Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow's advance in Ukraine is going "according to plan" and ordered large compensations for Russian soldiers killed in the invasion.
"I want to say that the special military operation is going strictly according to schedule, according to plan," he said, opening a meeting with his security council. "We are at war with neo-Nazis," the Russian leader said, adding: "I will never give up on my conviction that Russians and Ukrainians are one people."
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West on Thursday to increase military aid to Ukraine, saying Russia would advance on the rest of Europe otherwise.
"If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes!" Zelensky told a press conference. "If we are no more then, God forbid, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia will be next," he said, adding: "Believe me."
He called for direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying it was "the only way to stop this war."
"We are not attacking Russia and we do not plan to attack it. What do you want from us? Leave our land," he said, addressing Putin.
"Sit down with me. Just not 30 metres away like with (French President Emmanuel Macron)," the Ukrainian leader said, referring to Putin receiving world leaders at a now famous enormously long table.
Here are the Highlights on Ukraine-Russia War:
Mar 04, 2022 06:10 (IST)
Fire At Ukraine's Nuclear Power Plant After Russian Attack: Report
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, was on fire early on Friday after an attack by Russian troops, the mayor of the nearby town of Energodar said.
There has been fierce fighting between local forces and Russian troops, Dmytro Orlov said in an online post, adding that there had been casualties without giving details.
Mar 04, 2022 05:41 (IST)
Ukraine War: Facebook, Top Media Websites Partially Down In Russia: Report
Facebook and multiple media websites were partially inaccessible in Russia on Friday, as authorities crack down on critical voices as fighting escalates in Ukraine.
AFP journalists in Moscow were not able to access Facebook, as well as the sites of media outlets Meduza, Deutsche Welle, RFE-RL and the BBC's Russian-language service. The monitoring NGO GlobalCheck also said the sites were partially down. (AFP)
Mar 04, 2022 04:07 (IST)
Ukraine War: European, US stocks fall as markets fear long Russian attack
European and US stocks tumbled as investors monitored the worsening toll of the Russian invasion of Ukraine amid worries over high oil prices.
Brent North Sea crude reached $119.84 per barrel, the highest level since early 2012, while WTI touched a 14-year peak -- but both gave up ground mid-session and finished lower.
Mar 04, 2022 03:24 (IST)
New US sanctions target Russia's pro-Putin oligarchs
The United States imposed sanctions on the ultra-wealthy Russian oligarchs at the heart of President Vladimir Putin's regime Thursday in the latest ratcheting up of pressure on the Kremlin to halt its invasion of Ukraine.
They and their family members "will be cut off from the US financial system, their assets in the United States will be frozen and their property will be blocked from use," the White House said in a statement. (AFP)
Mar 04, 2022 02:03 (IST)
Ukraine War: Saudi crown prince offers war mediation in call with Putin
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered to host mediation talks between Russia and Ukraine in a phone call Thursday with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as the conflict entered its second week.
The Gulf state's de facto leader called for a "political solution" after the Russian invasion and also reiterated his support for the OPEC+ group of oil producers, which includes Russia, to stabilise oil markets. (AFP)
Mar 04, 2022 01:22 (IST)
Ukraine War: UK sanctions Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Igor Shuvalov
The UK government said Thursday it was imposing sanctions on billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov and former deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov as part of punitive measures over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The pair, who are worth a combined $19 billion (£14 bn) and have "significant interests in the UK and close links to the Kremlin", are "sanctioned with immediate effect", the Foreign Office said.
They face a full asset freeze and a travel ban, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss saying that the sanctio
Mar 04, 2022 00:44 (IST)
Ukraine War: UK sanctions Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Igor Shuvalov
The UK government said Thursday it was imposing sanctions on billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov and former deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov as part of punitive measures over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Mar 03, 2022 22:38 (IST)
JustIn | Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia fighting 'neo-Nazis' in Ukraine, news agency AFP reported
Mar 03, 2022 22:38 (IST)
JustIn | Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russian military advance in Ukraine 'going to plan', news agency AFP reported
Mar 03, 2022 20:30 (IST)
JustIn | Ukrainian official says ceasefire talks with Russia started, news agency AFP reported
