Russia-Ukraine News Highlights: PM Narendra Modi speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin

Czech Republic stops issuing visas to Russians
IMF chief warns of 'significant economic risk' from Ukraine conflict
MEA teams are being sent to the land borders with Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic and Romania
Russian occupation forces are trying to seize Chornobyl
PM Narendra Modi likely to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin tonight
Moscow warns Russians against joining anti-war protests
Maharashtra CM asks officials to coordinate with MEA for safe return of state residents from Ukraine

NATO Secretary- General said they have activated NATO's defence plans, so now, military commanders have more authority to deploy forces when needed.
NATO also confirmed that they have no plans to send alliance troops into Ukraine
United Kingdon Prime Minister Borris Johnson has assured support to Ukrainians saying the 'West is readying massive sanctions on Russia'

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US President Joe Biden's speech on Russian invasion of Ukraine moved to 1:30 pm ET (1830 GMT, or 12AM IST), says White House

SOURCE:AFP

Russian military says first day of Ukraine invasion 'successful'

SOURCE:AFP

#BREAKING Russian military says first day of Ukraine invasion 'successful' pic.twitter.com/XkD3A2jyY4

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 24, 2022

PM Narendra Modi speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 briefed PM Narendra Modi about the recent developments regarding Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia & NATO can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue, informed PMO.

Apart from this, PM Modi appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue.

Prime Minister Modi also sensitised the Russian President about India's concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India, added PMO.

Europe's main stock markets close sharply lower as investors flee equities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Source: AFP

Russia does not want to undermine global economic system: Putin

Source: AFP

Red Cross chief says fears 'massive casualty numbers' in Ukraine

#BREAKING Red Cross chief says fears 'massive casualty numbers' in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/vK2xVRiaMH

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 24, 2022

Human Rights Foundation Chairman Garry Kasparov asks Western leaders to listen to Ukrainian leaders

Western leaders rarely listened to Russian opposition leaders, and rarely acted when they did listen to us. Is it too much to ask for them to listen to Ukrainian leaders now? https://t.co/EeNonSaYMB

— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) February 24, 2022

EAM S Jaishankar will speak to Foreign ministers of Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary

Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on February 24 said EAM S Jaishankar will speak to Foreign ministers of Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.

"A number of steps have been taken to deal with the emerging situation in Ukraine. We started the registration of Indian nationals in Ukraine about a month ago. Based on online registration, we found that 20,000 Indian nationals were there," Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said.

"One important step we have taken is to pursue all universities in Ukraine to conduct online classes. PM Modi has specifically stated that the MEA should do everything possible for our citizens in Ukraine," Shringla added.

Apart from this, Shringla said that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine continues to be functional. "A number of advisories have been issued by embassies on the situation as it evolves. We're consulting universities, student contractors in the process of providing welfare and safety of our students," he said.

Ukraine capital Kyiv declares curfew: Mayor

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko on Thursday announced an overnight curfew in Ukraine's capital as the country battled to repel a Russian invasion.

The former world heavyweight boxing champion said the curfew would last from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am local time (2000-0500 GMT) and that public transport would stop working during that period.

Metro stations would remain open throughout to serve as bomb shelters, he said.

SOURCE: AFP

Czech Republic stops issuing visas to Russians

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Thursday said the EU member had stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We are suspending the processing of visa applications from Russian nationals at all our consular offices with the exception of humanitarian cases," Fiala told reporters.

He also announced the closure of Czech consulates in Russian cities Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg and said Russia's consulates in the Czech cities of Karlovy Vary and Brno were no longer permitted to operate.

Earlier Thursday, Czech President Milos Zeman had condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an "unprovoked act of aggression".

He also called for tough sanctions to isolate "the madman" without mentioning his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by name.

The criticism marked a stark departure for Zeman, who had previously voiced frequent pro-Russian views and fostered close ties with Putin.

Last year, Prague and Moscow decided to cap the number of diplomats at their respective embassies following a rift over the role of Russian intelligence services in two explosions on Czech soil.

Czech intelligence suspects two Russian spies orchestrated the blasts at an eastern Czech military depot that killed two people in 2014.

Following the spat, Moscow designated the Czech Republic, alongside the United States, as an "unfriendly state" that has "carried out unfriendly actions" against Russia.

SOURCE: AFP