China News Agency, Beijing, April 10. Comprehensive news: British Prime Minister Johnson visited Ukraine on the 9th.

He said Britain would step up sanctions on Russia and provide economic and military aid to Ukraine.

On the other hand, Russia briefed on the situation since the launch of the special military operation.

Ukraine declares a trade embargo against Russia.

On the 9th local time, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson secretly arrived in Kyiv for a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

British Prime Minister visits Ukraine

  Johnson arrived in Kyiv on the 9th.

According to the Ukrainian state news agency, Johnson said at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United Kingdom and its partners will continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia and do their best to provide the economic and military support Ukraine needs.

Johnson also said the UK plans to open up trade with Ukraine and help Ukraine clear mines.

  At a news conference, Zelensky called on Western countries to step up sanctions on Russia, in particular to impose a comprehensive energy embargo on Russia and to increase arms supplies to Ukraine.

Speaking of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia negotiations, Zelensky emphasized that the peace agreement should provide Ukraine with an effective security mechanism.

  The Russian Satellite News Agency quoted the Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, as warning on the 10th that the continued supply of weapons from the West to Ukraine would put Russia and the United States on the path of direct conflict.

He said that any "Western weapons and military equipment transported by convoys through Ukraine is a legitimate target of our armed forces".

He also pointed out that Russia "is doing everything possible to end the confrontation as soon as possible, restore calm in the Donbass and restore peace to all peoples in Ukraine".

Russia briefed on special military operations

  Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov reported on the 9th that since Russia launched a special military operation, the Russian army has destroyed 127 fixed-wing aircraft, 98 helicopters, 428 drones, 2,037 tanks and armored vehicles of the Ukrainian army. Vehicles, 229 multiple rocket launchers, 886 field artillery and mortars, 1941 special military vehicles.

  According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, Admiral Mikhail Mizantsev, director of the Defense Command Center of the Russian Federation, said on the 9th that more than 6,000 foreigners from 13 countries were held hostage in Ukraine, and 77 ships from 18 countries were held in Ukraine. blocked in port.

  Ukrainian state news agency reported on the 9th that the local military management department of Ukraine reported that the Russian army continued to open fire on the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson areas at night, and the Ukrainian side was evacuating local residents.

  Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Economy Katchka said on the 9th that Russia's military action against Ukraine will affect about 25% of the world's grain trade, and will have serious consequences, including a reduction in the supply of grain, especially wheat, and an increase in grain prices.

In addition, Ukrainian ports have been blocked, and Russia has imposed restrictions on its own grain and fertilizer exports, which will also have an impact on future world grain production and prices.

  On the 9th local time, Moskalikova, the plenipotentiary representative of the Russian President for Human Rights, said that 32 Russian drivers detained in Ukraine returned to Russia on the same day.

In response, 20 detained Ukrainian drivers were released and returned to Ukraine.

  Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Veresyuk said on the 9th that Ukraine and Russia exchanged captured personnel for the third time that day, and 12 Ukrainian soldiers, including a female officer, returned home.

In addition, 14 Ukrainian civilians, including nine women, were released.

Ukraine announces trade embargo against Russia

  On the 9th local time, the representative of the Ukrainian government in the Verkhovna Rada, Melnychuk, announced that Ukraine has imposed a trade embargo on Russia, and Russian goods will not be imported into the Ukrainian customs area.

  According to Ukrainian media reports, the Ukrainian government also abolished the agreement between Ukraine and Belarus on mutual recognition of education and degree documents and the scientific and technological cooperation treaty between the two countries.

  On April 9, local time, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a rule to expand export restrictions to Russia and Belarus, which highly restricts Russia and Belarus from acquiring U.S.-origin or some allied countries that can be used in military and aerospace industries. Technology, software and commodities.

The Commerce Department said the restrictions would reduce the military capabilities of Russia and Belarus' strategic sectors.

  U.S. President Biden officially signed a bill on the 8th to terminate normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, as well as a bill to ban the import of Russian oil.

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