The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA's ban on Russian teams taking part in its competitions while CAS deliberates on the case, it said on Tuesday.

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The ruling only applies to UEFA competitions, with Russia still looking to overturn a FIFA ban that would allow them to take part in World Cup qualifying playoff matches scheduled for the end of this month.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA's ban on Russian teams taking part in its competitions while CAS deliberates on the case, it said on Tuesday.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA's ban on Russian teams taking part in its competitions while CAS deliberates on the case, it said on Tuesday. ALSO READ:Chelsea will continue to fight hard for success, says coach Thomas Tuchel amid Roman Abramovich crisis The ruling only applies to UEFA competitions, with Russia still looking to overturn a FIFA ban that would allow them to take part in World Cup qualifying playoff matches scheduled for the end of this month.

CAS upholds UEFA ban on Russian teams pending appeal

Ukrainians have been forced to flee and seek refuge in other countries, but some have decided to return to the conflict-ridden home.

Why are the refugees going back to Ukraine?

Australia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Netherlands&nbsp;said they had begun joint&nbsp;legal&nbsp;action&nbsp;against&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of Malaysia Airlines flight&nbsp;MH17&nbsp;eight years ago.

Russia&nbsp;was responsible under international law for the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of the flight, and&nbsp;action&nbsp;in the United Nations aviation council was a step forward in the fight for justice for 298 victims, including 38&nbsp;Australians,&nbsp;Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday.

Australia&nbsp;said the incident was a clear breach of a convention to protect civilian aircraft from weapons fire.

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The Dutch government said in a statement the UN Security Council had also been informed of the step.

Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in the statement: "The death of 298 civilians, including 196 Dutch, cannot and should not remain without consequences. The current events in Ukraine underscore the vital importance of this."

The joint&nbsp;action&nbsp;under Article 84 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation is separate to a Dutch murder trial for four suspects over their individual criminal responsibility.

Australia&nbsp;said it was seeking full reparations from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;for the injury caused, and the suspension of&nbsp;Russia's voting power in the aviation council, which sets standards for civilian air travel.

While it has no regulatory power, the Montreal-based ICAO sits at the centre of a system of safety and security standards that operates across political barriers but requires an often slow-moving consensus.

"Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of its aggression underscores the need to continue our enduring efforts to hold&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to account for its blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, including threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and airspace," Morrison and Payne said in the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-australia-virtual-summit-later-this-month-461988">India, Australia virtual summit later this month</a>

MH17&nbsp;was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014 when it was hit over rebel-held eastern Ukraine by what international investigators and prosecutors say was a&nbsp;Russian-made surface-to-air missile.

Moscow has always denied involvement and has promoted a range of alternative theories, which international investigators have rejected as unsupported by evidence.

A verdict in the murder trial, involving three&nbsp;Russians and a Ukrainian who remain at large, is expected later this year. None of the defendants have attended the Dutch court.

Australia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Netherlands&nbsp;would rely on evidence&nbsp;MH17&nbsp;was shot down by a&nbsp;Russian surface-to-air missile system transported from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to an area of eastern Ukraine under the control of&nbsp;Russian-backed separatists, and it was accompanied by a&nbsp;Russian military crew, the statement said.

The missile system was returned to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;shortly after the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of&nbsp;MH17, it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Has China infiltrated the Australian parliament?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-has-china-infiltrated-the-australian-parliament-454448/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Russia&nbsp;has to date refused to take responsibility for its clear role in this incident," Payne told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

Australia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Netherlands&nbsp;had pursued negotiations with&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in good faith over the incident, but&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;unilaterally withdrew from the talks in 2020, she said.

Australia and the Netherlands said they had begun joint legal action against Russia at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 eight years ago.

Australia and the Netherlands said they had begun joint legal action against Russia at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 eight years ago. Russia was responsible under international law for the downing of the flight, and action in the United Nations aviation council was a step forward in the fight for justice for 298 victims, including 38 Australians, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday. Australia said the incident was a clear breach of a convention to protect civilian aircraft from weapons fire. Also read | India, Australia and Japan imported most arms in last 5 years: SIPRI The Dutch government said in a statement the UN Security Council had also been informed of the step. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in the statement: "The death of 298 civilians, including 196 Dutch, cannot and should not remain without consequences. The current events in Ukraine underscore the vital importance of this." The joint action under Article 84 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation is separate to a Dutch murder trial for four suspects over their individual criminal responsibility. Australia said it was seeking full reparations from Russia for the injury caused, and the suspension of Russia's voting power in the aviation council, which sets standards for civilian air travel. While it has no regulatory power, the Montreal-based ICAO sits at the centre of a system of safety and security standards that operates across political barriers but requires an often slow-moving consensus. "Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of its aggression underscores the need to continue our enduring efforts to hold Russia to account for its blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, including threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and airspace," Morrison and Payne said in the statement. Also read | India, Australia virtual summit later this month MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014 when it was hit over rebel-held eastern Ukraine by what international investigators and prosecutors say was a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. Moscow has always denied involvement and has promoted a range of alternative theories, which international investigators have rejected as unsupported by evidence. A verdict in the murder trial, involving three Russians and a Ukrainian who remain at large, is expected later this year. None of the defendants have attended the Dutch court. Australia and the Netherlands would rely on evidence MH17 was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile system transported from Russia to an area of eastern Ukraine under the control of Russian-backed separatists, and it was accompanied by a Russian military crew, the statement said. The missile system was returned to Russia shortly after the downing of MH17, it said. Watch | Gravitas: Has China infiltrated the Australian parliament? "Russia has to date refused to take responsibility for its clear role in this incident," Payne told reporters in Sydney on Monday. Australia and the Netherlands had pursued negotiations with Russia in good faith over the incident, but Russia unilaterally withdrew from the talks in 2020, she said.

Australia, Netherlands start legal action against Russia for downing of MH17

&nbsp;Turkish President Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;will discuss the war in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;with German Chancellor Olaf&nbsp;Scholz&nbsp;at&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ankara&nbsp;on Monday, his office said, as both countries press on with efforts to secure a ceasefire 19 days into Russia's invasion.

NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and Russia in the Black Sea and has good ties with both. It has said the invasion is unacceptable and voiced support for&nbsp;Ukraine, but has also opposed sanctions on Moscow, while offering to mediate.

Ukraine&nbsp;said on Sunday it was working with Turkey and Israel as mediators to set a place and framework for&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with Russia, after Turkey hosted the foreign ministers of the warring nations for the first high-level&nbsp;talks&nbsp;last week.

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Monday's visit will mark&nbsp;Scholz's first trip to Turkey since taking office in December 2021 and comes amid efforts by Germany to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end Moscow's invasion. Germany and France have taken leading roles within the European Union to end the war.

"Aside from bilateral ties, an exchange of views is expected to be held on other regional and international issues, primarily&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and Turkey-EU relations," the Turkish Presidency said.

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Turkey says it can facilitate peace&nbsp;talks&nbsp;between&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and Russia, but says that a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors are needed first.

Turkey says it has citizens in areas hit by the fighting and has asked Moscow for support in evacuating them while delivering humanitarian aid to&nbsp;Ukraine.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Turkey taking advantage of war in Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-turkey-taking-advantage-of-war-in-ukraine-461453/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russia calls its operation a "special military operation" aimed at capturing what it regards as dangerous nationalists in&nbsp;Ukraine.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the war in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at talks in Ankara on Monday, his office said, as both countries press on with efforts to secure a ceasefire 19 days into Russia's invasion.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the war in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at talks in Ankara on Monday, his office said, as both countries press on with efforts to secure a ceasefire 19 days into Russia's invasion. NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea and has good ties with both. It has said the invasion is unacceptable and voiced support for Ukraine, but has also opposed sanctions on Moscow, while offering to mediate. Ukraine said on Sunday it was working with Turkey and Israel as mediators to set a place and framework for talks with Russia, after Turkey hosted the foreign ministers of the warring nations for the first high-level talks last week. Also read | In Pics | German flood victims receive tiny houses just before Christmas Monday's visit will mark Scholz's first trip to Turkey since taking office in December 2021 and comes amid efforts by Germany to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end Moscow's invasion. Germany and France have taken leading roles within the European Union to end the war. "Aside from bilateral ties, an exchange of views is expected to be held on other regional and international issues, primarily Ukraine and Turkey-EU relations," the Turkish Presidency said. Also read | Nepal FM Narayan Khadka to participate in Turkey’s Antalya diplomacy forum Turkey says it can facilitate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, but says that a ceasefire and humanitarian corridors are needed first. Turkey says it has citizens in areas hit by the fighting and has asked Moscow for support in evacuating them while delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Watch | Gravitas: Turkey taking advantage of war in Ukraine? Russia calls its operation a "special military operation" aimed at capturing what it regards as dangerous nationalists in Ukraine.

Turkey's Erdogan, Germany's Scholz to hold talks in Ankara on Ukraine

Seven refugee bears from Kyiv were getting used to their new home in the western city of Lviv on March 8, after enduring a 24 hour non-stop journey to safety.

Bears rescued from Russian Invasion

Russia has become the world's most sanctioned country, with over 5000 sanctions slapped against it. Brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Zara, H&M, Netflix have all suspended operations in Russia. Spotify and Amazon too have hit pause. Palki Sharma brings you the details.

Gravitas: Russia becomes the world's most sanctioned country

Has Joe Biden's oil embargo on Russia fractured western unity? EU-nations say they can't ban Russian oil imports. They say they're too 'dependent' on Moscow for energy supplies. Is Biden's decision then a symbolic move? Here's what Palki Sharma has to say.

Gravitas: Biden's oil ban 'fractures' West's unity

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is "no longer interested in a NATO membership." In response, Russia said it doesn't want to overthrow the Ukraine government. Is a truce in sight? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Zelensky willing to give up NATO membership bid?

Did Volodymyr Zelensky bet on direct intervention by NATO? Did he over-estimate Ukraine's strategic importance to the West? Palki Sharma explains Zelensky's 3 big miscalculations that gave Russia the upper hand.

Gravitas: Zelensky's three big miscalculations

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged his support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war-like situation in the European country. He announced that he will donate $10 million to support Ukraine amid its fight with Russia. The announcement came from the International Visegrad Fund, a project of the Visegrad Group aimed at financial support for international initiatives, which promotes development in Eastern Europe.

The actor has a personal connection with Ukraine as his maternal grandmother Helene Indenbirken was born there. She was born in Ukraine's Odessa as Jelena Stepanovna Smirnova, but emigrated to Germany with her parents in 1917.&nbsp;

Helene gave birth to Leonardo DiCaprio's mother Irmelin Indenbirken in an air raid shelter in Germany in 1943. Irmelin divorced Leonardo's father George DiCaprio when he was just one and raised the actor on his own.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/adarsh-gourav-to-alia-bhatt-indian-origin-actors-and-global-tv-cinema-419423" hreflang="en">Adarsh Gourav to Alia Bhatt: Indian-origin actors and global TV &amp; cinema</a>

Leonardo has always been very close to his grandmother and she has in fact always supported his acting career. Helene died in 2008 at the age of 93.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-gigi-hadid-to-ryan-reynolds-celebrities-donating-millions-to-ukraine-relief-459953" hreflang="en">In pics: Gigi Hadid to Ryan Reynolds: Celebrities donating millions to Ukraine relief</a>

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged his support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war-like situation in the European country. He announced that he will donate $10 million to support Ukraine amid its fight with Russia.

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has pledged his support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war-like situation in the European country. He announced that he will donate $10 million to support Ukraine amid its fight with Russia. The announcement came from the International Visegrad Fund, a project of the Visegrad Group aimed at financial support for international initiatives, which promotes development in Eastern Europe. The actor has a personal connection with Ukraine as his maternal grandmother Helene Indenbirken was born there. She was born in Ukraine's Odessa as Jelena Stepanovna Smirnova, but emigrated to Germany with her parents in 1917. Helene gave birth to Leonardo DiCaprio's mother Irmelin Indenbirken in an air raid shelter in Germany in 1943. Irmelin divorced Leonardo's father George DiCaprio when he was just one and raised the actor on his own. Adarsh Gourav to Alia Bhatt: Indian-origin actors and global TV & cinema Leonardo has always been very close to his grandmother and she has in fact always supported his acting career. Helene died in 2008 at the age of 93. In pics: Gigi Hadid to Ryan Reynolds: Celebrities donating millions to Ukraine relief

Leonardo DiCaprio to donate $10 million to grandmother's country, Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will no longer be seeking NATO membership, a delicate issue cited by Russia as a reason for invading its pro-Western neighbour. Zelensky also said he is open to "compromise" over the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that Putin recognized as independent just before the invasion.

Ready to discuss status of breakaway regions, says Ukrainian President Zelensky

A Pakistani student stranded in the war-hit country was rescued by the Indian authorities amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The girl expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Embassy in Kyiv.

Pakistani student thanks Indian PM Modi for rescuing her from Ukraine

700 Indian students in Sumy have now been moved out of the city through the humanitarian corridor. They were first taken in Poltava which is around 175 km away from Sumy. Now they are traveling in Western Ukraine on trains that have been arranged with the help of Ukrainian authorities. The students will then cross a border to Poland in the coming days and from there they will then be brought back to India on evacuation flights.

Russian-Ukraine conflict: 700 Indian students evacuated from Sumy

An 11-year-old Ukrainian boy has been hailed as a hero after fleeing his war-torn country by himself with only a plastic bag, a passport and a telephone number written on his hand. WION tells you more in this report.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: 11-year-old Hassan crossed Ukraine alone to reach Slovakia

Ukraine's youngest war victim Dima Kasyanov is in a pediatric neurosurgery center after a shell exploded in his family's home in Ukraine and left shrapnel in his skull. The eight-year-old is one of several children brought into the hospital in Kharkiv to be treated for shrapnel.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict : Meet the Ukraine's youngest war victim Dima Kasyanov

The officials from the United States intelligence agency has warned that Russia may intensify the assault on Ukraine. They also added that President Vladimir Putin is frustrated about how his Ukraine invasion has not gone to plan, and lobbing provocative nuclear threats at the West.

Russia may intensify assault in Ukraine despite setback, warns US intel

Chinese president Xi Jinping has called for 'maximum restraint' in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in Europe," in his strongest statement to date on the conflict. China, which has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine or to call them an invasion, has repeatedly expressed its opposition to what it describes as illegal sanctions on Russia.

Xi Jinping delivers his strongest statement on Russia-Ukraine conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he does not want to be the leader of a country which is begging for something on its knees. Zelensky also said that he is no longer pressing for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), membership for his country.

"Don't want to beg for NATO membership", says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday agreed a day-long ceasefire around a series of evacuation corridors to allow civilians to escape the fighting. WION's Anas Mallick brings you more insights.

Russia-Ukraine agree to day long evacuation corridors

FIFA on Monday announced that it will suspend the contracts of foreign players currently tied to Ukrainian and Russian clubs for the rest of the 2021-22 season.

Concerning the situation in Ukraine, in order to provide players and coaches with the opportunity to work and receive a salary, and to protect Ukrainian clubs, unless the parties to the relevant contract explicitly agree otherwise, all employment contracts of foreign players and coaches with clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) will be deemed automatically suspended until the end of the season in Ukraine (30 June 2022), without the need for any action from the parties to this effect.

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In order to facilitate the departure of foreign players and coaches from Russia, in the event that clubs affiliated to the Football Union of Russia (FUR) do not reach a mutual agreement with their respective foreign players and coaches before or on March 10, 2022 and unless otherwise agreed in writing, the foreign players and coaches will have the right to unilaterally suspend their employment contracts with the FUR-affiliated clubs in question until the end of the season in Russia (30 June 2022).

The suspension of a contract as per the paragraphs above will mean that players and coaches will be considered "out of contract" until June 30, 2022 and will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind.

"Following the escalation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to an ongoing and distressing humanitarian crisis, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided - in coordination with UEFA and after consultation with various stakeholders - to temporarily amend the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) in order to provide legal certainty and clarity on a number of matters," FIFA in a statement said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/chelseas-spanish-defenders-cesar-azpilicueta-marcos-alonso-resume-training-after-injury-illness-460155">Chelsea's Spanish defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso resume training after injury, illness</a>

Furthermore, in order to provide flexibility to players whose registration was with the UAF or the FUR and who have left or may be intending to leave the territory of Ukraine or Russia as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, foreign players whose previous registration was with the UAF or the FUR will be allowed to be registered even if the registration period is closed at the association of the club with which they conclude a new contract.

In order for this exception to be applicable and to protect the integrity of competitions, the registration with the new club needs to occur before or on April 7, 2022.

To further protect the integrity of competitions, clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.

FIFA on Monday announced that it will suspend the contracts of foreign players currently tied to Ukrainian and Russian clubs for the rest of the 2021-22 season. Concerning the situation in Ukraine, in order to provide players and coaches with the opportunity to work and receive a salary, and to protect Ukrainian clubs, unless the parties to the relevant contract explicitly agree otherwise, all employment contracts of foreign players and coaches with clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) will be deemed automatically suspended until the end of the season in Ukraine (30 June 2022), without the need for any action from the parties to this effect.

FIFA on Monday announced that it will suspend the contracts of foreign players currently tied to Ukrainian and Russian clubs for the rest of the 2021-22 season. Concerning the situation in Ukraine, in order to provide players and coaches with the opportunity to work and receive a salary, and to protect Ukrainian clubs, unless the parties to the relevant contract explicitly agree otherwise, all employment contracts of foreign players and coaches with clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) will be deemed automatically suspended until the end of the season in Ukraine (30 June 2022), without the need for any action from the parties to this effect. ALSO READ: Champions League: Liverpool's Juergen Klopp warns against complacency ahead of Inter second leg In order to facilitate the departure of foreign players and coaches from Russia, in the event that clubs affiliated to the Football Union of Russia (FUR) do not reach a mutual agreement with their respective foreign players and coaches before or on March 10, 2022 and unless otherwise agreed in writing, the foreign players and coaches will have the right to unilaterally suspend their employment contracts with the FUR-affiliated clubs in question until the end of the season in Russia (30 June 2022). The suspension of a contract as per the paragraphs above will mean that players and coaches will be considered "out of contract" until June 30, 2022 and will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind. "Following the escalation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to an ongoing and distressing humanitarian crisis, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided - in coordination with UEFA and after consultation with various stakeholders - to temporarily amend the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) in order to provide legal certainty and clarity on a number of matters," FIFA in a statement said. ALSO READ: Chelsea's Spanish defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso resume training after injury, illness Furthermore, in order to provide flexibility to players whose registration was with the UAF or the FUR and who have left or may be intending to leave the territory of Ukraine or Russia as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, foreign players whose previous registration was with the UAF or the FUR will be allowed to be registered even if the registration period is closed at the association of the club with which they conclude a new contract. In order for this exception to be applicable and to protect the integrity of competitions, the registration with the new club needs to occur before or on April 7, 2022. To further protect the integrity of competitions, clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.

FIFA to suspend contracts of foreign players currently tied to Ukrainian, Russian clubs

Russia has been slapped with multiple sanctions because of its actions in Ukraine ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in the Ukrainian cities on February 24.&nbsp;

The sanctions have left the economy crippled and reeling, however, the exodus of many top Western brands from Russia has left the market open for some of the countries, that are allies of Russia.&nbsp;

For example, as per Daily Mail, reports in China stated that tech giant Huawei has been helping Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to stabilise Russia's internet network, which came under attack by hacker groups.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-long-air-battle-can-ukraine-hold-out-against-russian-air-force-459873">In long air battle, can Ukraine hold out against Russian Air Force?</a>

The media outlet&nbsp;also quoted Australian minister Peter Dutton citing ABC Adelaide, who weighed in on reports that Huawei is helping Russia against Western cyberattacks. &nbsp;

Dutton on Monday (March 7) said, "In fact, we're seeing reports today that Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company, is providing support to Russia to keep their internet up."&nbsp;

Chinese firms so far have stayed largely silent about their operations in Russia even after brands like Apple, Nike, Netflix, fashion chain H&amp;M and many other Western companies cut or paused business in Russia.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-are-czech-hedgehogs-homemade-obstacles-that-can-destroy-russian-tanks-459254#homemade-anti-tank-obstacles-459229">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

Dan Wang, an analyst for Gavenkal Dragonomics, wrote in a research note: "For most Chinese companies, Russia is just too small of a market for the business to be worth the risk of getting cut off from developed markets or being sanctioned itself."&nbsp;

Dutton said that when "every other responsible country in the world is looking at ways that they can sanction and stop trading with Russia", such reports are "deeply concerning".&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia enlists help of Syrian fighters in Ukraine

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(With inputs from agencies)

Russia has been slapped with multiple sanctions because of its actions in Ukraine ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in the Ukrainian cities on February 24.

Russia has been slapped with multiple sanctions because of its actions in Ukraine ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in the Ukrainian cities on February 24. The sanctions have left the economy crippled and reeling, however, the exodus of many top Western brands from Russia has left the market open for some of the countries, that are allies of Russia. For example, as per Daily Mail, reports in China stated that tech giant Huawei has been helping Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to stabilise Russia's internet network, which came under attack by hacker groups. IN PICS | In long air battle, can Ukraine hold out against Russian Air Force? The media outlet also quoted Australian minister Peter Dutton citing ABC Adelaide, who weighed in on reports that Huawei is helping Russia against Western cyberattacks. Dutton on Monday (March 7) said, "In fact, we're seeing reports today that Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company, is providing support to Russia to keep their internet up." Chinese firms so far have stayed largely silent about their operations in Russia even after brands like Apple, Nike, Netflix, fashion chain H&M and many other Western companies cut or paused business in Russia. IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks Dan Wang, an analyst for Gavenkal Dragonomics, wrote in a research note: "For most Chinese companies, Russia is just too small of a market for the business to be worth the risk of getting cut off from developed markets or being sanctioned itself." Dutton said that when "every other responsible country in the world is looking at ways that they can sanction and stop trading with Russia", such reports are "deeply concerning". WATCH | Russia enlists help of Syrian fighters in Ukraine × (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese telecom giant Huawei reportedly helping Russia to stabilise internet network

Under fire from Russian forces and facing an existential threat President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked that Ukraine be granted immediate EU membership. But, the country would still need to go through the same membership process as any other candidate, with no fast-track route in prospect.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: EU envoys discuss Ukraine's membership bid

As part of its tactics to disarm Ukraine, the Russian defence ministry has announced that it will target Ukraine enterprises in the defence industry. Russia says that it will use high precision weapons to destroy defence factories in Ukraine.

Russia steps up assault on urban areas | Russia announces plans to strike defence factories

Russia announces plans to strike defence factories