According to the Pentagon, Ukraine can win the war against Russia “absolutely”, even though Moscow continues to resist key breakthroughs.

John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, stated that Vladimir Putin has “not achieved any of his strategic goals” while “really only taking over a few population centres”.

This news comes as US officials claim that at least 24,000 Russian troops have withdrawn from Kyiv. However, there are fears that they may be refitting and replenishing in preparation for a possible future deployment to Ukraine.

A US defense official spoke on condition of anonymity, “The threat (of) ground invasion (of Kyiv is clearly gone for now… but it’s unclear what their longer-range objectives are.”

Advertisement

They stated that troops were leaving the region to go to Russia and Belarus to consolidate but it wasn’t clear how many would be sent back to Ukraine.

Russia launches a campaign of terror in the south; major new offensive likely’ within days. – Ukraine’s latest

Key developments:

* The US declares it will boycott “a number of G20 meetings” if Russian officials attend

According to Mariupol’s mayor, more than 5,000 civilians were killed.

* Nearly a thousand people fled Mariupol in a convoy of buses or cars

* French President says Bucha civilian killings were war crimes

Minutes after the US issued sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters a Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby stated that Ukraine’s resistance was strong.

He said, “Of course [Ukraine] will win this.”

“If you take a look at the achievements of their team so far, it is clear that Mr Putin has not achieved any of his strategic goals in Ukraine.

“He didn’t take Kyiv. He didn’t overthrow the government. He didn’t eliminate Ukraine from being a nation.

“He has only managed to control a few population centers, and they’re not the ones he wanted.”

“The proof is literally found in the outcomes you’re seeing every single day,” Mr Kirby said.

“Absolutely [Ukraine] is able to win.”

Russia is hit with more sanctions

The US also sanctioned Mr Putin’s daughters and imposed harsh sanctions on Russian banks. They also banned all new US investments in Russia.

The UK placed sanctions on eight other oligarchs, as well as imposing an asset freeze on Russia’s largest bank. They also promised to stop imports of Russian oil or coal by the end the year.

Although the EU was planning to announce an embargo against coal and a ban for Russian ships and road operators on Wednesday, diplomats did not approve the measures as technical issues needed to be addressed.

Zelenskyy urges Western leaders to “borrow a little determination”

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zilenskyy stated that the new sanctions range had a “spectacular appearance… but this isn’t enough”.

He welcomed moves to strike Russian banks but said he wouldn’t rest until there was a “complete blocking of the Russian banking sector from international finance”.

He demanded that the EU take immediate action to end its oil embargo. The EU’s leaders have not been able reach an agreement on this matter.

Germany, which relies heavily upon oil imports from Russia, is believed to be resisting an outright ban.

Hungary indicated that it was ready to join the EU and accept a Russian demand to pay its gas with rubles.

“Some politicians are still not able to decide how to limit Russia’s oil trade flow of dollars and euro, so as to not jeopardize their economies,” Mr Zelenskyy stated.

“But that’s what makes people choose politics. These problems require difficult tasks to solve. To resolve them quickly and in a principled manner. You shouldn’t be a politician if you don’t possess the ability.

“The embargo against Russian oil supplies will still be in effect. It will be determined.

“The only problem is how many more Ukrainian soldiers and civilians the Russian military will have to kill. So that some politicians – we know you – can borrow a little determination from somewhere.