Here are the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine:
– US to ban Russian oil –
US media say President Joe Biden is preparing to ban US imports of Russian oil and a leaked EU plan shows Brussels dramatically reducing its dependency on Russian gas to try sever Moscow’s main economic lifeline. Russia has warned that Moscow could retaliate by cutting off European gas supplies altogether. Crude prices surge on the tensions.
– Evacuations begin –
Ukraine begins evacuating civilians from the north-eastern city of Sumy under a deal with Moscow to set up humanitarian corridors out of cities besieged by Russian forces. Dozens of buses ferry the evacuees to the city of Lokhvytsya, around 150 kilometres to the southwest in Ukrainian-held territory. Kyiv and its Western allies had rejected a previous proposal to evacuate Ukrainians to Russia.
– Ceasefire –
Moscow announces a ceasefire in the five cities worst-hit by the fighting: the area around the capital Kyiv, the northern town of Chernihiv, the southern port of Mariupol, Ukraine’s second-biggest city Kharkiv and Sumy. Ukraine again accused Russia of violating the ceasefire around Mariupol, where tens of thousands are living in “apocalyptic” conditions after spending over a week without power, heating, running water and with dwindling food supplies.
– 21 killed in airstrike –
At least 21 people, including two children, were killed in air strikes on Sumy on Monday night, hours before the evacuations began. Thousands attempt to board packed trains out of Odessa, Ukraine’s main port which is also bracing for attack.
– Two million refugees –
The UN says the number of people fleeing the war now tops two million. Poland alone has received 1.2 million people.
– Zelensky slams unkept ‘promises’ –
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounces what he calls unkept “promises” by the West to help protect Ukraine. “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,” he said.
– China’s Xi urges restraint –
Chinese President Xi Jinping urges “maximum restraint” over Ukraine but stops short of condemning the Russian invasion in a video summit with the leaders of France and Germany.-
‘Call Russia’ campaign –
A group of Lithuanians launch a bid to get Russians abroad to call 40 million of their compatriots and tell them what is happening in Ukraine.Russia has severely restricted reporting of the war on its territory.
– Shell quits Russia –
Energy giant Shell says it will stop purchasing Russian crude oil and shut down its operations in the country.
– Russian designer cancelled –
Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin, who designed the Russian army’s uniforms, has his show at Paris Fashion Week cancelled for his failure to condemn the war. He is the latest Russian figure to be targeted in an unprecedented cultural boycott, which has also ensnared star conductor Valery Gergiev, opera queen Anna Netrebko and the Bolshoi Ballet.
– World Bank cash for Ukraine –
The World Bank approves an additional $489-million package for Ukraine, to be made available immediately.
– Foreign footballers can leave Russia –
Foreign footballers and coaches working in Russia and Ukraine will be allowed to temporarily suspend their contracts and move elsewhere, FIFA announces.
