Natalia Zinets and Vitalii Hyniy. Jarrett Renshaw

LVIV/KHARKIV Ukraine/ BRUSSELS – Ukraine’s leader has called for solidarity one month after Russia’s invasion. Warning that he could see who is selling out at European summits where NATO and strengthening sanctions are in the works, energy restraints may prove to be divisive.

The U.S. president Joe Biden arrived in Brussels to meet with the EU, G7, and alliance leaders. He is addressing a conflict which began Feb. 24, and caused over 3.6 million people to flee their country.

Biden’s trip could shed light on the dispute between European allies who are heavily dependent on Russian oil, gas and natural gas.

Jake Sullivan from the White House National Security Advisor stated that this topic has been a significant one and the subject for “intense back-and forth” over recent days. American already bans Russian oil imports.

Moscow will switch to roubles gas sales from “unfriendly countries”, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

As the human toll of conflict continues to climb, driving 25% of Ukraine’s 44 million inhabitants from their homes and forcing them to flee, President Volodymyr Zeleskiy called for people to march in the streets to demand an end to war.

He said, in video, “Come out of your offices, homes, schools, universities and come in support of Ukraine. To support freedom, life, and support Ukraine.”

The United States would announce additional sanctions against Russian politicians and oligarchs Thursday. Sullivan stated that officials will have more to share on Friday regarding European energy issues.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that, ahead of Biden’s meeting, the alliance would increase its force in Eastern Europe through four new battle formations in Bulgaria (Hungary, Romania and Slovakia).

Zelenskiy indicated that on Thursday, he was expecting “serious actions” from Western allies.

He reiterated his demand for a no fly zone, and complained about the inability of the West to provide Ukraine with modern anti-missile system tanks, planes or other anti-ship weapons.

In a video message released on Thursday morning, he stated that “At these summits we will determine who is our friend and who is our partner”

KYIV HIT

Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour’s military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists.

According to the West, this is an absurd pretext for unprovoked military conflict.

The Kremlin claims that its operations are going according to plan. However, Russian forces suffered heavy losses and have been unable to advance on all fronts. They also face serious supply issues. The Russian forces have resorted to bombardments and siege tactics, which has resulted in massive destruction and the death of many civilians.

Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv’s Mayor, said Wednesday to reporters that Russian terrorists had killed 264 civilians. Later, he said that one victim was killed and two were wounded when the shells struck a parking lot at a shopping mall.

Russia denies targeting civilians.

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America stated that Russia had been accused of war crimes.

Blinken claimed that “numerous credible accounts of deliberate targeting civilians or indiscriminate attack” have been reported.

Mariupol’s southern port has been worst hit. This is where hundreds of thousands of civilians have been hiding since wartime, under constant bombardment with cutting off food, water, heating and other supplies.

Satellite photos from Maxar, a commercial company, showed massive destruction to the once-thriving city of 400,000 inhabitants. Apartment buildings were also in flames.

On Wednesday, approximately 4,554 people were evacuated through humanitarian corridors from Ukrainian cities. This is considerably less than on the previous day, according to senior officials.

UNFRIENDLY COUNTRIES

Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister and Western Leaders’ Representative to Ukraine said that he will push for an increase of defensive lethal aid.

According to a top defense official, the U.S. will soon begin sending out its first shipment for Ukraine from an arms package worth $800million, which was authorized last week.

Putin’s threats to change gas sales to rubles sent European futures skyrocketing on fears that the move could exacerbate an energy crisis and stymie deals worth hundreds of millions every day.

Around 40% of Europe’s gas consumption comes from Russia.

Moscow has compiled a list of countries that have placed sanctions on Russia. These include, but are not limited to, the United States and European Union member countries, Britain, Japan, and others.

Putin said that only the change will affect Russian roubles, the payment currency.

As information wars rage, an Russian regulator stopped Alphabet (NASDAQ)’s news-aggregator Google News. It said it permits access to “false material” about the military operation. Interfax news agency reported.

Google did not respond immediately.

The company stated earlier that it wouldn’t help YouTube and other websites sell ads with content it considered exploited, dismisses, or condones the conflict.