March 30, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

By Kathleen Magramo, Sophie Tanno, Aditi Sangal, Matt Meyer, Elise Hammond and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Updated 0038 GMT (0838 HKT) March 31, 2023
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6:31 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

Turkey's parliament approves Finland's accession to NATO, clearing way for membership

From CNN's Yusuf Gezer and Mostafa Salem

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Finland's President Sauli Niinistö shake hands during a welcome ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, on March 17.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Finland's President Sauli Niinistö shake hands during a welcome ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, on March 17. (Burhan Ozbilici/AP)

Turkey’s parliament unanimously approved Finland’s accession to NATO after a vote Thursday, clearing the path for the Nordic country to become the 31st NATO member.

The vote fulfills Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s promise to allow Finland into the defense alliance. It comes after Hungary’s parliament passed a bill Monday approving Finland’s NATO membership.

The Turkish parliament vote was the last major hurdle facing Finland’s bid to join the alliance.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Turkish parliament's decision Thursday.

"I welcome the vote of the Grand National Assembly of #Türkiye to complete the ratification of #Finland’s accession. This will make the whole #NATO family stronger & safer," Stoltenberg said in a tweet. 

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö celebrated the news, saying "Finland is now ready to join NATO." Niinistö added that he hopes neighboring country Sweden will also be able to join as soon as possible. 

How we got here: Finland announced its intention to join NATO in May 2022, along with Sweden, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused the two countries to abandon their long-held non-aligned status.

Turkey had stalled the approval process after accusing both countries of housing Kurdish “terrorist organizations.” In late February, Stoltenberg said it appeared the diplomatic hold-up was predominantly concerning Sweden.

Turkey has not yet indicated whether it will now approve Sweden’s NATO membership.

More background: NATO has an open-door policy, meaning that any country can be invited to join if it expresses an interest, as long as it is able and willing to uphold the principles of the bloc's founding treaty. However, under the accession rules, any member state can veto a new country from joining.

Turkey is a powerful NATO member, with the bloc's second-largest military after the US. Its location at the southeastern flank of the alliance makes it a strategically important member. It acts as a buffer between the West and a swathe of Middle Eastern nations with a history of political instability, and where Western states have major interests. The fact it joined the alliance in 1952, just three years after its founding, adds to its clout.

CNN's Jennifer Deaton contributed reporting.

6:43 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

An American journalist was arrested in Russia. Here's what to know to get up to speed

From CNN staff

The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich is shown in this undated photo.
The Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich is shown in this undated photo. (The Wall Street Journal/AP)

Wall Street Journal reporter and US national Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on suspicion of "espionage" and placed under arrest until May 29, according to a Moscow court Thursday. It comes amid a crackdown in Russia on independent journalists and foreign news outlets in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

The US State Department is tasked with officially determining if Americans are detained wrongfully abroad.

Here's what we know so far:

  • What happened: The Russian intelligence agency, the FSB, said Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg, on the eastern side of the Ural Mountains "while trying to obtain secret information" relating to "the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.” The Wall Street Journal, which has had a decades-long presence in Moscow, has categorically rejected those allegations.
  • Some background: It is the first time an American journalist has been detained on accusations by Moscow of spying since the Cold War, and comes a week after US authorities arrested Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, who they accused of being a Russian spy and was indicted in federal court. The Kremlin did not comment when asked if Gershkovich’s arrest was a tit-for-tat move for Cherkasov's arrest. Detentions of other Americans, including Paul Whelan, have led to lengthy and difficult negations between Washington and Moscow.
  • Russia's response: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the arrest was a "prerogative of the FSB." In a call with reporters, he added: "As far as we know, he was caught red-handed." The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs routinely makes baseless claims about the work and motives of foreign journalists in Russia.
  • United States' response: The US has condemned the detainment, saying it is "deeply concerned." The State Department has been directly in touch with the Russian government, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. The US Embassy in Moscow has formally requested consular access — something officials say is a priority for Gershkovich's well-being and to collect more information.
  • Reaction: Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker told staff in a memo Thursday she was "very concerned" for the reporter's safety. Almar Latour — the chief executive of Dow Jones, which publishes The Wall Street Journal — said the safety of journalists is his top priority and that the company is working "around the clock" to secure Gershkovich's release. The New York Times said in a statement it is "deeply concerned” by the arrest and called for his immediate release.

Headlines from the war:

  • On the front lines: The Ukrainian military said its units repelled nearly 50 Russian assaults across the front lines in the eastern Donetsk region over the past day – but there have been far fewer missile and air strikes than normal. Russian shelling has been centered around the embattled city of Bakhmut, as well as Avdiivka and Mariinka in Donetsk, and Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, the military said.
  • Ukraine's training: More than 7,000 Ukrainian troops have received training by United States forces since the beginning of Russia’s invasion last year, according to the Pentagon. More than 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers will have completed combined arms training in Germany at the end of this month, the Pentagon said.
  • Sanctions: President Vladimir Putin has conceded that Western sanctions designed to starve the Kremlin of funds for its invasion of Ukraine could deal a blow to Russia’s economy. It is a rare admission by the Russian leader, who has repeatedly insisted that his country's economy remains resilient and that sanctions have hurt Western countries by driving up inflation and energy prices.
  • Possible human rights violations: The United States and 44 other countries in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe invoked a special mechanism to investigate alleged human rights violations by Russia during its war in Ukraine.
7:12 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

Ukrainian city of Kharkiv suffers six missile strikes, regional leader says

From CNN's Julia Kesaieva in Kyiv

Russian shelling caused destruction in the village of Bogoduhiv, Kharkiv on Wednesday.
Russian shelling caused destruction in the village of Bogoduhiv, Kharkiv on Wednesday. (Sofiia Bobok/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Russia fired at least six missiles at Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Thursday night, according to the head of Kharkiv's regional military administration.

“The shelling is coming from the direction of Belgorod,” Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram, referring to a Russian city just across the border. “Information on casualties and destruction is being updated. Do not leave the shelters until the alarm goes off!”
3:45 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

EU denounces Russia’s “systematic disregard” for media freedom in arrest of American journalist

From CNN's Sugam Pokharel and Pierre Bairin

The European Union on Thursday condemned the Russian detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and denounced the country's “systematic disregard” for media freedom.

"Journalists must be allowed to exercise their profession freely and deserve protection. The Russian authorities demonstrate yet again their systematic disregard for media freedom,” EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said in a tweet.

Other world leaders also are expressing concern for the arrest. It is the first time an American journalist has been detained on accusations by Moscow of spying since the Cold War.

The French foreign ministry said on Thursday that Paris was “particularly worried and we have had the opportunity on several occasions to condemn the repressive attitude of the Russian authorities towards the press, whether Russian or international, present in Russia,” a spokesperson said.

“We will continue to convey the message of defending press freedom and calling on the Russian authorities to respect fundamental rights, including those attached to freedom of information,” the foreign ministry spokesperson added. 

3:52 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

Ukrainian military reports fewer Russian strikes and slightly improved situation around Bakhmut on Thursday

From Julia Kesaieva and Tim Lister

An aerial view shows smoke billowing, in Bakhmut, Ukraine, in still image taken from an undated video obtained from social media.
An aerial view shows smoke billowing, in Bakhmut, Ukraine, in still image taken from an undated video obtained from social media. @combat.art.ukraine/Instagram/Reuters

The Ukrainian military said its units repelled nearly 50 Russian assaults across the front lines in the eastern Donetsk region over the past day – but there have been far fewer missile and air strikes than normal.

Russian shelling has been centered around the embattled city of Bakhmut, as well as Avdiivka and Mariinka in Donetsk, and Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, the military said.

“The enemy continues to assault the city of Bakhmut. However, our defenders are bravely holding the city and repelling numerous enemy attacks,” the General Staff said.

Positions in the area appear to have changed very little.

Accounts from units in Bakhmut also suggest that Thursday was quieter than most days. The State Border Guard Services said two of Russia's Wagner assault groups were eliminated.

An unofficial Telegram account of the 46th separate airmobile brigade said that while Russian units had become more active in the city, the pressure on outlying settlements to the west and northwest had eased. The account also said that there was little coordination between Wagner mercenaries and regular forces, and claimed that a Wagner detachment in the city had been struck by Russian combat planes.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of Donetsk region military administration, said that the front lines around Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar (northwest of Bakhmut), Avdiivka and Mariinka were still under constant shelling.

In the town of Avdiivka, the situation is “really tense," Vitalii Barabash, the head of the city military administration told Ukrainian media. He said that in his opinion, "it cannot be called completely critical, especially since the Russians are now in positions that are not very favorable for them, but more favorable for us."

Russian forces have put considerable effort into encircling Avdiivka, but their most recent assaults have gained no ground, according to the General Staff. 

In other parts of Ukraine: The General Staff said cross-border shelling in the north persisted, with settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions coming under attack. It said that Ukrainian forces continued to strike at concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and ammunition depots behind the front lines. 

3:28 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

White House says there's "no reason to believe" Russia's claim that journalist was spying

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing on Thursday, March 30.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing on Thursday, March 30. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden's administration says the US is still investigating Russia's allegations against a detained Wall Street Journal reporter, but voiced skepticism Thursday over the Kremlin's claim he was spying in the country.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was responding to a question about whether the White House would call journalist Evan Gershkovich's plight a "hostage situation."

"We have been very clear, there's — you know — there's no reason to believe that those charges are accurate, the espionage (charges)," Jean-Pierre said.

Earlier, a White House spokesperson deferred to the US State Department and said officials were still assessing whether the US considers the reporter's arrest a wrongful detention. The Biden administration has, however, condemned the arrest.

In response to a follow-up question, Jean-Pierre said the Kremlin detaining Americans and using them for leverage in negotiations is a familiar tactic.

She also urged US residents to stay out of the country.

"It is not safe for Americans right now in Russia," Jean-Pierre said.

"The State Department is going to continue to reiterate that: It is not safe at this time to be in Russia or to travel in Russia," the press secretary said.

3:20 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

45 countries to investigate Russia's alleged human rights violations

From CNN’s Sugam Pokharel and Jennifer Hansler

The United States and 44 other countries in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) invoked a special mechanism Thursday to investigate alleged human rights violations by Russia during its war in Ukraine, “particularly with regard to the forced transfer and deportation of children by the Russian Federation.”

According to the US and several European governments, Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration forcibly deported thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, often to a network of dozens of camps where the minors underwent political reeducation. 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier this month issued arrest warrants for Putin and another Russian official related to the reported forced deportation.

In a joint statement, the group of OSCE countries said the so-called Moscow Mechanism, which is a serious step taken to look into allegations of human rights abuses, was invoked “as we continue to have concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law following Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine."

The statement noted that recent reports from OSCE’s independent expert missions confirmed the group’s shared concerns about Russia’s “violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, and, in particular, credible reports of forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including unaccompanied children.” 

“Some of the violations may amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes,” the statement read. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the move, saying in a tweet, “we need resolute joint actions to stop this genocidal practice, return children back to Ukraine, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.” 

The OSCE does not have the authority to legally punish Russia if it finds evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, but the organization's findings can be given to other bodies that do. 

Both Russia and Ukraine are members of the 57-nation OSCE. 

3:31 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

US Embassy in Moscow has requested official notification of WSJ reporter's arrest, state department says

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Christian Sierra

The US Embassy in Moscow has requested official notification of the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, according to the State Department.

“Russia is required to provide that under our bilateral consular convention,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

Patel also said the US has requested consular access to Gershkovich, but noted that “due to Russia's administrative procedures and security requirements, it will likely be several days before that happens.”

He said consular access is the "number one priority" for the State Department so that officials can access Gershkovich's well-being and gather information.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration is also "fighting for" consular access, adding the president was briefed on the case Thursday morning.

The administration has said there is a process that must be completed before they can officially call a situation a wrongful detention case.

Asked if the State Department would designate Gershkovich as wrongfully detained, Patel said “the Department regularly reviews the circumstances surrounding the detentions of US nationals overseas for indicators that these detentions are wrongful.”

“I'm not going to get ahead of that process as this just happened yesterday. Of course, I'm seeing the same public reporting that you are seeing as it relates to these charges, and I don't think that there is any truth to them. But again, I'm going to let this process play out and not, not get ahead of this process,” he said at a briefing.

Patel urged Americans not to travel to Russia and said that Americans residing in Russia should leave “immediately.”

CNN's Sam Fossum contributed reporting to this post.

2:57 p.m. ET, March 30, 2023

State Department says not to make comparisons between Whelan and Gershkovich cases

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

US State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel on Thursday said it was important “that we not make comparisons” between the cases of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.

Whelan, a former Marine who is a US, Irish, British and Canadian citizen, was detained in December 2018 by Russian authorities who alleged he was involved in an intelligence operation. He was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison in 2020 after a trial US officials called unfair.

Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of "espionage," according to a Moscow court.

“The US government continues to engage with the Russian Federation through the established channel to bring Paul Whelan home. His release continues to be an absolute priority, and we have and will continue to engage the Russian government on his case,” Patel said at a State Department briefing.

Patel said the US Embassy will speak with Whelan Thursday, and consular officers last visited him in person in late January. Embassy officials regularly speak by phone with Whelan.

“Our family is sorry to hear that another American family will have to experience the same trauma that we have had to endure for the past 1,553 days,” Paul’s brother David Whelan said in an email to the press earlier Thursday.