Russia-Ukraine War: EU Bans Exports to Moscow

Russia intensified its bombing of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, on Tuesday, focusing on residential areas and subway stations, where hundreds of Ukrainians have sought refuge. Thousands of civilians fled the Russian attack in thousands of cars from Mariupol in a humanitarian corridor, according to reports. This is thought to be the largest evacuation from the beleaguered seaport to yet. The military offensive launched by Russia against its pro-Western neighbor is now in its third week.

The following are the major events of the day:

1. Veteran Fox News video journalist Pierre Zakrzewski was murdered after his vehicle was hit by fire on the outskirts of Kyiv on Monday, according to the network. He was the second journalist slain in Ukraine in two days while covering the conflict.

2. According to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, Kyiv and Moscow’s representative resumed negotiations, during which they discussed a ceasefire and military withdrawal. Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, claimed his country is pressuring Ukraine to abandon its NATO membership bid, embrace a neutral status, and “demilitarize.”

3. Speaking to members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) led by the United Kingdom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his country has realized it will not be able to join NATO. “We’ve heard for years about NATO’s supposedly open doors,” he added, “but we’ve already heard that we won’t be able to join.”

4. Russia has prohibited US President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and numerous other top officials from entering the country in retaliation for Western sanctions. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and others were among the 13 people identified.

5. Zelenskyy used video conferencing to address the Canadian Parliament. During his speech, Putin asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian parliamentarians to support the implementation of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, as well as increased economic sanctions on Russia.

6. Russia resigned from the Council of Europe, a human rights organization located in Strasbourg, on Tuesday, averting possible expulsion over its invasion on Ukraine. On February 25, the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, the organisation suspended Russia’s membership.

7. In reaction to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Biden will meet with NATO and EU leaders in Brussels next week, according to the White House.

9. According to AFP, the European Union has prohibited the export of champagne, luxury cars, and clothes to Russia as part of a new round of penalties.