Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, and a series of economic sanctions by the West, Russian Oligarchs are facing the heat. Now, does cash-strapped Russian Oligarch Abramovich seek help from celebrity friends? Watch this report.

Does cash-strapped Russian Oligarch Abramovich seek help from celebrity friends?

NATO Foreign Ministers have arrived for a 2-Day NATO summit. The leaders will address the Russian invasion and Bucha killings.

NATO Foreign Ministers arrive for 2-Day NATO summit to address Ukraine & Bucha killings

The US defence secretary Lloyd Austin was grilled over the US' response to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

US Defence secretary grilled over the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

In response to Ukraine's invasion, the US slapped sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, on Wednesday.

Apart from Putin's daughter, the US is also targeting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's wife and children, and members of Russia's Security Council, including former President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The United States is also toughening sanctions against Russian financial institutions.&nbsp;

The penalties cut off all of Putin’s close family members from the US financial system and freeze any assets they hold in the United States.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-ukraine-had-no-option-but-to-negotiate-with-russia-to-end-war-but-will-putin-hold-talks-468562">Zelensky says Ukraine had 'no option but to negotiate' with Russia to end war. But will Putin hold talks?</a>

Who are Vladimir Putin's daughters, Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova?

The Russian president's daughters, Maria Vorontsova, 37, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35, are the result of his marriage to former wife Lyudmila Putina.

Maria is said to have been born in St. Petersburg around 1985.

The following year, Katerina was born.

At the time of Katerina's birth, the family was based in Germany.

Putin was a foreign intelligence officer with the KGB, Russia's secret service.

Putin divorced Putina, a former Aeroflot flight attendant, in 2013.

Maria earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Saint Petersburg State University and her master's degree in biology from Moscow State University in 2011.

According to reports, she's a paediatric endocrinologist.

Maria and her Dutch businessman husband, Jorrit Faassen, divorced last month.

On the other hand, Katerina is said to be the deputy director of Moscow State University's Institute for Mathematical Research on Complex Systems.

She was also an acrobatic dancer in the past.Her personal life is largely unknown.

(With inputs from agencies)

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-mums-write-family-contacts-on-bodies-of-their-babies-and-europe-is-still-discussing-gas-468513">'Ukrainian mums write family contacts on bodies of their babies and Europe is still discussing gas'</a>

In response to Ukraine's invasion, the US slapped sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, on Wednesday.

In response to Ukraine's invasion, the US slapped sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, on Wednesday. Apart from Putin's daughter, the US is also targeting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's wife and children, and members of Russia's Security Council, including former President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The United States is also toughening sanctions against Russian financial institutions. The penalties cut off all of Putin’s close family members from the US financial system and freeze any assets they hold in the United States. ALSO READ | Zelensky says Ukraine had 'no option but to negotiate' with Russia to end war. But will Putin hold talks? Who are Vladimir Putin's daughters, Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova? The Russian president's daughters, Maria Vorontsova, 37, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35, are the result of his marriage to former wife Lyudmila Putina. Maria is said to have been born in St. Petersburg around 1985. The following year, Katerina was born. At the time of Katerina's birth, the family was based in Germany. Putin was a foreign intelligence officer with the KGB, Russia's secret service. Putin divorced Putina, a former Aeroflot flight attendant, in 2013. Maria earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Saint Petersburg State University and her master's degree in biology from Moscow State University in 2011. According to reports, she's a paediatric endocrinologist. Maria and her Dutch businessman husband, Jorrit Faassen, divorced last month. On the other hand, Katerina is said to be the deputy director of Moscow State University's Institute for Mathematical Research on Complex Systems. She was also an acrobatic dancer in the past.Her personal life is largely unknown. (With inputs from agencies) ALSO READ | 'Ukrainian mums write family contacts on bodies of their babies and Europe is still discussing gas'

Who are Katerina and Maria, the Russian President's daughters hit by US sanctions?

The West is all set to announce more sanctions on Russia amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US & Germany says that new sanctions will be announced soon.

Russia prepares to face more sanctions as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues

Into the second month of Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky connected via video call with UNSC and questioned the purpose of the meet. However, Russia denied Bucha civilian killing allegations by Zelensky.

Russia denies Bucha killing allegations, calls it 'fake' amid uproar at UNSC

Into the second month of Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky connected via video call with UNSC and questioned the purpose of the meet.

Ukraine accuses Russia of War crimes as Bucha killings take centre stage at UNSC

The presidential race in France is heating up but this is an election that's also taking place at a time when Russia has invaded into Ukraine. The war risks becoming a key issue in in the French electoral politics, here's how!

French Elections: Marine Le Pen targeted over Russian ties, accused of being close to Putin

The negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul could possibly pave the way for a meeting between the Russian president Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky.

Russia to 'drastically reduce' assault, Kyiv sets condition for 'neutral status'

It has been more than a month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine.

Ukraine FM Dmytro Kuleba: Russia is worse than ISIS

Mass graves, corpses in bags, these are the gruesome discoveries reported from the town of Bucha prompting Ukraine to once again accuse Russia of carrying out war crimes. global outrage grew over the images coming out of towns near Kyiv.

Pro-Ukraine demonstrations begin in the West over Bucha mass killings

West prepares more sanctions on Russia as Bucha killings in Ukraine shock the world

The Biden administration has done an admirable job checking Russian disinformation efforts by disclosing U.S. intelligence assessments of Moscow’s intentions and marshaling unified political support for Ukrainian sovereignty and indirect military support for its defense.

But the administration has spoken out when it might have kept silent about Russia’s implicit threat to use nuclear weapons. In President Vladimir Putin’s speech announcing the invasion, he stated that anyone who “tries to stand in our way” will face consequences “such as you have never seen in your entire history.” He ordered his defense minister to put Russia’s nuclear forces on alert. It may have been implicit, but the threat was clear.

In response to Mr. Putin’s threat, the president and his advisers have said repeatedly and emphatically that the United States is deterred from acting in ways that might bring U.S. or other NATO forces into contact with Russian troops. President Biden himself has said that “we will not fight the third world war in Ukraine.”

The United States and NATO should be less deferential to Mr. Putin’s attempt to wield the threat of nuclear weapons — not only for the sake of supporting Ukraine but also to ensure global geopolitical stability in the future.

Mr. Putin has presented strategists with a situation they haven’t really confronted: a rogue actor employing the threat of nuclear weapons for conquest rather than regime survival — the latter being a primary reason for countries like Iran, North Korea and Pakistan to build or deploy nuclear weapons.

In turn, the United States’ posture of restraint with respect to Ukraine may compromise its position elsewhere. For example, a nuclear agreement with Iran, which appears within reach, might be undone if Iran and Israel infer from Washington’s stance that great powers would refrain from exercising conventional military capabilities when their adversaries have nuclear weapons, or if Iran calculates — correctly or not — that Israel would be deterred from resisting a nuclear-armed Iran’s regional projections of conventional power.

During the Cold War, the United States and its allies — most prominently through NATO — developed a framework for conventional and nuclear deterrence. In the 1960s, one of the nation’s leading thinkers on nuclear strategies, Herman Kahn, devised an “escalation ladder” that defined specific levels of military enlargement. The key was to maintain, through perceived military superiority, the capacity to deter an enemy at each level.

What Mr. Putin likely fears is U.S. and NATO conventional military superiority at every level of war except for the nuclear one. Hence his premature nuclear threat, which seems to rule out even limited NATO military options.

As a matter of doctrine, Russia has several conditions for nuclear use, four of which were recently enunciated by Dmitri Medvedev, deputy chairman of the country’s security council: a nuclear weapon is launched against Russia; such a weapon is used against its allies; an actual or impending attack on critical infrastructure to disable Russia’s deterrent nuclear forces; and military aggression of any kind against Russia or its allies that would jeopardize the existence of the Russian state. These scenarios likely involve strategic retaliation against enemy cities or nuclear assets from high-yield weapons launched from long distances.

Like the United States, Russia surely possesses tactical nuclear weapons, which have exponentially less power but could each still yield an explosion of 10 kilotons and potentially up to 50 kilotons of TNT (the Hiroshima bomb’s yield was about 15 kilotons) and would cover relatively short battlefield ranges. It has reportedly been building up its stockpile of these weapons. In issuing the nuclear threat, Mr. Putin implicitly raised a principle, known as “escalate to de-escalate,” under which Russian forces would use low-yield tactical nuclear weapons in Europe to pre-empt large-scale conventional action by NATO. The principle does not fit with any of the doctrinal scenarios above, but it is consistent with Moscow’s capabilities.

Tactical nuclear weapons are destabilizing to the delicate balance of deterrence. They reduce the barrier to nuclear use and blur the boundary between conventional and nuclear war. Russia’s nuclear threat is also most likely imparting additional momentum to the most troubling aspect of U.S. nuclear modernization plans: its own focus on tactical nuclear weapons. Abandoning the Obama administration’s apprehensiveness about such weapons because of their destabilizing effects, the Trump administration’s Nuclear Posture Review contemplated their development in response to the possibility of local and limited aggression — to some extent in response to Russian intimations that it would use the weapons pre-emptively.

If the United States doubled down on tactical nuclear weapons in response to Russia’s threat, it would return the world to a state of nuclear dread similar to what it experienced in the early 1980s. Instead, the United States should reassert confidence in conventional deterrence by emphasizing its adherence to the established framework.

The effort might start with a refutation of Mr. Putin’s narrative, which includes the idea that the invasion of Ukraine was undertaken to pre-empt NATO aggression against Russia staged from Ukraine. This is not credible. NATO’s posture is clearly defensive, involving small forward-positioned NATO deployments that function essentially as a tripwire and a multinational backup force for quick reinforcement to hold the line.

The Biden administration should dial back public disclosures of what it will not do militarily. Such talk implies that the United States and NATO do not believe in the alliance’s deterrence and buy into Mr. Putin’s suggestion that any level of NATO support for Ukraine would risk nuclear war. Putin’s own conduct implies that this isn’t true. Mr. Putin has drawn his red lines: no interference with Russia’s attempted absorption of Ukraine and no arms convoys. Yet the United States and NATO have trespassed over both red lines without facing a Russian riposte. Perpetuating a false sense of Russia’s readiness to use extreme measures only helps Mr. Putin.

Owing to Ukrainian forces’ stiff resistance and the West’s broad support for Ukraine, Russia may be cooling on military conquest and considering a negotiated political solution. Caution is still warranted: Mr. Putin’s true limits remain unclear. The United States should continue to send Ukraine military equipment, especially antiaircraft systems and antitank munitions.

At the same time, the United States and its allies should continue to firm up NATO’s conventional readiness to respond to Russian aggression against a NATO member or on NATO territory, whether it is a result of a deliberate decision or spillover from operations in Ukraine. The message to Mr. Putin is that the United States and NATO emphatically reject his attempt to raze the architecture of deterrence.

The Biden administration has done an admirable job checking Russian disinformation efforts by disclosing U.S. intelligence assessments of Moscow’s intentions and marshaling unified political support for Ukrainian sovereignty and indirect military support for its defense.

The Biden administration has done an admirable job checking Russian disinformation efforts by disclosing U.S. intelligence assessments of Moscow’s intentions and marshaling unified political support for Ukrainian sovereignty and indirect military support for its defense. But the administration has spoken out when it might have kept silent about Russia’s implicit threat to use nuclear weapons. In President Vladimir Putin’s speech announcing the invasion, he stated that anyone who “tries to stand in our way” will face consequences “such as you have never seen in your entire history.” He ordered his defense minister to put Russia’s nuclear forces on alert. It may have been implicit, but the threat was clear. In response to Mr. Putin’s threat, the president and his advisers have said repeatedly and emphatically that the United States is deterred from acting in ways that might bring U.S. or other NATO forces into contact with Russian troops. President Biden himself has said that “we will not fight the third world war in Ukraine.” The United States and NATO should be less deferential to Mr. Putin’s attempt to wield the threat of nuclear weapons — not only for the sake of supporting Ukraine but also to ensure global geopolitical stability in the future. Mr. Putin has presented strategists with a situation they haven’t really confronted: a rogue actor employing the threat of nuclear weapons for conquest rather than regime survival — the latter being a primary reason for countries like Iran, North Korea and Pakistan to build or deploy nuclear weapons. In turn, the United States’ posture of restraint with respect to Ukraine may compromise its position elsewhere. For example, a nuclear agreement with Iran, which appears within reach, might be undone if Iran and Israel infer from Washington’s stance that great powers would refrain from exercising conventional military capabilities when their adversaries have nuclear weapons, or if Iran calculates — correctly or not — that Israel would be deterred from resisting a nuclear-armed Iran’s regional projections of conventional power. During the Cold War, the United States and its allies — most prominently through NATO — developed a framework for conventional and nuclear deterrence. In the 1960s, one of the nation’s leading thinkers on nuclear strategies, Herman Kahn, devised an “escalation ladder” that defined specific levels of military enlargement. The key was to maintain, through perceived military superiority, the capacity to deter an enemy at each level. What Mr. Putin likely fears is U.S. and NATO conventional military superiority at every level of war except for the nuclear one. Hence his premature nuclear threat, which seems to rule out even limited NATO military options. As a matter of doctrine, Russia has several conditions for nuclear use, four of which were recently enunciated by Dmitri Medvedev, deputy chairman of the country’s security council: a nuclear weapon is launched against Russia; such a weapon is used against its allies; an actual or impending attack on critical infrastructure to disable Russia’s deterrent nuclear forces; and military aggression of any kind against Russia or its allies that would jeopardize the existence of the Russian state. These scenarios likely involve strategic retaliation against enemy cities or nuclear assets from high-yield weapons launched from long distances. Like the United States, Russia surely possesses tactical nuclear weapons, which have exponentially less power but could each still yield an explosion of 10 kilotons and potentially up to 50 kilotons of TNT (the Hiroshima bomb’s yield was about 15 kilotons) and would cover relatively short battlefield ranges. It has reportedly been building up its stockpile of these weapons. In issuing the nuclear threat, Mr. Putin implicitly raised a principle, known as “escalate to de-escalate,” under which Russian forces would use low-yield tactical nuclear weapons in Europe to pre-empt large-scale conventional action by NATO. The principle does not fit with any of the doctrinal scenarios above, but it is consistent with Moscow’s capabilities. Tactical nuclear weapons are destabilizing to the delicate balance of deterrence. They reduce the barrier to nuclear use and blur the boundary between conventional and nuclear war. Russia’s nuclear threat is also most likely imparting additional momentum to the most troubling aspect of U.S. nuclear modernization plans: its own focus on tactical nuclear weapons. Abandoning the Obama administration’s apprehensiveness about such weapons because of their destabilizing effects, the Trump administration’s Nuclear Posture Review contemplated their development in response to the possibility of local and limited aggression — to some extent in response to Russian intimations that it would use the weapons pre-emptively. If the United States doubled down on tactical nuclear weapons in response to Russia’s threat, it would return the world to a state of nuclear dread similar to what it experienced in the early 1980s. Instead, the United States should reassert confidence in conventional deterrence by emphasizing its adherence to the established framework. The effort might start with a refutation of Mr. Putin’s narrative, which includes the idea that the invasion of Ukraine was undertaken to pre-empt NATO aggression against Russia staged from Ukraine. This is not credible. NATO’s posture is clearly defensive, involving small forward-positioned NATO deployments that function essentially as a tripwire and a multinational backup force for quick reinforcement to hold the line. The Biden administration should dial back public disclosures of what it will not do militarily. Such talk implies that the United States and NATO do not believe in the alliance’s deterrence and buy into Mr. Putin’s suggestion that any level of NATO support for Ukraine would risk nuclear war. Putin’s own conduct implies that this isn’t true. Mr. Putin has drawn his red lines: no interference with Russia’s attempted absorption of Ukraine and no arms convoys. Yet the United States and NATO have trespassed over both red lines without facing a Russian riposte. Perpetuating a false sense of Russia’s readiness to use extreme measures only helps Mr. Putin. Owing to Ukrainian forces’ stiff resistance and the West’s broad support for Ukraine, Russia may be cooling on military conquest and considering a negotiated political solution. Caution is still warranted: Mr. Putin’s true limits remain unclear. The United States should continue to send Ukraine military equipment, especially antiaircraft systems and antitank munitions. At the same time, the United States and its allies should continue to firm up NATO’s conventional readiness to respond to Russian aggression against a NATO member or on NATO territory, whether it is a result of a deliberate decision or spillover from operations in Ukraine. The message to Mr. Putin is that the United States and NATO emphatically reject his attempt to raze the architecture of deterrence.

Why Putin went straight for the nuclear threat

It has been more than a month since Russian invasion of Ukraine started, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine. Now, Moscow reported air raids on Russian soil.

Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on as Moscow reports air raids on Russian soil

It has been more than a month since Russian invasion of Ukraine started, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine.

Zelensky says 3,000 rescued from Mariupol amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

Russian gas was flowing to Europe on Friday (April 1) in spite of the deadline set by Russian President Vladimir Putin for foreign buyers to pay for Russian gas in roubles. This is Moscow's strongest threat in reaction to Western sanctions imposed in the aftermath of Ukraine invasion.

Putin signed an order setting a Friday deadline for buyers from “unfriendly” countries to pay for gas using roubles or be cut off, a demand Western customers have rejected as an attempt to rewrite contracts that call for payment in euros. Germany, the biggest buyer, called it “blackmail,” and had warned this week of a potential emergency if supplies were curtailed.

But there was no sign on Friday of an immediate interruption. Flows remained steady through two of the three main pipelines bringing Russian gas into Europe – Nord Stream 1 across the Baltic Sea, and into Slovakia over Ukraine.

Also Read | US warns against rising oil imports, New Delhi continues to buy Russian oil

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-warns-against-rising-oil-imports-new-delhi-continues-to-buy-russian-oil-467177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Flows through the other main route, the Yamal-Europe pipeline over Belarus, had reversed direction, now bringing gas from Germany to Poland, but this occurs occasionally and did not necessarily indicate a new policy.

Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas giant, said it was continuing to supply Europe via Ukraine in line with requests from consumers that were down only fractionally from Thursday.

A source had told Reuters that some contracts involved gas being delivered before payments were due, suggesting the taps might not be turned off immediately.

After failing to capture a single major Ukrainian city in five weeks of war, Russia says it has shifted its focus to the southeast, where it has backed separatists since 2014.

The area includes the port of Mariupol, scene of the war’s worst humanitarian emergency, where the United Nations believes thousands of people have died after more than a month under Russian siege and relentless bombardment.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian gas was flowing to Europe on Friday (April 1) in spite of the deadline set by Russian President Vladimir Putin for foreign buyers to pay for Russian gas in roubles.

Russian gas was flowing to Europe on Friday (April 1) in spite of the deadline set by Russian President Vladimir Putin for foreign buyers to pay for Russian gas in roubles. This is Moscow's strongest threat in reaction to Western sanctions imposed in the aftermath of Ukraine invasion. Putin signed an order setting a Friday deadline for buyers from “unfriendly” countries to pay for gas using roubles or be cut off, a demand Western customers have rejected as an attempt to rewrite contracts that call for payment in euros. Germany, the biggest buyer, called it “blackmail,” and had warned this week of a potential emergency if supplies were curtailed. But there was no sign on Friday of an immediate interruption. Flows remained steady through two of the three main pipelines bringing Russian gas into Europe – Nord Stream 1 across the Baltic Sea, and into Slovakia over Ukraine. Also Read | US warns against rising oil imports, New Delhi continues to buy Russian oil × Flows through the other main route, the Yamal-Europe pipeline over Belarus, had reversed direction, now bringing gas from Germany to Poland, but this occurs occasionally and did not necessarily indicate a new policy. Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas giant, said it was continuing to supply Europe via Ukraine in line with requests from consumers that were down only fractionally from Thursday. A source had told Reuters that some contracts involved gas being delivered before payments were due, suggesting the taps might not be turned off immediately. After failing to capture a single major Ukrainian city in five weeks of war, Russia says it has shifted its focus to the southeast, where it has backed separatists since 2014. The area includes the port of Mariupol, scene of the war’s worst humanitarian emergency, where the United Nations believes thousands of people have died after more than a month under Russian siege and relentless bombardment. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian gas flows to Europe despite Putin's deadline of payment in roubles

Russia has a new demand- All foreign buyers must pay in Rouble for Russian gas this will be enforced from today, if the payments are not made the contracts will be halted.

Putin: Pay in roubles or we'll cut off your gas

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (March 31) that foreign buyers must pay for Russian gas in Russian currency roubles from April 1. He said that contracts would be halted if these payments were not made.

"In order to purchase Russian natural gas, they must open rouble accounts in Russian banks. It is from these accounts that payments will be made for gas delivered starting from tomorrow," Putin said in televised remarks.

"If such payments are not made, we will consider this a default on the part of buyers, with all the ensuing consequences. Nobody sells us anything for free, and we are not going to do charity either - that is, existing contracts will be stopped."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-trying-to-reinforce-offensive-in-donbas-maintains-pressure-on-kyiv-nato-467184">Russia trying to reinforce offensive in Donbas; maintains pressure on Kyiv: NATO</a>

Europe is dependent on Russia for third of its natural gas supply. This gives Russia leverage to hit back against the Western sanctions imposed on Russia in the wake of Ukraine invasion.

His decision to enforce rouble payments has boosted the Russian currency, which fell to historic lows after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on the Feb. 24 but has since recovered.

Western companies and governments have rejected the move as a breach of existing contracts, which are set in euros or dollars. France's economy minister said France and Germany were preparing for a possible scenario that Russian gas flows could be halted - something that would plunge Europe into a full-blown energy crisis.

An order signed by Putin set out a mechanism for buyers to transfer foreign currency to a special account at a Russian bank, which would then send roubles back to the foreign buyer to make payment for the gas.

He said the switch was meant to strengthen Russia's sovereignty, and it would stick to its obligations on all contracts.

Putin also said Western nations will try to find new grounds to sanction Russia, adding that his country must aim to retain jobs and to create new ones. The Russian president also said that the United States was profiting from the global turbulence, adding that of U.S. military complex companies were on the rise.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (March 31) that foreign buyers must pay for Russian gas in Russian currency roubles from April 1. He said that contracts would be halted if these payments were not made.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (March 31) that foreign buyers must pay for Russian gas in Russian currency roubles from April 1. He said that contracts would be halted if these payments were not made. "In order to purchase Russian natural gas, they must open rouble accounts in Russian banks. It is from these accounts that payments will be made for gas delivered starting from tomorrow," Putin said in televised remarks. "If such payments are not made, we will consider this a default on the part of buyers, with all the ensuing consequences. Nobody sells us anything for free, and we are not going to do charity either - that is, existing contracts will be stopped." Also Read | Russia trying to reinforce offensive in Donbas; maintains pressure on Kyiv: NATO Europe is dependent on Russia for third of its natural gas supply. This gives Russia leverage to hit back against the Western sanctions imposed on Russia in the wake of Ukraine invasion. His decision to enforce rouble payments has boosted the Russian currency, which fell to historic lows after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on the Feb. 24 but has since recovered. Western companies and governments have rejected the move as a breach of existing contracts, which are set in euros or dollars. France's economy minister said France and Germany were preparing for a possible scenario that Russian gas flows could be halted - something that would plunge Europe into a full-blown energy crisis. An order signed by Putin set out a mechanism for buyers to transfer foreign currency to a special account at a Russian bank, which would then send roubles back to the foreign buyer to make payment for the gas. He said the switch was meant to strengthen Russia's sovereignty, and it would stick to its obligations on all contracts. Putin also said Western nations will try to find new grounds to sanction Russia, adding that his country must aim to retain jobs and to create new ones. The Russian president also said that the United States was profiting from the global turbulence, adding that of U.S. military complex companies were on the rise. (With inputs from agencies)

Pay in roubles for Russian gas April 1 onwards, Putin tells foreign buyers

Russia is yet to capture the capital city of Kyiv and the Russian forces are in some places being pushed back by the Ukrainian forces. In the latest, according to the American intelligence Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly has been misled.

United States: Putin misled on how war progressed

Donald Trump may be out of the White House but the 45th American president is hardly ever out of the news and this time around he has a message for Vladimir Putin he's seeking the Russian President's help.

Donald Trump asks Vladimir Putin for a political favor

After Germany sounded an alarm over a possible gas crunch in Europe, Russia has now allowed Berlin to pay for Russian gas and euros or dollars.

Berlin to pay for gas supplies in Euros; 'No change for EU,' Putin tells Scholz

Ukraine and Russia are currently involved in peace talks with Moscow promising to cut back military activity. However, former Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko believes Russia cannot be trusted.

Poroshenko served as Ukraine's president from 2014 to 2019. He led Ukraine through the first phase of the war when Russia occupied Crimea. Three years after leaving office, Poroshenko has taken on a different role - the role of a soldier. Since the invasion, Ukraine's former president has been out on the streets of Kyiv dressed in military fatigue and equipped with a weapon.

WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma spoke exclusively with Poroshenko even as he was on duty in battle fatigue on the streets of Kyiv.

WION: You have been on the frontlines since the invasion began. How are you doing? Are you safe?

Petro Poroshenko: Me, together with the Ukrainian people are soldiers now. We are doing our best to stop the Russian aggression and to throw him out from Ukrainian soil and to defend and protect our people. Now, you can hear the Russian artillery fire right now. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Tell us about where you are standing at the moment - you say this site has become a symbol for Ukraine, tell us more about it and what is it like living through the war?

Poroshenko: &nbsp;This is the very famous trading centre near Kiev, Retroville, and the civilian housing district. Less than 10 km from here we have Russian tanks. We have fighting there as our troops are freeing Iripine from Russian occupants.&nbsp;

They have erased several areas that were symbol of new Ukraine, great architecture, the residential area which is completeley destroyed. And nobody can explain why they are here. But we are protecting our land, our people, our future, and we thank the world for solidarity with us. and this is why we will definitely win.

WION: As president you led the first war with Russia...Did you ever think that a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine was possible?

Poroshenko: When I was elected president, Crimea was already occupied, Donbass was already occupied. And believe me, this was not a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it was a war. The volume of the operations was very big and I am proud that we stopped the Russian troops then, we released two-thirds of occupied Donbass. We protected the country through very different means, from army to diplomatic means.&nbsp;

I am very proud that since 2014, we created a new country and brought the Army together including Ukrainian volunteers and created a new municipality structure because of decentralisation and that is why we surprised the world. Because Putin promised that within 36 hours he would capture Kyiv. Tomorrow would be five disastrous weeks of war for Russia. For five weeks the Ukrainian Army and people have been fighting against, as they said the second biggest army in the world.

We surprised the world. We demonstrated that the Ukrainian Army is a unique unit. All the countries are against Russia. Because this is not possible, a compromise. They want us dead, the Russians want to erase Ukraine from the world map but we simply want to live. That's why it's not possible to have a compromise.&nbsp;

I am proud of the last eight years and I am proud of my country including my president. The Army, the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian cultural and religious sphere that helped us to unite the nation.

WION: Mr Poroshenko are you safe?

Poroshenko: Nobody is safe in Kyiv but here it is definitely not safe but we have lived in these conditions for 35 days.

WION: We appreciate your courage sir to do this interview in such difficult conditions is no mean feat. In the past, you have called Russia's President Vladimir Putin "a crazy maniac". What message would you like to send to him today?

Poroshenko: I haven't changed my mind. It is impossible to explain why he is doing this. He is inadequate, unpredictable, crazy. He should be behind bars of the international criminal court

WION: What do you make of the actions of the west so far? do you believe their reluctance to act against Russian energy supplies has extended this war?

Poroshenko: I think the world has surprised Putin. I don't think Putin expected the world would be so united. We need global solidarity and several things - we need the land-lease act to supply Ukraine with everything from nutrition to ammunition. We need closed skies against Russian planes. We also need sanctions and embargo against Russia.

I would like to ask India. We definitely insist that we should stop paying to Russia money for financing the war in Ukraine because every single billion-dollar Russia will receive for their oil, they will receive $1 billion dollars a day which means more than 300 Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine for one day. We definitely welcome the decision of the United States, UK, EU and Germany to significantly decrease gas consumption and oil consumption.

It is my request to India, they say the oil is extremely cheap and it is possible to buy $25 a barrel and you buy a small portion but for one or two days of your consumption - please stop. This is the victim Ukraine asking your government. Please stop buying Russian oil.

WION: You say India is buying oil from Russia but what will you say to Europe which has bought billions of dollars worth of gas from Russia since the beginning of the invasion. Is that not a betrayal?

Poroshenko: My request to the European Union member states is exactly the same. As a former president to my friends. We need a full embargo on Russian oil and gas whether it is the European Union or India or any other nation in the world including China. It was exactly my request to the European Union.

WION: What message would you like to send to India's current prime minister Narendra Modi?

Poroshenko: Dear prime minister if you will have an opportunity and demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine, we request you to stop buying Russian oil and please be the guest of Ukraine. Could you make a visit to Kiev? It will be of great symbolic importance, think about it. This is a decisive step. This will demonstrate your leadership for Ukraine dear prime minister.

This is also a disastrous humanitarian crisis. If you could send medicines for Ukrainians it would be great. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Ukraine and Russia are currently involved in peace talks with Moscow promising to cut back military activity. However, former Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko believes Russia cannot be trusted.

Ukraine and Russia are currently involved in peace talks with Moscow promising to cut back military activity. However, former Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko believes Russia cannot be trusted. Poroshenko served as Ukraine's president from 2014 to 2019. He led Ukraine through the first phase of the war when Russia occupied Crimea. Three years after leaving office, Poroshenko has taken on a different role - the role of a soldier. Since the invasion, Ukraine's former president has been out on the streets of Kyiv dressed in military fatigue and equipped with a weapon. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma spoke exclusively with Poroshenko even as he was on duty in battle fatigue on the streets of Kyiv. WION: You have been on the frontlines since the invasion began. How are you doing? Are you safe? Petro Poroshenko: Me, together with the Ukrainian people are soldiers now. We are doing our best to stop the Russian aggression and to throw him out from Ukrainian soil and to defend and protect our people. Now, you can hear the Russian artillery fire right now. WION: Tell us about where you are standing at the moment - you say this site has become a symbol for Ukraine, tell us more about it and what is it like living through the war? Poroshenko: This is the very famous trading centre near Kiev, Retroville, and the civilian housing district. Less than 10 km from here we have Russian tanks. We have fighting there as our troops are freeing Iripine from Russian occupants. They have erased several areas that were symbol of new Ukraine, great architecture, the residential area which is completeley destroyed. And nobody can explain why they are here. But we are protecting our land, our people, our future, and we thank the world for solidarity with us. and this is why we will definitely win. WION: As president you led the first war with Russia...Did you ever think that a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine was possible? Poroshenko: When I was elected president, Crimea was already occupied, Donbass was already occupied. And believe me, this was not a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it was a war. The volume of the operations was very big and I am proud that we stopped the Russian troops then, we released two-thirds of occupied Donbass. We protected the country through very different means, from army to diplomatic means. I am very proud that since 2014, we created a new country and brought the Army together including Ukrainian volunteers and created a new municipality structure because of decentralisation and that is why we surprised the world. Because Putin promised that within 36 hours he would capture Kyiv. Tomorrow would be five disastrous weeks of war for Russia. For five weeks the Ukrainian Army and people have been fighting against, as they said the second biggest army in the world. We surprised the world. We demonstrated that the Ukrainian Army is a unique unit. All the countries are against Russia. Because this is not possible, a compromise. They want us dead, the Russians want to erase Ukraine from the world map but we simply want to live. That's why it's not possible to have a compromise. I am proud of the last eight years and I am proud of my country including my president. The Army, the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian cultural and religious sphere that helped us to unite the nation. WION: Mr Poroshenko are you safe? Poroshenko: Nobody is safe in Kyiv but here it is definitely not safe but we have lived in these conditions for 35 days. WION: We appreciate your courage sir to do this interview in such difficult conditions is no mean feat. In the past, you have called Russia's President Vladimir Putin "a crazy maniac". What message would you like to send to him today? Poroshenko: I haven't changed my mind. It is impossible to explain why he is doing this. He is inadequate, unpredictable, crazy. He should be behind bars of the international criminal court WION: What do you make of the actions of the west so far? do you believe their reluctance to act against Russian energy supplies has extended this war? Poroshenko: I think the world has surprised Putin. I don't think Putin expected the world would be so united. We need global solidarity and several things - we need the land-lease act to supply Ukraine with everything from nutrition to ammunition. We need closed skies against Russian planes. We also need sanctions and embargo against Russia. I would like to ask India. We definitely insist that we should stop paying to Russia money for financing the war in Ukraine because every single billion-dollar Russia will receive for their oil, they will receive $1 billion dollars a day which means more than 300 Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine for one day. We definitely welcome the decision of the United States, UK, EU and Germany to significantly decrease gas consumption and oil consumption. It is my request to India, they say the oil is extremely cheap and it is possible to buy $25 a barrel and you buy a small portion but for one or two days of your consumption - please stop. This is the victim Ukraine asking your government. Please stop buying Russian oil. WION: You say India is buying oil from Russia but what will you say to Europe which has bought billions of dollars worth of gas from Russia since the beginning of the invasion. Is that not a betrayal? Poroshenko: My request to the European Union member states is exactly the same. As a former president to my friends. We need a full embargo on Russian oil and gas whether it is the European Union or India or any other nation in the world including China. It was exactly my request to the European Union. WION: What message would you like to send to India's current prime minister Narendra Modi? Poroshenko: Dear prime minister if you will have an opportunity and demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine, we request you to stop buying Russian oil and please be the guest of Ukraine. Could you make a visit to Kiev? It will be of great symbolic importance, think about it. This is a decisive step. This will demonstrate your leadership for Ukraine dear prime minister. This is also a disastrous humanitarian crisis. If you could send medicines for Ukrainians it would be great. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Watch | Russia-Ukraine | Exclusive: Putin should be behind bars, ex-Ukraine president tells WION

There is cautious optimism from Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine amid war. Russia pledged to reduce attacks in Kyiv, Chernihiv.

Ukraine, allies remain cautious as Russia pledges to reduce attacks amid the Russian invasion

Russia says it will reduce attacks in Kyiv, Chernihiv during peace talks with Ukraine

Russia is deepening its relationship with China as it becomes more isolated from global financial systems as well as supply chains. Recently, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Russia turns to China amid isolation, Lavrov on first China visit since invasion

It is day 34 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine.

Tracking the Russian invasion: Ukrainian forces hold their ground on day 34 of the invasion

In a bid to disallow golden visas for sanctioned Russians, European Commission seeks to end golden visa rules. Meanwhile, Moscow is planning retaliatory measures.

European Commission seeks to end golden visa rules

In the latest clampdown by the Ukrainian President, Zelensky said that he is ready for the Donbas compromise to resolve the conflict with Russia.

The latest clampdown by Ukraine President: Zelensky says he is ready for the Donbas compromise

It is day 34 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine. Humanitarian aid for Ukraine is dwindling as locals struggle without food, water & utilities.

Humanitarian aid for Ukraine dwindling as locals struggle without food, water & utilities

On the second day of Poland's trip, Joe Biden has delivered a remark and said Putin is a 'butcher'. After this unscripted remark, the question is arising that 'Will Biden's remarks affect peace talks'?

Biden's unscripted remarks on Putin amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine, Russia are all set to hold face-to-face meetings after almost two weeks amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine-Russia set to hold first face-to-face meeting after over 2 weeks

putin

Putin, News on Putin, stories on Putin, articles on Putin, Putin stories at Wion, Putin news, Putin latest news