Russia-Ukraine War Live:
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its 20th day, Russia’s defence ministry spokesperson claimed that Ukraine’s southern Kherson region was now under Russian control, as per Russian news agencies. An adviser to the Ukrainian president said that the war was at a crossroads that it could either lead to an agreement or a new Russian offensive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address released early on Wednesday that the positions of Ukraine and Russia at peace talks were sounding more realistic but more time was needed.
A senior Ukrainian official said on Tuesday that talks with Russia were very difficult but there was “certainly room for compromise,” adding that negotiations would continue on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry says Moscow is withdrawing from the Council of Europe. The ministry said it handed a formal notice about Russia’s decision to leave the continent’s leading human rights organisation to the Council of Europe’s Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric on Tuesday.
It said the move followed the Council of Europe’s decision to suspend Russia’s membership that was taken on Feb. 25. The ministry charged that the Council of Europe has become an instrument of exerting pressure on Russia and alleged that it has been heavily influenced by NATO and the European Union.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he was sending his foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to Moscow and Kyiv this week as part of Turkey’s mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.
First Published: IST