China News Agency, Beijing, March 9. Comprehensive news: The United States and the United Kingdom announced on the 8th that they would stop importing Russian energy, which once again pushed up international oil prices.

Russia and Ukraine restarted the "silent mode" on the 9th to ensure the evacuation of civilians from the humanitarian corridor. The foreign ministers of the two countries plan to meet in Turkey.

On the same day, the first batch of humanitarian aid supplies provided by the Red Cross Society of China to Ukraine departed.

On March 8, local time, U.S. President Biden signed an executive order at the White House announcing that the U.S. banned the import of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas and coal due to the Ukraine issue.

The picture shows Biden at the White House on the 8th.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Mengtong

The United States and Britain announced a ban on the import of Russian energy, the EU countries have mixed reactions

　　U.S. President Biden announced on the 8th that the United States will stop importing oil, natural gas and coal from Russia.

The British government announced on the same day that it will stop importing oil and petroleum products from Russia by the end of 2022.

　　Earlier in the day, the European Union announced it would cut Russian gas imports by two-thirds this year.

The French Presidential Palace stated that France will not immediately stop importing Russian natural gas, and hopes to gradually get rid of its dependence on Russian oil and natural gas in the long run.

German Chancellor Scholz said on the 7th that Germany supports sanctions against Russia, but excluding Russian energy, there is currently no other way to ensure Europe's heating, transportation, electricity supply and industrial energy supply.

Dutch Prime Minister Rutte also said that the sanctions must not create unmanageable risks to European energy supplies.

　　The latest decision by the United States and the United Kingdom to ban the import of Russian energy has pushed up international oil prices again.

As of the close on the 8th, the price of a barrel of WTI crude oil futures for April delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose to $123.7. During the early Asian session on the 9th, oil prices were still higher.

Some energy analysts have bet that crude futures will soon top $200 a barrel.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warned that international oil prices may even soar above $300 a barrel, and European consumers will be the main victims of soaring energy prices.

　　Barkindo, Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), said in a speech at a conference on the 8th that although the oil industry has a certain amount of spare capacity as a buffer against uncertainty, it has been severely depleted over the years, and the current world has no substitute. Capacity of Russia's share of oil exports, calling for not to politicize energy.

　　Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said on the 9th that Russia will impose targeted trade and financial restrictions on Western sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the 8th to support Russian citizens and companies under sanctions.

Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers plan to meet Ukrainian president in Turkey, saying "ready for dialogue with Russia"

　　According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, Zakharova said on the 9th that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba plan to contact Antalya, Turkey on the 10th.

Zakharova said that a series of bilateral meeting plans have been confirmed.

The negotiations were initiated and organized by Turkey, and the Turkish Foreign Minister will also participate.

Russia is preparing for negotiations, but will not make an assessment "too early".

　　Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video on social media on the evening of the 8th, calling for negotiations with Russia to mediate the situation in Ukraine.

"The war should end, it should sit down and negotiate" and "negotiate on specific issues," he said.

　　The website of the Ukrainian President released a message on the same day that Zelensky said in an interview with ABC that Ukraine is ready to have a dialogue with Russia on issues such as collective security, the "future" of the Donbas region and Crimea.

He said that in the future Ukraine must sign collective security agreements with all its neighbors, including Russia, as well as the United States, France, Germany and other countries.

　　According to Agence France-Presse, French President Emmanuel Macron had another phone call with Zelensky on the 8th to discuss "the latest developments in Russia's military operations." The talks also involved humanitarian assistance, nuclear power plant safety and security advice, and Russia-Ukraine negotiations. .

　　The German federal government issued an announcement on the evening of the 7th, saying that the leaders of Germany, the United States, France and the United Kingdom held a video meeting on the same day to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Gained support, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Russian troops.

　　Zakharova said on the 9th that Russia has notified several countries through the Russian embassy in the host country that they will take responsibility for providing military assistance, weapons and sending mercenaries to Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Department says 95% of Russian troops are intact

　　The ABC reported on the 8th that a senior official of the US Department of Defense revealed on the same day that about 95% of the Russian army's troops are still intact so far in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

　　The U.S. official said the Russian armed forces near Kyiv had made little progress in recent days.

In the northern Ukrainian cities of Chernihiv and Kharkov, the Russian advance also encountered resistance, and Russian troops appeared to still be plagued by logistical problems and shortages of supplies, including fuel and food.

In addition to the Russian advance force, another force is advancing towards the northeastern suburbs of Kyiv and has reached north of Sumy.

　　The Russian Federation National Guard spokesman said on the 9th that the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in Ukraine, is currently under the complete control of the Russian Federation National Guard. Weapons were surrendered and released home.

Russia and Ukraine start "silent mode" again, Chinese humanitarian aid supplies start

　　The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian army has activated the "silent mode" again from 10:00 Moscow time on the 9th to ensure the humanitarian evacuation of civilians from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkov and Mariupol. corridor.

The Russian Ministry of Defense believes that continuous contact should be established between Russia and Ukraine on the evacuation of civilians.

　　Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Veresuk announced on the 9th that the evacuation of civilians that day will be carried out through six humanitarian corridors.

"The military has agreed to a ceasefire from 9:00 to 21:00 Kyiv time on the 9th," she said.

　　The day before, Russia and Ukraine also launched a "silent mode" to ensure the evacuation of civilians.

Russia said it evacuated more than 5,000 people from the Donbas region and other dangerous areas in one day.

More than 2 million Ukrainians and foreigners have asked Russia to evacuate.

The Ukrainian side said it did not agree to open humanitarian corridors in the direction of Russia and Belarus.

　　Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on the 9th that with the joint efforts of all parties, more than 100 Chinese students in the Sumy area have been evacuated from the risk area.

At present, the vast majority of Chinese citizens in Ukraine have been evacuated.

　　Zhao Lijian also said that at the request of Ukraine, the Red Cross Society of China will provide Ukraine with a batch of humanitarian aid materials, including food and daily necessities, worth 5 million yuan.

On March 9, the first batch of materials has been shipped from Beijing, and will be delivered to the Ukrainian Red Cross as soon as possible through appropriate means.

(End) (Reporters involved: Tian Bing, Zhang Shuo, Xiao Xin, Zhang Huandi)