Ukraine War: Peace Talks Resume; Fox Cameraman Killed in Ukraine
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Anti-War Protester Interrupts Live News on Russian State TV
In an act of dissent on Monday, 14 March, an anti-war protester interrupted the live news broadcast on TV Channel One, which is a part of Russian state media.
She held up a sign behind the studio presenter, reading "NO WAR. Stop the war. Don't believe the propaganda. They are lying to you here."
Another sentence, "Russians against war", was partly concealed.
Read more it about here.
US Expresses 'Deep Concerns About China's Alignment With Russia'
After talks between the US and China ended, the White House issued a statement, saying that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan raised a "range of issues in U.S.-China relations, with substantial discussion of Russia's war against Ukraine".
Additionally, a senior official of the Biden government told reporters that "we have deep concerns about China's alignment with Russia at this time, and the national security adviser was direct about those concerns and the potential implications and consequences of certain actions", as quoted by Reuters.
China Says Russia Did Not Seek Military Assistance
China has rejected the claims made by US officials that Russia had asked for military assistance for the war in Ukraine.
Beijing accused Washington of spreading "malicious disinformation" that could lead to further escalation of the conflict.
US officials had told certain newspapers that Russia had sought military assistance from China. After the Rome talks, Washington said that Beijing could have already starting supplying arms to Russia.
Japan Tightens Sanctions on Russia
The government of Japan has announced that it will freeze assets of 17 Russian individuals, including the family members of a close ally of Putin.
The new sanctions were approved on Tuesday, 15 March, at a cabinet meeting. They target some Russian parliament members as well.
Pregnant Woman in Mariupol Injured in Russian Airstrike Dies
A pregnant woman who was injured in a Russian airstrike that hit a children's hospital and maternity ward in Mariupol, and her baby, have died.
A picture of the woman being evacuated from the hospital on a stretcher, taken by Evgeniy Maloletka for the Associated Press, went viral on social media and has become a symbol of Russian brutality in Ukraine.
UK PM Says West Must End "Addiction" to Russian Energy
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the west must end its "addiction" to Russian energy.
He is expected to go to Saudi Arabia to negotiate for an increase in oil and gas production.
An article by Johnson got published in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, 15 March, in which he wrote that the west made a "terrible mistake" by becoming "more dependent" on Russian energy.
Russia Says it now Controls Kherson
The Russian defence ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenov announced on Tuesday, 15 March, that its forces were now in complete control of all territory in the Kherson region, in southern Ukraine, according to state-owned news agencies in Russia.
Reuters and AFP have not yet verified the claims yet.
Russia Shells Kyiv as Delegations Prepare for More Talks
The Russian military continued to shell residential neighbourhoods in Kyiv on the night of Monday, 14 March.
At least two people died, even though delegations from both Ukraine and Russia prepared for a new round of talks on 15 March regarding a ceasefire.
Leaders of Eastern Europe to Meet Zelensky
The heads of states of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia will travel to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Tuesday, 15 March, to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
The group includes the Czech prime minister Petr Fiala, the Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, deputy prime minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and the Slovenian prime minister Janez Jansa.
Fiala tweeted that the "aim of the visit is to express the European Union's unequivocal support for Ukraine and its freedom and independence".
(Photo: Twitter/@P_Fiala)
EU Agrees on Fourth Package of Sanctions
The European Union has formally agreed to slap a fourth package of sanctions on Russia, the details of which will be revealed later on Tuesday, 15 March .
An asset freeze and travel ban on Roman Abramovich may also be included in the package.
The sanctions include:
Import ban on a variety of steel products.
A ban on new investment in Russia's energy sector
Export ban on luxury goods over €300.
The details of other bans will be revealed later on in the day.
Kyiv's Mayor Announces Curfew
The mayor of the Ukrainian capital has announced a 36-hour curfew from late Tuesday, 15 March, according to AFP.
Residents will only be permitted to go outside for bomb shelters, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, as quoted by the Kyiv Independent.
The new curfew rules will last from 8 pm on 15 March to 7 am on 17 March.
EAM Jaishankar Addresses Parliament Over Ukraine
S Jaishankar, the external affairs minister of India, while addressing the parliament on Tuesday, 15 March, stated that "despite the challenges posed by the serious ongoing conflict, we have ensured that about 22,500 citizens have returned home safely".
He also appreciated the positive response of the Ukrainian authorities and their cooperation in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine, especially from Kharkiv and Sumy.
"At the direction of the PM, we launched Operation Ganga, thereby undertaking one of the most challenging evacuation exercises during an ongoing conflict situation", he stated, reiterating that the Indian community was dispersed all over Ukraine, making the evacuation a huge logisitcal challenge.
"In line with India's principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', foreign nationals were also evacuated from conflict zones and brought to India", Jaishankar added.
UN Underscores Refugee Crisis in Ukraine
The United Nations has warned that the Ukraine war is producing a child refugee every minute.
Almost 3 million people have now fled the country according to the UN.
Russian Vodka Imports to UK Will Face 35% Tariff
Vodka imports from Russia to the United Kingdom will now face a 35 percent tariff, Downing Street announced on Tuesday.
A ban on the export of luxury goods, like vehicles and works of art, has also been announced.
Imperial Brands Pulls Out of Russia Entirely
The British multinational tobacco company Imperial Brands is pulling out of Russia entirely, according to a statement issued by the company.
It also stated that it had "begun negotiations with a local third party about a transfer of our Russian assets and operations".
Kremlin Criticises Protester Who Interrupted Live Telecast
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the actions of Marina Ovsyannikova, the woman who interrupted the live news broadcast on a state-owned TV channel to protest Putin's actions in Ukraine, amounted to "hooliganism".
She had held up a sign behind the studio presenter, reading "NO WAR. Stop the war. Don't believe the propaganda. They are lying to you here."
Ovsyannikova was arrested in Moscow.
ICRC Issues Warning Regarding Mariupol
Civilians trapped in Mariupol are "essentially being suffocated with no aid", according to a statement issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
People in Mariupol are "facing the impossible choices of how to feed their families and themselves and are trapped", a spokesperson for the Geneva based humanitarian organization said, as quoted by The Guardian.
Russians Bombard Civilian Airport in Dnipro
The main civilian airport in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has been massively damaged by Russian rockets fired overnight, regional authorities said on Tuesday, 15 March, reported AFP.
Dnipro Region Governor Valentin Reznichenko said on Telegram, "During the night the enemy attacked the Dnipro airport. Two strikes. The runway was destroyed. The terminal is damaged. Massive destruction."
'Will Tighten Sanctions Against Russia': Boris Johnson
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said on Tuesday, "We will continue to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people – tightening economic sanctions and providing support to help Ukrainians protect themselves from bombardment."
Over Three Million Refugees Fled Ukraine: UN report
More than three million people have now fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on 24 February, the United Nations said on Tuesday, as per an AFP report. Paul Dillon, spokesman for the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), told reporters in Geneva, “We have now reached the three-million mark in terms of movement of people out of Ukraine.”
More than 1.4 million of these are children while 1,57,000 are third-country nationals, said James Helder, spokesperson of the UN children’s agency UNICEF.
'Ukraine Must Accept It Won't Join NATO': Zelenskyy
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Ukraine must accept fact that it won't join NATO, reported Russian news agency Sputnik.
Four Killed in Kyiv by Russian Air Strikes
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that four people were killed in Kyiv by Russian air strikes on Tuesday, reported The Kyiv Independent.
As a result of the shelling, a fire broke out in a 16-story residential building in Kyiv’s western Sviatoshynskyi district. Several other buildings were also hit, including the entrance to the Lukyanivska metro station.
Ukraine-Russia Talks Ongoing
Kyiv said Ukraine-Russia conflict talks resume on Tuesday, reported AFP. Adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mikhail Podolyak, said on Tuesday said, "Negotiations are ongoing. Consultations on the main negotiation platform renewed. General regulation matters, ceasefire, withdrawal of troops from the territory of the country…"
3 Indians in Kherson Evacuated: MEA
Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that three Indians stranded in Ukraine's Kherson have been evacuated via Simferopol and Moscow, reported ANI. The MEA said, "They boarded their flight from Moscow a short while ago. Embassy of India in Russia facilitated their transit and accommodation en route."
2,000 Civilian Cars Drive Out of Mariupol
Around 2,000 civilian cars have been able to drive out of the besieged southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol along a humanitarian evacuation route, the city authorities said on Tuesday, according to AFP report.
Russia calls for UN Security Council Vote for Resolution
At the fourth round of meetings with Ukraine, Russia has called for UN Security Council vote on Wednesday for 'humanitarian' resolution, said diplomats, as per AFP report.
PM Modi Holds Virtual Conference With Embassies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting on Tuesday with officials of various embassies and groups involved in the evacuation of thousands of Indians from war-torn Ukraine, reported ANI. He also held discussions with officials of the embassies in Hungary in Poland.
The PM praised the patriotic fervor, sense of community service, and team spirit displayed by all stakeholders involved in Operation Ganga. The PM also recalled his personal interactions with leaders of Ukraine and its neighboring countries and expressed gratitude for their support said the MEA, as per ANI.
PM recalled that India has always acted with alacrity to assist its citizens during any international crisis. India also extended humanitarian support to nationals of other countries during emergencies, said the MEA.
Britain Imposes Sanctions on Hundreds of Russian Individuals
Britain imposed sanctions on hundreds of Russian individuals and entities, under a new law, following the suit of the European Union and the United States in targeting people accused of propping up Russian President Vladimir Putin, reported Reuters.
Received Guarantees From US on Iran Nuclear Deal: Russia
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow had received guarantees from Washington on its ability to trade with Tehran as part of ongoing talks to salvage the Iran nuclear deal, reported AFP.
The negotiations halted after Moscow earlier this month demanded guarantees that Western sanctions imposed following its military incursion into Ukraine would not damage its trade with Iran.
Lavrov said, "We received written guarantees. They are included in the text of the agreement itself on the resumption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear programme."
Russian TV Protester on Trial
Russian TV protester on trial, faces 10 days in prison, said a court on Tuesday, reported AFP.
Curfew in Kyiv Extended Till 17 March
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Tuesday that curfew in Kyiv has been extended due to risk of potential escalation, reported The Kyiv Independent.
The curfew in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast will last from 8 pm local time on 15 March until 7 am on 17 March17. Overnight, four people in Kyiv were killed due to Russian shelling.
Fox News Cameraman Dies in Ukraine
Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski has been killed in Ukraine, reported AFP quoting network. Zakrzewski died in the outskirts of Ukraine's capital Kyiv when he was working with the correspondent Benjamin Hall and an incoming fire hit their vehicle, the network reportedly said.
Russia Imposes Sanctions on US Prez Biden
Russia has imposed sanctions on US President Joe Biden and several top American officials, as a retaliation to the economic measures against the country by the West, AFP reported.
Will Not Enter NATO Despite 'Open Door' Policy: Zelenskyy
Ukraine President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not enter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) despite 'open door' policy, reported The Kyiv Independent.
“For years, we heard about open doors, but we understand that we cannot enter,” Zelensky told representatives of the Joint Expeditionary Force. He added that Ukraine needs “new formats of cooperation.”
97 Children Killed Since War Started: Zelenskyy
Ukraine President Zelenskyy told the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday that 97 children were killed since the start of the Ukraine war on 24 February.
Russian TV Protester Fined, Released
A Russian court has fined and released the anti-war protester who interrupted the live news broadcast on TV Channel One, which is a part of Russian state media, reported AFP.
She held up a sign behind the studio presenter, reading "NO WAR. Stop the war. Don't believe the propaganda. They are lying to you here."
Russia Drafting 40,000 Syrian Soldiers To Deploy in Ukraine
Russia has drawn up lists of a total 40,000 fighters from the Syrian army and allied militias to be put on standby for deployment in Ukraine, a war monitor said on Tuesday, as per AFP report.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activists said that Russian officers, in coordination with the Syrian military and allied militia, had set up registration offices in regime-held areas.
"More than 40,000 Syrians have registered to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine so far," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the UK-based monitor.
Joint Forces Commander To Lead Kyiv Oblast Defense
Ukraine President Zelenskyy appointed Joint Forces Commander Oleksandr Pavlyuk as head of Kyiv Oblast Regional Military Administration, reported The Kyiv Independent.
Eduard Moskalyov will replace Pavlyuk as the head of Ukraine’s military in Donbas.
Russia on Tuesday, 15 March, imposed sanctions on US President Joe Biden and several top American officials, as a retaliation to the economic measures taken against the country by the West.
Meanwhile, the fourth round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia resumed on Tuesday even as Russian air strikes and shelling hit Kyiv, reportedly killing at least four people. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has announced that curfew in the city has been extended due to risk of potential escalation, reported The Kyiv Independent.
The main civilian airport in Dnipro was also massively damaged by Russian rockets fired overnight, said regional authorities on Tuesday.
EAM Jaishankar addressed the Indian parliament regarding the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine
Fourth round of talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations continue today
PM Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting with officials of various embassies involved in the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine
Kyiv's mayor announced a 36-hour curfew starting on 15 March, 8 pm
Over three million refugees have fled Ukraine since 24 February, as per a UN report
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