Russia Ukraine News Highlights | Russian forces shelled Ukraine's second-largest city on Monday, rocking a residential neighbourhood, and closed in on the capital, Kyiv, in a 17-mile convoy of hundreds of tanks and other vehicles, as talks aimed at stopping the fighting yielded only an agreement to keep talking.
The country's embattled president said the stepped-up shelling was aimed at forcing him into concessions.
I believe Russia is trying to put pressure (on Ukraine) with this simple method," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday in a video address. He did not offer details of the hourslong talks that took place earlier, but said that Kyiv was not prepared to make concessions when one side is hitting each other with rocket artillery.
Amid ever-growing international condemnation, Russia found itself increasingly isolated five days into its invasion, while also facing unexpectedly fierce resistance on the ground in Ukraine and economic havoc at home.
For the second day in a row, the Kremlin raised the specter of nuclear war, announcing that its nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarines and long-range bombers had all been put on high alert, following President Vladimir Putin's orders over the weekend.
Stepping up his rhetoric, Putin denounced the US and its allies as an empire of lies. Meanwhile, an embattled Ukraine moved to solidify its ties to the West by applying to join the European Union a largely symbolic move for now, but one that is unlikely to sit well with Putin, who has long accused the U.S. of trying to pull Ukraine out of Moscow's orbit.
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Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates |
NATO to hold emergency meeting over Ukraine on March 4: AFP
NATO foreign ministers will hold emergency talks in Brussels on Friday over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the alliance said in a statement.
NATO allies have rushed to bolster their eastern flank after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the attack, but remain adamant that they will not get involved militarily in the war in non-NATO member Ukraine.
NATO has for the first time activated its rapid response force to add to thousands of troops already sent by allies to eastern members.
The alliance has faced calls to help impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine as Russia has launched air strikes against civilian targets.
NATO has rejected that idea, arguing it could drag the alliance what could turn into a nuclear conflict with with Moscow.
"We have to accept the reality that that involves shooting down Russian planes," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday on a trip to Estonia with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
"That's a very, very big step that is simply not on the agenda of any NATO country."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates |
Cannes Film Festival bans Russian delegations:AFP
The Cannes Film Festival said Tuesday that Russian delegations will not be welcome at this year's event in May due to the invasion of Ukraine.
"The Cannes Festival wishes to express all its support to the Ukrainian people," its team said in a statement.Adding more, he said, "Of the remaining 40%, roughly half remain in conflict zone in Kharkiv, Sumy area & the other half have either reached the western borders of Ukraine or are heading towards the western part of Ukraine - they are generally out of conflict areas."
"We are adding our voice to those who oppose this unacceptable situation and denouce the attitude of Russia and its leaders."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates |
Besides medicines, number of other items will be of humanitarian use in Ukraine: Foreign Secy
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, "Besides medicines, we have a number of other items that are also there which will be of humanitarian use in Ukraine."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates |
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla briefs media on Ukraine crisis
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates |
US “Mafia regime” created Ukraine crisis: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blamed Western powers and the US “mafia regime” for the crisis in Ukraine in an hour-long speech Tuesday.
ussia Ukraine News LIVE Updates |
R Vladimir Putin, Abu Dhabi leader vow 'energy market stability': AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed vowed to maintain energy market stability on Tuesday, the UAE's state news agency said.
They agreed during a telephone call on the "need to maintain the stability of the global energy market," state news agency WAM said.
Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed by Putin on "the developments of the crisis with Ukraine", it said, and the crown prince stressed the need for a "peaceful solution ... in a way that guarantees the interests and national security of all parties".
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Key Ukrainian cities Russia is trying to take
Kyiv:Cradle of both modern Russia and Ukraine and of Slavic orthodoxy,Kyivis known for the golden domes of its ancient churches and monasteries.Both countries trace their origins to the medieval Kievan Rus empire which wascentredon the city. The capital of independent Ukraine since 1991, the city of 2.9 million people was long known by its Russian name Kiev.It celebrated its 1,500th anniversary in 2001 and its 16th-centuryKyiv-PecherskLavramonastery as well as the cathedral of Saint Sophia both figure on UNESCO's World Heritage list.Kyiv'svast central Independence Square, popularly known as Maidan, became thecentreof the "Orange Revolution" as well as the long pro-European uprising of 2014 that sparked Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Kharkiv:Ukraine's second city is a predominantly Russian-speaking tech hub of 1.4 million inhabitants just 40kilometres(25 miles) from the Russian border.Heavily bombarded in recent days by Russian forces, it suffered badly in World War II when two major tank battles were fought around it.Since 2014 it has become home to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing fighting between government forces and Russian-backed rebels in the nearby eastern Donbas region.
Mariupol:The key port city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov has been under attack since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Mariupol was briefly occupied by the Russian-backed separatists from Donetsk at the start of the uprising against Kiev in 2014 before being retaken by Ukrainian forces.The southeastern city of 441,000 people lies between territory held by the separatists and the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.Russian forces claimed to have linked up with separatists Tuesday.
Berdyansk:The Russian army claimed to have taken port ofBerdyanskon the Sea of Azov Monday after advancing from Crimea. The resort of 115,000 inhabitants is famed for its beaches and mud baths, welcoming more than half a million tourists a year.It is only 84kilometresalong the coast from Mariupol.
Kherson:Kherson –which is being besieged by Russian forces from Crimea -- is a strategic port on the west bank of the Dnieper River which controls the approaches to the Crimean peninsula.Formerly the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, its fall would open the way to Odessa in the west, which has a majority Russian speaking population, and the borderswith NATO-member Romania and Moldova. A shipbuilding city, it has a population of 287,000 people.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Diplomats walk out of UN meetings in protest
Scores of diplomats have walked out of two meetings at the United Nations in Geneva in which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was beamed in for a video statement, as a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Lavrov spoke by video to the Conference on Disarmament and the Human Rights Council, which he had planned to attend before closure of airspace to Russian planes by several European countries prevented his travel to the Swiss city.“What you have seen is strong support for Ukraine,” said Bonnie Jenkins, U.S. Undersecretary of State for arms control and international Security, after the walkout from the disarmament meeting.Shortly afterward, in a conference room two floors higher, scores of diplomats — including Ukraine’s ambassador in Geneva and the foreign ministers of Canada and Denmark —poured out of the Human Rights Council chamber.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | China FM calls Ukraine counterpart, says 'deeply regrets' Russia conflict: state media
China's foreign minister spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday and called for a resolution to the crisis through negotiation, Chinese state media said, as Beijing treads a difficult diplomatic line on the invasion by its close ally Moscow.Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Dmytro Kuleba that Beijing "deeply regrets that conflict has broken out between Ukraine and Russia, and is paying extreme attention to the harm suffered by civilians", state broadcaster CCTV reported, adding that Wang called for the two countries to "find a way to resolve the issue through negotiations".
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India offers condolenses over Indian student killed in Ukraine
Dr IgorPolikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India said, "I extend my deepest condolences on the death of Indian studentNaveenShekharappawho was killed in shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Earlier shelling and bombings happened on military sites but now also happening in the civil areas."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | 4th day of evacuation: Three evacuation flights by IndiGo, Air India Express bring back 616 Indians
Three evacuation flights from Romania's capital Bucharest and Hungary's capital Budapest came to India on Tuesday with 616 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine due to the Russian military offensive, officials said. On Tuesday, two flights were operated by IndiGo while one service was operated by Tata Group-owned Air India Express.India began the evacuation of its citizens from Ukraine's western neighbours such as Romania and Hungary on February 26. Private Indian carriers have brought back 2,012 Indian nationals in nine special flights till now. Air India Express operated the Bucharest-Mumbai flight via Kuwait with 182 Indian nationals.IndiGo operated Budapest-Delhi flight via Istanbul with 216 Indian nationals. India's largest carrier also operated Bucharest-Delhi service via Istanbul with 218 Indian nationals.Meanwhile, IndiGo sent four planes, two to Budapest and two to Rzeszow in Poland, to evacuate Indians. SpiceJet also sent a plane to Kosice in Slovakia for evacuation on Tuesday. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had said on February 27 that around 13,000 Indians, mainly college students, are currently stranded in Ukraine. Ukranian airspace has been shut down since February 24, when the Russian government started its military operations against the country.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | No need to change nuclear alert level: NATO
NATO’s chief says the alliance sees no need to change its nuclear weapons alert level, despite Russia’s threats.NATO’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, spoke to The Associated Press following talks on European security with Polish President Andrzej Duda an air base in Poland where NATO’s Polish and U.S. fighter jets are based. “We will always do what is needed to protect and defend our allies, but we don’t think there is any need now to change the alert levels of NATO’s nuclear forces,” Stoltenberg said.The Kremlin has raised the specter of nuclear war, reporting on Monday that its land, air and sea nuclear forces were on high alert following President Vladimir Putin’s weekend order. NATO itself has no nuclear weapons, but three of its members, the United States, Britain and France, do.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | European embassies pressure Pakistan over UN vote on Ukraine war
The ambassadors of European Union nations to Pakistan appealed Tuesday for Islamabad to support an emergency resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine after the country abstained from an earlier vote on the crisis.Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is attempting a balancing act in relations with the world's superpowers -- particularly as Islamabad's value to the United States has slipped following the withdrawal of foreign forces from neighbouring Afghanistan."We urge Pakistan to join us in condemning Russia's actions and to voice support for upholding the UN charter and the founding principles of international law," said a statement signed by the envoys from EU member states, as well as Britain, Canada, Japan, Norway and Switzerland.Pakistan on Monday abstained from a UN Human Rights Council vote calling for an urgent debate on the war, which was nevertheless pushed through and is due to take place on Thursday.Pakistan has repeatedly stressed it favours "dialogue" as a solution to the crisis.The day Russia invaded Ukraine, Khan was in Moscow meeting President Vladimir Putin in what was widely considered an ill-timed visit.On Monday, Khan defended the trip -- the first by a Pakistani leader to Russia in more than two decades."My foreign policy is independent and visits to China and Russia will prove beneficial for Pakistan in the future," he said in a televised address.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Russia says it will hit security service sites in Kyiv
Russia will strike sites in Kyiv belonging to Ukraine's security service and a special operations unit, Russia's TASS and RIA news agencies quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying on Tuesday. The strikes aim to prevent "information attacks" on Russia, the ministry said, urging those near the sites to leave the areas.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Divisional Administration Kashmir establish helpline numbers for stranded residents/students of Kashmir in Ukraine
The Divisional Administration Kashmir has established a helpline for stranded residents/students of Kashmir in Ukraine. In case of any assistance from the government, the concerned and their family members can contact on phone numbers---01942457312 & 01942473135, the admin said.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | UN seeks $1.7 billion for urgent Ukraine aid
The United Nations launched an emergency appeal Tuesday for $1.7 billion to provide urgent humanitarian aid to people caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and refugees fleeing the fighting.The UN estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while it projected that more than four million Ukrainian refugees may need help in neighbouring countries in the coming months.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Jaguar Land Rover 'pauses' Russia car deliveries
Indian-owned carmaker Jaguar Land Rover on Tuesday said it was pausing deliveries of its vehicles to Russia."The current global context... presents us with trading challenges so we are pausing the delivery of vehicles into the Russian market," a statement from Britain-based JLR, owned by India's Tata Motors, said.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi, BJP MP from Haveri meets the kin of Naveen Shekharappa
ShivkumarChanabasappaUdasi,BJPMP fromHaverimet with the kin ofNaveenShekharappa, anMBBSstudent, who died in shelling in Kharkiv,Ukrainethis morning.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Europe's fate 'in the balance' in Ukraine war: von der Leyen
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is "a moment of truth for Europe" and the future of the continent is at stake, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday."The destiny of Ukraine is at stake, but our own fate also lies in the balance," the European Commission president told the European Parliament. As part of the EU's response, she said, Brussels would provide 500 million euros ($560 million) in extra funding to help deal with the "humanitarian consequences" of the war, including the flow of refugees into the bloc.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | War in Ukraine: PM Modi Convenes High-level Meeting today
Prime MinisterNarendraModihas convened a high-level meeting on the Ukraine issue at 6pm. He also spoke to the father of the Indian student who was killed in shelling in Kharkiv city today.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Nokia stops deliveries to Russia
Nokia will stop deliveries to Russia to comply with sanctions imposed on the country following the invasion on Ukraine, the Finnish network equipment maker said on Tuesday. "This is a complex situation which is evolving rapidly and we continue to assess it", the company, which supplies MTS, Vimpelcom, Megafon and Tele2 in Russia, told Reuters.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | UK says evicting Russia from UN Security Council among 'all options' on table
The UK government is open to ejecting Russia as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council following the invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Tuesday."The prime minister hasn't set out any position on that," he told reporters."What is right to say is that we want to see Russia isolated diplomatically, and we will consider all options to achieve that."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Volodymyr Zelensky tells EU to 'prove you are with' Ukraine
Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyrZelenskyon Tuesday called in a live video address to the European Parliament for the EU to "prove" it is with Ukraine as it resists Russia's invasion."Without you, Ukraine is going to be alone. We have proven our strength. We have proven that, at a minimum, we are exactly the same as you are. So do prove you are with us, do prove that you will not let us go,"Zelenskysaid.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Brent oil price jumps over 5% on Ukraine crisis
Brent oil prices jumped more than five percent Tuesday as traders fretted over fallout from Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.European benchmark Brent North Sea crude leapt 5.3 percent to stand at $103.22 per barrel, approaching more than seven year highs of above $105 hit last week.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy receives a standing ovation after his address at European Parliament
Ukraine PresidentVolodymyrZelenskyyreceived a standing ovation after his address at European Parliament, said, "We're fighting for our land & our freedom despite the fact that all our cities are now blocked. Nobody is going to break us, we're strong, we're Ukrainians." he said.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | UN estimates one million people displaced inside Ukraine
An estimated one million people have been displaced inside Ukraine by the Russian invasion, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday, in addition to hundreds of thousands who have fled elsewhere."There has been a lot of attention on those who flee to neighbouring countries, but it's important to remember that the largest number of people affected are located within Ukraine," Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR representative to Ukraine, told reporters in Stockholm."We still don't have reliable figures regarding the number of people displaced inside Ukraine, but we estimate that it has to be about one million people who have fled internally or who are currently on a train, a bus or in a car trying to get to safety," she added.UNHCR is currently working to step up assistance within the borders of the war-torn country."There is really an immeasurable humanitarian need," she said, citing the need to house or feed displaced people.At the same time in Geneva, the UNHCR announced that 660,000 people had already fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries and that figures were increasing "exponentially"."We have now over 660,000 refugees who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in the past six days alone," spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Brent oil price jumps over 5% on Ukraine crisis
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Will Make All Efforts to Bring Back Naveen's Mortal Remains, says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai
KarnatakaChief MinisterBasavarajBommaihas expressed shocked on death ofNaveenGyanagoudar, student fromKarnataka, in bomb shelling in Ukraine. He said, “We are constantly in touch with MEA and will make all efforts to bring back his mortal remains.” In a tweet he wrote, "Shocked on death ofNaveenGyanagoudar, student fromKarnataka, in bomb shelling in Ukraine. My deep condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace. We are constantly in touch with MEA and will make all efforts to bring back his mortal remains."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Palladium jumps as Russia sanctions threaten supply, gold firms
Palladium jumped on Tuesday on concerns that Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine would hit supply, with the conflict also driving up prices of safe-haven gold. Used by automakers for catalytic converters to curb emissions, palladium rose 3.6% to $2,577.38 by 1043 GMT. It hit its highest level since July 2021 at $2,711.18 last week. "We're seeing the sanctions starting to bite," disrupting shipments and driving palladium's gains, Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen said. Russia is the biggest producer of palladium, with Moscow-based Nornickel accounting for 40% of the metal's global mine production last year. "Russian mining companies such as the world's largest palladium producer are examining alternative transport routes. However, we believe that the sanctions and associated restrictions will make it difficult to charter planes to export materials," Commerzbank analysts said in a note. Spot gold was up 0.7% at $1,921.90 per ounce. U.S. gold futures rose 1.2% to $1,923.30.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Hungary supports bid for Ukraine to become EU member, says minister
Hungary is supporting an initiative by eight European Union leaders to start membership talks with Ukraine, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told an online news briefing on Tuesday. "Hungary backs this initiative and we urge Brussels to put the issue on the agenda," Szijjarto said, referring to a proposal by the presidents of three Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Slovenia.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Ukrainian president says Russian missile hit central square in city of Kharkiv, calling it 'undisguised terror'
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Russia-Ukraine war: Will India’s neutral stand extract a price?
In international diplomacy, one of the most frequently quoted lines is this: There are no permanent friends or enemies; the only thing permanent is national interest.Such truism - whose origins are often debated - would specially apply to a unipolar world, essentially a scenario where most of the world region's economic, social, cultural aspects are influenced by a single state or country.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Ukraine crisis: UK PM Boris Johnson embarks on European tour
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday left for a tour of Poland and Estonia, Britain's European allies neighbouring Ukraine which is fighting a bloody conflict with Russia.In Poland, Johnson has a meeting with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to underpin the UK's financial and diplomatic support for central Europe as it faces the prospect of a humanitarian crisis. He then travels on to Estonia, where he will join NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to meet British troops on the frontline of the Russian invasion in Tapa. Today I will visit Poland and Estonia, two countries that are acutely affected by the current crisis in Ukraine. We have shared values that are more important than ever to protect, as the humanitarian situation gets worse, the UK PM said.Alongside all our international allies the UK will continue to bring maximum pressure to bear on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's regime to ensure he feels the consequences of his actions in Ukraine. We speak with one voice when we say, Putin must fail, he said. Johnson is also due to meet Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Estonian President Alar Karis to discuss European security and stability. Johnson is also due to meet Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Estonian President Alar Karis to discuss European security and stability.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | UN reports at least 536 civilian casualties in Ukraine
At least 136 civilians have been killed, including 13 children, and 400 have been injured since Russia invaded Ukraine last week, a United Nations agency said on Tuesday. "The real toll is likely to be much higher," Liz Throssell, a spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office (OHCHR), told a briefing, adding that 253 of the casualties were in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine. The U.N. World Food Programme is scaling up activities in Ukraine so that it can support up to 3.1 million people, WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri said, adding: "Food supplies are running low."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Karnataka CMO:
NaveenShekharappa, aHaveridistrict student died inUkraine. CMBommaispoke with his father. All efforts will be made to bring backNaveen'sbody to India. The CM said that the matter is being negotiated with foreign ministry officials.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Rahul Gandhi expresses grief over Indian student killed in Kharkiv
Congress leaderRahulGandhi has expressed griefover the killing of an Indian student namedNaveenin shelling in Kharkiv city of war-hit Ukraine. He said, “I reiterate,GOIneeds a strategic plan for safe evacuation. Every minute is precious."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Over 9000 Indian nationals brought out of Ukraine while a considerable number are now in safer areas: Sources
Over 9000 Indian nationals brought out of Ukraine while a considerable number are now in safer areas We will continue to make utmost efforts to ensure the return our citizens stranded in Ukraine, news agencyANIhas reported citing sources. It further said, "Therefore, it is imperative that Russia&Ukraine respond to our need for safe passage urgently. In places where the conflict has not endangered movement, we've been able to evacuate our citizens"
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal expresses grief over killing of Indian student in Kharkiv
Delhi Chief MinisterArvindKejriwalhas expressed grief over the killing of an Indian student in shelling in Kharkiv city of war-hit Ukraine on Tuesday morning. In a tweet he wrote, "Feel terrible to hear this news. Prayers for his family. Pray for the safety of all other Indians stranded and hope they will be back home soon. Hope the conflict will soon come to an end."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Russian ice skaters barred from all competitions: federation
Russian and Belarus ice skaters have been barred from all competitions over the invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union announced on Tuesday. "The ISU Council... agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia and Belarus shall be invited or allowed to participate in international ice skating competitions," the body said in a statement.Russia is a powerhouse in ice skating most recently winning six medals -- two of them gold -- at the Beijing Winter Olympics.The blanket ban on athletes competing also includes short track and speed skating.The ISU said the decision was made after they "carefully evaluated" the International Olympic Committee's statement on Monday. The IOC had urged sports federations and organisers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international events.The ISU ban follows on the heels of the International Volleyball Federation on Tuesday stripping Russia of the right to host the men's World Championships in August and September this year.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | More than 660,000 refugees flee Ukraine: UN
More than 660,000 refugees have fled the conflict in Ukraine to seek shelter in neighbouring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said Tuesday."We have now over 660,000 refugees who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in the past six days alone," spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva."The numbers are exponentially increasing... At this rate, the situation looks set to become Europe's largest refugee crisis this century."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | No military bases in ex-Soviet countries, Russia tells West
he West must not build military facilities in any countries of the former Soviet Union, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying on Tuesday. Lavrov, quoted by Russian news agencies RIA and TASS, also said Moscow found it unacceptable that some European countries hosted U.S. nuclear weapons and was taking measures to prevent Ukraine from acquiring similar weapons.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | France says aim of sanctions is 'collapse' of Russian economy
France said on Tuesday that Western sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine will cause the Russian economy to collapse."We will bring about the collapse of the Russian economy," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told the Franceinfo broadcaster a day after France, the EU and others said they would impose a new round of sanctions on Russia."The economic and financial balance of power is totally in favour of the European Union which is in the process of discovering its own economic power," he said."We are waging total economic and financial war on Russia," he said.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Union minister Kiren Rijiju before leaving for Slovakia:
We'll be coordinating the overall evacuation operation in Slovakia & will seek co-operation from their government regarding visas for our students coming from Ukraine. Our top priority would be to bring them back safely.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Russia to pursue Ukraine offensive until all 'goals achieved'
Russia will continue the offensive in Ukraine until its "goals are achieved", Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday, almost a week into Moscow's invasion."Russian armed forces will continue to conduct the special military operation until set goals are achieved," Shoigu told at a press conference aired on state television.He said Moscow aims to "demilitarise and de-Nazify" Ukraine, as well as protect Russia from a "military threat created by Western countries".
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Massive boycott of Sergei Lavrov speech at Conference on Disarmament
Ukraine's ambassador and diplomats from a wide number of countries staged a walkout Tuesday as Russia's foreign minister addressed the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.The diplomats got up and left the room when Sergei Lavrov's pre-recorded video message began to play, in protest against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | European stocks sink on Ukraine
European stock markets sank Tuesday in early deals with investors unnerved by Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine, dealers said.In early deals, Frankfurt's DAX index lost 2.1 percent to 14,163.42 points and the Paris CAC 40 slid almost 1.8 percent to 6,542.03.London's FTSE 100 dropped 0.4 percent to 7,430.72, lapsing into negative territory as the morning progressed."European stocks are once again heading lower with Russia Ukraine headlines continuing to hurt sentiment," City Index analyst Fiona Cincotta told AFP."Losses on the FTSE are modest, thanks to a strong performance from resource stocks, as commodity prices rise."
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Cross-country skiing-Norwegian Association bans Russian, Belarusian athletes
Russian and Belarusian skiers will not be allowed to take part in this weekend's competitions in Norway, the Norwegian Skiing Association said on Tuesday. The International Ski Federation (FIS) cancelled its remaining events in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine but stopped short of banning Russian athletes from competing. Racers who travelled to compete in Drammen and Holmenkollen this weekend will not be allowed to take part. "The Norwegian Ski Association has today informed the International Ski Federation (FIS) that the upcoming events in Norway will be carried out without Russian and Belarusian participation, regardless of what conclusion FIS should come to," the Norwegian body said in a statement. The Norwegians said they decided on Saturday that they did not want Russian or Belarusian athletes to participate in their events. "We had hoped that FIS would come to that decision on behalf of the entire ski sport, but now the Ski Association cannot wait any longer," president Erik Roeste said.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Two govt officials deployed to help Ukraine evacuees: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said efforts are on to bring back Kannadigas from war-ravaged Ukraine and two officials have been deployed at Mumbai and New Delhi to help the state's people arriving from Ukraine reach their homes without any hassle. "The students who are in the north-eastern part of Ukraine are facing problems. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been requested to make arrangements for their food and shelter and guide them to safety," Bommai told reporters. The Chief Minister said the Romania-Ukraine border is getting crowded and a request has been made to make separate arrangements for Kannadigas. Meanwhile, Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Dr Manoj Rajan, who is also the nodal officer for Ukraine returnees said, 49 students hailing from Karnataka have returned as of now, including four on Tuesday afternoon.
Russia Ukraine News LIVE Updates | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address European Parliament
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to address the European Parliament by videolink on Tuesday as his country battles to hold back invading Russian forces, the legislature's speaker said.Parliament chief Roberta Metsola wrote on Twitter that Zelensky "will join and speak to the world" when EU lawmakers meet to debate the war from 1130 GMT.
