Russia is capable of tackling extensive Western sanctions as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said on Monday.
“Western sanctions against Russia are harsh, but our country has the necessary potential to compensate for the damage,” said Dmitry Peskov.
– Russia has systematically prepared for quite some time for possible sanctions, among them some of the tough sanctions we now face, he continues.
Putin’s spokesmen have already called the sanctions absurd.
Shortly after the statements, it became clear that Russia was retaliating against the sanctions and closing the airspace to flights from Germany, Spain, Italy, France and 32 other countries – including Norway.
Meet today
Ukraine has agreed to talk to Russia even though the fighting is raging in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin has put the country’s nuclear weapons on high alert. The meeting will take place in Belarus on Monday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj said on Sunday that he has little faith that the talks will result in anything.
– I do not believe in any result from this meeting, but let’s try, he said.
According to The Guardian, Russia’s negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, has stated that Russia wants to reach an agreement.
Still fighting
The Russian offensive against Kyiv has continued beyond Monday. According to the Kyiv Independent, Russian forces have carried out rocket attacks in several places in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, including in the capital.
Ukraine’s defense minister says they have in no way lost the battle in Kyiv.
– We do not give up the capital, we win the battle, says Oleksij Reznikov on Monday morning, according to The Guardian. The Minister of Defense adds that the resistance has already lasted for four days.
– Four days of dedication, courage and faith, says Reznikov while the Ukrainian defense states that all Russian attempts to occupy the capital have failed.
Russian troops are stuck
According to the top adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, Oleksiy Arestovych, Russian troop movements have stopped northwest of Kyiv, where they were heading for the capital.
Fierce fighting has been going on outside Ukraine’s capital Kyiv since Russia launched its invasion on Thursday night.
North of Kyiv, the Russian army is trying to build a pontoon bridge to cross the Irpin River, the Ukrainian army’s general staff writes on Facebook.
