New Delhi: Russia said that its month-old invasion of Ukraine which led to the biggest European conflict since World War Two has been halted "in order to increase mutual trust and create the necessary conditions for further negotiations and achieving the ultimate goal of agreeing and signing (an) agreement". Moscow said after face-to-face peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey that it had made the decision to radically reduce military activity in the Kyiv and Chernihiv directions.
Ukraine reacted with skepticism to Russia's promise in negotiations to scale down military operations while some Western countries expected Moscow to intensify its offensive in other parts of the country.
Russia's onslaught has been met by stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces who have recaptured besieged cities.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has seen nearly 4 million Ukrainians flee abroad and has left thousands dead or injured.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Ukraine-Russia War:
Mar 31, 2022 06:21 (IST)
Ukraine preparing for new Russian offensive in the east, Zelenskiy says
Ukrainian forces are preparing for new Russian attacks in the east of the country as Moscow builds up its troops there after suffering setbacks near the capital Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.
Russia's invasion of its neighbour, now in its fifth week, has driven around a quarter of Ukrainians from their homes and brought Russian-Western tensions to their worst point since the Cold War.
Mar 31, 2022 03:55 (IST)
Putin "Misled" By His Own Army On Ukraine War: US
Fighting raged Wednesday in Ukraine despite Russia's indication that it planned to deescalate, and US intelligence claimed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is angry after being mislead by his own military.
Hopes that negotiations in Istanbul could open the door to relative calm in pro-Western Ukraine evaporated in a series of battles, including more Russian bombing of civilian areas and advances by Ukrainian fighters.
Mar 31, 2022 03:08 (IST)
Ukraine's Zelensky dismisses Russian claims of scaleback
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he didn't trust Russian vows to scale back military activity and that his army was getting ready for further fighting in the east.
"We don't believe anyone, not a single beautiful phrase," Zelensky said in a video address to the nation, adding that Russian troops were regrouping to strike the eastern Donbass region. "We will not give anything away. We will fight for every meter of our territory."
Mar 31, 2022 02:49 (IST)
Moscow announces Mariupol ceasefire Thursday to evacuate civilians
The Russian defence ministry announced a local ceasefire Thursday to allow civilians to be evacuated from Ukraine's besieged port city of Mariupol.
A humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia, via the Russian-controlled port of Berdiansk, would be opened from 10 am (0700 GMT), the ministry said Wednesday.
Mar 31, 2022 01:42 (IST)
S Jaishankar, US Secretary Of State Discuss Ukraine Crisis Over Phone
US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Wednesday spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to review regional priorities, worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine and to promote free and open Indo-Pacific, his spokesperson said.
Mar 30, 2022 18:59 (IST)
Ukraine crisis could figure in President Ram Nath Kovind's talks in Netherlands, he will convey India's stand: MEA
Mar 30, 2022 14:26 (IST)
Russia-Ukraine War: More Than 4 Million People Have Fled Ukraine, UN Body Says
The number of Ukrainians fleeing abroad is now 4,019,287, the United Nations' Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Wednesday.
Mar 30, 2022 14:07 (IST)
Russia-Ukraine War: World Food Program's Warning On Ukraine Crisis
World Food Program boss David Beasley says the conflict has caused food shortages and price spikes "beyond anything we've seen since World War II".