Since the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine on Feb. 24., more than 1.7 million Ukrainians have fled to Central Europe. The West imposed sanctions on Russia, aimed at cutting off its largest banks and preventing the country from importing critical technology.
The third round of Russian-Ukrainian talks, held in Belarus on Monday evening, failed to yield the expected results, as both Moscow and Kyiv delegates acknowledged.
After the third attempt to ease the conflicts at talks, a Ukrainian negotiator said that although small progress on agreeing on logistics for the evacuation of civilians had been made, things remained largely unchanged.
Here are all the latest updates:
Zelensky addresses UK parliament, calls for support
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has given a historic virtual address to British MPs.
Zelensky told British lawmakers that the question facing his country was "to be, or not to be" after Russia's attack and he repeated his calls for more help including tougher sanctions against Moscow.
The Ukrainian president pushed for more Western action against Russia and called for humanitarian aid. “Do what you can, do what you must,” he said.
Biden announces US ban on Russian oil
US President Joe Biden has announced a total ban on Russian energy, including oil and gas, Sputnik reported.
"Today I'm announcing the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia's economy. We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy. That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin's war machine," Biden said in a televised address Tuesday morning.
"This is a move that has strong bipartisan support in Congress and I believe in the country. Americans have rallied to support the Ukrainian people and made it clear we will not be part of subsidizing Putin's war," Biden added.
Biden said he had consulted US allies around the world before making the decision, particularly in Europe. "We're moving forward with this ban understanding that many of our European partners and allies may not be in a position to join us," he said, pointing to America's domestic oil production capabilities compared to those of its NATO allies.
"The United States produces far more oil domestically than all the European countries combined. In fact, we're a net exporter of energy. So we can take this step when others cannot. But we're working closely with Europe and our partners to develop a long term strategy to reduce their dependance on Russian energy as well," Biden said.
"This is a step that we're taking to inflict further pain on Putin, but there will be costs as well here in the United States," Biden said, suggesting that "defending freedom has a cost."
UK to stop importing Russian oil & oil products by end of 2022: energy minister
The UK will stop importing Russian oil and oil products by the end of 2022, the country's Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said.
According to Kwarteng, "this transition will give the market, businesses and supply chains more than enough time to replace Russian imports, which make up 8 percent of UK demand".
"The government will also work with companies through a new Taskforce on Oil, to support them to make use of this period in finding alternative supplies," the British Business and Energy Secretary added.
Biden to announce further actions against Russia today: White House
US President Joe Biden will unveil new actions in response to Russia's operation in Ukraine later on Tuesday, according to his schedule distributed by the White House.
“In the morning, the President will receive the President’s Daily Brief. This meeting will be closed press,” the White House said. “Then, the President will announce actions to continue to hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine.”
The announcement will take place at 10:45 a.m. EST (15:45 GMT).
Biden is expected to announce a ban on US imports of Russian oil on Tuesday, in the latest sanction in response to Moscow’s attack on Ukraine, according to US media
Shell to stop buying Russian crude oil
UK-Dutch petroleum giant Shell announced on Tuesday its intention to gradually withdraw from all oil and gas projects in Russia, adding it will stop all spot purchases of Russian oil as a first step.
"Shell plc (Shell) today announced its intent to withdraw from its involvement in all Russian hydrocarbons, including crude oil, petroleum products, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a phased manner, aligned with new government guidance. As an immediate first step, the company will stop all spot purchases of Russian crude oil. It will also shut its service stations, aviation fuels and lubricants operations in Russia," the company said in a statement.
Russia destroys 2,482 Ukrainian military infrastructure facilities: MoD
The Russian Armed Forces destroyed 2,482 military infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, an official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, Major General Igor Konashenkov.
"In total, 2,482 military infrastructure facilities in Ukraine were destroyed during the operation, including 87 command posts and communication centers of the Ukrainian armed forces, 124 S-300, Buk-M1 and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as 79 radar stations," he said.
According to him, 866 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 91 multiple rocket launchers, 317 field artillery guns and mortars, 634 units of special military vehicles, as well as 81 unmanned aerial vehicles were also destroyed.
Ukraine says 12,000 Russian troops killed
Ukraine’s ministry of foreign affairs claimed that 12,000 Russian troops have been killed since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
The ministry added that 48 aircraft, 303 tanks, 80 helicopters and more than 1,000 armoured vehicles had been destroyed.
Last week Russia’s defence ministry issued its first report on casualties in Ukraine. It said 498 Russian troops had been killed and more than 1,500 others wounded.
Chinese president calls for ‘maximum restraint’ in Ukraine
Chinese President Xi Jinping has described the situation in Ukraine as worrying and called for “maximum restraint,” saying the priority should be preventing the situation there from spinning out of control, according to reports by Chinese state media.
Xi, speaking at a virtual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said the three countries should jointly support peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Zelensky denounces unkept 'promises' by West
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday denounced what he called unkept “promises” by the West to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks, reported news agency AFP.
“It’s been 13 days we’ve been hearing promises, 13 days we’ve been told we’ll be helped in the air, that there will be planes, that they will be delivered to us,” Zelensky said on a video broadcast on Telegram.
“But the responsibility for that rests also on those who were not capable to take a decision in the West for 13 days,” Zelensky added. “On those who have not secured the Ukrainian skies from Russia."
UN refugee chief says two million people have fled Ukraine
The head of the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, said that two million people have now fled Ukraine in search of safety elsewhere.
Zelensky asks Americans for help, fighter jets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday in an interview with ABC News repeated his plea for the U.S. and other countries to clear the way for Soviet-era fighter aircraft to supplement his military, and to enforce a no-fly zone over his country.
The Ukrainian leader told ABC that Kyiv might have a solution to recognizing the territories of Crimea and the Republics of Donetsk & Lugansk, but Vladimir Zelensky added he's not ready for ultimatums over NATO.
Ukrainian officials say civilians being evacuated from Sumy, Irpin
Ukrainian officials say they have begun evacuating civilians from the northeastern city of Sumy and from the town of Irpin, near the capital Kyiv.
The evacuations began after Russian and Ukrainian officials agreed to establish “humanitarian corridors” to allow civilians out of some towns and cities besieged by Russian forces.
Russia announces opening of humanitarian corridors
Russian Armed Forces starting from 07:00 GMT introduced a silent regime for the evacuation of civilians from a number of Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, the official representative of the Russian Defence Ministry, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said.
"In order to safely evacuate civilians from settlements, a ceasefire is introduced today from 10 o'clock Moscow time and humanitarian corridors from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol are opened," the general said.
Ukrainian President Zelensky to address UK House of Commons on Tuesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to make a "historic" address to the British House of Commons on Tuesday.
Zelensky will address members of parliament via video link – “the first time they have done so in the Chamber,” while formal parliamentary business will be suspended, according to a news release from the House of Commons on Monday.
Germany to host G7 meeting over food security
Germany will host a virtual meeting of agricultural ministers from G7 countries on Friday to discuss the impact of Russia’s attack on Ukraine on global food security and how to best stabilize food markets, the government said.
Russia warns West of oil at $300 if they cut energy imports
Russia has warned that Western nations may face oil prices of more than $300 per barrel and the likely shutdown of a gas pipeline to Europe if they implement their threats to cut energy supplies from Russia.
"It is absolutely clear that a rejection of Russian oil would lead to catastrophic consequences for the global market," Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on state television.
"The surge in prices would be unpredictable. It would be $300 per barrel if not more," Novak said.
He said it would take Europe more than a year to substitute the volume of oil it gets from Russia and that it would have to pay much higher prices.
"If you want to reject energy supplies from Russia, go ahead. We are ready for it. We know where we could redirect the volumes to," the senior official said.
Ukraine to continue talks with Russia until acceptable solution is found
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Tuesday assured that talks with Russia will continue until they reach a result in settlement.
"Today the third round of negotiations took place in Belarus, and I would like to say ‘the third and final one,’ but we are realists," he said on Telegram on Tuesday. "Therefore, we will talk, we will insist on negotiations until we find a way to tell our people, ‘this is how we will come to peace.’".
Australia sanctions Russian armed forces, 16 more Russians
Australia announced new sanctions on Russia that will affect the Russian armed forces and 16 more Russian citizens, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Tuesday.
"This new round of sanctions will impose targeted financial sanctions on the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against an additional six senior Russian military commanders responsible for implementing naval, ground and air attacks on Ukraine," the statement said.
The statement also said Australia also was imposing sanctions on "10 people of strategic interest to Russia."
"The Australian Government continues to work with digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Google to take action to suspend the dissemination of content generated by Russian state media," according to the statement.
Putin says Russia will not send conscripts to Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin said conscripts and reservists aren’t taking part in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and won’t do so.
"I would like to emphasize that conscripts aren’t and won’t be taking part in hostilities, and there will be no additional call-up of reservists from the reserve," he said. "Missions are carried out only by professional troops."
The Russian president expressed confidence that "they will be steadfast in providing security and peace for the people of Russia."
Ukrainian FM announces meeting with Lavrov
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said when he meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Turkey on Thursday he will propose direct talks between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents.
“We want talks between the president of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin since he is the one who makes the final decisions,” Kuleba said on Ukrainian television.
Russia says ceasefire, evacuations, to begin Tuesday morning
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has said his country will carry out a ceasefire on Tuesday morning at 10 am Moscow time and open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens from Kyiv, Chernigov, Sumy and Mariupol.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected earlier proposals to evacuate Ukrainian citizens into Russia and Belarus.
World Bank approves $723m in loans, grants for Ukraine
The World Bank has said its executive board approved a $723m package of loans and grants for Ukraine, providing government budget support.
The package includes a $350m loan supplement to a prior World Bank loan, augmented by about $139m through guarantees from the Netherlands and Sweden, the bank said in a statement. The package also includes $134m in grants from Britain, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland, as well as parallel financing of $100m from Japan.
Ukrainian civilians must be allowed safe passage: UN
Civilians stuck in areas of active hostilities in Ukraine should be allowed safe passage in any direction they choose, United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths has said during a UN Security Council meeting.
“The parties must take constant care to spare civilians and civilian homes and infrastructure in their military operations,” Griffiths said. “This includes allowing safe passage for civilians to leave areas of active hostilities on a voluntary basis, in the direction they choose.”
Ukrainian cities under attack – including Kharkiv, Mariupol and Melitopol – desperately needed aid and medical supplies, he added.
Japan sanctions 20 more Russian businessmen, officials
Japan imposed sanctions on 20 more Russians including businessmen and officials due to the situation around Ukraine and Russia’s military operation, according to a list published on the website of the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
The list includes Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, presidential administration’s First Deputy Head Sergey Kiriyenko, presidential administration’s Deputy Head Dmitry Kozak and Head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov. The list also includes Russian businessmen including the Rotenberg brothers, Gennady Timchenko and Alisher Usmanov. The sanctions also affect two organizations: the Internet Research Agency and private military company Wagner.
Read all the updates from Thursday, March 7, here.
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