Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:
– Russia hails ‘meaningful’ talks –
A Russian negotiator hails “meaningful” progress with Ukrainian representatives at peace talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul, over a month after Russia invaded its neighbour.
The discussions are focussing on the humanitarian situation in war-scarred Ukrainian regions as well as Russia’s demand that Ukraine become a neutral state, among other issues.
– Russia pledges to draw back from Kyiv –
Russia says that, due to the progress made in the talks, it will “radically” reduce its military activity in northern Ukraine, including near the capital Kyiv.
Russia’s deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin says Moscow has decided to “radically, by several times reduce the military activity in the areas of Kyiv and Chernigiv.”
On Monday, Ukrainian forces said they had “liberated” the much fought-over western Kyiv suburb of Irpin.
– Ukraine seeks NATO-style guarantees –
Ukraine calls for an international agreement under which other countries would guarantee its security.
Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia told reporters the guarantee should resemble NATO’s Article 5 which commits alliance members to defend each other.
– Abramovich not poisoned: Kremlin –
The Kremlin denies a report that Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich was poisoned while taking part in peace talks over Ukraine, but confirms he is acting as an intermediary.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Abramovich and Ukrainian negotiators were targeted in a suspected poison attack, which caused them to develop red eyes and peeling skin, from which they later recovered.
– ‘Crime against humanity’ –
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls the month-long Russian siege of the port city of Mariupol, where at least 5,000 people have died since the invasion began according to Ukrainian estimates, a “crime against humanity”.
“What the Russian troops are doing to Mariupol is a crime against humanity, which is happening in front of the eyes of the whole planet in real time”, Zelensky tells the Danish parliament by video link.
– Seven killed in Mykolaiv strike –
At least seven people are killed and 22 injured in a Russian strike on a regional government building in the key southern port of Mykolaiv, Zelensky tells Danish MPs
“As far as we know now seven people were killed, 22 were wounded, and people are still going through the rubble,” Zelensky says.
– Decathlon halts Russia operations –
French sporting chain Decathlon says it is suspending operations of its stores in Russia, after Ukraine called for a global boycott of it and other French retailers still operating in the country.
“In strict compliance with international sanctions, Decathlon notes that the supply conditions are no longer met to continue its activity in Russia. Decathlon has to suspend the operation of its stores,” the company says.
– Evacuations resume –
Ukraine says it is resuming the evacuation of civilians from war-scarred regions after a one-day pause over what it called the threat of Russian attacks.
“Three humanitarian corridors were agreed for today,” Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk says on Telegram.
– Nuclear safety boss in Ukraine –
The chief of the UN atomic watchdog, the IAEA, visits Ukraine to discuss the safety of its nuclear facilities, the organisation announces.
– Wagner Group in Ukraine: UK –
Britain’s defence ministry says Russia’s Wagner Group has deployed its mercenaries to eastern Ukraine, adding that more than 1,000 fighters are expected to participate in the war after Russian setbacks.
– Biden continues damage limitation –
US President Joe Biden is again forced to defend his remarks that Putin “cannot stay in power”, saying the comments did not signal a push for regime change but merely expressed his “moral outrage”.
The White House unveils budget plans, including $6.9 billion (6.3 billion euros) in funding for Ukraine and NATO, with another $1 billion towards countering Moscow’s influence.
