Russia Ukraine Crisis: Russian billionaire Abramovich, Ukrainian peace negotiators hit by suspected poisoning

Russia and Ukraine are set to hold further talks even as both sides continue to maintain the status quo over their demands. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to push for arms support from the West, amid the UN stating that almost 4 million people have been uprooted from the country. Meanwhile, European nations gave a mixed response to Biden's comments about Putin and Russian leadership. Stay tuned to DH for live updates.

Ukrainian evacuees stand on a bus carrying refugees after crossing the Ukrainian border with Poland at the Medyka border crossing, southeastern Poland, on March 28, 2022, following the Russian military invasion ofUkraine. - More than 3,8 million people have fledUkrainesince Russia's invasion a month ago, UN figures showed on March 28, but the flow of refugees has slowed down markedly. (AFP Photo)

Russian billionaire Abramovich, Ukrainian peace negotiators hit by suspected poisoning

Sanctioned Russian billionaire RomanAbramovichand Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning earlier this month after a meeting in Kyiv, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Abramovich, who accepted a Ukrainian request to help negotiate an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian team, were affected, the WSJ report said.

Their symptoms included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands, the WSJ report added.

Spoke to German Chancellor on course of negotiations with Russia, says Zelenskyy

Biden proposes $6.9 bn to aid Ukraine against Russia, bolster NATO

The United States would spend $6.9 billion to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion and support NATO member countries under a budget proposal President Joe Biden's administration released Monday.

The funds would represent Washington's latest allocation of defense aid after Russia's shock invasion of its neighbor last month, and would be used to "enhance the capabilities and readiness of US forces, NATO allies, and regional partners in the face of Russian aggression," the White House said. (AFP)

In Bashtanka, Russian forces sow destruction and despair

Vitaly's little orange car -- "CHILDREN" written in Russian on signs stuck to the windows and windscreen -- broke down outside the war-scarred town of Bashtanka in southern Ukraine.

The town had been torn apart in the month of fierce fighting since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Kyiv's forces were still in control there, but for Vitali and his family, the fighting was still too close for comfort. So they were heading north, he told AFP.

Vitaly, his wife, two children and his mother-in-law had fled the Russian-controlled town of Snihurivka about 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Mykolaiv, a key coastal city for the Russian forces. (AFP)

An instructor gives a weapons training to civilians who volunteered to join the Territorial Defence Forces in Lviv,Ukraine. (Reuters Photo)

Russia preparing restrictions on entry from 'unfriendly' states, says Lavrov

Carlsberg says it will exit Russian market

Carlsberg will exit the Russian market and take a substantial non-cash impairment charge as a result, the Danish brewer said on Monday, the latest Western company to exit amid mounting pressure following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We have taken the difficult and immediate decision to seek a full disposal of our business in Russia, which we believe is the right thing to do in the current environment," Carlsberg said in a statement. "Upon completion we will have no presence in Russia." (Reuters)

Russia adds German broadcaster Deutsche Welle to 'foreign agent' list

Russia's justice ministry on Monday added German broadcaster Deutsche Welle to a list of media organisations it has labelled as "foreign agents", a designation that requires outlets to publish a disclaimer on all its publications.

Deutsche Welle's website was blocked by state communications regulator Roskomnadzor in early March.

Russia working out methods for accepting gas payments in roubles, says Kremlin

The Kremlin on Monday said Russia was working out methods for accepting payments of its gas exports in roubles and said it would take decisions in due course should European countries refuse to pay in the Russian currency.

(Reuters)

Kremlin says Biden's comments on Putin a cause for concern

The Kremlin said on Monday that USPresident Joe Biden's comments that Vladimir Putin could not remain in power were a cause for concern.

Biden made the comments to a crowd in Warsaw on Saturday. He later said that the United States does not have a policy of regime change in Russia.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would continue to closely follow Biden's statements.

(Reuters)

Russia's relations with China are at the strongest level ever, says Russian Foreign Minister

No humanitarian evacuations to take place on March 28, due to potential provocations.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, humanitarian corridors won’t take place following intelligence reports that Russia plans to stage provocations along evacuation routes.

(The Kyiv Independent)

South Korean volunteers deployed to frontline units in Ukraine

Some volunteer soldiers from South Korea were deployed in Ukrainian frontline units fighting against Russian forces, an official from Kiev's military has said.

Damien Magrou, a spokesperson for the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine, confirmed the activities of South Koreans during an interview with Yonhap News Agency.

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to begin today in Istanbul

Heineken exits Russia in wake of Ukraine war

Dutch brewer Heineken announced on Monday it was pulling out of Russia, becoming the latest Western firm to exit the country in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The beer company had already halted the sale and production of its Heineken brand in Russia, as well as suspended new investments and exports to the country earlier this month.

(AFP)

Former Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Chaputowicz thinks that Biden declared a new Cold War in his speech in Warsaw, reports NEXTA

Russian oil is necessary for the energy markets, and no producer can replace its production, says UAE Minister of Energy

(NEXTA)

Turkey's president Erdogan called on Putin for a cease-fire in Ukraine and better humanitarian conditions for civilians

Next week Turkey should host the next round of direct talks between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine.

(NEXTA)

Germany opposes sending a NATO peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine, says Chancellor Olaf Scholz

He also spoke out against the establishment of a no-fly zone there.

(NEXTA)

British intelligence says Russian forces' Ukraine disposition unchanged

The disposition of Russian forces in Ukraine during the last 24 hours has seen no significant change, British military intelligence said on Monday.

However, Russia has gained more ground in the south, in the vicinity of Mariupol, as it fights to capture the port, the defence ministry added.

(Reuters)

Ukraine willing to discuss adoption of neutral status: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country is willing to discuss the adoption of a neutral stance as part of a peace deal with Russia aimed at ending the war.

While speaking to a group of independent Russian journalists on Sunday for the very first time since the war began on February 24, the President said: "Security guarantees and the neutral, non-nuclear status of our state. We are ready to accept this. This is the most important point," CNN reported.

(IANS)

Hacker group NB65 claims it hacked All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

The hacking group linked to the group Anonymous, said on March 27 that it has retrieved over 870 gigabytes of information from the company and will eventually release it. The company’s principal assets are Russia-1, Russia 24, and RTR Planeta TV channels.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Russian media watchdog warns against broadcasting Zelenskyy's interview

The 90-minute interview on Sunday was the first time Zelenskyy spoke to Russia mediapersons since Moscow launched its invasion of Kiev on February 24. He spoke in Russian to the journalists, including author Mikhail Zygar and Tikhon Dzyadko, the editor-in-chief of the recently shuttered channel TV Rain.

(IANS)

The Oscars ceremony holds a moment of silence for Ukraine following Reba McEntire's musical performance

Mariupol in tatters, says Ukraine

Biden says he wasn’t calling for regime change in Russia

US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he was not calling for regime change in Russia when he said on Saturday that President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power."

"No," Biden said as he left a church service in Washington when asked by a reporter whether he was calling for regime change in the country.

Zelenskyy hits out at Russia over treatment of their dead, injured soldiers

Zelenskyy says,"It’s scary because when this is how they treat their own people, then how do they treat others? It’s barbarism and it will end badly."

"In Ukraine, we understand what we are fighting for. And what about you? What is going on in your country, in Russia? I don’t understand it. It’s a tragedy, and a tragedy that is harming us."

US, Germany, Poland to send diesel fuel to Ukraine to end deficit

US, Germany, Poland to send diesel fuel to Ukraine to end deficit.Since the start of the war, Ukraine has seen a deficit of fuel. Russians have been conducting targeted missile strikes on oil repositories around the country.

Ukraine says Russian forces near Chernobyl could pose new radiation threat

A senior Ukrainian official accusedRussiaon Sunday of "irresponsible" acts around the occupied Chernobyl power station that could send radiation across much of Europe, and urged the United Nations to dispatch a mission to assess the risks.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces were "militarising" the exclusion zone around the station, site of the world's worst civil nuclear accident in 1986.

Ahead of new peace talks, Zelensky says eying Russia neutrality demand

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday his government is "carefully" considering a Russian demand of Ukrainian neutrality, a key point of contention as negotiators for both sides prepare for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending the brutal month-long war.

"This point of the negotiations is understandable to me and it is being discussed, it is being carefully studied," Zelensky said during an interview with several independent Russian news organisations.