Wearing a camouflage T-shirt that clings to his biceps, Brazilian policeman Saulo packs his bag with combat boots, camping gear, gun holsters and a knife -- "just the essential" to go&nbsp;fight&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine.

The 35-year-old Sao Paulo man quit his job as a military police officer to travel more than 11,000 kilometers (nearly 7,000 miles) and&nbsp;join&nbsp;Ukraine's&nbsp;fight&nbsp;against the Russian invasion.

"I identify with the cause, with the Ukrainian people who are suffering the injustice of a foreign aggressor," said Saulo, who asked that his last name not be used for security reasons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refrain-from-publishing-russia-warns-media-says-dont-report-interview-with-zelensky-466209">'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky</a>

"And I want to help avoid World War III," he told AFP, laying the items on his short packing list out on his bed alongside his black duffel bag.

Picking up a small Brazilian flag, he added it to the pile.

Although President Jair Bolsonaro has said Brazil will remain "neutral" over the conflict -- drawing criticism in some quarters -- hundreds of&nbsp;Brazilians&nbsp;have taken steps to go&nbsp;fight&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine.

They are looking to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the 20,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries who have applied to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the International Legion of Defense of&nbsp;Ukraine, a corps launched to help fend off the invasion, according to figures from the Ukrainian foreign ministry.

Saulo said good-bye to his partner and two children and left Wednesday for Poland, where&nbsp;Brazilians&nbsp;already on the ground have promised to help him&nbsp;join&nbsp;the war.

He bought the one-way ticket with his own money.

Saulo said he made his decision after seeing images from&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;of bombed-out residential buildings and hospitals. That convinced him to answer President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the new foreign legion and&nbsp;fight&nbsp;"elbow to elbow" with the Ukrainian army.

"There's a risk I won't come back. Anyone who goes over there knows that. We're not little kids," said Saulo, who sports a tattoo of a big black skull on his right arm, a knife clutched in its teeth.

His only fear, he said, is the conflict "erupting into nuclear war."

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&nbsp;Defending a foreign country&nbsp;

The Ukrainian foreign legion's only requirement to&nbsp;join&nbsp;is military or firearms experience, according to representatives of the website fightforua.org, which is helping organize the effort.

Other webpages set up for&nbsp;Brazilians&nbsp;rallying to the cause have hundreds of members, such as Portuguese-language Facebook group "Volunteers to&nbsp;Fight&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine," with 1,800.

The site is a forum for would-be volunteers to swap information -- though members told AFP they limited their interactions, fearing Russian spies could be watching.

One would-be volunteer, Guilherme -- his name was changed for safety reasons -- said he saw going to the front as a way to make a fresh start in life.

The 29-year-old formerly served in the Brazilian army and the French Foreign Legion, then worked as a private security guard in Rio de Janeiro, but is now unemployed.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-conflict-with-russia-intensifies-mourners-defy-missile-threats-to-attend-ukrainian-military-funerals-466200">&nbsp;As conflict with Russia intensifies, mourners defy missile threats to attend Ukrainian military funerals</a>

"Things are hard here in Brazil," he said.

"Helping in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;is an opportunity.... We have to think about what we can do to help others in this world, and not just say 'That's not my war,' because the world's ending."

Open arms

Ukraine's consul in Sao Paulo, Jorge Rybka, said would-be volunteers receive "no assistance of any kind" from the Ukrainian government.

Brazil's foreign ministry meanwhile said it "emphatically discourages" people from traveling to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;given the security situation.

That did not stop Brazilian military veteran Leandro Galvao, who is already on the ground in the suburbs of Kyiv, where he carries out patrol and civilian rescue operations alongside the Ukrainian army.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-police-probe-education-ministry-graft-allegations-source-says-465625">Brazil police probes education ministry's graft allegations</a>

Galvao, 49, came from Estonia, where he lives, to "defend democracy," he told AFP.

"Ever since I joined the Ukrainian army, I'm part of this nation, and I'll defend it to the end," said the Sao Paulo native, who has two children.

Foreign fighters, he said, "are welcomed here with open arms, with happiness and thanks."

Watch |&nbsp;'Ready to go for neutrality, non-nuclear status,' says Ukrainian president Zelensky

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ready-to-go-for-neutrality-non-nuclear-status-says-ukrainian-president-zelensky-466211/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wearing a camouflage T-shirt that clings to his biceps, Brazilian policeman Saulo packs his bag with combat boots, camping gear, gun holsters and a knife -- "just the essential" to go fight in Ukraine.

Wearing a camouflage T-shirt that clings to his biceps, Brazilian policeman Saulo packs his bag with combat boots, camping gear, gun holsters and a knife -- "just the essential" to go fight in Ukraine. The 35-year-old Sao Paulo man quit his job as a military police officer to travel more than 11,000 kilometers (nearly 7,000 miles) and join Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion. "I identify with the cause, with the Ukrainian people who are suffering the injustice of a foreign aggressor," said Saulo, who asked that his last name not be used for security reasons. Also read | 'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky "And I want to help avoid World War III," he told AFP, laying the items on his short packing list out on his bed alongside his black duffel bag. Picking up a small Brazilian flag, he added it to the pile. Although President Jair Bolsonaro has said Brazil will remain "neutral" over the conflict -- drawing criticism in some quarters -- hundreds of Brazilians have taken steps to go fight in Ukraine. They are looking to join the 20,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries who have applied to join the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine, a corps launched to help fend off the invasion, according to figures from the Ukrainian foreign ministry. Saulo said good-bye to his partner and two children and left Wednesday for Poland, where Brazilians already on the ground have promised to help him join the war. He bought the one-way ticket with his own money. Saulo said he made his decision after seeing images from Ukraine of bombed-out residential buildings and hospitals. That convinced him to answer President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal to join the new foreign legion and fight "elbow to elbow" with the Ukrainian army. "There's a risk I won't come back. Anyone who goes over there knows that. We're not little kids," said Saulo, who sports a tattoo of a big black skull on his right arm, a knife clutched in its teeth. His only fear, he said, is the conflict "erupting into nuclear war." Also read | Brazilian company using proceeds acquired by selling NFTs to preserve Amazon rainforest Defending a foreign country The Ukrainian foreign legion's only requirement to join is military or firearms experience, according to representatives of the website fightforua.org, which is helping organize the effort. Other webpages set up for Brazilians rallying to the cause have hundreds of members, such as Portuguese-language Facebook group "Volunteers to Fight in Ukraine," with 1,800. The site is a forum for would-be volunteers to swap information -- though members told AFP they limited their interactions, fearing Russian spies could be watching. One would-be volunteer, Guilherme -- his name was changed for safety reasons -- said he saw going to the front as a way to make a fresh start in life. The 29-year-old formerly served in the Brazilian army and the French Foreign Legion, then worked as a private security guard in Rio de Janeiro, but is now unemployed. Also read | As conflict with Russia intensifies, mourners defy missile threats to attend Ukrainian military funerals "Things are hard here in Brazil," he said. "Helping in Ukraine is an opportunity.... We have to think about what we can do to help others in this world, and not just say 'That's not my war,' because the world's ending." Open arms Ukraine's consul in Sao Paulo, Jorge Rybka, said would-be volunteers receive "no assistance of any kind" from the Ukrainian government. Brazil's foreign ministry meanwhile said it "emphatically discourages" people from traveling to Ukraine given the security situation. That did not stop Brazilian military veteran Leandro Galvao, who is already on the ground in the suburbs of Kyiv, where he carries out patrol and civilian rescue operations alongside the Ukrainian army. Also read | Brazil police probes education ministry's graft allegations Galvao, 49, came from Estonia, where he lives, to "defend democracy," he told AFP. "Ever since I joined the Ukrainian army, I'm part of this nation, and I'll defend it to the end," said the Sao Paulo native, who has two children. Foreign fighters, he said, "are welcomed here with open arms, with happiness and thanks." Watch | 'Ready to go for neutrality, non-nuclear status,' says Ukrainian president Zelensky

Brazilians join fight in far-away Ukraine

Just after 7pm on Sunday, the Allegro express&nbsp;train&nbsp;from St Petersburg pulled into the Finnish capital, marking the closure of the&nbsp;last&nbsp;rail link between&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;EU.

Finnish railway operator VR announced on Friday that it was suspending the Allegro service, which since&nbsp;Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been regularly sold-out&nbsp;with Russians eager to get&nbsp;out&nbsp;before Western sanctions make leaving all but impossible.

"Now that I've picked up my cats I don't have a reason to go back, I have everything that's most valuable to me," said Alex, who got off the&nbsp;train&nbsp;wheeling a carry case containing his two long-haired pets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refrain-from-publishing-russia-warns-media-says-dont-report-interview-with-zelensky-466209">'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky</a>

The Muscovite who has lived for some years in&nbsp;Helsinki&nbsp;gave only his first name.

"The situation in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has become more complicated," university student Ivan told AFP, travelling with his mother from Moscow where he studies back to his home in Portugal for the Easter holidays.

He is due to return to the Russian capital for his exams in a few weeks.&nbsp;

"I can't tell how I'm going to get back to Moscow, we'll see how this situation gets resolved," he said.

Despite a lack of official statistics, thousands of Russians are reported to have left their country since the invasion.

With airspace closures grounding direct flights to Europe, those wishing to leave&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;have turned to flights via Turkey and Belgrade, or to road and rail.

Since the February 24 invasion, around 700 passengers a day have packed the trains to Finland, with the service remaining open at the request of the Finnish authorities to allow Finns in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to exit the country if they wanted.

However, on Thursday the government informed VR that "operating the service was no longer appropriate" in light of the heavy sanctions against&nbsp;Russia, and all trains were cancelled from Monday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-conflict-with-russia-intensifies-mourners-defy-missile-threats-to-attend-ukrainian-military-funerals-466200">As conflict with Russia intensifies, mourners defy missile threats to attend Ukrainian military funerals</a>

Symbol of partnership&nbsp;

Run jointly by Finland and&nbsp;Russia's national railways, the cross-border Allegro&nbsp;train&nbsp;was a symbol of partnership between the two nations when it opened in 2010.

President Vladimir Putin and his then Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen travelled on the inaugural service, which cut travel times on the 400km (250 mile) journey between&nbsp;Helsinki&nbsp;and St Petersburg down by two hours to 3.5 hours.

"I hope it will operate normally again very soon," said Aliya, in her late 50s, who works in&nbsp;Helsinki&nbsp;but regularly visits her friends and family in St Petersburg.

The interruption of the service will make life more difficult but "people will find a way to make the journey anyway if they have the opportunity", she said.

Although many Russians have reportedly sought to leave since the start of the war, the Allegro link to&nbsp;Helsinki&nbsp;has only been open to a select few.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-trying-to-split-ukraine-in-two-like-koreas-says-intelligence-chief-466187">Russia trying to split Ukraine in two, like Koreas, says intelligence chief&nbsp;</a>

Moscow stipulates that passengers must be Russian or Finnish citizens, and a visa is required as well as proof of an&nbsp;EU-recognised Covid vaccination -- not the Sputnik dose which is most commonly given in&nbsp;Russia.

Most passengers arriving in the Finnish capital have therefore been Russians who live, work or study in Europe.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: The story of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-story-of-ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelensky-466054/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Just after 7pm on Sunday, the Allegro express train from St Petersburg pulled into the Finnish capital, marking the closure of the last rail link between Russia and the EU.

Just after 7pm on Sunday, the Allegro express train from St Petersburg pulled into the Finnish capital, marking the closure of the last rail link between Russia and the EU. Finnish railway operator VR announced on Friday that it was suspending the Allegro service, which since Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been regularly sold-out with Russians eager to get out before Western sanctions make leaving all but impossible. "Now that I've picked up my cats I don't have a reason to go back, I have everything that's most valuable to me," said Alex, who got off the train wheeling a carry case containing his two long-haired pets. Also read | 'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky The Muscovite who has lived for some years in Helsinki gave only his first name. "The situation in Russia has become more complicated," university student Ivan told AFP, travelling with his mother from Moscow where he studies back to his home in Portugal for the Easter holidays. He is due to return to the Russian capital for his exams in a few weeks. "I can't tell how I'm going to get back to Moscow, we'll see how this situation gets resolved," he said. Despite a lack of official statistics, thousands of Russians are reported to have left their country since the invasion. With airspace closures grounding direct flights to Europe, those wishing to leave Russia have turned to flights via Turkey and Belgrade, or to road and rail. Since the February 24 invasion, around 700 passengers a day have packed the trains to Finland, with the service remaining open at the request of the Finnish authorities to allow Finns in Russia to exit the country if they wanted. However, on Thursday the government informed VR that "operating the service was no longer appropriate" in light of the heavy sanctions against Russia, and all trains were cancelled from Monday. Also read | As conflict with Russia intensifies, mourners defy missile threats to attend Ukrainian military funerals Symbol of partnership Run jointly by Finland and Russia's national railways, the cross-border Allegro train was a symbol of partnership between the two nations when it opened in 2010. President Vladimir Putin and his then Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen travelled on the inaugural service, which cut travel times on the 400km (250 mile) journey between Helsinki and St Petersburg down by two hours to 3.5 hours. "I hope it will operate normally again very soon," said Aliya, in her late 50s, who works in Helsinki but regularly visits her friends and family in St Petersburg. The interruption of the service will make life more difficult but "people will find a way to make the journey anyway if they have the opportunity", she said. Although many Russians have reportedly sought to leave since the start of the war, the Allegro link to Helsinki has only been open to a select few. Also read | Russia trying to split Ukraine in two, like Koreas, says intelligence chief Moscow stipulates that passengers must be Russian or Finnish citizens, and a visa is required as well as proof of an EU-recognised Covid vaccination -- not the Sputnik dose which is most commonly given in Russia. Most passengers arriving in the Finnish capital have therefore been Russians who live, work or study in Europe. Watch | Gravitas Plus: The story of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

Last EU train out of Russia arrives in Helsinki

&nbsp;Instead of enjoying the turquoise seas and white sands at one of&nbsp;Mexico's top beach resorts, Valerii Gorpenko mostly stays in his hotel, scouring&nbsp;social&nbsp;media&nbsp;for word of his elderly father, who is&nbsp;missing&nbsp;in the besieged&nbsp;Ukrainian&nbsp;city of&nbsp;Mariupol.

Stranded on vacation on&nbsp;Mexico's Caribbean coast when Russia invaded Ukraine, Gorpenko, 47, has now spent more than three weeks without hearing from the 72-year-old Vladimir Gorpenko.

He does know that bombs and shelling have destroyed much of&nbsp;Mariupol, once a city of 400,000 people, thousands of whom are trying to escape. Vladimir's home was not spared; a photo circulating online shows the multi-story building burned out.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-significant-achievements-so-far-in-russia-ukraine-talks-kremlin-466309">No ‘significant achievements’ so far in Russia-Ukraine talks: Kremlin</a>

To find his father, Gorpenko posted a photo on Facebook showing a smiling&nbsp;man&nbsp;with thinning white hair. He is trying to get friends in Ukraine to rescue him.

"It's been impossible because&nbsp;Mariupol&nbsp;is under constant bombardment," Gorpenko told Reuters from the Mexican beach getaway of Playa del Carmen.

Reuters was unable to independently verify his account.

The hotel extended his stay at a tenth of the original price after he explained he could not go home, and has given him internet access to look for clues of his father.

"The first five days we were in touch ... I hope&nbsp;Dad&nbsp;is still alive and hiding in a bomb shelter."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-cites-russian-provocations-for-pausing-evacuations-of-civilians-466311">Ukraine cites Russian 'provocations' for pausing evacuations of civilians</a>

'Out of this Hell'

As Russia keeps up air strikes to take the strategic port city that could help it link areas held by pro-Russian separatists in Crimea, Ukraine says 100,000 people in&nbsp;Mariupol&nbsp;are trapped - cut off from food, water, power and heat and blocked by fighting from being able to escape.

The Kremlin denies targeting civilians and says its forces are engaged in a "special operation" to demilitarize and "denazify" its neighbor. The West and Kyiv call that a false pretext to invade a democracy.

Russia and Ukraine have close historical ties, with family spread out across both nations.

Gorpenko's 21-year-old son, a Russian citizen, is finishing a university degree in Moscow, and Gorpenko fears he could be drafted into Russia's army.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/there-will-be-a-day-of-reckoning-uk-minister-thinks-war-crimes-committed-in-ukraine-466308">'There will be a day of reckoning': UK minister thinks war crimes committed in Ukraine</a>

Dozens of&nbsp;Ukrainians have fled to&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;in recent days with hopes of crossing into the United States, and&nbsp;many have been allowed by U.S. officials to enter the country and stay without fear of deportation for a year.

Gorpenko was already in&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;when the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, having left Ukraine a week earlier for the beach vacation with seven friends. His companions, with children in Ukraine, went back to Europe.

With&nbsp;many friends still in&nbsp;Mariupol, Gorpenko knows he is not the only one trying to bring people to safety.

"Everyone is now searching, trying to somehow save their loved ones and get them out of this hell," he said.

More than 4,000 people fled&nbsp;Mariupol&nbsp;on Saturday. Ukraine and Russia on Sunday agreed to a humanitarian corridor for private cars to leave the city.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilians-join-fight-in-far-away-ukraine-466227">Brazilians join fight in far-away Ukraine</a>

Once he knows his father is safe, Gorpenko plans to go to the United States.

"I can't afford to go back to Europe," he said. "Besides, there's nothing left of my&nbsp;Mariupol&nbsp;and nothing to go back to in Ukraine."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: The story of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-story-of-ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelensky-466054/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Instead of enjoying the turquoise seas and white sands at one of Mexico's top beach resorts, Valerii Gorpenko mostly stays in his hotel, scouring social media for word of his elderly father, who is missing in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

Instead of enjoying the turquoise seas and white sands at one of Mexico's top beach resorts, Valerii Gorpenko mostly stays in his hotel, scouring social media for word of his elderly father, who is missing in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Stranded on vacation on Mexico's Caribbean coast when Russia invaded Ukraine, Gorpenko, 47, has now spent more than three weeks without hearing from the 72-year-old Vladimir Gorpenko. He does know that bombs and shelling have destroyed much of Mariupol, once a city of 400,000 people, thousands of whom are trying to escape. Vladimir's home was not spared; a photo circulating online shows the multi-story building burned out. Also read | No ‘significant achievements’ so far in Russia-Ukraine talks: Kremlin To find his father, Gorpenko posted a photo on Facebook showing a smiling man with thinning white hair. He is trying to get friends in Ukraine to rescue him. "It's been impossible because Mariupol is under constant bombardment," Gorpenko told Reuters from the Mexican beach getaway of Playa del Carmen. Reuters was unable to independently verify his account. The hotel extended his stay at a tenth of the original price after he explained he could not go home, and has given him internet access to look for clues of his father. "The first five days we were in touch ... I hope Dad is still alive and hiding in a bomb shelter." Also read | Ukraine cites Russian 'provocations' for pausing evacuations of civilians 'Out of this Hell' As Russia keeps up air strikes to take the strategic port city that could help it link areas held by pro-Russian separatists in Crimea, Ukraine says 100,000 people in Mariupol are trapped - cut off from food, water, power and heat and blocked by fighting from being able to escape. The Kremlin denies targeting civilians and says its forces are engaged in a "special operation" to demilitarize and "denazify" its neighbor. The West and Kyiv call that a false pretext to invade a democracy. Russia and Ukraine have close historical ties, with family spread out across both nations. Gorpenko's 21-year-old son, a Russian citizen, is finishing a university degree in Moscow, and Gorpenko fears he could be drafted into Russia's army. Also read | 'There will be a day of reckoning': UK minister thinks war crimes committed in Ukraine Dozens of Ukrainians have fled to Mexico in recent days with hopes of crossing into the United States, and many have been allowed by U.S. officials to enter the country and stay without fear of deportation for a year. Gorpenko was already in Mexico when the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, having left Ukraine a week earlier for the beach vacation with seven friends. His companions, with children in Ukraine, went back to Europe. With many friends still in Mariupol, Gorpenko knows he is not the only one trying to bring people to safety. "Everyone is now searching, trying to somehow save their loved ones and get them out of this hell," he said. More than 4,000 people fled Mariupol on Saturday. Ukraine and Russia on Sunday agreed to a humanitarian corridor for private cars to leave the city. Also read | Brazilians join fight in far-away Ukraine Once he knows his father is safe, Gorpenko plans to go to the United States. "I can't afford to go back to Europe," he said. "Besides, there's nothing left of my Mariupol and nothing to go back to in Ukraine." Watch | Gravitas Plus: The story of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukraine War: Stuck in Mexico, Ukrainian man scours social media for missing dad in Mariupol

For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull.&nbsp;

Yet, she's still smiling, dreaming of playing the guitar and one day becoming a painter.

After&nbsp;some terrible weeks in which the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;army has tried -- in vain -- to blow up this strategic city, the&nbsp;threat&nbsp;in the last few days seems to have eased a bit.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-world-cannot-burn-bridges-with-moscow-465999">&nbsp;Turkey says world cannot 'burn bridges' with Moscow</a>

The frontline has even moved back slightly&nbsp;after&nbsp;Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive in Kherson, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the southeast, the country's only major city seized by&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;troops.

Mykolaiv&nbsp;is a key city on the road to Odessa, Ukraine's biggest port.

While dozens of&nbsp;residents, including many children, are leaving the city on yellow coaches every morning headed west, others are beginning to&nbsp;hope&nbsp;for a return to an almost normal life.

"The weather is beautiful," said the regional governor, Vitaly Kim, in one of the videos on social media that has made him popular since the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;invasion. "And without strikes, it would be even more so."

At the weekend, the air raid sirens no longer disturb onlookers, who are more and more on the streets. Most barely hurry when they hear them.

It was one of these strikes on March 5 on a village near&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;that led Sofia to the basement of the paediatric hospital from which she dreams of leaving soon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leading-energy-analyst-says-russian-gas-sales-to-china-will-not-make-up-for-loss-of-european-markets-465956">Leading energy analyst says Russian gas sales to China 'will not make up for loss of European markets'</a>

"She received shrapnel to the head, some of which have not yet been able to be removed," says her mother, Ludmila, at the teenager's bedside where Sofia lies under a colourful blanket with a big white teddy bear for a companion.

"Now I can move my arms and legs a little, I still can't get up without my mother's help, but hopefully I can leave soon," says a stoic Sofia, with bandages on her hands and on her head in the neurosurgery department, demarcated by sheets hung on a wire with clothes pegs.

Situation has stabilised

"She has already undergone several operations, but the pieces are still there. Her life is no longer in danger, but it could harm her health, so that's why we are preparing to operate again," says Irina Tkachenko, a medical officer at the hospital.

"I know that I must not let myself go, otherwise I will crack," says Ludmila, who pushes back tears before recovering, a little reassured by the courage shown by her daughter.

"I want to make a guitar to learn to play," Sofia says, "since my little brother broke mine". "But we'll buy you one," her mother gently promises her.

"I dream of being an artist, I studied painting for a semester," Sofia continues, adding: "I want to be a famous painter and live from my art."

On the other side of the sheet is Micha, five, who lost his mother in a bombing. With his head wrapped in a thick bandage, he gets up from his cluttered bed to let his grandparents help him get dressed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-i-was-the-us-president-id-threaten-to-drop-a-nuclear-bomb-on-russia-trump-465947">If I was the US President, I’d threaten to drop a nuclear bomb on Russia: Trump</a>

"We turned our basement into a shelter, divided into sections for neurosurgery, surgery, traumatology and neonatology," Tkachenko says.

"At the height of war, when we were attacked by fascists -- there is no other word -- we had 12 children admitted with injuries of varying severity," says the hospital's chief doctor, Alexander Plitkin, "as well as two we could not save".

"Now the situation has stabilised a bit," he adds.

In another sign of respite, the governor eased restrictions on the sale of alcohol by allowing it on weekends but warned the limits would be reinstated in the event of excess.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine under attack: Russians come out in support of Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-under-attack-russians-come-out-in-support-of-ukraine-465987/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull.

For three weeks, 13-year-old Sofia has been stuck in bed in the basement of a hospital in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv undergoing three operations that have still not removed all the shrapnel from her skull. Yet, she's still smiling, dreaming of playing the guitar and one day becoming a painter. After some terrible weeks in which the Russian army has tried -- in vain -- to blow up this strategic city, the threat in the last few days seems to have eased a bit. Also read | Turkey says world cannot 'burn bridges' with Moscow The frontline has even moved back slightly after Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive in Kherson, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the southeast, the country's only major city seized by Russian troops. Mykolaiv is a key city on the road to Odessa, Ukraine's biggest port. While dozens of residents, including many children, are leaving the city on yellow coaches every morning headed west, others are beginning to hope for a return to an almost normal life. "The weather is beautiful," said the regional governor, Vitaly Kim, in one of the videos on social media that has made him popular since the Russian invasion. "And without strikes, it would be even more so." At the weekend, the air raid sirens no longer disturb onlookers, who are more and more on the streets. Most barely hurry when they hear them. It was one of these strikes on March 5 on a village near Mykolaiv that led Sofia to the basement of the paediatric hospital from which she dreams of leaving soon. Also read | Leading energy analyst says Russian gas sales to China 'will not make up for loss of European markets' "She received shrapnel to the head, some of which have not yet been able to be removed," says her mother, Ludmila, at the teenager's bedside where Sofia lies under a colourful blanket with a big white teddy bear for a companion. "Now I can move my arms and legs a little, I still can't get up without my mother's help, but hopefully I can leave soon," says a stoic Sofia, with bandages on her hands and on her head in the neurosurgery department, demarcated by sheets hung on a wire with clothes pegs. Situation has stabilised "She has already undergone several operations, but the pieces are still there. Her life is no longer in danger, but it could harm her health, so that's why we are preparing to operate again," says Irina Tkachenko, a medical officer at the hospital. "I know that I must not let myself go, otherwise I will crack," says Ludmila, who pushes back tears before recovering, a little reassured by the courage shown by her daughter. "I want to make a guitar to learn to play," Sofia says, "since my little brother broke mine". "But we'll buy you one," her mother gently promises her. "I dream of being an artist, I studied painting for a semester," Sofia continues, adding: "I want to be a famous painter and live from my art." On the other side of the sheet is Micha, five, who lost his mother in a bombing. With his head wrapped in a thick bandage, he gets up from his cluttered bed to let his grandparents help him get dressed. Also read | If I was the US President, I’d threaten to drop a nuclear bomb on Russia: Trump "We turned our basement into a shelter, divided into sections for neurosurgery, surgery, traumatology and neonatology," Tkachenko says. "At the height of war, when we were attacked by fascists -- there is no other word -- we had 12 children admitted with injuries of varying severity," says the hospital's chief doctor, Alexander Plitkin, "as well as two we could not save". "Now the situation has stabilised a bit," he adds. In another sign of respite, the governor eased restrictions on the sale of alcohol by allowing it on weekends but warned the limits would be reinstated in the event of excess. Watch | Ukraine under attack: Russians come out in support of Ukraine

Mykolaiv residents dare to hope after Russian threat eases

Britain said on Saturday it would&nbsp;fund&nbsp;2&nbsp;million&nbsp;pounds&nbsp;($2.6&nbsp;million) worth of vital&nbsp;food&nbsp;supplies&nbsp;for areas of&nbsp;Ukraine which are&nbsp;encircled&nbsp;by Russian forces following a direct request from the&nbsp;Ukrainian government.

Just over a month after Moscow invaded&nbsp;Ukraine in what it describes as a "special military operation", Russian troops have failed to capture any major&nbsp;Ukrainian&nbsp;cities&nbsp;and have resorted to pounding them with artillery and air strikes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-heavy-casualties-distraught-russian-troops-turn-on-own-commander-run-him-over-says-report-465590">After heavy casualties, distraught Russian troops turn on own commander, run him over, says report &nbsp;</a>

Worst hit has been the eastern port of Mariupol, a city of 400,000 under siege since the war's early days. Tens of thousands of people are still believed to be trapped inside with no access to&nbsp;food, power or heating.

Britain said around 25 truckloads of dried&nbsp;food, tinned goods and water will be transported by road and rail from warehouses in Poland and Slovakia to the most at-risk&nbsp;Ukrainian towns and&nbsp;cities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-main-goal-is-the-liberation-of-donbass-says-russian-general-465577">Ukraine war: Main goal is the liberation of Donbass, says Russian general</a>

"The need on the ground in&nbsp;Ukraine is clear, with so many people in&nbsp;encircled&nbsp;areas trapped in basements without access to&nbsp;food&nbsp;or water," Alice Hooper, the British Foreign Office's Humanitarian Adviser, said in a statement.

"We are working with partners at the borders to ensure these vital&nbsp;UK&nbsp;supplies&nbsp;reach the places they are needed most as quickly as possible."

Watch |&nbsp;UK FM Rishi Sunak challenged over wife Akshata Murthy's Russia link

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Britain said on Saturday it would fund 2 million pounds ($2.6 million) worth of vital food supplies for areas of Ukraine which are encircled by Russian forces following a direct request from the Ukrainian government.

Britain said on Saturday it would fund 2 million pounds ($2.6 million) worth of vital food supplies for areas of Ukraine which are encircled by Russian forces following a direct request from the Ukrainian government. Just over a month after Moscow invaded Ukraine in what it describes as a "special military operation", Russian troops have failed to capture any major Ukrainian cities and have resorted to pounding them with artillery and air strikes. Also read | After heavy casualties, distraught Russian troops turn on own commander, run him over, says report Worst hit has been the eastern port of Mariupol, a city of 400,000 under siege since the war's early days. Tens of thousands of people are still believed to be trapped inside with no access to food, power or heating. Britain said around 25 truckloads of dried food, tinned goods and water will be transported by road and rail from warehouses in Poland and Slovakia to the most at-risk Ukrainian towns and cities. Also read | Ukraine war: Main goal is the liberation of Donbass, says Russian general "The need on the ground in Ukraine is clear, with so many people in encircled areas trapped in basements without access to food or water," Alice Hooper, the British Foreign Office's Humanitarian Adviser, said in a statement. "We are working with partners at the borders to ensure these vital UK supplies reach the places they are needed most as quickly as possible." Watch | UK FM Rishi Sunak challenged over wife Akshata Murthy's Russia link

UK to fund 2 million pounds of food supplies for encircled Ukrainian cities

It is "foolish" to believe that&nbsp;Western&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against Russian businesses could have any effect on the Moscow government, Russian ex-president&nbsp;and deputy head of security council Dmitry&nbsp;Medvedev&nbsp;was quoted as saying on Friday.

The&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;will only consolidate the Russian society and not cause popular discontent with the authorities,&nbsp;Medvedev&nbsp;told&nbsp;Russia's&nbsp;RIA news agency in an interview.

The West has imposed an array of&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but one month into the war, the&nbsp;Kremlin&nbsp;says&nbsp;it will continue the assault until it accomplishes its goals of Ukraine's "demilitarisation and denazification".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-us-president-joe-biden-mistakenly-refers-to-defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-as-secretary-of-state-465613">Watch: US President Joe Biden mistakenly refers to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as secretary of state</a>

Some of the&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;have specifically targeted billionaire businessmen believed to be close to&nbsp;President&nbsp;Vladimir Putin.

"Let us ask ourselves: can any of these major businessmen have even the tiniest quantum of influence of the position of the country's leadership?"&nbsp;Medvedev&nbsp;said.

"I openly tell you: no, no way."

Medvedev&nbsp;said there are several grounds under which Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons, including an attack on the country or encroachment on infrastructure as a result of which&nbsp;Russia's&nbsp;nuclear deterrent forces would be paralysed.

That demonstrated&nbsp;Russia's&nbsp;"determination to defend the independence, sovereignty of our country, not to give anyone a reason to doubt even the slightest that we are ready to give a worthy response to any infringement on our country, on its independence," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-heavy-casualties-distraught-russian-troops-turn-on-own-commander-run-him-over-says-report-465590">After heavy casualties, distraught Russian troops turn on own commander, run him over, says report</a>

However, negotiations - even in the most difficult situations such as those around Ukraine - are Moscow's preferred path to proceed, he added.

Medvedev&nbsp;said opinion polls showed three-quarters of Russians supported the&nbsp;Kremlin's decision to carry out a military operation in Ukraine and even more supported&nbsp;President&nbsp;Vladimir Putin.

While downplaying the economic impact of&nbsp;sanctions,&nbsp;Medvedev&nbsp;said the Russian government will have to find "adequate solutions" on its own to spur the development of the aircraft, automotive and IT industries, among others.

"Now, it will be more difficult to tackle those issues, but on the other hand, we cannot rely on anyone,"&nbsp;Medvedev&nbsp;said. "In this case, we will have to solve those problems ourselves."

He lashed out at those Russians who spoke against the invasion while staying outside Russia.

"You can be dissatisfied with some of the authorities' decisions, criticise the authorities - this is normal," he said.

"But you cannot take a stand against the state in such a difficult situation, because this is treason."

Thousands of people were earlier this month detained at Russia-wide protests against Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to an independent protest monitoring group.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia: Complete focus on liberating Ukraine's Donbas region

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-complete-focus-on-liberating-ukraines-donbas-region-465606/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It is "foolish" to believe that Western sanctions against Russian businesses could have any effect on the Moscow government, Russian ex-president and deputy head of security council Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying on Friday.

It is "foolish" to believe that Western sanctions against Russian businesses could have any effect on the Moscow government, Russian ex-president and deputy head of security council Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying on Friday. The sanctions will only consolidate the Russian society and not cause popular discontent with the authorities, Medvedev told Russia's RIA news agency in an interview. The West has imposed an array of sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but one month into the war, the Kremlin says it will continue the assault until it accomplishes its goals of Ukraine's "demilitarisation and denazification". Also read | Watch: US President Joe Biden mistakenly refers to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as secretary of state Some of the sanctions have specifically targeted billionaire businessmen believed to be close to President Vladimir Putin. "Let us ask ourselves: can any of these major businessmen have even the tiniest quantum of influence of the position of the country's leadership?" Medvedev said. "I openly tell you: no, no way." Medvedev said there are several grounds under which Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons, including an attack on the country or encroachment on infrastructure as a result of which Russia's nuclear deterrent forces would be paralysed. That demonstrated Russia's "determination to defend the independence, sovereignty of our country, not to give anyone a reason to doubt even the slightest that we are ready to give a worthy response to any infringement on our country, on its independence," he said. Also read | After heavy casualties, distraught Russian troops turn on own commander, run him over, says report However, negotiations - even in the most difficult situations such as those around Ukraine - are Moscow's preferred path to proceed, he added. Medvedev said opinion polls showed three-quarters of Russians supported the Kremlin's decision to carry out a military operation in Ukraine and even more supported President Vladimir Putin. While downplaying the economic impact of sanctions, Medvedev said the Russian government will have to find "adequate solutions" on its own to spur the development of the aircraft, automotive and IT industries, among others. "Now, it will be more difficult to tackle those issues, but on the other hand, we cannot rely on anyone," Medvedev said. "In this case, we will have to solve those problems ourselves." He lashed out at those Russians who spoke against the invasion while staying outside Russia. "You can be dissatisfied with some of the authorities' decisions, criticise the authorities - this is normal," he said. "But you cannot take a stand against the state in such a difficult situation, because this is treason." Thousands of people were earlier this month detained at Russia-wide protests against Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to an independent protest monitoring group. Watch | Russia: Complete focus on liberating Ukraine's Donbas region

Western sanctions won't sway Kremlin, says Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev

A semi-professional female soccer team which fled war in Ukraine has found a new training ground and shelter at the German Bundesliga club- 1. FC Cologne.

Ukrainian Female Footballers have found a new training ground

World share markets were choppy on Thursday as the&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine&nbsp;war kept&nbsp;oil&nbsp;above $120 a barrel, while "stagflation" worries rose on renewed talk of aggressive U.S. interest rates hikes and slowing growth.

Europe's main stock indexes barely budged and government bond yields edged up toward multi-year highs hit earlier in the week as March PMI data came in reassuringly robust.

Focus was otherwise on a Thursday special&nbsp;NATO&nbsp;summit&nbsp;in Brussels, which U.S. President Joe Biden will attend, to discuss further responses to&nbsp;Russia's month-old invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-russia-can-never-win-a-nuclear-war-nato-chief-warns-465139">Ukraine war: Russia 'can never win a nuclear war', NATO chief warns</a>

Rabobank's head of macro strategy, Elwin de Groot, said markets would be watching what emerges closely, especially how unified&nbsp;NATO&nbsp;members remain and what Biden can offer European countries to help wean themselves off&nbsp;Russian gas.

"The&nbsp;NATO&nbsp;meeting is certainly important," de Groot said. "At the minimum you would expect the members to come up with preparations for a possible further escalation in the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;war."

Wall Street futures were up a solid 0.6%&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;of trading there, but the mood seemed changeable.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific&nbsp;shares&nbsp;outside Japan recouped some of its early losses overnight but ended down 0.6% after more falls in China and Hong Kong.&nbsp;

Japan's Nikkei bucked the trend, rising 0.25% to a nine-week high as its exporters cheered the yen falling to its lowest against the dollar since 2015.

At 1000 GMT, the dollar was up 0.4% versus the yen, at 121.65, with expectations that the Bank of Japan will be far behind other top central banks in raising interest rates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-half-of-ukrainian-children-displaced-by-war-says-un-465162">More than half of Ukrainian children displaced by war, says UN</a>

Hawkish

Driving some of the volatility, Federal Reserve policymakers on Wednesday signalled they stood ready to take more aggressive action to bring down decades-high inflation, including a possible half-percentage-point rate hike at the next policy meeting in May.

Those signals pushed all three main U.S. share benchmarks 1% lower overnight.&nbsp;

"The sharp hawkish repricing of Fed rate hike expectations has mainly benefited the U.S. dollar against low yielding currencies whose own domestic central banks are expected to lag well behind the Fed in tightening policy," MUFG currency analyst Lee Hardman wrote in a note to clients.

Oil&nbsp;and gas markets also remained hot amid the geopolitical uncertainty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow would seek payment in roubles for gas sold to "unfriendly" countries, jolting energy markets, although Italy's President Mario Draghi said it planned to keep paying in euros.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oksana-baulina-russian-journalist-killed-during-bombardment-in-kyiv-465090">Oksana Baulina: Russian journalist killed during bombardment in Kyiv</a>

Brent futures were little changed at $121.67 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 41 cents, or 0.35%, to $114.5 a barrel

The bond market was starting to shift again with the yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes up at 2.37% and German bunds creeping over 0.52%.

"Inflation is really the big driver," Rabobank's de Groot said, adding that it was also behind falling consumer confidence.

EU leaders are expected to agree at a two-day&nbsp;summit&nbsp;starting on Thursday to jointly buy gas, as they seek to cut reliance on&nbsp;Russian fuels and build a buffer against supply shocks. But the bloc remains unlikely to sanction&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;oil&nbsp;and gas.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Ukraine: Russia attacks have killed 121 children

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-global-headlines-ukraine-russia-attacks-have-killed-121-children-465001/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

World share markets were choppy on Thursday as the Russia-Ukraine war kept oil above $120 a barrel, while "stagflation" worries rose on renewed talk of aggressive U.

World share markets were choppy on Thursday as the Russia-Ukraine war kept oil above $120 a barrel, while "stagflation" worries rose on renewed talk of aggressive U.S. interest rates hikes and slowing growth. Europe's main stock indexes barely budged and government bond yields edged up toward multi-year highs hit earlier in the week as March PMI data came in reassuringly robust. Focus was otherwise on a Thursday special NATO summit in Brussels, which U.S. President Joe Biden will attend, to discuss further responses to Russia's month-old invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation". Also read | Ukraine war: Russia 'can never win a nuclear war', NATO chief warns Rabobank's head of macro strategy, Elwin de Groot, said markets would be watching what emerges closely, especially how unified NATO members remain and what Biden can offer European countries to help wean themselves off Russian gas. "The NATO meeting is certainly important," de Groot said. "At the minimum you would expect the members to come up with preparations for a possible further escalation in the Ukraine war." Wall Street futures were up a solid 0.6% ahead of trading there, but the mood seemed changeable. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan recouped some of its early losses overnight but ended down 0.6% after more falls in China and Hong Kong. Japan's Nikkei bucked the trend, rising 0.25% to a nine-week high as its exporters cheered the yen falling to its lowest against the dollar since 2015. At 1000 GMT, the dollar was up 0.4% versus the yen, at 121.65, with expectations that the Bank of Japan will be far behind other top central banks in raising interest rates. Also read | More than half of Ukrainian children displaced by war, says UN Hawkish Driving some of the volatility, Federal Reserve policymakers on Wednesday signalled they stood ready to take more aggressive action to bring down decades-high inflation, including a possible half-percentage-point rate hike at the next policy meeting in May. Those signals pushed all three main U.S. share benchmarks 1% lower overnight. "The sharp hawkish repricing of Fed rate hike expectations has mainly benefited the U.S. dollar against low yielding currencies whose own domestic central banks are expected to lag well behind the Fed in tightening policy," MUFG currency analyst Lee Hardman wrote in a note to clients. Oil and gas markets also remained hot amid the geopolitical uncertainty. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow would seek payment in roubles for gas sold to "unfriendly" countries, jolting energy markets, although Italy's President Mario Draghi said it planned to keep paying in euros. Also read | Oksana Baulina: Russian journalist killed during bombardment in Kyiv Brent futures were little changed at $121.67 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 41 cents, or 0.35%, to $114.5 a barrel The bond market was starting to shift again with the yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes up at 2.37% and German bunds creeping over 0.52%. "Inflation is really the big driver," Rabobank's de Groot said, adding that it was also behind falling consumer confidence. EU leaders are expected to agree at a two-day summit starting on Thursday to jointly buy gas, as they seek to cut reliance on Russian fuels and build a buffer against supply shocks. But the bloc remains unlikely to sanction Russian oil and gas. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Ukraine: Russia attacks have killed 121 children

Shares, oil volatile ahead of NATO Russia-Ukraine summit

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that India`s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war is based on six principles. 
 
Responding to a question, he said that India has called for immediate cessation of violence and end to all hostilities. "We stand for peace, we believe that there is no other way than a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We recognize that the global order is anchored on international law, UN charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states and we call for humanitarian access to a conflict situation." 
 
He also said, "We have given 90 tonnes of humanitarian assistance so far and we are looking to providing more, especially medicines."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-half-of-ukrainian-children-displaced-by-war-says-un-465162">More than half of Ukrainian children displaced by war, says UN</a> 
 
Jaishankar also said that the Government of India is in touch with the leadership of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine on this matter. "The Prime Minister himself has spoken with the Presidents of both the countries. This was also mentioned in a statement made before the House recently," he added. 
 
Responding to a question by MP Naresh Gujral on Indian trade with Russia especially payment in rupees, Jaishankar said that because of the emerging problems with Russia, the government is examining various aspects by the group composed of various Ministries under the aegis of the Finance Ministry to examine the issue of payment. 
 
Replying to the query of Gujral on crude oil import, he said, "we import less than one per cent of crude oil from Russia. Many western countries are importing 15 to 20 times more than what we import."

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/one-month-since-russia-invaded-ukraine-hundreds-dead-millions-displaced-when-will-it-end-465149">&nbsp;One month since Russia invaded Ukraine: Hundreds dead, millions displaced - When will it end?</a> 
 
Replying another question on the development in our neighbourhood, the Minister also said that the government is very clear on principles, "We believe that international order must respect the territorial integrity of States and it is our foremost attention in our neighbourhood." 
 
To a follow-up question about the growing relations between Russia and China, Jaishankar said, the government is aware of the changes in international relations. "We monitor it, we obviously assess it from our own national perspective and fashion our strategy in accordance with those developments," he said. 
 
Jaishankar also informed the House that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Vladimir Putin thrice and to Volodymyr Zelensky twice, the evacuations of Indians was the priority, but the major part of the conversations was on what we could do to encourage a cessation of hostility through the dialogue and diplomacy.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: What does Putin want from Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-invasion-what-does-putin-want-from-ukraine-464992/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that India`s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war is based on six principles. Responding to a question, he said that India has called for immediate cessation of violence and end to all hostilities.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that India`s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war is based on six principles. Responding to a question, he said that India has called for immediate cessation of violence and end to all hostilities. "We stand for peace, we believe that there is no other way than a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We recognize that the global order is anchored on international law, UN charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states and we call for humanitarian access to a conflict situation." He also said, "We have given 90 tonnes of humanitarian assistance so far and we are looking to providing more, especially medicines." Also read | More than half of Ukrainian children displaced by war, says UN Jaishankar also said that the Government of India is in touch with the leadership of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine on this matter. "The Prime Minister himself has spoken with the Presidents of both the countries. This was also mentioned in a statement made before the House recently," he added. Responding to a question by MP Naresh Gujral on Indian trade with Russia especially payment in rupees, Jaishankar said that because of the emerging problems with Russia, the government is examining various aspects by the group composed of various Ministries under the aegis of the Finance Ministry to examine the issue of payment. Replying to the query of Gujral on crude oil import, he said, "we import less than one per cent of crude oil from Russia. Many western countries are importing 15 to 20 times more than what we import." Also read | One month since Russia invaded Ukraine: Hundreds dead, millions displaced - When will it end? Replying another question on the development in our neighbourhood, the Minister also said that the government is very clear on principles, "We believe that international order must respect the territorial integrity of States and it is our foremost attention in our neighbourhood." To a follow-up question about the growing relations between Russia and China, Jaishankar said, the government is aware of the changes in international relations. "We monitor it, we obviously assess it from our own national perspective and fashion our strategy in accordance with those developments," he said. Jaishankar also informed the House that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Vladimir Putin thrice and to Volodymyr Zelensky twice, the evacuations of Indians was the priority, but the major part of the conversations was on what we could do to encourage a cessation of hostility through the dialogue and diplomacy. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: What does Putin want from Ukraine?

'We stand for peace': Jaishankar briefs Rajya Sabha on Ukraine war

After losing two years to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopkeepers in the heart of the Turkish Riviera had hoped for a strong tourism season this year to help keep their businesses afloat. But Russia's war in Ukraine is fast dampening their spirits.

We're trying to earn our bread through tourism, but it looks like the war has finished off this (tourism) season, too, Devrim Akcay said outside his clothing shop in the resort town of Belek, along the Mediterranean coast's Antalya province.

Nowhere is the threat of just one ripple effect of the war&nbsp;lost tourism&nbsp;felt more strongly than in Antalya, a region dotted with shimmering beaches and archeological sites where visitors from Russia and Ukraine, along with Germany, make up the top contributors to tourism revenue.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-central-bank-governor-wanted-to-resign-over-ukraine-putin-refused-report-465185">Russia's central bank governor wanted to resign over Ukraine, Putin refused: Report</a>

Countries from Turkey to Thailand, Egypt and Cuba are bracing for the loss of Russian and Ukrainian visitors just as their travel sectors were looking to rebound from the pandemic. With many tourist-dependent economies also struggling with surging inflation and other woes, hotel workers, guides and others who serve visitors from the two warring nations expect more pain.

The turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Cuban resort of Varadero, which until recently received a significant number of tourists mainly Russians are now almost empty.

Russians accounted for almost a third of Cuba's visitors last year more than 146,000&nbsp;and some saw them as the way to get some oxygen to an industry ailing from the pandemic and tighter sanctions imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Now, we also have to get by without the Russian tourism,&nbsp;said Jos&nbsp;Luis Perell&nbsp;Cabrera, a Cuban economist and tourism expert. 
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 Russian tourists were on the island when the war in Ukraine broke out. Several flights left from Varadero in early March to bring them home.

Losing that market is a strong blow to Cuba, said Natasha Strelkova, Russian-Cuban tour operator and guide on the island.

Across the Atlantic, Russians and Ukrainians can represent up to 35% of Egypt's tourists annually, said Hisham el-Demiry, former head of the government-run Tourism Development Authority.

He worries the economic crisis brought on by the war could mean fewer guests overall.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-a-nuclear-power-why-not-top-russian-diplomat-over-ukraine-invasion-465180">'We are a nuclear power, why not?': Top Russian diplomat over Ukraine invasion</a>

It's a huge impact, a domino effect. ... The war has changed people's priorities, and tourism, which is a very sensitive industry, will be the first victim,&nbsp;he said.

Rania Ali, a reception manager at a four-star hotel in Hurghada, said they were over 75% occupied early before the war, now we are just 35%.&nbsp;Russians were just among the top 10 groups of visitors to Thailand until late last year, when the country began to reopen to international tourists. Russia restarted charter flights relatively early and in winter, when Thailand's balmy temperatures make it a highly desirable destination, helping its people become the top visitors among the modest numbers that Thailand started welcoming back.

The November-to-March season when Russians usually visit is drawing to an end, and the plunge in the ruble's value makes travel to Thailand and anywhere else far more costly now, said Chattan Kunjira Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for International Marketing for the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

This probably will lead Russian tourists to shift to destinations that offer them all-inclusive packages with better prices,&nbsp;he said.

In Turkey, officials had hoped that with pandemic restrictions easing, tourism could replicate or exceed the numbers from 2019, when some 52 million visitors&nbsp;including about 7 million Russians and 1.6 million Ukrainians &nbsp;brought $34 billion in revenue. The overall number of visitors dropped to 15 million in 2020 but recovered to around 29 million last year.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had strategized that opening up the economy and delivering big growth this year could help him get reelected next year, experts say. It's a tall order for a country with a currency crisis and inflation exceeding 54%, making it difficult for consumers to purchase even basic goods.

For that to happen, Turkey needs to have its robust tourism and trade ties with Russia unhindered,&nbsp;said Soner Cagaptay, a Turkey analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-calls-for-ukraine-ceasefire-offers-mediation-by-china-and-islamic-nations-465100">Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations</a>

The expectation before the war was maybe 10, 15 million Russians would be visiting Turkey this summer that will be spending 10 billion dollars, a shot in the arm for Turkey's ailing economy," Cagaptay said.

Now, business groups say they're seeing erosion in trade both ways, including a fall in demand for Turkish produce because Russian buyers are struggling to make payments. That's despite Turkey not joining in sanctions against Moscow.

Agricultural grower and exporter Nevzat Akcan worries he may not be able to ship the red bell peppers he grows in greenhouses in the district of Aksu solely for Russian and Ukrainian markets.

May God protect us if we join the sanctions against Russia. This would be a disaster for Turkish agriculture. We would be ruined and finished," Akcan said. I don't even want to think about it.&nbsp;NATO-member Turkey, which has cultivated close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, is trying to balance those relations and has positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate. Turkey has criticized Russia's military actions in Ukraine as unacceptable but also said it would not give up on either side.

The Antalya region is haunted by the memory of 2016, when Russia inflicted a serious blow to Turkey's economy by barring the import of some agricultural produce and stopping charter flights there after the Turkish military shot down a Russian fighter plane in 2015.

Agriculture has already started to suffer from the effects of the war, said Davut Cetin, head of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Ukrainian market has been shut down. No fresh fruit or vegetable is leaving for Ukraine now, Cetin said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russia expels several American diplomats in tit-for-tat move

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After losing two years to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopkeepers in the heart of the Turkish Riviera had hoped for a strong tourism season this year to help keep their businesses afloat.

After losing two years to the COVID-19 pandemic, shopkeepers in the heart of the Turkish Riviera had hoped for a strong tourism season this year to help keep their businesses afloat. But Russia's war in Ukraine is fast dampening their spirits. We're trying to earn our bread through tourism, but it looks like the war has finished off this (tourism) season, too, Devrim Akcay said outside his clothing shop in the resort town of Belek, along the Mediterranean coast's Antalya province. Nowhere is the threat of just one ripple effect of the war lost tourism felt more strongly than in Antalya, a region dotted with shimmering beaches and archeological sites where visitors from Russia and Ukraine, along with Germany, make up the top contributors to tourism revenue. Also read | Russia's central bank governor wanted to resign over Ukraine, Putin refused: Report Countries from Turkey to Thailand, Egypt and Cuba are bracing for the loss of Russian and Ukrainian visitors just as their travel sectors were looking to rebound from the pandemic. With many tourist-dependent economies also struggling with surging inflation and other woes, hotel workers, guides and others who serve visitors from the two warring nations expect more pain. The turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Cuban resort of Varadero, which until recently received a significant number of tourists mainly Russians are now almost empty. Russians accounted for almost a third of Cuba's visitors last year more than 146,000 and some saw them as the way to get some oxygen to an industry ailing from the pandemic and tighter sanctions imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Now, we also have to get by without the Russian tourism, said Jos Luis Perell Cabrera, a Cuban economist and tourism expert. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 Russian tourists were on the island when the war in Ukraine broke out. Several flights left from Varadero in early March to bring them home. Losing that market is a strong blow to Cuba, said Natasha Strelkova, Russian-Cuban tour operator and guide on the island. Across the Atlantic, Russians and Ukrainians can represent up to 35% of Egypt's tourists annually, said Hisham el-Demiry, former head of the government-run Tourism Development Authority. He worries the economic crisis brought on by the war could mean fewer guests overall. Also read | 'We are a nuclear power, why not?': Top Russian diplomat over Ukraine invasion It's a huge impact, a domino effect. ... The war has changed people's priorities, and tourism, which is a very sensitive industry, will be the first victim, he said. Rania Ali, a reception manager at a four-star hotel in Hurghada, said they were over 75% occupied early before the war, now we are just 35%. Russians were just among the top 10 groups of visitors to Thailand until late last year, when the country began to reopen to international tourists. Russia restarted charter flights relatively early and in winter, when Thailand's balmy temperatures make it a highly desirable destination, helping its people become the top visitors among the modest numbers that Thailand started welcoming back. The November-to-March season when Russians usually visit is drawing to an end, and the plunge in the ruble's value makes travel to Thailand and anywhere else far more costly now, said Chattan Kunjira Na Ayudhya, deputy governor for International Marketing for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This probably will lead Russian tourists to shift to destinations that offer them all-inclusive packages with better prices, he said. In Turkey, officials had hoped that with pandemic restrictions easing, tourism could replicate or exceed the numbers from 2019, when some 52 million visitors including about 7 million Russians and 1.6 million Ukrainians brought $34 billion in revenue. The overall number of visitors dropped to 15 million in 2020 but recovered to around 29 million last year. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had strategized that opening up the economy and delivering big growth this year could help him get reelected next year, experts say. It's a tall order for a country with a currency crisis and inflation exceeding 54%, making it difficult for consumers to purchase even basic goods. For that to happen, Turkey needs to have its robust tourism and trade ties with Russia unhindered, said Soner Cagaptay, a Turkey analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Also read | Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations The expectation before the war was maybe 10, 15 million Russians would be visiting Turkey this summer that will be spending 10 billion dollars, a shot in the arm for Turkey's ailing economy," Cagaptay said. Now, business groups say they're seeing erosion in trade both ways, including a fall in demand for Turkish produce because Russian buyers are struggling to make payments. That's despite Turkey not joining in sanctions against Moscow. Agricultural grower and exporter Nevzat Akcan worries he may not be able to ship the red bell peppers he grows in greenhouses in the district of Aksu solely for Russian and Ukrainian markets. May God protect us if we join the sanctions against Russia. This would be a disaster for Turkish agriculture. We would be ruined and finished," Akcan said. I don't even want to think about it. NATO-member Turkey, which has cultivated close ties with both Russia and Ukraine, is trying to balance those relations and has positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate. Turkey has criticized Russia's military actions in Ukraine as unacceptable but also said it would not give up on either side. The Antalya region is haunted by the memory of 2016, when Russia inflicted a serious blow to Turkey's economy by barring the import of some agricultural produce and stopping charter flights there after the Turkish military shot down a Russian fighter plane in 2015. Agriculture has already started to suffer from the effects of the war, said Davut Cetin, head of the Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Ukrainian market has been shut down. No fresh fruit or vegetable is leaving for Ukraine now, Cetin said. Watch | Russia expels several American diplomats in tit-for-tat move

Countries brace for hit to tourism from Russia-Ukraine war

The United States plans to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion, two sources familiar with the plan said, after a month of bombardments has brought Europe's fastest-moving refugee crisis since the end of World War Two.

The expected announcement would coincide with U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with European leaders on Thursday to coordinate the Western response to the crisis.

More than 3.5 million people have fled since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to the United Nations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-central-bank-governor-wanted-to-resign-over-ukraine-putin-refused-report-465185">Russia's central bank governor wanted to resign over Ukraine, Putin refused: Report</a>

The sources who spoke to Reuters did not clarify how the United States would handle travel and immigration logistics.

Not all of the accepted Ukrainians will go through the U.S. refugee program, one Biden administration official said, with others coming on family-based visas or another temporary process known as "humanitarian parole".

Washington has already said it would speed up visa processing for relatives of U.S. citizens and residents, and increase staff to process humanitarian applications, which let people in on an emergency basis even without a visa.

Burden Sharing

Biden has also launched the nation's largest resettlement program since the Vietnam War by accepting 800,000 Afghans after U.S. troops left Afghanistan following 20 years of war.

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He has said the United States would welcome Ukrainians fleeing war, but administration officials have said they believe most will want to stay in Europe where they can travel visa-free and have family and friends.

Eastern European nations, most notably Poland, have received hundreds of thousands escaping the Russian shelling of cities and towns across Ukraine. Those countries want additional assistance from other nations to take in refugees, with the European Union set to discuss "fair burden sharing."

The United States has also allocated billions of dollars in economic aid to fleeing Ukrainians and nations hosting them.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Ukraine: Russia attacks have killed 121 children

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The United States plans to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion, two sources familiar with the plan said, after a month of bombardments has brought Europe's fastest-moving refugee crisis since the end of World War Two.

The United States plans to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion, two sources familiar with the plan said, after a month of bombardments has brought Europe's fastest-moving refugee crisis since the end of World War Two. The expected announcement would coincide with U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with European leaders on Thursday to coordinate the Western response to the crisis. More than 3.5 million people have fled since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to the United Nations. Also read | Russia's central bank governor wanted to resign over Ukraine, Putin refused: Report The sources who spoke to Reuters did not clarify how the United States would handle travel and immigration logistics. Not all of the accepted Ukrainians will go through the U.S. refugee program, one Biden administration official said, with others coming on family-based visas or another temporary process known as "humanitarian parole". Washington has already said it would speed up visa processing for relatives of U.S. citizens and residents, and increase staff to process humanitarian applications, which let people in on an emergency basis even without a visa. Burden Sharing Biden has also launched the nation's largest resettlement program since the Vietnam War by accepting 800,000 Afghans after U.S. troops left Afghanistan following 20 years of war. Also read | Children of war: Ukrainian kids use crayons and drawings to channel trauma He has said the United States would welcome Ukrainians fleeing war, but administration officials have said they believe most will want to stay in Europe where they can travel visa-free and have family and friends. Eastern European nations, most notably Poland, have received hundreds of thousands escaping the Russian shelling of cities and towns across Ukraine. Those countries want additional assistance from other nations to take in refugees, with the European Union set to discuss "fair burden sharing." The United States has also allocated billions of dollars in economic aid to fleeing Ukrainians and nations hosting them. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Ukraine: Russia attacks have killed 121 children

US to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing war: Report

One&nbsp;person was&nbsp;killed&nbsp;and 4&nbsp;wounded&nbsp;after&nbsp;parts&nbsp;of a Russian&nbsp;missile&nbsp;fell on a residential building in the&nbsp;northern&nbsp;part of the Ukrainian capital&nbsp;Kyiv&nbsp;on Friday morning, emergencies services said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/norway-prepared-for-up-to-100000-ukraine-refugees-says-pm-jonas-gahr-stoere-463453">Norway prepared for up to 100,000 Ukraine refugees, says PM Jonas Gahr Stoere</a>

The services said in a statement that 12 people were rescued and 98 were evacuated from the 5-storey building.

One person was killed and 4 wounded after parts of a Russian missile fell on a residential building in the northern part of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday morning, emergencies services said.

One person was killed and 4 wounded after parts of a Russian missile fell on a residential building in the northern part of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday morning, emergencies services said. Also read | Norway prepared for up to 100,000 Ukraine refugees, says PM Jonas Gahr Stoere The services said in a statement that 12 people were rescued and 98 were evacuated from the 5-storey building.

One killed, 4 wounded after parts of missile fall in northern Kyiv

German Chancellor Olaf&nbsp;Scholz&nbsp;called for a&nbsp;ceasefire&nbsp;in Ukraine during a phone&nbsp;call&nbsp;with Russian President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;on Friday, a German government spokesperson said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/the-gulf-crisis-has-lessons-for-vladimir-putin-not-all-may-work-in-his-favour-463470">The Gulf crisis has lessons for Vladimir Putin. Not all may work in his favour</a>

In their nearly hour-long conversation,&nbsp;Scholz&nbsp;also stressed that the humanitarian situation needed to be improved and progress needed to be made in finding a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, said the spokesperson.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, a German government spokesperson said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, a German government spokesperson said. Also read | The Gulf crisis has lessons for Vladimir Putin. Not all may work in his favour In their nearly hour-long conversation, Scholz also stressed that the humanitarian situation needed to be improved and progress needed to be made in finding a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, said the spokesperson.

Germany's Scholz urges ceasefire in call with Russia's Putin

Britain's media regulator said on Friday it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect after a probe into the impartiality of its coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The regulator, Ofcom, said in a statement it was not satisfied that RT could be a responsible broadcaster.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-tv-protester-marina-ovsyannikova-quits-channel-but-turns-down-france-asylum-offer-463354">Russia TV protester Marina Ovsyannikova quits channel but turns down France asylum offer</a>

"Freedom of expression is something we guard fiercely in this country, and the bar for action on broadcasters is rightly set very high. Following an independent regulatory process, we have today found that RT is not fit and proper to hold a licence in the UK," Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes said.

RT is currently off air in Britain due to sanctions brought on by the European Union since Moscow's invasion late last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oksana-shvets-acclaimed-ukrainian-actor-killed-in-russias-rocket-attack-no-forgiveness-463334">Oksana Shvets, acclaimed Ukrainian actor, killed in Russia's rocket attack</a>

RT responded by saying the regulator had shown itself to be nothing more than a tool of the British government.

Britain's media regulator said on Friday it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect after a probe into the impartiality of its coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Britain's media regulator said on Friday it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect after a probe into the impartiality of its coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The regulator, Ofcom, said in a statement it was not satisfied that RT could be a responsible broadcaster. Also read | Russia TV protester Marina Ovsyannikova quits channel but turns down France asylum offer "Freedom of expression is something we guard fiercely in this country, and the bar for action on broadcasters is rightly set very high. Following an independent regulatory process, we have today found that RT is not fit and proper to hold a licence in the UK," Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes said. RT is currently off air in Britain due to sanctions brought on by the European Union since Moscow's invasion late last month. Also read | Oksana Shvets, acclaimed Ukrainian actor, killed in Russia's rocket attack RT responded by saying the regulator had shown itself to be nothing more than a tool of the British government.

UK revokes Russian channel RT's licence after probe into Ukraine coverage

Three&nbsp;Panamanian-flagged&nbsp;ships&nbsp;have been&nbsp;hit&nbsp;by&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;in the Black Sea since Russia's invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;last month,&nbsp;Panama's Maritime Authority said on Wednesday.

One ship sank, the maritime authority said in a statement, but there were no casualties reported. The two others remain afloat with damages.

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"We know that we had&nbsp;three&nbsp;ships&nbsp;that were attacked by&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;missiles&nbsp;but the crew is all safe, we had material damage," said Noriel Arauz, the administrator of the&nbsp;Panama&nbsp;Maritime Authority (AMP).

The&nbsp;three&nbsp;affected&nbsp;ships&nbsp;were Namura Queen, Lord Nelson and Helt. The AMP did not give the dates of when the&nbsp;ships&nbsp;were&nbsp;hit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-us-theatres-to-play-ukrainian-film-the-guide-to-aid-relief-efforts-for-war-stricken-country-463040">US theatres to play Ukrainian film 'The Guide' to aid relief efforts for war-stricken country</a>

At least 10 other flag-bearing&nbsp;ships&nbsp;are still in the&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Sea, Arauz said, adding the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;navy is restricting&nbsp;ships&nbsp;from leaving the area.

Panama&nbsp;has the largest registry of flagged&nbsp;ships&nbsp;in the world, exceeding 8,000 vessels, according to the AMP.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: How rich is Vladimir Putin?

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&nbsp;

Three Panamanian-flagged ships have been hit by Russian missiles in the Black Sea since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month, Panama's Maritime Authority said on Wednesday.

Three Panamanian-flagged ships have been hit by Russian missiles in the Black Sea since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month, Panama's Maritime Authority said on Wednesday. One ship sank, the maritime authority said in a statement, but there were no casualties reported. The two others remain afloat with damages. Also read | TV comedy that launched Volodymyr Zelensky to presidency back on Netflix "We know that we had three ships that were attacked by Russian missiles but the crew is all safe, we had material damage," said Noriel Arauz, the administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). The three affected ships were Namura Queen, Lord Nelson and Helt. The AMP did not give the dates of when the ships were hit. Also read | US theatres to play Ukrainian film 'The Guide' to aid relief efforts for war-stricken country At least 10 other flag-bearing ships are still in the Black Sea, Arauz said, adding the Russian navy is restricting ships from leaving the area. Panama has the largest registry of flagged ships in the world, exceeding 8,000 vessels, according to the AMP. Watch | Gravitas: How rich is Vladimir Putin?

Panama says three ships hit by Russian missiles in Black Sea since start of Ukraine invasion

With the Russia-Ukraine crisis in foresight, the US and Europe fear that Chinese President Xi Jinping will take the opportunity to attack Taiwan.The start of Russia's "military operation" last month has pushed Taiwan to the forefront of geopolitics again.

While the western countries are afraid that Taiwan will face the same situation as Ukraine, the leaders of both the country (Taiwan and China) insisted that Taiwan and Ukraine are not on the same platform, American editorial magazine National Review reported.

On the other hand, Beijing stated that Taiwan is their internal matter and linking it to Ukraine would only add this matter to the western developed conspiracy "democracy against dictatorship". While Taipei emphasizes that they are different from Ukraine in terms of its geostrategic and global supply-chain importance.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imitation-the-sincerest-form-of-flattery-french-president-discards-suits-dons-sweatshirt-copying-zelensky-462399">&nbsp;Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery: French President discards suits, dons sweatshirt. Copying Zelensky?</a>

Russia started its military operation in Ukraine on the grounds of protecting its people from the so-called "genocide" in Ukraine, NATO's expansion to the east and the need to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

The Washington-based magazine argues these justifications as an excuse for their aggression against Ukraine. The editorial claimed that Xi is an accomplice to Putin's war of aggression.

It says that the Chinese President has greatly increased his military intimidation of Taiwan since coming to power. On the same day that Putin started its military operation in Ukraine, nine Chinese military planes were seen inside Taiwan, violating Taiwan's air-defence identification zone, according to National Review.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-confirms-chinese-military-plane-crashed-into-south-china-sea-461836">Taiwan confirms Chinese military plane crashed into South China Sea</a>

The editorial magazine also believes that China will attack Taiwan, regardless of the outcome of the Ukraine-Russia crisis. It further added that there are high chances of Xi launching its military operation in Taiwan. The Chinese President has already ordered his military to accelerate war preparation by achieving the People's Liberation Army's centenary goal of "liberating Taiwan" by 2027, National Review reported.

The National Review also stated that the US and other western countries need to be firm and clear in their resolve to defend Taiwan. And China's one-China policy needs to be abandoned so that the sovereignty of Taiwan won't be impacted.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia optimistic about round 4 of talks

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The U.S. passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 after cutting off their diplomatic ties with China, promising that the US would "maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan," and subsequently than US President Reagan made "six assurances" and called for arms sales for Taiwan's defence.

However, these are not binding obligations under international law, but rather unilateral commitments, according to National Review.

With the Russia-Ukraine crisis in foresight, the US and Europe fear that Chinese President Xi Jinping will take the opportunity to attack Taiwan.The start of Russia's "military operation" last month has pushed Taiwan to the forefront of geopolitics again.

With the Russia-Ukraine crisis in foresight, the US and Europe fear that Chinese President Xi Jinping will take the opportunity to attack Taiwan.The start of Russia's "military operation" last month has pushed Taiwan to the forefront of geopolitics again. While the western countries are afraid that Taiwan will face the same situation as Ukraine, the leaders of both the country (Taiwan and China) insisted that Taiwan and Ukraine are not on the same platform, American editorial magazine National Review reported. On the other hand, Beijing stated that Taiwan is their internal matter and linking it to Ukraine would only add this matter to the western developed conspiracy "democracy against dictatorship". While Taipei emphasizes that they are different from Ukraine in terms of its geostrategic and global supply-chain importance. Also read | Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery: French President discards suits, dons sweatshirt. Copying Zelensky? Russia started its military operation in Ukraine on the grounds of protecting its people from the so-called "genocide" in Ukraine, NATO's expansion to the east and the need to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine. The Washington-based magazine argues these justifications as an excuse for their aggression against Ukraine. The editorial claimed that Xi is an accomplice to Putin's war of aggression. It says that the Chinese President has greatly increased his military intimidation of Taiwan since coming to power. On the same day that Putin started its military operation in Ukraine, nine Chinese military planes were seen inside Taiwan, violating Taiwan's air-defence identification zone, according to National Review. Also read | Taiwan confirms Chinese military plane crashed into South China Sea The editorial magazine also believes that China will attack Taiwan, regardless of the outcome of the Ukraine-Russia crisis. It further added that there are high chances of Xi launching its military operation in Taiwan. The Chinese President has already ordered his military to accelerate war preparation by achieving the People's Liberation Army's centenary goal of "liberating Taiwan" by 2027, National Review reported. The National Review also stated that the US and other western countries need to be firm and clear in their resolve to defend Taiwan. And China's one-China policy needs to be abandoned so that the sovereignty of Taiwan won't be impacted. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia optimistic about round 4 of talks The U.S. passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 after cutting off their diplomatic ties with China, promising that the US would "maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan," and subsequently than US President Reagan made "six assurances" and called for arms sales for Taiwan's defence. However, these are not binding obligations under international law, but rather unilateral commitments, according to National Review.

Amid Ukraine crisis, US, Europe fears possible Chinese offensive against Taiwan

People fleeing what had been the relative safety of western Ukraine joined thousands crossing into eastern Europe on Monday after Russia attacked a Ukrainian base near the border with NATO-member Poland.

Ukraine said 35 people were killed at the base on Sunday. Moscow said up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" died and a large number of foreign weapons were destroyed.

Ukraine also reported renewed air strikes on an airport in the west of the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-russia-might-be-planning-a-chemical-attack-on-ukraine-us-nato-un-echo-the-concern-462340">UK warns Russia might be planning a chemical attack on Ukraine; US, NATO echo the concern</a>

The number of&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;fleeing Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24 climbed to more than 2.8 million, United Nations data showed on Monday, in what has become Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War Two.

European Union officials have said 5 million may end up fleeing while others have put the figure higher.

Millions of people have also been displaced inside Ukraine, with many evacuated only as far as the quieter western regions, including to cities like Lviv.

Myroslava, 52, fled her home in the Ternopil region, in western Ukraine, and was waiting in a terminal of Krakow station in Poland to be picked up by acquaintances. She did not know where she would stay.

"We left because of the attack yesterday," she said, adding that she had hoped western Ukraine would be safe. "We weren't planning to leave, but as it was so close we decided to."

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference with his counterparts from Ukraine and Lithuania that the attack near its border showed Russia wanted to "create panic among the civilian population".

Mira from Kyiv, travelling with her mother to Warsaw, said she had been surprised by the Russian attack near Lviv. "I just panicked and felt scared," she said.

Battles continued around many of Ukraine's main cities, including the capital Kyiv. Ukraine said it would try to evacuate civilians through 10 humanitarian corridors on Monday.

Russia denies targeting civilians, describing its actions as a "special operation" to demilitarise and "de-Nazify" Ukraine. Ukraine and Western allies call this a baseless pretext for Russia's invasion of the democratic country of 44 million.

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"Houses were blown up," Alena Kasinyska, a refugee from the town of Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine, said after crossing into Romania at Isaccea, a busy border crossing in the Danube delta. "People have no place to live, we are scared."

Ukraine said it had begun "hard" talks on a ceasefire, immediate withdrawal of troops and security guarantees with Russia on Monday.

Both sides reported rare progress at the weekend after earlier rounds primarily focused on ceasefires to get aid to cities under siege by Russian forces and evacuate civilians. Those truces have frequently failed.

Beds and Soup

Frontline states such as Poland, which has welcomed well over half of the total number fleeing, and Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Moldova, have taken in the vast majority of the&nbsp;refugees, some of whom have then headed on further west.

Poland's border guard said about 1.76 million people had entered the country since the fighting started, with 18,400 arriving during the early hours of Monday.

Temporary beds and make-shift canteens have sprung up at convention centers and disused shopping malls around the region while volunteers work long hours handing out free hot drinks and SIM cards, or shuttling&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;further west.

At a youth education center near Auschwitz, normally dedicated to preserving memories of the Holocaust and World War Two, nearly 2,000 meals had been served to&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;in the past couple of weeks.

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Further east, an international team of chefs and aid workers in the town Przemysl have served thousands of meals daily to the&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;streaming through Poland's busiest border crossing, Medyka, located nearby.

"We do a lot of soups because it's very cold and the&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;that are coming, they cannot carry like a big plate of food because they are carrying all their belongings," said Clara, a volunteer chef for aid NGO World Central Kitchen.

"We do hot chocolate, we do a lot of baby food as well."

Sympathy over the plight of their neighbours and deep-set memories of Moscow's dominance has seen a groundswell of volunteer efforts, but the sheer scale of the refugee crisis has raised fears of being overwhelmed.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia optimistic about round 4 of talks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-russia-optimistic-about-round-4-of-talks-462334/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Some countries further away from Ukraine's borders, such as the Czech Republic, have also taken in tens of thousands of&nbsp;refugees, piling pressure on local authorities, while others, like Lithuania, have only just begun to receive significant numbers, with about 1,000 now arriving every day.

"Most of these are women with small children, some with only a handbag for luggage," said Kristina Meide, director of the Lithuanian Red Cross.

People fleeing what had been the relative safety of western Ukraine joined thousands crossing into eastern Europe on Monday after Russia attacked a Ukrainian base near the border with NATO-member Poland.

People fleeing what had been the relative safety of western Ukraine joined thousands crossing into eastern Europe on Monday after Russia attacked a Ukrainian base near the border with NATO-member Poland. Ukraine said 35 people were killed at the base on Sunday. Moscow said up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" died and a large number of foreign weapons were destroyed. Ukraine also reported renewed air strikes on an airport in the west of the country. Also read | UK warns Russia might be planning a chemical attack on Ukraine; US, NATO echo the concern The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24 climbed to more than 2.8 million, United Nations data showed on Monday, in what has become Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War Two. European Union officials have said 5 million may end up fleeing while others have put the figure higher. Millions of people have also been displaced inside Ukraine, with many evacuated only as far as the quieter western regions, including to cities like Lviv. Myroslava, 52, fled her home in the Ternopil region, in western Ukraine, and was waiting in a terminal of Krakow station in Poland to be picked up by acquaintances. She did not know where she would stay. "We left because of the attack yesterday," she said, adding that she had hoped western Ukraine would be safe. "We weren't planning to leave, but as it was so close we decided to." Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference with his counterparts from Ukraine and Lithuania that the attack near its border showed Russia wanted to "create panic among the civilian population". Mira from Kyiv, travelling with her mother to Warsaw, said she had been surprised by the Russian attack near Lviv. "I just panicked and felt scared," she said. Battles continued around many of Ukraine's main cities, including the capital Kyiv. Ukraine said it would try to evacuate civilians through 10 humanitarian corridors on Monday. Russia denies targeting civilians, describing its actions as a "special operation" to demilitarise and "de-Nazify" Ukraine. Ukraine and Western allies call this a baseless pretext for Russia's invasion of the democratic country of 44 million. Also read | US adds 11 members of Russia's Defense Enterprise to sanctions list "Houses were blown up," Alena Kasinyska, a refugee from the town of Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine, said after crossing into Romania at Isaccea, a busy border crossing in the Danube delta. "People have no place to live, we are scared." Ukraine said it had begun "hard" talks on a ceasefire, immediate withdrawal of troops and security guarantees with Russia on Monday. Both sides reported rare progress at the weekend after earlier rounds primarily focused on ceasefires to get aid to cities under siege by Russian forces and evacuate civilians. Those truces have frequently failed. Beds and Soup Frontline states such as Poland, which has welcomed well over half of the total number fleeing, and Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Moldova, have taken in the vast majority of the refugees, some of whom have then headed on further west. Poland's border guard said about 1.76 million people had entered the country since the fighting started, with 18,400 arriving during the early hours of Monday. Temporary beds and make-shift canteens have sprung up at convention centers and disused shopping malls around the region while volunteers work long hours handing out free hot drinks and SIM cards, or shuttling refugees further west. At a youth education center near Auschwitz, normally dedicated to preserving memories of the Holocaust and World War Two, nearly 2,000 meals had been served to refugees in the past couple of weeks. Also read | 20 killed, 28 injured in missile strike by Ukraine, says Russia Further east, an international team of chefs and aid workers in the town Przemysl have served thousands of meals daily to the refugees streaming through Poland's busiest border crossing, Medyka, located nearby. "We do a lot of soups because it's very cold and the refugees that are coming, they cannot carry like a big plate of food because they are carrying all their belongings," said Clara, a volunteer chef for aid NGO World Central Kitchen. "We do hot chocolate, we do a lot of baby food as well." Sympathy over the plight of their neighbours and deep-set memories of Moscow's dominance has seen a groundswell of volunteer efforts, but the sheer scale of the refugee crisis has raised fears of being overwhelmed. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine, Russia optimistic about round 4 of talks Some countries further away from Ukraine's borders, such as the Czech Republic, have also taken in tens of thousands of refugees, piling pressure on local authorities, while others, like Lithuania, have only just begun to receive significant numbers, with about 1,000 now arriving every day. "Most of these are women with small children, some with only a handbag for luggage," said Kristina Meide, director of the Lithuanian Red Cross.

Europe's fastest growing refugee crisis: In 20 days, 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;will offer&nbsp;4,000&nbsp;special&nbsp;visas&nbsp;to&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;fleeing the Russian invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;if they have family in the southern hemisphere nation, its government said Tuesday.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said it was&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand's largest special visa category in decades in support of an international aid effort.

Over 2.8 million people have fled&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;since Russia invaded on February 24, according to UN estimates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refugee-exodus-in-20-days-28-million-people-have-fled-ukraine-462361">Europe's fastest growing refugee crisis: In 20 days, 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine</a>

"It's a two-year visa to help people escape the current conflict and to shelter here in the hope they can return home when the&nbsp;war&nbsp;ends," Faafoi said.

For one year, the estimated 1,600 Ukrainian-born citizens and residents in&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;will be allowed to sponsor family members for the special visa, under which they will be allowed to work.

Relatives included in the scheme include parents, grandparents and their adult siblings or adult children and their immediate family who have fled&nbsp;Ukraine.

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"New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;has moved quickly to condemn the brutal and intolerable invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine," the minister said.

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;also announced an extra NZ$4&nbsp;million (US$2.7 million) in humanitarian funding.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine Under Attack: Shelling prevents humanitarian aid from entering Mariupol

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-under-attack-shelling-prevents-humanitarian-aid-from-entering-mariupol-462465/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Alongside other diplomatic measures, we have acted urgently to respond to Russia's hostility by instituting travel bans, export controls, passing the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, and providing aid funding to support crucial humanitarian work," the minister said.

New Zealand will offer 4,000 special visas to refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine if they have family in the southern hemisphere nation, its government said Tuesday.

New Zealand will offer 4,000 special visas to refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine if they have family in the southern hemisphere nation, its government said Tuesday. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said it was New Zealand's largest special visa category in decades in support of an international aid effort. Over 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24, according to UN estimates. Also read | Europe's fastest growing refugee crisis: In 20 days, 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine "It's a two-year visa to help people escape the current conflict and to shelter here in the hope they can return home when the war ends," Faafoi said. For one year, the estimated 1,600 Ukrainian-born citizens and residents in New Zealand will be allowed to sponsor family members for the special visa, under which they will be allowed to work. Relatives included in the scheme include parents, grandparents and their adult siblings or adult children and their immediate family who have fled Ukraine. Also read | White House having early discussions about Biden traveling to Europe "New Zealand has moved quickly to condemn the brutal and intolerable invasion of Ukraine," the minister said. New Zealand also announced an extra NZ$4 million (US$2.7 million) in humanitarian funding. Watch | Ukraine Under Attack: Shelling prevents humanitarian aid from entering Mariupol "Alongside other diplomatic measures, we have acted urgently to respond to Russia's hostility by instituting travel bans, export controls, passing the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, and providing aid funding to support crucial humanitarian work," the minister said.

New Zealand offers visas to 4,000 Ukraine war refugees

China&nbsp;does&nbsp;not&nbsp;want&nbsp;to be impacted by Western economic&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on&nbsp;Russia, the&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministry said Tuesday, as pressure grows on Beijing to withdraw support from an isolated Moscow.

Beijing has refused to condemn its close ally&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;over its invasion of Ukraine, while blaming the United States and NATO's "eastward expansion" for worsening tensions.

Moscow and Beijing have grown closer in recent times, in what Washington sees as an increasingly hostile alliance of the authoritarian nuclear powers.

"China&nbsp;is not a party to the crisis, still less wants to be&nbsp;affected&nbsp;by the&nbsp;sanctions,"&nbsp;Foreign&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Wang Yi said, according to a readout of a phone call with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares published on Tuesday.

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China&nbsp;has "always opposed using&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;to solve problems, let alone unilateral&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;that have no basis in international law", Wang said, according to the readout.

Around three weeks after Russian troops marched into Ukraine, Moscow's forces have bombarded and besieged several towns and cities.

Wang's comments were published after a seven-hour meeting between high-ranking US and Chinese officials in Rome, at which Washington said the US had expressed concern about "alignment" between&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;China.

US media has reported that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has asked&nbsp;China&nbsp;for military and economic assistance, as its troops struggle to make ground and its economy faces devastation from Western&nbsp;sanctions.

The New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, said there was no indication whether&nbsp;China&nbsp;had responded.

But Beijing has so far sent mixed signals on&nbsp;Russia's bloody invasion and US officials say the jury is still out on how&nbsp;China&nbsp;will act.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-seeking-military-assistance-from-china-for-ukraine-invasion-report-462010">&nbsp;US warns China against providing any support to Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict</a>

Foreign&nbsp;ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Tuesday told reporters that Beijing "strongly urges the US not to harm&nbsp;China's legitimate rights and interests when handling relations with&nbsp;Russia".

Asked about articles saying Moscow had asked Beijing for help, Zhao accused the US of "spreading disinformation" against&nbsp;China.

"Our aim is very clear, that is, to promote de-escalation of the situation... and end the conflict," he added.

Deep concerns

In the Rome meeting on Monday with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,&nbsp;China's senior diplomat Yang Jiechi reiterated the country's stance that Beijing is "committed to promoting peace talks", the official Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday.

China&nbsp;called on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint" and "protect civilians" in the Ukraine crisis at the meeting.

The international community should support such talks to achieve substantive results as soon as possible, Yang said.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: US warns China against helping Russia

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Although Beijing&nbsp;does&nbsp;not back Western&nbsp;sanctions, the White House is pressuring the world's second-largest economy to refrain from rescuing&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;from potential default or sending weaponry.

"We've communicated very clearly to Beijing that we won't stand by," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.&nbsp;

"We will not allow any country to compensate&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;for its losses."

China does not want to be impacted by Western economic sanctions on Russia, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, as pressure grows on Beijing to withdraw support from an isolated Moscow.

China does not want to be impacted by Western economic sanctions on Russia, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, as pressure grows on Beijing to withdraw support from an isolated Moscow. Beijing has refused to condemn its close ally Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, while blaming the United States and NATO's "eastward expansion" for worsening tensions. Moscow and Beijing have grown closer in recent times, in what Washington sees as an increasingly hostile alliance of the authoritarian nuclear powers. "China is not a party to the crisis, still less wants to be affected by the sanctions," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, according to a readout of a phone call with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares published on Tuesday. Also read | Tesla hikes China, US prices for second time within a week China has "always opposed using sanctions to solve problems, let alone unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law", Wang said, according to the readout. Around three weeks after Russian troops marched into Ukraine, Moscow's forces have bombarded and besieged several towns and cities. Wang's comments were published after a seven-hour meeting between high-ranking US and Chinese officials in Rome, at which Washington said the US had expressed concern about "alignment" between Russia and China. US media has reported that Russia has asked China for military and economic assistance, as its troops struggle to make ground and its economy faces devastation from Western sanctions. The New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, said there was no indication whether China had responded. But Beijing has so far sent mixed signals on Russia's bloody invasion and US officials say the jury is still out on how China will act. Also read | US warns China against providing any support to Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Tuesday told reporters that Beijing "strongly urges the US not to harm China's legitimate rights and interests when handling relations with Russia". Asked about articles saying Moscow had asked Beijing for help, Zhao accused the US of "spreading disinformation" against China. "Our aim is very clear, that is, to promote de-escalation of the situation... and end the conflict," he added. Deep concerns In the Rome meeting on Monday with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, China's senior diplomat Yang Jiechi reiterated the country's stance that Beijing is "committed to promoting peace talks", the official Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday. China called on all parties to exercise "maximum restraint" and "protect civilians" in the Ukraine crisis at the meeting. The international community should support such talks to achieve substantive results as soon as possible, Yang said. Watch | Gravitas: US warns China against helping Russia Although Beijing does not back Western sanctions, the White House is pressuring the world's second-largest economy to refrain from rescuing Russia from potential default or sending weaponry. "We've communicated very clearly to Beijing that we won't stand by," State Department spokesman Ned Price said. "We will not allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses."

China wary of being impacted by Russia sanctions: Foreign minister

Japan&nbsp;has decided to freeze assets of an additional 17&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;individuals, bringing the total number targeted by&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to 61, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday.

The step was taken after the United States on Friday imposed&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on a slew of&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;individuals including&nbsp;billionaire&nbsp;Viktor Vekselberg and 12 members of the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament.

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Vekselberg was also targeted in the&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;by&nbsp;Japan, as well as 11 members of the Duma and five family members of banker Yuri Kovalchuk, the finance ministry said.

Japan&nbsp;will act in line with other Group of Seven (G7) nations on&nbsp;sanctions, said the government's top spokesman, Hirokazu Matsuno.

"As for&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;hereafter, we'll continue to watch conditions and, along with other G7 nations, respond appropriately," Matsuno told reporters at a&nbsp;news conference.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refugee-exodus-in-20-days-28-million-people-have-fled-ukraine-462361">&nbsp;Europe's fastest growing refugee crisis: In 20 days, 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine</a>

Tokyo has also imposed&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on Russia's central bank and seven private banks, among other organisations, as well as various Belarusian individuals and banks and organisations from the country over its support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: US warns China against helping Russia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-warns-china-against-helping-russia-462332/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As part of stronger curbs against Moscow,&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;also said it will widen an export ban to Russia by including 31 items such as semiconductors, communication equipment, sensors and radar, as well as 26 technology packages from Friday.

Japan has decided to freeze assets of an additional 17 Russian individuals, bringing the total number targeted by sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to 61, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday.

Japan has decided to freeze assets of an additional 17 Russian individuals, bringing the total number targeted by sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to 61, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday. The step was taken after the United States on Friday imposed sanctions on a slew of Russian individuals including billionaire Viktor Vekselberg and 12 members of the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament. Also read | Ukrainian man shocked as a missile explodes mere steps away from him: Watch Vekselberg was also targeted in the sanctions by Japan, as well as 11 members of the Duma and five family members of banker Yuri Kovalchuk, the finance ministry said. Japan will act in line with other Group of Seven (G7) nations on sanctions, said the government's top spokesman, Hirokazu Matsuno. "As for sanctions hereafter, we'll continue to watch conditions and, along with other G7 nations, respond appropriately," Matsuno told reporters at a news conference. Also read | Europe's fastest growing refugee crisis: In 20 days, 2.8 million people have fled Ukraine Tokyo has also imposed sanctions on Russia's central bank and seven private banks, among other organisations, as well as various Belarusian individuals and banks and organisations from the country over its support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Watch | Gravitas: US warns China against helping Russia As part of stronger curbs against Moscow, Japan also said it will widen an export ban to Russia by including 31 items such as semiconductors, communication equipment, sensors and radar, as well as 26 technology packages from Friday.

Japan imposes new sanctions on Russian billionaire, and 16 others

Russia&nbsp;on Monday temporarily banned grain exports to ex-Soviet countries and most sugar exports, but a senior minister said it would keep on providing special export licences to traders within its current quota.

Russia&nbsp;is the world's largest wheat exporter with Egypt and Turkey among the main buyers. It competes mainly with the European Union and Ukraine.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Monday signed an order banning the export of white and raw sugar until Aug. 31, and banning wheat, rye, barley and maize exports to neighbouring Eurasian Economic Union states until June 30.

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Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko, however, said the export of grain within the quota under individual licences would continue to be allowed.

Moscow last week voiced concern about the quick pace of its grain exports to neighbouring ex-Soviet countries, with which it shares free customs zones under the Eurasian Economic Union. Supplies to the union are not subject to&nbsp;Russia's grain export quotas and current taxes.

The measures were adopted "to protect the domestic food market in the face of external constraints," the government statement said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-russia-might-be-planning-a-chemical-attack-on-ukraine-us-nato-un-echo-the-concern-462340">UK warns Russia might be planning a chemical attack on Ukraine; US, NATO echo the concern</a>

European wheat prices rose on Monday after Interfax news agency reported on&nbsp;Russia's bank on grain exports. It did not initially mention the exclusions from the ban.

The government made no mention of the export licenses in its statement either but said that international transit of grain via the Union would be allowed.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Did Russia use a chemical bomb in Donbas?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-did-russia-use-a-chemical-bomb-in-donbas-462326/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russian wheat exports are down by 45% since the start of the current July-June marketing season because of a smaller crop, grain export taxes, and the export quota set at 11 million tonnes of grain, including 8 million tonnes of wheat, for Feb. 15-June 30.

The country still has 6 million to 6.5 million tonnes of wheat to export until June 30, Dmitry Rylko, head of the IKAR agriculture consultancy, said.

Russia on Monday temporarily banned grain exports to ex-Soviet countries and most sugar exports, but a senior minister said it would keep on providing special export licences to traders within its current quota.

Russia on Monday temporarily banned grain exports to ex-Soviet countries and most sugar exports, but a senior minister said it would keep on providing special export licences to traders within its current quota. Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter with Egypt and Turkey among the main buyers. It competes mainly with the European Union and Ukraine. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Monday signed an order banning the export of white and raw sugar until Aug. 31, and banning wheat, rye, barley and maize exports to neighbouring Eurasian Economic Union states until June 30. Also read | Ukrainian man shocked as a missile explodes mere steps away from him: Watch Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko, however, said the export of grain within the quota under individual licences would continue to be allowed. Moscow last week voiced concern about the quick pace of its grain exports to neighbouring ex-Soviet countries, with which it shares free customs zones under the Eurasian Economic Union. Supplies to the union are not subject to Russia's grain export quotas and current taxes. The measures were adopted "to protect the domestic food market in the face of external constraints," the government statement said. Also read | UK warns Russia might be planning a chemical attack on Ukraine; US, NATO echo the concern European wheat prices rose on Monday after Interfax news agency reported on Russia's bank on grain exports. It did not initially mention the exclusions from the ban. The government made no mention of the export licenses in its statement either but said that international transit of grain via the Union would be allowed. Watch | Gravitas: Did Russia use a chemical bomb in Donbas? Russian wheat exports are down by 45% since the start of the current July-June marketing season because of a smaller crop, grain export taxes, and the export quota set at 11 million tonnes of grain, including 8 million tonnes of wheat, for Feb. 15-June 30. The country still has 6 million to 6.5 million tonnes of wheat to export until June 30, Dmitry Rylko, head of the IKAR agriculture consultancy, said.

Russia temporarily bans grain exports to former Soviet countries

Ukraine says it has restored Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) four days after they were completely lost at the Russian-controlled site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement.

The Director-General received the news from the head of Ukraine's nuclear power company Energoatom, Petro Kotin, who told him that the specialists had fixed one of two damaged lines and would now be able to deliver all required off-site power to the NPP, where various radioactive waste management facilities are located following the 1986 accident.

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Ukraine's regulator separately informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the power supply line was restored at 18:38 CET by the repair personnel of Ukrenergo, the country's transmission system operator. The Chornobyl NPP continues to work on backup diesel generators and will be reconnected to the Ukrainian electricity grid in the morning, the statement said.

Earlier, the agency also informed that Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP which is also under the control of Russia is not in a position to deliver the necessary spare parts, equipment, and specialized personnel to carry out planned repairs.

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While Ukraine is reporting all the problems related to Chornobyl NPP, indicating NPP is in danger, Russia on other hand, denied all Ukraine's claims that the Chernobyl NPP is in danger after being captured by Russian forces.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Russia launch a chemical attack on Ukraine?

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On March 3, Ukraine informed the IAEA that Russian forces had taken the control of the site of the country`s Zaporizhzhia NPP.&nbsp;

Ukraine says it has restored Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) four days after they were completely lost at the Russian-controlled site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement.

Ukraine says it has restored Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) four days after they were completely lost at the Russian-controlled site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement. The Director-General received the news from the head of Ukraine's nuclear power company Energoatom, Petro Kotin, who told him that the specialists had fixed one of two damaged lines and would now be able to deliver all required off-site power to the NPP, where various radioactive waste management facilities are located following the 1986 accident. Also read | It's not for free, says Zelensky on Western arms sale to Ukraine Ukraine's regulator separately informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the power supply line was restored at 18:38 CET by the repair personnel of Ukrenergo, the country's transmission system operator. The Chornobyl NPP continues to work on backup diesel generators and will be reconnected to the Ukrainian electricity grid in the morning, the statement said. Earlier, the agency also informed that Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP which is also under the control of Russia is not in a position to deliver the necessary spare parts, equipment, and specialized personnel to carry out planned repairs. Also read | UN nuclear watchdog no longer receiving data from Chernobyl, expresses worry about the 130 trapped workers While Ukraine is reporting all the problems related to Chornobyl NPP, indicating NPP is in danger, Russia on other hand, denied all Ukraine's claims that the Chernobyl NPP is in danger after being captured by Russian forces. Watch | Gravitas: Will Russia launch a chemical attack on Ukraine? On March 3, Ukraine informed the IAEA that Russian forces had taken the control of the site of the country`s Zaporizhzhia NPP.

Chernobyl Nuclear Plant restored: Ukraine tells IAEA

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?

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;were gearing up on Monday, with Ukrainian and&nbsp;Russian negotiators set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even though&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;attacked a&nbsp;base&nbsp;near the Polish border and fighting raged elsewhere.

A barrage of&nbsp;Russian missiles hit&nbsp;Ukraine's Yavoriv International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security, a&nbsp;base&nbsp;just 15 miles (25 km) from the Polish border that has previously hosted NATO military instructors, killing 35 people and wounding 134, a Ukrainian official said on Sunday.

Russia's defence ministry said up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" and a large number of foreign weapons were destroyed. Reuters could not independently verify the casualties reported by either side.

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Thousands of people have died since Feb. 24, when&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation to rid&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;of dangerous nationalists and Nazis.

The United States, which had watched&nbsp;Russia's build-up on&nbsp;Ukraine's borders with mounting alarm for weeks, says it was a premeditated, unjustified and unlawful "war of choice".

In a telephone call, U.S. President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron underscored their commitment to holding&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;accountable for the invasion, the White House said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, also discussed diplomatic efforts to stop&nbsp;Russia's invasion, the State Department said.

Hopes were boosted after&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;gave their most upbeat assessments following weekend negotiations.

"Russia&nbsp;is already beginning to talk constructively," Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said in a video online. "I think that we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days."

A&nbsp;Russian delegate to the&nbsp;talks, Leonid Slutsky, was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying they had made significant progress and it was possible the delegations could soon reach draft agreements.

Ukraine&nbsp;said&nbsp;talks&nbsp;via video were set to start at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT). Neither side has said what they would cover. Three rounds of&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Belarus, most recently last Monday, had focused mainly on humanitarian issues.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-tank-advance-in-ukraine-what-is-rasputitsa-462047">Russian tanks advance in Ukraine: What is 'Rasputitsa'?</a>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the countries' delegations had been speaking daily by video link and a clear aim of his negotiators was to "do everything" to arrange for him to meet Putin.

"We must hold on. We must fight. And we will win," Zelenskiy said in a late night video speech.

Harsh Sanctions

Global financial markets, battered by fears the conflict could spread and drag in NATO, rallied on hopes for progress in peace&nbsp;talks. Stocks rose while oil prices gave up some of their massive recent gains.&nbsp;

Soaring energy costs and disruptions to supply chains caused by the fighting and sanctions have fuelled inflationary pressures worldwide.

Russian coal and fertiliser king Andrei Melnichenko said the war in&nbsp;Ukraine, a top producer of grains, must be stopped or there would be a global food crisis as fertilizer prices were already too high for many farmers.

"The events in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;are truly tragic. We urgently need peace," Melnichenko told Reuters.

The West has sanctioned&nbsp;Russian businessmen, including European Union sanctions on Melnichenko, frozen state assets and cut off much of the&nbsp;Russian corporate sector from the global economy in an attempt to force Putin to change course.

Russia's finance ministry said on Monday it had approved a temporary procedure for repaying foreign currency debt, but warned payments would be made in roubles if sanctions prevented banks from honouring debts in the currency of issue.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-not-for-free-says-zelensky-on-western-arms-sale-to-ukraine-462030">&nbsp;It's not for free, says Zelensky on Western arms sale to Ukraine</a>

Also,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has asked China for military equipment, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine Western efforts to help Ukrainian defenders, several U.S. officials said.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is set to meet China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday, warned Beijing it would "absolutely" face consequences if it helped Moscow evade sanctions.

Asked about&nbsp;Russia's request for military aid, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, said, "I've never heard of that."

China found the current situation in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;"disconcerting", he said, adding, "We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis."

Still, violence and bloodshed continued.

Air raid sirens sounded before dawn in many cities and regions of&nbsp;Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasy.

In Kyiv, at least one person was killed and three injured when a shell hit a residential building, state television said, while the city administration said the Antonov aircraft plant there had been shelled.

Authorities said they were stockpiling two weeks' worth of food for the 2 million people who have not yet fled from&nbsp;Russian forces attempting to encircle the capital.

An American journalist was shot and killed by&nbsp;Russian forces in the town of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, and another journalist was wounded, the regional police chief said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-warship-go-fck-yourself-ukraine-reveals-postage-stamp-462023">Russian warship 'go f*ck yourself': Ukraine reveals postage stamp</a>

Britain's defence ministry said&nbsp;Russian naval forces had established a distant blockade of&nbsp;Ukraine's Black Sea coast, isolating the country from international maritime trade.

In eastern&nbsp;Ukraine,&nbsp;Russian troops were trying to surround Ukrainian forces as they advance from the port of Mariupol in the south and the second city Kharkiv in the north, it added.

Russia's invasion has sent&nbsp;more&nbsp;than 2.5 million people fleeing across&nbsp;Ukraine's borders and trapped hundreds of thousands in besieged cities.

The United Nations says at least 596 civilians have died since the invasion began and the toll is probably considerably higher as it is difficult to confirm deaths in places such as Mariupol.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Why the West is winning the Information War

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-why-the-west-is-winning-the-information-war-461710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The city council in Mariupol said 2,187 residents had been killed since the start of the invasion. Reuters was not able to verify that toll.

Moscow denies targeting civilians. It blames&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;for failed attempts to evacuate civilians from encircled cities, an accusation&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and its Western allies strongly reject.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine were gearing up on Monday, with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even though Russia attacked a base near the Polish border and fighting raged elsewhere.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine were gearing up on Monday, with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even though Russia attacked a base near the Polish border and fighting raged elsewhere. A barrage of Russian missiles hit Ukraine's Yavoriv International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security, a base just 15 miles (25 km) from the Polish border that has previously hosted NATO military instructors, killing 35 people and wounding 134, a Ukrainian official said on Sunday. Russia's defence ministry said up to 180 "foreign mercenaries" and a large number of foreign weapons were destroyed. Reuters could not independently verify the casualties reported by either side. Also read | Ukraine-Russia war: Who is Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov? Thousands of people have died since Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation to rid Ukraine of dangerous nationalists and Nazis. The United States, which had watched Russia's build-up on Ukraine's borders with mounting alarm for weeks, says it was a premeditated, unjustified and unlawful "war of choice". In a telephone call, U.S. President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron underscored their commitment to holding Russia accountable for the invasion, the White House said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, also discussed diplomatic efforts to stop Russia's invasion, the State Department said. Hopes were boosted after Russia and Ukraine gave their most upbeat assessments following weekend negotiations. "Russia is already beginning to talk constructively," Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said in a video online. "I think that we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days." A Russian delegate to the talks, Leonid Slutsky, was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying they had made significant progress and it was possible the delegations could soon reach draft agreements. Ukraine said talks via video were set to start at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT). Neither side has said what they would cover. Three rounds of talks in Belarus, most recently last Monday, had focused mainly on humanitarian issues. Also read | Russian tanks advance in Ukraine: What is 'Rasputitsa'? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the countries' delegations had been speaking daily by video link and a clear aim of his negotiators was to "do everything" to arrange for him to meet Putin. "We must hold on. We must fight. And we will win," Zelenskiy said in a late night video speech. Harsh Sanctions Global financial markets, battered by fears the conflict could spread and drag in NATO, rallied on hopes for progress in peace talks. Stocks rose while oil prices gave up some of their massive recent gains. Soaring energy costs and disruptions to supply chains caused by the fighting and sanctions have fuelled inflationary pressures worldwide. Russian coal and fertiliser king Andrei Melnichenko said the war in Ukraine, a top producer of grains, must be stopped or there would be a global food crisis as fertilizer prices were already too high for many farmers. "The events in Ukraine are truly tragic. We urgently need peace," Melnichenko told Reuters. The West has sanctioned Russian businessmen, including European Union sanctions on Melnichenko, frozen state assets and cut off much of the Russian corporate sector from the global economy in an attempt to force Putin to change course. Russia's finance ministry said on Monday it had approved a temporary procedure for repaying foreign currency debt, but warned payments would be made in roubles if sanctions prevented banks from honouring debts in the currency of issue. Also read | It's not for free, says Zelensky on Western arms sale to Ukraine Also, Russia has asked China for military equipment, sparking concern in the White House that Beijing may undermine Western efforts to help Ukrainian defenders, several U.S. officials said. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is set to meet China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday, warned Beijing it would "absolutely" face consequences if it helped Moscow evade sanctions. Asked about Russia's request for military aid, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, said, "I've never heard of that." China found the current situation in Ukraine "disconcerting", he said, adding, "We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis." Still, violence and bloodshed continued. Air raid sirens sounded before dawn in many cities and regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Ivano-Frankivsk and Cherkasy. In Kyiv, at least one person was killed and three injured when a shell hit a residential building, state television said, while the city administration said the Antonov aircraft plant there had been shelled. Authorities said they were stockpiling two weeks' worth of food for the 2 million people who have not yet fled from Russian forces attempting to encircle the capital. An American journalist was shot and killed by Russian forces in the town of Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, and another journalist was wounded, the regional police chief said. Also read | Russian warship 'go f*ck yourself': Ukraine reveals postage stamp Britain's defence ministry said Russian naval forces had established a distant blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea coast, isolating the country from international maritime trade. In eastern Ukraine, Russian troops were trying to surround Ukrainian forces as they advance from the port of Mariupol in the south and the second city Kharkiv in the north, it added. Russia's invasion has sent more than 2.5 million people fleeing across Ukraine's borders and trapped hundreds of thousands in besieged cities. The United Nations says at least 596 civilians have died since the invasion began and the toll is probably considerably higher as it is difficult to confirm deaths in places such as Mariupol. Watch | Gravitas Plus: Why the West is winning the Information War The city council in Mariupol said 2,187 residents had been killed since the start of the invasion. Reuters was not able to verify that toll. Moscow denies targeting civilians. It blames Ukraine for failed attempts to evacuate civilians from encircled cities, an accusation Ukraine and its Western allies strongly reject.

More Ukraine-Russia talks scheduled as attack on base kills dozens

Russia&nbsp;said on Sunday that it was counting on&nbsp;China&nbsp;to help it withstand the blow to&nbsp;its&nbsp;economy from Western sanctions, which it said had&nbsp;frozen&nbsp;nearly&nbsp;half&nbsp;of&nbsp;its&nbsp;gold and foreign currency&nbsp;reserves.

“We have part of our gold and foreign exchange&nbsp;reserves&nbsp;in the Chinese currency, in yuan. And we see what pressure is being exerted by Western countries on&nbsp;China&nbsp;in order to limit mutual trade with&nbsp;China. Of course, there is pressure to limit access to those&nbsp;reserves," Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said.

"But I think that our partnership with&nbsp;China&nbsp;will still allow us to maintain the cooperation that we have achieved, and not only maintain, but also increase it in an environment where Western markets are closing."

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Western countries have imposed unprecedented sanctions on&nbsp;Russia's corporate and financial system since it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it calls a special military operation.

Siluanov's comments in a TV interview marked the clearest statement yet from Moscow that it will seek help from&nbsp;China&nbsp;to cushion the impact.

The two countries have tightened cooperation in recent times as both have come under strong Western pressure over human rights and a raft of other issues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Feb. 4 and announced a strategic partnership they said was aimed at countering the influence of the United States, describing it as a friendship with no limits.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-conducts-airstrike-on-ukrainian-military-target-near-poland-9-dead-461872">Russia conducts airstrike on Ukrainian military target near Poland, 9 dead</a>

The sanctions on&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;reserves&nbsp;have become one of the most painful measures for the&nbsp;Russian economy.

A month ago, Siluanov said&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;would be able to withstand sanctions thanks to abundant&nbsp;reserves&nbsp;and was even considering offering Eurobonds to foreign investors once the market volatility subsides.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: How China is benefitting

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-invasion-how-china-is-benefitting-461456/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Sunday he said the sanctions had&nbsp;frozen&nbsp;around $300 billion out of $640 billion that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;had in&nbsp;its&nbsp;gold and forex&nbsp;reserves.

Siluanov also said&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;will fulfil&nbsp;its&nbsp;state debt obligations and will pay roubles to&nbsp;its&nbsp;debt holders until the state&nbsp;reserves&nbsp;are unfrozen.

Russia said on Sunday that it was counting on China to help it withstand the blow to its economy from Western sanctions, which it said had frozen nearly half of its gold and foreign currency reserves.

Russia said on Sunday that it was counting on China to help it withstand the blow to its economy from Western sanctions, which it said had frozen nearly half of its gold and foreign currency reserves. “We have part of our gold and foreign exchange reserves in the Chinese currency, in yuan. And we see what pressure is being exerted by Western countries on China in order to limit mutual trade with China. Of course, there is pressure to limit access to those reserves," Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said. "But I think that our partnership with China will still allow us to maintain the cooperation that we have achieved, and not only maintain, but also increase it in an environment where Western markets are closing." Also read | This cafe in India takes 'Russian Salad' off its menu to condemn Ukraine invasion Western countries have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia's corporate and financial system since it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it calls a special military operation. Siluanov's comments in a TV interview marked the clearest statement yet from Moscow that it will seek help from China to cushion the impact. The two countries have tightened cooperation in recent times as both have come under strong Western pressure over human rights and a raft of other issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Feb. 4 and announced a strategic partnership they said was aimed at countering the influence of the United States, describing it as a friendship with no limits. Also read | Russia conducts airstrike on Ukrainian military target near Poland, 9 dead The sanctions on Russian reserves have become one of the most painful measures for the Russian economy. A month ago, Siluanov said Russia would be able to withstand sanctions thanks to abundant reserves and was even considering offering Eurobonds to foreign investors once the market volatility subsides. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: How China is benefitting On Sunday he said the sanctions had frozen around $300 billion out of $640 billion that Russia had in its gold and forex reserves. Siluanov also said Russia will fulfil its state debt obligations and will pay roubles to its debt holders until the state reserves are unfrozen.

Ukraine crisis: Russia says nearly half its reserves are frozen, counts on ties with China

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said that Russia was sending fresh troops after Ukraine put 31 of Russian battalions out of action. He called this Russia's largest army loss in decades. Zelensky did not give details about this claim and it has not been independently verified.

Zelensky also said he had spoken to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron about pressuring Russia to release the mayor of the city of Melitopol, who Ukraine says was kidnapped on Friday (March 11) by Russian forces.

More than 2,000 residents of the southern city, which is now under Russian control, protested outside the city administration building to demand the release of the mayor, Ivan Fedorov, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president's office, said.

A call between Scholz, Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin was underway, the French presidency said. Russia has not commented on the fate of Fedorov, who Ukrainian officials said was kidnapped by Russian forces on false accusations of terrorism.

Zelenskiy said his country could not stop fighting but was upholding a ceasefire around an agreed humanitarian corridor out of the southern port of Mariupol, which has been under an almost two-week siege, and called on Russia to do the same.

Moscow has previously blamed Kyiv for failed evacuations.

Putin launched the invasion on Feb. 24 in an operation that has been near universally condemned around the world and that has drawn tough Western sanctions on Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said that Russia was sending fresh troops after Ukraine put 31 of Russian battalions out of action. He called this Russia's largest army loss in decades.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday said that Russia was sending fresh troops after Ukraine put 31 of Russian battalions out of action. He called this Russia's largest army loss in decades. Zelensky did not give details about this claim and it has not been independently verified. Zelensky also said he had spoken to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron about pressuring Russia to release the mayor of the city of Melitopol, who Ukraine says was kidnapped on Friday (March 11) by Russian forces. More than 2,000 residents of the southern city, which is now under Russian control, protested outside the city administration building to demand the release of the mayor, Ivan Fedorov, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president's office, said. A call between Scholz, Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin was underway, the French presidency said. Russia has not commented on the fate of Fedorov, who Ukrainian officials said was kidnapped by Russian forces on false accusations of terrorism. Zelenskiy said his country could not stop fighting but was upholding a ceasefire around an agreed humanitarian corridor out of the southern port of Mariupol, which has been under an almost two-week siege, and called on Russia to do the same. Moscow has previously blamed Kyiv for failed evacuations. Putin launched the invasion on Feb. 24 in an operation that has been near universally condemned around the world and that has drawn tough Western sanctions on Russia. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Russia sending fresh troops after heavy losses, claims Zelensky

Facebook owner Meta Platforms said Friday that a temporary change in its content policy, only for Ukraine, was needed to let users voice opposition to Russia's attack, as Russia opened a criminal case after the company said it would allow posts such as "death to the Russian invaders."

Russian prosecutors asked a court to designate the U.S. tech giant as an "extremist organisation," and the communications regulator said it would restrict access to Meta's Instagram starting March 14. The company said the decision would affect 80 million users in Russia.

"A criminal case has been initiated ... in connection with illegal calls for murder and violence against citizens of the Russian Federation by employees of the American company Meta, which owns the social networks Facebook and Instagram," Russia's Investigative Committee said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-india-to-clearly-condemn-war-by-russia-says-belgiums-envoy-to-india-461492">Want India to clearly condemn ‘war by Russia’, says Belgium's envoy to India</a>

The committee reports directly to President Vladimir Putin. It was not immediately clear what the consequences of the criminal case might be.

Meta Global Affairs President Nick Clegg responded after the Russian government action with a tweeted statement saying that the company aimed to protect rights to speech as an expression of self-defense reacting to the invasion of Ukraine and that the policy only applied to Ukraine.

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Responding to reports that the Russian government is considering designating Meta as an extremist organization for its policies in support of speech: <a href="https://t.co/Y8sUbZDSML">pic.twitter.com/Y8sUbZDSML</a>
— Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) <a href="https://twitter.com/nickclegg/status/1502349805221126144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"If we applied our standard content policies without any adjustments we would now be removing content from ordinary Ukrainians expressing their resistance and fury at the invading military forces, which would rightly be viewed as unacceptable," Clegg wrote.

"We have no quarrel with the Russian people. There is no change at all in our policies on hate speech as far as the Russian people are concerned," he added.

Two weeks into Russia's war in Ukraine, a Meta spokesperson said on Thursday the company had temporarily altered its rules for political speech, allowing posts such as "death to the Russian invaders," although it would not allow calls for violence against Russian civilians.

Meta said the temporary change aimed to allow for forms of political expression that would normally violate its rules.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-conflict-russia-violates-nuclear-safety-principles-in-ukraine-says-us-461477">&nbsp;In conflict, Russia violates nuclear safety principles in Ukraine, says US&nbsp;</a>

Its oversight board said on Friday that it had been briefed by the company on Ukraine-related policies and that context was important for content policies and enforcement.

Internal Meta emails previously seen by Reuters said the temporary policy changes on calls for violence to Russian soldiers had applied to the markets of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

A Meta spokesperson declined to provide comment other than Clegg's statement.

The emails seen by Reuters also showed the U.S. company had temporarily allowed posts that call for the death of Putin or Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"We hope it is not true because if it is true then it will mean that there will have to be the most decisive measures to end the activities of this company," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

INFORMATION WARS

Russia has for more than a year been striving to curb the influence of U.S. tech giants including Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter, repeatedly fining them for allowing what it deems to be illegal content.

But the invasion of Ukraine - met by a storm of international condemnation and unprecedented sanctions - has sharply raised the stakes in the information war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-briefs-tiktokers-on-ukraine-as-information-war-against-russia-heats-up-461466">White House briefs TikTokers on Ukraine as information war against Russia heats up</a>

Social media provide an opportunity for dissent against Putin's line - loyally followed by the tightly controlled state media - that Moscow was forced to launch its "special military operation" to defend Russian-speakers in Ukraine against genocide and to demilitarise and "denazify" the country.

The Investigative Committee said the Facebook move could violate articles of the Russian criminal law against public calls for extremist activities.

"Such actions of the (Meta) company's management not only form an idea that terrorist activity is permissible, but are aimed at inciting hatred and enmity towards the citizens of the Russian Federation," the state prosecutor's office said.

It said it had applied to a court to recognise Meta as an extremist organisation and prohibit its activities in Russia.

Meta's other services also are popular in Russia. Facebook last year had an estimated 7.5 million users and WhatsApp 67 million, according to researcher Insider Intelligence.

Last week, Russia said it was banning Facebook in the country in response to what it said were restrictions of access to Russian media on the platform.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Russia launch a chemical attack on Ukraine?

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Instagram is a favoured tool of jailed Putin opponent Alexei Navalny, who used it in a message posted via his lawyers and supporters on Friday to call for Russians to join protests against the Ukraine war and "mad maniac Putin" this weekend.

WhatsApp will not be affected by the legal moves, Russia's RIA news agency cited a source as saying, as the messaging app is considered a means of communication not a way to post information.

Facebook owner Meta Platforms said Friday that a temporary change in its content policy, only for Ukraine, was needed to let users voice opposition to Russia's attack, as Russia opened a criminal case after the company said it would allow posts such as "death to the Russian invaders.

Facebook owner Meta Platforms said Friday that a temporary change in its content policy, only for Ukraine, was needed to let users voice opposition to Russia's attack, as Russia opened a criminal case after the company said it would allow posts such as "death to the Russian invaders." Russian prosecutors asked a court to designate the U.S. tech giant as an "extremist organisation," and the communications regulator said it would restrict access to Meta's Instagram starting March 14. The company said the decision would affect 80 million users in Russia. "A criminal case has been initiated ... in connection with illegal calls for murder and violence against citizens of the Russian Federation by employees of the American company Meta, which owns the social networks Facebook and Instagram," Russia's Investigative Committee said. Also read | Want India to clearly condemn ‘war by Russia’, says Belgium's envoy to India The committee reports directly to President Vladimir Putin. It was not immediately clear what the consequences of the criminal case might be. Meta Global Affairs President Nick Clegg responded after the Russian government action with a tweeted statement saying that the company aimed to protect rights to speech as an expression of self-defense reacting to the invasion of Ukraine and that the policy only applied to Ukraine. Responding to reports that the Russian government is considering designating Meta as an extremist organization for its policies in support of speech: pic.twitter.com/Y8sUbZDSML — Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) March 11, 2022 × "If we applied our standard content policies without any adjustments we would now be removing content from ordinary Ukrainians expressing their resistance and fury at the invading military forces, which would rightly be viewed as unacceptable," Clegg wrote. "We have no quarrel with the Russian people. There is no change at all in our policies on hate speech as far as the Russian people are concerned," he added. Two weeks into Russia's war in Ukraine, a Meta spokesperson said on Thursday the company had temporarily altered its rules for political speech, allowing posts such as "death to the Russian invaders," although it would not allow calls for violence against Russian civilians. Meta said the temporary change aimed to allow for forms of political expression that would normally violate its rules. Also read | In conflict, Russia violates nuclear safety principles in Ukraine, says US Its oversight board said on Friday that it had been briefed by the company on Ukraine-related policies and that context was important for content policies and enforcement. Internal Meta emails previously seen by Reuters said the temporary policy changes on calls for violence to Russian soldiers had applied to the markets of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. A Meta spokesperson declined to provide comment other than Clegg's statement. The emails seen by Reuters also showed the U.S. company had temporarily allowed posts that call for the death of Putin or Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. "We hope it is not true because if it is true then it will mean that there will have to be the most decisive measures to end the activities of this company," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. INFORMATION WARS Russia has for more than a year been striving to curb the influence of U.S. tech giants including Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter, repeatedly fining them for allowing what it deems to be illegal content. But the invasion of Ukraine - met by a storm of international condemnation and unprecedented sanctions - has sharply raised the stakes in the information war. Also read | White House briefs TikTokers on Ukraine as information war against Russia heats up Social media provide an opportunity for dissent against Putin's line - loyally followed by the tightly controlled state media - that Moscow was forced to launch its "special military operation" to defend Russian-speakers in Ukraine against genocide and to demilitarise and "denazify" the country. The Investigative Committee said the Facebook move could violate articles of the Russian criminal law against public calls for extremist activities. "Such actions of the (Meta) company's management not only form an idea that terrorist activity is permissible, but are aimed at inciting hatred and enmity towards the citizens of the Russian Federation," the state prosecutor's office said. It said it had applied to a court to recognise Meta as an extremist organisation and prohibit its activities in Russia. Meta's other services also are popular in Russia. Facebook last year had an estimated 7.5 million users and WhatsApp 67 million, according to researcher Insider Intelligence. Last week, Russia said it was banning Facebook in the country in response to what it said were restrictions of access to Russian media on the platform. Watch | Gravitas: Will Russia launch a chemical attack on Ukraine? Instagram is a favoured tool of jailed Putin opponent Alexei Navalny, who used it in a message posted via his lawyers and supporters on Friday to call for Russians to join protests against the Ukraine war and "mad maniac Putin" this weekend. WhatsApp will not be affected by the legal moves, Russia's RIA news agency cited a source as saying, as the messaging app is considered a means of communication not a way to post information.

Meta defends policy on calls for violence that angered Russia

The Russian Olympic Committee made an urgent appeal Friday to overturn a ban on its athletes competing at a European winter sports festival in Finland.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it was setting a timetable for the case ahead of the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival being held from March 20-25.

The ROC appeal challenges a March 2 decision by the executive committee of the European Olympic Committees to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes because of the war in Ukraine.

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In a separate Russian case at CAS, the national soccer federation has appealed against bans on national and club teams by FIFA and UEFA.

Those suspensions were imposed on March 1 within hours of the International Olympic Committee urging sports bodies to act to isolate Russia after the military invasion.

The Russian Olympic Committee made an urgent appeal Friday to overturn a ban on its athletes competing at a European winter sports festival in Finland. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it was setting a timetable for the case ahead of the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival being held from March 20-25.

The Russian Olympic Committee made an urgent appeal Friday to overturn a ban on its athletes competing at a European winter sports festival in Finland. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it was setting a timetable for the case ahead of the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival being held from March 20-25. The ROC appeal challenges a March 2 decision by the executive committee of the European Olympic Committees to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes because of the war in Ukraine. ALSO READ: Women's World Cup 2022: Mandhana, Kaur hit tons as India register massive 155-run win over West Indies In a separate Russian case at CAS, the national soccer federation has appealed against bans on national and club teams by FIFA and UEFA. Those suspensions were imposed on March 1 within hours of the International Olympic Committee urging sports bodies to act to isolate Russia after the military invasion.

European winter sports festival: Russian Olympic Committee appeals to overturn ban on its athletes

Dutch brewer&nbsp;Heineken, Danish beer-maker&nbsp;Carlsberg, and&nbsp;Universal&nbsp;Music&nbsp;Group are some of the latest Western firms to halt operations in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

On Thursday, Japanese gaming giants PlayStation and Nintendo announced they would suspend shipments to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;too, joining the hundreds of multinationals who have taken action.&nbsp;

Heineken, the world's second-biggest beer company, said Wednesday it was stopping the production, advertising and sale of its namesake brand in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;"in response to the continued escalation of the war".

Heineken&nbsp;had already suspended new investments and exports to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;last week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-heart-warming-gesture-polish-citizens-leave-essentials-at-border-for-ukrainian-refugees-460778">In a heart-warming gesture, Polish citizens leave essentials at border for Ukrainian refugees</a>

"We are shocked and saddened to watch the tragedy in Ukraine unfold,"&nbsp;Heineken&nbsp;chief executive Dolf van den Brink said in a statement.

"The Russian government's war against Ukraine is an unprovoked and completely unjustified attack," he added.

Heineken&nbsp;employs 1,800 people in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and says it is the third-biggest brewer in the country, where it makes the Zhigulevskoe and Oxota brands for the local market.

The brewer said it would take "immediate steps to ring-fence" its Russian business from the rest of its global operations "to stop the flow of monies, royalties and dividends out of&nbsp;Russia".

"Heineken&nbsp;will no longer accept any net financial benefit derived from our Russian operations," it said.

Heineken's other famous brands include Amstel, Tiger and Strongbow cider.

Danish brewer&nbsp;Carlsberg, the world's fourth biggest beer producer, said it too was halting production and sales in&nbsp;Russia.

It said Baltika Breweries, which it majority owns, would continue to operate as a separate business to sustain its 8,400 employees in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;"who are not responsible for the actions of the government".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/life-imitates-art-broadcasters-clamours-to-air-ukrainian-comedian-turned-war-hero-presidents-tv-show-460771">Life imitates art: Broadcasters clamours to air Ukrainian comedian-turned-war-hero President's TV show</a>

The Danish group said that during the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, any profits generated by its business in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;would be donated to relief organisations.

Sony Group, which owns PlayStation, said in a Thursday statement that its video game unit "joins the global community in calling for peace in Ukraine" as it announced it had suspended operations in&nbsp;Russia.&nbsp;

The tech and entertainment conglomerate also said it was donating $2 million to the UN refugee agency and Save the Children "to support the victims of this tragedy".

A Nintendo spokesperson told AFP it would suspend shipments to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;"for the time being" for logistical reasons.&nbsp;

World's biggest label

About 300 companies have announced their withdrawal from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;since it invaded neighbouring Ukraine, according to Yale University researchers.

McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks joined the crowd on Tuesday following public pressure to do so.

Also on Tuesday,&nbsp;Universal&nbsp;Music&nbsp;Group, the world's biggest label, said it was suspending all operations and closing its offices in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;effective immediately.

"We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible,"&nbsp;Universal&nbsp;said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/read-olena-zelenskas-letter-to-the-world-first-lady-of-ukraine-condemns-mass-murder-by-russia-460806">Read Olena Zelenska's letter to the world: First Lady of Ukraine condemns 'mass murder' by Russia</a>

"We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries... to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region," it said.

Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari said it too was suspending deliveries to&nbsp;Russia.

Ferrari, which has no factories in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and is represented there by two independent dealerships, sells less than 100 cars every year in&nbsp;Russia, out of more than 11,000 delivered worldwide last year.&nbsp;

The Italian company on Tuesday announced a donation of one million euros ($1.1 million) "to support the Ukrainians in need".

Elsewhere, French rail giant Alstom announced Wednesday that it was suspending deliveries to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;as well as future business investments there.

But Alstom said it was keeping its stake in Russian locomotives and rail equipment provider Transmashholding.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Did America block transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-did-america-block-transfer-of-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-460710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Dutch brewer Heineken, Danish beer-maker Carlsberg, and Universal Music Group are some of the latest Western firms to halt operations in Russia over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Dutch brewer Heineken, Danish beer-maker Carlsberg, and Universal Music Group are some of the latest Western firms to halt operations in Russia over Moscow's war in Ukraine. On Thursday, Japanese gaming giants PlayStation and Nintendo announced they would suspend shipments to Russia too, joining the hundreds of multinationals who have taken action. Heineken, the world's second-biggest beer company, said Wednesday it was stopping the production, advertising and sale of its namesake brand in Russia "in response to the continued escalation of the war". Heineken had already suspended new investments and exports to Russia last week. Also read | In a heart-warming gesture, Polish citizens leave essentials at border for Ukrainian refugees "We are shocked and saddened to watch the tragedy in Ukraine unfold," Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink said in a statement. "The Russian government's war against Ukraine is an unprovoked and completely unjustified attack," he added. Heineken employs 1,800 people in Russia and says it is the third-biggest brewer in the country, where it makes the Zhigulevskoe and Oxota brands for the local market. The brewer said it would take "immediate steps to ring-fence" its Russian business from the rest of its global operations "to stop the flow of monies, royalties and dividends out of Russia". "Heineken will no longer accept any net financial benefit derived from our Russian operations," it said. Heineken's other famous brands include Amstel, Tiger and Strongbow cider. Danish brewer Carlsberg, the world's fourth biggest beer producer, said it too was halting production and sales in Russia. It said Baltika Breweries, which it majority owns, would continue to operate as a separate business to sustain its 8,400 employees in Russia "who are not responsible for the actions of the government". Also read | Life imitates art: Broadcasters clamours to air Ukrainian comedian-turned-war-hero President's TV show The Danish group said that during the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, any profits generated by its business in Russia would be donated to relief organisations. Sony Group, which owns PlayStation, said in a Thursday statement that its video game unit "joins the global community in calling for peace in Ukraine" as it announced it had suspended operations in Russia. The tech and entertainment conglomerate also said it was donating $2 million to the UN refugee agency and Save the Children "to support the victims of this tragedy". A Nintendo spokesperson told AFP it would suspend shipments to Russia "for the time being" for logistical reasons. World's biggest label About 300 companies have announced their withdrawal from Russia since it invaded neighbouring Ukraine, according to Yale University researchers. McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks joined the crowd on Tuesday following public pressure to do so. Also on Tuesday, Universal Music Group, the world's biggest label, said it was suspending all operations and closing its offices in Russia effective immediately. "We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible," Universal said in a statement. Also read | Read Olena Zelenska's letter to the world: First Lady of Ukraine condemns 'mass murder' by Russia "We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries... to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region," it said. Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari said it too was suspending deliveries to Russia. Ferrari, which has no factories in Russia and is represented there by two independent dealerships, sells less than 100 cars every year in Russia, out of more than 11,000 delivered worldwide last year. The Italian company on Tuesday announced a donation of one million euros ($1.1 million) "to support the Ukrainians in need". Elsewhere, French rail giant Alstom announced Wednesday that it was suspending deliveries to Russia as well as future business investments there. But Alstom said it was keeping its stake in Russian locomotives and rail equipment provider Transmashholding. Watch | Gravitas: Did America block transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine?

PlayStation, Nintendo, Heineken, Carlsberg, Universal Music join Russia exodus

Apple might lose at least $3 million in iPhone sales revenue daily or $1.14 billion annually as it announced to pull out from the Russian market in the wake of Ukraine invasion. 
 
According to estimates by Lithuania-based online shopping portal Burga, the amount is based on Apple's latest recorded Russian market share and the company's revenue from sales as of 2021. 
 
"Apple's exit in Russia puts a close to the rocky relationship between the two entities. Notably, Russia has in the past enacted questionable policies for companies like Apple to comply with. Apple had only recently adhered with a government mandate to open offices in Russia to offer online services there," said the report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/almost-2-million-flee-ukraine-in-fastest-growing-refugee-crisis-in-europe-since-wwii-un-459892">Almost 2 million flee Ukraine in ‘fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since WWII’: UN</a> 
 
Although Russia does not account for a significant revenue share for Apple products, the tech giant's exit will likely leave a mark on its smartphone sales that have been growing in the country. 
 
Data presented by Burga indicates that based on vendor, Apple accounts for 15 per cent of the Russian smartphone sales to rank third overall. 
 
South Korea's Samsung occupies the top position with 34 per cent followed by Xiaomi at the third spot at 26 per cent. 
 
Realme has a share of 8 per cent, followed by Poco at 3 per cent, while other smaller brands account for 14 per cent, the Burga report mentioned. 
 
Elsewhere, as of 2021, Russia's smartphone sales stood at 730 billion ($7.6 billion).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainians-have-plans-in-place-says-blinken-should-zelensky-die-during-war-459896">Ukrainians have plans in place, says Blinken should Zelensky die during war</a> 
 
The Apple's revenue lost might be higher considering that Russia's general smartphone sales income has risen steadily in the last few years. 
 
As of 2020, the revenue stood at $5.93 billion, while in 2019, the figure was at $5.2 billion. 
 
Overall, between 2014 and 2021, the figure has spiked almost 200 per cent. 
 
After Apple's decision on Russia, the move has placed pressure on other brands like Samsung that have also stopped shipping products to the country.

Watch |&nbsp;'We are providing US made defence equipments', says Antony Blinken 
&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-are-providing-us-made-defence-equipments-says-antony-blinken-459916/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Consequently, the exit by the two manufacturers might be a window of expansion for Chinese operators that are likely to stay put. However, such firms might suffer the impact of any follow-up sanctions that can bar companies from operating in Russia using U.S. origin technology," the report noted.

&nbsp;

Apple might lose at least $3 million in iPhone sales revenue daily or $1.14 billion annually as it announced to pull out from the Russian market in the wake of Ukraine invasion.

Apple might lose at least $3 million in iPhone sales revenue daily or $1.14 billion annually as it announced to pull out from the Russian market in the wake of Ukraine invasion. According to estimates by Lithuania-based online shopping portal Burga, the amount is based on Apple's latest recorded Russian market share and the company's revenue from sales as of 2021. "Apple's exit in Russia puts a close to the rocky relationship between the two entities. Notably, Russia has in the past enacted questionable policies for companies like Apple to comply with. Apple had only recently adhered with a government mandate to open offices in Russia to offer online services there," said the report. Also read | Almost 2 million flee Ukraine in ‘fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since WWII’: UN Although Russia does not account for a significant revenue share for Apple products, the tech giant's exit will likely leave a mark on its smartphone sales that have been growing in the country. Data presented by Burga indicates that based on vendor, Apple accounts for 15 per cent of the Russian smartphone sales to rank third overall. South Korea's Samsung occupies the top position with 34 per cent followed by Xiaomi at the third spot at 26 per cent. Realme has a share of 8 per cent, followed by Poco at 3 per cent, while other smaller brands account for 14 per cent, the Burga report mentioned. Elsewhere, as of 2021, Russia's smartphone sales stood at 730 billion ($7.6 billion). Also read | Ukrainians have plans in place, says Blinken should Zelensky die during war The Apple's revenue lost might be higher considering that Russia's general smartphone sales income has risen steadily in the last few years. As of 2020, the revenue stood at $5.93 billion, while in 2019, the figure was at $5.2 billion. Overall, between 2014 and 2021, the figure has spiked almost 200 per cent. After Apple's decision on Russia, the move has placed pressure on other brands like Samsung that have also stopped shipping products to the country. Watch | 'We are providing US made defence equipments', says Antony Blinken "Consequently, the exit by the two manufacturers might be a window of expansion for Chinese operators that are likely to stay put. However, such firms might suffer the impact of any follow-up sanctions that can bar companies from operating in Russia using U.S. origin technology," the report noted.

Apple to lose $3 million in iPhone sales daily after Russia pullout

Despite the cascade of Western sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, one thing hasn't been affected so far – flows of Russian gas to Europe and the funds to pay for it.

Europe remains heavily dependent on Russian gas, which supplies around 40% of its needs, and is now worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use it to retaliate against sanctions. But Russia, which pumps gas through pipelines that cross Ukraine and other eastern European nations, requires the revenue, perhaps now more than ever.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/found-30-biological-labs-in-ukraine-possibly-for-bioweapons-claim-russian-forces-460189">Found 30 biological labs in Ukraine, possibly for bioweapons, claim Russian forces</a>

What is the status of this mutual dependency?

Has there been any interruption of gas supplies because of the war?

So far not. Russia has been delivering gas to Europe to fulfill long-term contracts, according to buyers such as Uniper and RWE in Germany and traders in the Baltics.

But since last year, Russia has only been delivering the contractual volumes, saying no buyer had asked for additional volumes and that it didn't have much spare gas itself. This has caused prices to spike because, in the past, Russia was usually delivering extra supplies. Prices also rose because other major producers struggled to deliver more gas amid very tight global markets and rising demand due to economic recovery from the pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-letter-z-turns-symbol-to-show-support-for-ukraines-invasion-in-russia-what-does-it-mean-460194">Explainer: Letter 'Z' turns symbol to show support for Ukraine’s invasion in Russia. What does it mean?</a>

As russian gas that flows through ukraine to europe been affected by the war?

No. Volumes of Russian gas delivered at the Slovakian border, after a roughly 800-mile journey through Ukraine, have, in fact, increased since the war began, according to data from Slovak gas transport company Eustream. Gas prices on the spot market have risen sharply, making Russian gas, which is largely sold through long-term contracts, more attractive to European buyers, analysts say.

Ukraine has banned some cross-border gas trading activities but has said it wouldn't restrict the flow of Russian gas to Europe. Inside Ukraine, however, some secondary distribution pipelines for domestic consumption have suffered damage due to shelling and air strikes, according to the country's gas pipeline operator, Gas TSO of Ukraine. In a statement, it said it was forced to halt supply to several regions, leaving hundreds of thousands of inhabitants without gas.

What will happen to the nord stream 2 russian gas pipeline project now that germany has frozen it?

Courthouses are likely the next stop for the promoters of Nord Stream 2, who may try to challenge the decision last month by Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz to halt certification of the pipeline. The project would have doubled the delivery capacity of the existing huge undersea Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 project is a conduit running offshore along the same path between Russia and Germany. It is finished, but unless it is certified by Germany, it is possible it will remain unused, rusting slowly in the Baltic Sea and turning into a loss for its owner, Russia's energy giant Gazprom, as well as the five Western energy companies that shouldered its costs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-russia-ukraine-conflict-phone-lines-internet-remain-untouched-but-why-460122">In Russia-Ukraine conflict, phone lines, internet remain untouched. But why?</a>

Resurrecting the project would require rebuilding trust between its main sponsors – the Russian and German governments – something German officials deem unlikely as long as Putin remains in the Kremlin. In what would amount to a dramatic about-face, Germany's Economy Ministry is working on a new assessment of the pipeline that may conclude that it endangers, rather than contributes to, the security of German energy supply.

What about nord stream 1? Why hasn't that pipeline project been targeted by sanctions or turned off?

Nord Stream 1, which has been delivering Russian gas for more than a decade, is currently Germany's gas lifeline. The lion's share of Russian gas comes into the country via that pipeline, so halting it would mark a serious blow to the German economy. Nord Stream 2 was different because it wasn't in service yet and so far, Germany hasn't needed additional gas supplies. Gazprom has argued it wants to build Nord Stream 2 to supply all of Germany's gas directly under the Baltic Sea rather than dealing with transit pipelines via Poland and Ukraine.&nbsp;It has repeatedly accused Ukraine of stealing gas, which Kyiv has denied.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fears-of-energy-war-between-russia-west-grows-whats-at-stake-460104">&nbsp;Fears of energy war between Russia, West grow. What’s at stake?</a>

Western nations have imposed sanctions on russia. Why hasn't russia retaliated by cutting off gas shipments to the west?

The Kremlin has said it will respond to Western sanctions but hasn't said how. But it has no immediate self-interest in cutting off gas shipments as this would deprive Russia of much needed revenue and would accelerate moves by Western countries to wean themselves off Russian gas. For decades, the Kremlin has sought to cast itself as a reliable gas supplier. Late last year, when Belarus threatened to cut off pipelines running through its territory in response to Western sanctions against Minsk, Moscow rushed to reassure its European clients that it would meet all present and future delivery commitments.

Is germany considering extending the life of some of its nuclear plants?

Germany's three remaining nuclear reactors, which supplied 12% of its gross electricity generation in 2021, are slated to be shut down this year. The country had decided to abandon nuclear power following Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster.

But Germany's economy minister Robert Habeck recently floated the possibility of letting the remaining reactors operate longer.

The technical, legal and political hurdles would be formidable and nuclear power wouldn't be able to fully replace Russian gas. Extending the operation of nuclear plants would require the German parliament to change existing law which would face opposition from the Greens party.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-vs-russia-the-meme-war-460063/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Two German nuclear plant operators - E.ON and RWE - have expressed skepticism about running them beyond Dec. 31, telling Reuters their plants' fuel would be used up by the end of 2022. However, another operator, EnBW, has said it was open to examining the possibility.

In the meantime, Germany is considering ways to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, including by accelerating construction of terminals to receive non-Russian liquefied natural gas, or LNG, and postponing the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants that had been scheduled for closure. In recent months it has increased its use of coal.

Despite the cascade of Western sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, one thing hasn't been affected so far – flows of Russian gas to Europe and the funds to pay for it.

Despite the cascade of Western sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, one thing hasn't been affected so far – flows of Russian gas to Europe and the funds to pay for it. Europe remains heavily dependent on Russian gas, which supplies around 40% of its needs, and is now worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use it to retaliate against sanctions. But Russia, which pumps gas through pipelines that cross Ukraine and other eastern European nations, requires the revenue, perhaps now more than ever. Also read | Found 30 biological labs in Ukraine, possibly for bioweapons, claim Russian forces What is the status of this mutual dependency? Has there been any interruption of gas supplies because of the war? So far not. Russia has been delivering gas to Europe to fulfill long-term contracts, according to buyers such as Uniper and RWE in Germany and traders in the Baltics. But since last year, Russia has only been delivering the contractual volumes, saying no buyer had asked for additional volumes and that it didn't have much spare gas itself. This has caused prices to spike because, in the past, Russia was usually delivering extra supplies. Prices also rose because other major producers struggled to deliver more gas amid very tight global markets and rising demand due to economic recovery from the pandemic. Also read | Explainer: Letter 'Z' turns symbol to show support for Ukraine’s invasion in Russia. What does it mean? As russian gas that flows through ukraine to europe been affected by the war? No. Volumes of Russian gas delivered at the Slovakian border, after a roughly 800-mile journey through Ukraine, have, in fact, increased since the war began, according to data from Slovak gas transport company Eustream. Gas prices on the spot market have risen sharply, making Russian gas, which is largely sold through long-term contracts, more attractive to European buyers, analysts say. Ukraine has banned some cross-border gas trading activities but has said it wouldn't restrict the flow of Russian gas to Europe. Inside Ukraine, however, some secondary distribution pipelines for domestic consumption have suffered damage due to shelling and air strikes, according to the country's gas pipeline operator, Gas TSO of Ukraine. In a statement, it said it was forced to halt supply to several regions, leaving hundreds of thousands of inhabitants without gas. What will happen to the nord stream 2 russian gas pipeline project now that germany has frozen it? Courthouses are likely the next stop for the promoters of Nord Stream 2, who may try to challenge the decision last month by Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz to halt certification of the pipeline. The project would have doubled the delivery capacity of the existing huge undersea Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 project is a conduit running offshore along the same path between Russia and Germany. It is finished, but unless it is certified by Germany, it is possible it will remain unused, rusting slowly in the Baltic Sea and turning into a loss for its owner, Russia's energy giant Gazprom, as well as the five Western energy companies that shouldered its costs. Also read | In Russia-Ukraine conflict, phone lines, internet remain untouched. But why? Resurrecting the project would require rebuilding trust between its main sponsors – the Russian and German governments – something German officials deem unlikely as long as Putin remains in the Kremlin. In what would amount to a dramatic about-face, Germany's Economy Ministry is working on a new assessment of the pipeline that may conclude that it endangers, rather than contributes to, the security of German energy supply. What about nord stream 1? Why hasn't that pipeline project been targeted by sanctions or turned off? Nord Stream 1, which has been delivering Russian gas for more than a decade, is currently Germany's gas lifeline. The lion's share of Russian gas comes into the country via that pipeline, so halting it would mark a serious blow to the German economy. Nord Stream 2 was different because it wasn't in service yet and so far, Germany hasn't needed additional gas supplies. Gazprom has argued it wants to build Nord Stream 2 to supply all of Germany's gas directly under the Baltic Sea rather than dealing with transit pipelines via Poland and Ukraine. It has repeatedly accused Ukraine of stealing gas, which Kyiv has denied. Also read | Fears of energy war between Russia, West grow. What’s at stake? Western nations have imposed sanctions on russia. Why hasn't russia retaliated by cutting off gas shipments to the west? The Kremlin has said it will respond to Western sanctions but hasn't said how. But it has no immediate self-interest in cutting off gas shipments as this would deprive Russia of much needed revenue and would accelerate moves by Western countries to wean themselves off Russian gas. For decades, the Kremlin has sought to cast itself as a reliable gas supplier. Late last year, when Belarus threatened to cut off pipelines running through its territory in response to Western sanctions against Minsk, Moscow rushed to reassure its European clients that it would meet all present and future delivery commitments. Is germany considering extending the life of some of its nuclear plants? Germany's three remaining nuclear reactors, which supplied 12% of its gross electricity generation in 2021, are slated to be shut down this year. The country had decided to abandon nuclear power following Japan's 2011 Fukushima disaster. But Germany's economy minister Robert Habeck recently floated the possibility of letting the remaining reactors operate longer. The technical, legal and political hurdles would be formidable and nuclear power wouldn't be able to fully replace Russian gas. Extending the operation of nuclear plants would require the German parliament to change existing law which would face opposition from the Greens party. Watch | Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war Two German nuclear plant operators - E.ON and RWE - have expressed skepticism about running them beyond Dec. 31, telling Reuters their plants' fuel would be used up by the end of 2022. However, another operator, EnBW, has said it was open to examining the possibility. In the meantime, Germany is considering ways to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, including by accelerating construction of terminals to receive non-Russian liquefied natural gas, or LNG, and postponing the decommissioning of coal-fired power plants that had been scheduled for closure. In recent months it has increased its use of coal.

Explainer: Is the war in Ukraine impacting Russian gas supplies to Europe?