Biden says Putin ‘cannot remain in power’; explosions rock Lviv, Ukraine: LIVE UPDATES

In a rousing speech in Poland to a mix of Polish citizens and Ukrainian refugees, President Biden underscored NATO’s role in the war in Ukraine.

“Putin can and must end this war,” Biden said, stressing that there is “no doubt” that Russia’s military effort has played out as “a strategic failure.”

Biden also insisted that NATO is a defensive alliance that has “never sought the demise of Russia,” but reiterated the “sacred obligation” of all NATO members to defend “each and every inch of NATO territory.”

“This is the task of our time, the task of this generation,” Biden said. “Let’s remember the hammer blow that brought down the Berlin Wall, the might that lifted the Iron Curtain were not the words of a single leader but the people of Europe who fought for decades to free themselves.”

Former Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor and Heritage Foundation center for freedom director Nile Gardiner weigh in on Biden’s speech about the Russia-Ukraine war in Poland.

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Explosions in Lviv resulted in thick black smoke that looked like clouds and could be seen from miles away.

Fox News correspondent Jeff Paul’s security team reported that two jets flew overhead before the explosions. Paul initially reported that a communications tower had been hit, but later said it may have been an oil depot as smoke continued to billow across the landscape.

President Biden is approximately 245 miles away in Warsaw meeting with Ukrainian refugees.

This is a developing story.

President Biden on Saturday called Russian President Vladimir Putin “a butcher” after he met with displaced Ukrainian mothers and their children in Warsaw, Poland. 

Ukrainian mothers spoke with the president while holding their children and explained their fury over Putin’s illegal incursion.

“We Ukrainian mothers are ready to strangle him with our bare hands,” one woman said, explaining that her husband and son stayed behind to fight. 

For more on this story: Biden calls Putin a ‘butcher’ after meeting with Ukrainian refugees in Poland

President Biden on Saturday said the United States understands Poland’s decision to take in more than 2 million Ukrainian refugees amid Russia’s invasion because “thousands of people a day, literally,” are crossing the U.S. southern border.

Biden made the remarks during a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“We do acknowledge that Poland is taking on a significant responsibility that I don’t think should just be Poland and should be the whole world — all of NATO’s responsibility,” Biden said. “The fact that you have so many Ukrainians seeking refuge in and in … Poland — we understand that because we have on our southern border thousands of people a day literally, not figuratively, trying to get to the United States.”

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Ukrainian officials said they found the meeting with U.S. officials, including President Biden and Secretaries of State and Defense, “encouraging.”

“Discussed urgent needs of #UAarmy,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov tweeted, adding that “we live in an era of Ukrainocentrism, but in mutual struggle with a common enemy.”

Biden supposedly said that Ukraine has “inspired the whole world.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also attended the meeting.

Japanese media claimed Saturday that Russia had commenced military drills on the Kuril Islands.

Russia’s Eastern Military District confirmed the drills by announcing more than 3,000 troops and hundreds of pieces of army equipment had been deployed on the islands, Reuters reported.

Russia took possession of the islands following World War II, but Japan has maintained that it has the sovereign right to the islands. Russia commenced its newest drills after peace talks stalled following sanctions Japan enacted due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s defense ministry said Saturday that its forces had killed another Russian general during a strike near the city of Kherson.

Lt. Gen. Yakov Rezantsev would be the seventh general killed in Ukraine and the second-lieutenant general – the highest rank officer reportedly killed, according to the BBC.

Low morale among Russian troops may have forced senior officers closer to the front lines, leading to several high-profile deaths among their ranks.Rezantsev was stationed at the Chornobaivka airbase, which Russia has used as a command post during its offensive in Kherson.

Andrei Mordvichev, the other lieutenant-general reportedly killed, was at the same base when he died.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a virtual speech Saturday during Qatar’s Doha Forum, where he criticized Russia’s ongoing aggression and called on the international community to do more to help.

Zelenskyy also compared the Russian attack on the port city of Mariupol to the Russian bombing of Aleppo during the Syrian War, where over 400 people died. 

“They are destroying our ports,” Zelenskyy said. “The absence of exports from Ukraine will deal a blow to countries worldwide.”

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced a curfew will remain in effect from 8 p.m. local time Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday.

Local residents can leave their homes only to move to bomb shelters. Shops, pharmacies, gas stations and even public transit will not operate during this time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

President Biden will meet with Ukrainian foreign, defense ministers during his visit to Warsaw, Poland on Saturday, the AFP News Agency reports.

The White House previously announced Biden planned to meet with Ukrainian refugees who fled since the start of the Russian War before he gives a speech.

More than 300,000 refugees have fled Ukraine in the last 30 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a speech Saturday during Qatar’s Doha Forum, where he criticized Russia’s ongoing aggression.

“They are destroying our ports,” Zelenskyy said. “The absence of exports from Ukraine will deal a blow to countries worldwide.”

Zelenskyy also called on the United Nations to do more to intervene in the conflict and aid Ukrainians.

“The future of Europe rests with your efforts,” he said. “We have to ensure this sacred month of Ramadan is not overshadowed by the misery of people in Ukraine.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Translation: “Trains with thirty tons of humanitarian cargo arrived in Dnipropetrovsk region and Zaporizhia.”

“The cargo was sent within the framework of joint humanitarian initiatives of the Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an address on the 30th anniversary of the founding the country’s Security Service.

“I want to begin this address with words of congratulations. On my own behalf and on your behalf, on behalf of all our citizens of Ukraine to the employees of the Security Service of Ukraine. Today is their day,” he said.

“We will always remember all the employees of the Service who died for Ukraine while performing tasks to counter Russian aggression,” Zelenskyy added.

“During this month of hostilities, 77 employees of the Security Service were awarded state awards. Two of them were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Both distinguished themselves in the battles near Makariv, Kyiv region. Thanks to their courageous actions, the enemy headquarters and more than 20 occupiers were destroyed.”

“By restraining Russia’s actions, our defenders are leading the Russian leadership to a simple and logical idea: talk is necessary. Meaningful. Urgent. Fair. For the sake of the result, not for the sake of the delay.”

“16,000 Russian servicemen have already died. For what?”

Translation: The Czech Minister of Defense refused a meeting in Budapest, Hungary’s capital, because of the country’s support for Russia.

“I am very sorry that cheap Russian oil is more important to Hungarian politicians than Ukrainian blood,” she wrote.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed 12 Russian air targets, including three planes, on March 25, according to a report.

The targets also included three drones, a helicopter and five cruise missiles.

On the ground, Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed eight tanks and 17 armored units that same day in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas.

Germany has sent 1,500 “Strela” anti-aircraft missiles and 100 MG3 machine guns to Ukraine this week, according to the Kyiv Independent.

The shipment included 350,000 food packs, 50 medical transport vehicles, and medical supplies.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar released a statement Friday announcing the release of Tyler Jacob, a Minnesota man who had been detained in Russia.

“I am relieved that Tyler is safely reunited with his wife and daughter,” Klobuchar said in the statement. “Over the last two weeks, my team and I have been in close contact with his family, the State Department, and the U.S. embassy in Moscow working towards this outcome, and I am grateful that we were able to help bring him to safety.”

Klobuchar added, “While this is good news, my heart remains with all those separated from their loved ones or in danger. As Vladimir Putin continues his senseless war, our commitment to supporting the people of Ukraine is steadfast.”

Jacob was taken by Russian soldiers as he tried to flee Ukraine for his own safety at the approximately two weeks ago. He was detained in Russia for ten days as his family tried to work with the U.S. State Department and U.S. embassy in Moscow to locate him and bring him home.

“I am so ecstatic that Tyler is safe,” Tina Hauser, Jacobs’ mother, said in the statement. “This has been a harrowing experience, and I am so grateful to the officials in the State Department and embassy who helped us locate Tyler and get him out of Russia. I am especially grateful to Senator Klobuchar for her steadfast support through this whole process. This was a parent’s worst nightmare, but I can rest easy tonight knowing my son has made it to safety.”

Senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot has the latest from Lviv, Ukraine, on ‘Special Report.’

President Zelenskyy announced a plan to build temporary housing for people displaced by the Russia War.

“Once we achieve peace, we will begin immediate large-scale reconstruction of our country. But now people need a temporary home,” Zelensky said.

Click here for Friday’s live coverage.