Japanese billionaire Hiroshi "Mickey" Mikitani said Sunday that ''Russia's invasion a challenge to democracy,'' adding that he will donate $8.7 million to the government of Ukraine.

"My thoughts are with you and Ukraine people," Mikitani said in a letter addressed to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"I believe that the trampling of a peaceful and democratic Ukraine by unjustified force is a challenge to democracy.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-president-zelinsky-minsk-agreement-itself-is-complicit-457104/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I sincerely hope that Russia and Ukraine can resolve this issue peacefully and that Ukraine people can have peace again as soon as possible," he wrote.

Mikitani is the founder of e-commerce giant Rakuten. He visited Kyiv in 2019 and met with Zelensky.&nbsp;

Street fighting broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city and Russian troops squeezed strategic ports in the country’s south Sunday, advances that appeared to mark a new phase of Russia’s invasion following a wave of attacks on airfields and fuel facilities elsewhere in the country.

Until Sunday, Russia’s troops had remained on the outskirts of Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) south of the border with Russia, while other forces rolled past to press the offensive deeper into Ukraine and Ukrainian fighters put up determined resistance.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-curiosity-to-cataclysm-russian-president-vladimir-putins-relationship-with-the-west-456896">From curiosity to cataclysm: Russian President Vladimir Putin's relationship with the West</a>

“We are fighting, fighting for our country, fighting for our freedom because we have the right to do that,” Zelenskyy said.&nbsp;

“The past night was tough — more shelling, more bombing of residential areas and civilian infrastructure. There is not a single facility in the country that the occupiers wouldn’t consider as admissible targets.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-are-the-ukrainians-what-you-should-know-about-the-nation-facing-war-457019" hreflang="en">Who are the Ukrainians? What you should know about the nation facing war</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn’t disclosed his ultimate plans, but Western officials believe he is determined to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own, redrawing the map of Europe and reviving Moscow’s Cold War-era influence.

The pressure on strategic ports in the south of Ukraine appeared aimed at seizing control of Ukraine’s coastline stretching from the border with Romania in the west to the border with Russia in the east.

Cutting Ukraine’s access to its sea ports that would deal a major blow to the country’s economy. It also could allow Moscow to build a land corridor to Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014 and until now was connected to Russia by a 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge, the longest bridge in Europe which opened in 2018.

Russia’s military also put increasing pressure on strategic ports in the south of Ukraine, blocking the cities of Kherson on the Black Sea and the port of Berdyansk on the Azov Sea.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japanese billionaire Hiroshi "Mickey" Mikitani said Sunday that ''Russia's invasion a challenge to democracy,'' adding that he will donate $8.7 million to the government of Ukraine.

Japanese billionaire Hiroshi "Mickey" Mikitani said Sunday that ''Russia's invasion a challenge to democracy,'' adding that he will donate $8.7 million to the government of Ukraine. "My thoughts are with you and Ukraine people," Mikitani said in a letter addressed to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. "I believe that the trampling of a peaceful and democratic Ukraine by unjustified force is a challenge to democracy. "I sincerely hope that Russia and Ukraine can resolve this issue peacefully and that Ukraine people can have peace again as soon as possible," he wrote. Mikitani is the founder of e-commerce giant Rakuten. He visited Kyiv in 2019 and met with Zelensky. Street fighting broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city and Russian troops squeezed strategic ports in the country’s south Sunday, advances that appeared to mark a new phase of Russia’s invasion following a wave of attacks on airfields and fuel facilities elsewhere in the country. Until Sunday, Russia’s troops had remained on the outskirts of Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) south of the border with Russia, while other forces rolled past to press the offensive deeper into Ukraine and Ukrainian fighters put up determined resistance. Also see | From curiosity to cataclysm: Russian President Vladimir Putin's relationship with the West “We are fighting, fighting for our country, fighting for our freedom because we have the right to do that,” Zelenskyy said. “The past night was tough — more shelling, more bombing of residential areas and civilian infrastructure. There is not a single facility in the country that the occupiers wouldn’t consider as admissible targets.” Also read | Who are the Ukrainians? What you should know about the nation facing war Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn’t disclosed his ultimate plans, but Western officials believe he is determined to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own, redrawing the map of Europe and reviving Moscow’s Cold War-era influence. The pressure on strategic ports in the south of Ukraine appeared aimed at seizing control of Ukraine’s coastline stretching from the border with Romania in the west to the border with Russia in the east. Cutting Ukraine’s access to its sea ports that would deal a major blow to the country’s economy. It also could allow Moscow to build a land corridor to Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014 and until now was connected to Russia by a 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge, the longest bridge in Europe which opened in 2018. Russia’s military also put increasing pressure on strategic ports in the south of Ukraine, blocking the cities of Kherson on the Black Sea and the port of Berdyansk on the Azov Sea. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese billionaire calls Russia's attack a challenge to democracy, donates $8.7 million to Ukraine

Carles Perez scored his first two goals for Barcelona as the Spanish giants won 2-0 against a Vissel Kobe side featuring Andres Iniesta, a legend of the Catalan club.

As Kobe's Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper were all reunited with their former team, it was Perez who stole the limelight with a top-class double.

The 21-year-old, a product of Barcelona's academy, played a one-two inside the box and nutmegged the goalkeeper for his first goal, and fired a stunning left-footer for his second in the dying minutes.

Iniesta had his chances and 28,000 fans sighed their frustration as he put a fierce shot just wide.

"It was my first goal for Barcelona and I'm glad to score even two," Perez said.

"It's been my dream to score goals for this great team since my childhood," he added.

The win wrapped up Barcelona's pre-season friendlies in Japan following their 2-1 loss to Chelsea earlier this week.

Carles Perez scored his first two goals for Barcelona as the Spanish giants won 2-0 against a Vissel Kobe side featuring Andres Iniesta, a legend of the Catalan club.

Carles Perez scored his first two goals for Barcelona as the Spanish giants won 2-0 against a Vissel Kobe side featuring Andres Iniesta, a legend of the Catalan club. As Kobe's Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper were all reunited with their former team, it was Perez who stole the limelight with a top-class double. The 21-year-old, a product of Barcelona's academy, played a one-two inside the box and nutmegged the goalkeeper for his first goal, and fired a stunning left-footer for his second in the dying minutes. Iniesta had his chances and 28,000 fans sighed their frustration as he put a fierce shot just wide. "It was my first goal for Barcelona and I'm glad to score even two," Perez said. "It's been my dream to score goals for this great team since my childhood," he added. The win wrapped up Barcelona's pre-season friendlies in Japan following their 2-1 loss to Chelsea earlier this week.

Carles Perez double as Barcelona beat Iniesta's Vissel Kobe 2-0

The Spanish giants Barcelona have struck a sponsorship deal with Japanese online retailer Rakuten for the next four years.&nbsp;

With the 55 million euros ($59 million) a year deal, Rakuten replaces Qatar Airways who had been Barcelona&#39;s shirt sponsor since 2013.&nbsp;

They were reported to have paid 35 million euros for the final year of their deal taking them up to the end of the 2016-17 season.

&quot;I have the pleasure and honour to announce that the board of directors has approved that Rakuten will&nbsp;be the new main and global sponsor of the club for the next four years,&quot; Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu told a news conference at the club&#39;s Camp Nou stadium.

The club success added with some of the world&#39;s most recognisable stars make it a highly attractive assest to the advertisers.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

Rakuten has signed a deal worth 55 million euros a year with Barcelona

The Spanish giants Barcelona have struck a sponsorship deal with Japanese online retailer Rakuten for the next four years. With the 55 million euros ($59 million) a year deal, Rakuten replaces Qatar Airways who had been Barcelona's shirt sponsor since 2013. They were reported to have paid 35 million euros for the final year of their deal taking them up to the end of the 2016-17 season. "I have the pleasure and honour to announce that the board of directors has approved that Rakuten will be the new main and global sponsor of the club for the next four years," Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu told a news conference at the club's Camp Nou stadium. The club success added with some of the world's most recognisable stars make it a highly attractive assest to the advertisers. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Football: Barca strikes new sponsorship deal with Japan's Rakuten

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