes"

State Department orders evacuation of U.S. diplomats' families from Ukraine