Ukraine War: Talks To Continue Tomorrow, Prez Zelenskyy To Address US Congress
Catch all the updates about the Russia-Ukraine war here.
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After over two weeks since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two nations held the fourth round of talks on Monday, 14 March, via video conferencing. The peace talks will continue on 15 March.
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address US lawmakers virtually on 16 March, according to a letter from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, AFP reported.
This comes a day after Russia increased its shelling, while Ukraine presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych informed on Monday, that "more than 2,500 residents of the Black Sea port city of Mariupol have been killed since Russian invaded Ukraine".
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that residents of Mariupol face a “worst-case scenario” unless Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement to ensure their immediate safety and access to humanitarian aid.
In a video address late on Sunday, Zelenskyy urged NATO to close the skies above Ukraine, saying that if a no-fly zone was not implemented, it will "only be a matter of time before Russian missiles fall on your territory, on NATO territory, on the homes of NATO citizens".
In the backdrop of Russia increasing its air strikes on Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a high-level meeting to review India's security readiness
An American journalist was shot dead and another wounded in Irpin in Kyiv on Sunday
The Russian military has reportedly appointed a new mayor in Melitopol following the alleged kidnapping of former mayor Ivan Fedorov
Ministry of External Affairs announced that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine will be relocated to Poland
About 1,25,000 people have been safely evacuated through humanitarian corridors from multiple war zones across Ukraine
'Significant Progress Since Talks Began,' Says Russian Negotiator
After over two weeks since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has reportedly said that delegations of both the nations had made "significant progress" to find a resolution to the conflict, AFP reported.
Speaking to state-run media, senior member of Russia's negotiating team
Leonid Slutsky said, "If we compare the positions of both delegations at the start of the talks and now, we see significant progress."
He reportedly added, "My own expectations are that this progress could develop over the next few days into a unified position held by both delegations in documents to be signed."
US to Caution China of Penalties if it Aids Russia's Onslaught
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will reportedly meet China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday, and reiterated the economic penalties against Beijing if it aids Russia in its war against Ukraine, Reuters reported official sources as saying.
As per the report, the US official will caution China of economic isolation.
2 Civilians Dead After Shell Hits Building in Kyiv
A shell struck a residential building in north-west Kyiv on Monday, killing two people and wounding three others, Ukraine’s state emergency services, The Guardian reported.
“As of 07:40, the bodies of 2 people were found in a nine-storey residential building, 3 people were hospitalised, 9 people were treated on the spot,” the agency reportedly stated.
10 Human Corridors Agreed With Russia: Ukraine
Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister on Monday said that 10 humanitarian corridors agreed have been agreed for civilian evacuations, Reuters reported.
Instagram No Longer Accessible in Russia
Instagram is no longer accessible in Russia after Moscow accused its parent company, Meta, of allowing the spread of calls for violence against Russians.
Ukraine to Demand Immediate Ceasefire, Withdrawal of Troops
Ukraine indicated that it will demand an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian troops during the upcoming round of negotiations with Russia.
"Only after this can we talk about regional relations and about political differences," one of the lead negotiators from Ukraine stated, AFP quoted.
90 Children ‘Killed’ Since Russia's Invasion: Ukraine
The office of Ukraine’s general prosecutor has said that 90 children have been killed and more than 100 others have been wounded since Russia invaded the country.
It said in a statement, “The highest number of victims are in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kherson, Mykolayiv and Zhytomyr regions,” Al Jazeera reported.
China Blames United States for ‘Disinformation’
While top aides from United States and China will meet in Rome on Monday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson blamed the United States for spreading "disinformation targeting China on the Ukraine issue, with malicious intentions."
This comes after US officials told media that Russia has asked China for military and economic aid for its war in Ukraine.
Right before the meeting, China has also been warned to stop helping Russia from facing the increasing global sanctions imposed on the country.
So far, China has declined to directly condemn the Russian attack and laid the blame on NATO for their eastward expansion.
Over 2,500 Mariupol Residents Killed: Ukraine Presidential Adviser
Ukraine presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said in a televised interview, "More than 2,500 residents of the Black Sea port city of Mariupol have been killed since Russian invaded Ukraine on 24 February."
While Russia has maintained that it does not target civilians, Arestovych added that he was citing figures from the Mariupol city administration, and also accused Russian forces of preventing humanitarian aid reaching the encircled city.
At Least 20 Dead in Ukraine Strike on Donetsk: Pro-Moscow Separatists
Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine said on Monday that a strike by Ukraine's forces on the rebel's de facto capital Donetsk had left at least 20 people dead, ahead of talks to resolve the fighting, AFP reported.
Ukraine’s Chernobyl Power Plant Loses Power Again: Operator
Ukraine's Chernobyl power plant loses power again, its operator has said, AFP reported.
Russia Has Not Asked China for Military Assistance: Kremlin
Amid allegations by the US, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia has not asked China for military assistance and has sufficient military clout to fulfil all of its aims in Ukraine in time and in full.
636 Civilians, Including 46 Children Have Died Till Now: OHCHR
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has confirmed the deaths of at least 636 civilians in Ukraine through to 13 March, including 46 children, Al Jazeera reported.
OHCHR added that the actual toll is likely much higher, since there have been delays in receiving and corroborating reports from places with intense hostilities such as Kharkiv and Mariupol.
160 Civilian Cars Drive Out of Mariupol
More than 160 civilian cars have driven out of the port city of Mariupol along a humanitarian evacuation route, the city authorities have said.
“As of 13:00 pm (1100 GMT), more than 160 private cars have managed to leave Mariupol on the road to Berdyansk,” the city council said on Telegram, in a significant evacuation since Russian forces surrounded the city early this month.
Fourth Round of Talks To Continue Tomorrow, Says Ukraine Negotiator
Talks between Ukraine and Russia have paused and will continue on Tuesday, Mykhailo Podolyak, one of Ukraine’s negotiators said on Twitter.
He said, “A technical pause has been taken in the negotiations until tomorrow. For additional work in the working subgroups and clarification of individual definitions. Negotiations continue."
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy To Address US Lawmakers On 16 March
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address US lawmakers virtually at 9 am (Eastern Time Zone) on 16 March, according to a letter from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, AFP reported.
In Photos: The Russia Ukraine War
Ukrainian firefighters hold a photograph, found in the rubble, as they work in a resident building after it was hit by artillery shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, 14 March.
(Photo: PTI)
Ukrainian firefighters and soldiers search in an apartment building after it was hit by artillery shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, 14 March.
(Photo: PTI)
People walk past a crater from the explosion in Mira Avenue (Avenue of Peace) in Mariupol, Ukraine, Sunday, 13 March.
(Photo: PTI)
People look at a burning apartment building in a yard after shelling in Mariupol, Ukraine, Sunday, 13 March.
(Photo: PTI)
Ukraine’s Economy Could Collapse, Contracting by Nearly 35 Percent: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday, "Ukraine's economy could collapse, contracting by as much as 35 percent if the war drags on, and the conflict also could jeopardize global food security."
Immediately Expel Russia From the Council of Europe: Ukrainian PM
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has demanded immediate expulsion of Russia from the Council of Europe, stating that Moscow had no right to remain a member of the pan-European rights body after the invasion of its neighbour.
Will Allocate Additional $40 Million for Humanitarian Assistance for Ukraine: UN
Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres announced on Monday, "The United Nations will allocate a further $40 million from its central emergency response fund to ramp up humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, where millions of people face hunger and dwindling water and medicine supplies," AFP reported.
Guterres added, "I am in close contact with a number of countries, including India, Israel, China, Turkey, France and Germany on mediation efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine."
Consistent in Calling for an End to All Hostilities in Ukraine: India at UNSC
India's Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the United Nations, R Ravindra, said at a UN Security Council briefing that India has been consistent in calling for an immediate end to all hostilities in Ukraine.
He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly called for an urgent ceasefire, adding that there is no other path left but of dialogue and diplomacy.
Stating to be in touch with the Russian Federation and Ukraine, India further called for direct contacts and negotiations with a view to cease hostilities.
Ravindra added that India continues to underline the need to respect the UN Charter, international law, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the States.
Strike On a TV Tower Kills Nine
A strike took place on a TV tower in Ukraine's west killing nine people, regional authorities were quoted by AFP.
'Russia Continues To Occupy Parts of Georgia': US at UNSC
United States at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing claimed that Russia continues to occupy parts of Georgia and that it also maintains its force in Moldova without host government concern.
US further reaffirmed its "strong and unwavering commitment to OSEC's special monitoring mission that is forced to temporarily suspend its work in Ukraine."
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