With no near end in sight, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered its fifth day on Monday. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin launched a special military invasion in Ukraine last week Thursday.
Here’s what has happened thus far.
Russia and Ukraine hold talks amid conflict
Russia and Ukraine delegations held talks at the Belarus border on Monday afternoon. While there have not been any public announcements on the exact details of what was discussed and resolutions taken, if any, the two parties agreed to continue engaging.
This is despite Ukraine earlier expressing concern that the talks might not end the war.
Before the delegations met, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he does not believe in the outcome of the meeting but that the country was willing to give the talks a chance.
SABC correspondent in Moscow Stuart explains the countries’ positions on the conflict before Monday’s meeting:
UN session on the war
The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency special session of the 193-member General Assembly on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The member states have been debating the draft resolution that calls for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on both Russia and Ukraine to guarantee access and safety of humanitarian aid personnel, in accordance with international law.
Guterres says the UN is now working 24 hours, seven days a week to scale up the delivery of life-saving support to people desperate for protection and shelter.
The UN Assembly special sitting:
Conflict claiming lives
Ukraine officials have reported that Russia bombarded Kharkiv killing dozens of people. The United Nations Refugee Agency says five million people might become refugees as a result of the conflict.
Hundreds of Ukrainians have been leaving the country, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern about the impact of the war on children.
UNICEF’s spokesperson James Elder says parents are trying to protect children, however, it is a difficult task given everything happening in the country:
Further sanctions against Russia
The United Kingdom has announced further sanctions against Russia.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said lock Russia’s Sberbank (SBER.MM) out of sterling clearing and it will impose sanctions on three other banks. He adds that there would be a full asset freeze on Russian lenders within days.
Sanctions on Russia have seen global shares slide and oil prices jumped.
The United States also on Monday imposed sanctions on Russia’s central bank and other sources of wealth.
The measures block Americans from engaging in any transactions involving Russia’s central bank, finance ministry, or national wealth fund.
Below is a map showing countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia:
