Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators are suspected to have been hit by poisoning, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, 28 March.
Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn claimed on Monday, that Ukrainian forces had seized back control of the town, one of the main hotspots of fighting with Russian troops near Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced in a post on Facebook that the country had no plans to open any humanitarian corridors on Monday, due to concerns about safety.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Russian forces had turned the city of Mariupol "into dust" and described the current humanitarian situation in the city as "catastrophic."
Ukrainian military claims Russia has withdrawn troops that were surrounding Kyiv after suffering significant losses
Russia has confirmed that Ukrainian and Russian negotiators will begin peace talks in Turkey this week
Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs says Russian forces have turned the besieged city of Mariupol "into dust"
The nuclear research sector in Kharkiv was attacked by Russian forces
Lviv, 40 miles from the Polish border, was targeted with missiles as Biden was speaking in Warsaw
Thousands of people gathered in central London to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine
The Kremlin reissued the threat of nuclear weapons
UN Chief Guterres Appeals for Humanitarian Ceasefire
Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said on Monday that he has directed the world body’s aid chief, Martin Griffiths, “to explore with the parties involved” the possibility of a humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine.
Speaking at the UN's headquarters in New York, “Since the beginning of the Russian invasion one month ago, the war has led to the senseless loss of thousands of lives, the displacement of 10 million people, mainly women and children, the systematic destruction of essential infrastructure and skyrocketing food and energy prices worldwide – this must stop."
“But let’s be clear, the solution to this humanitarian tragedy is not humanitarian, it is political,” he added.
“I am therefore appealing for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow for progress in serious political negotiations aimed at reaching a peace agreement based on the principles of the United Nations charter,” Guterres was quoted as saying.
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Roman Abramovich, Ukrainian Peace Negotiators Poisoned: Report
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators have reportedly been hit by suspected poisoning, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The Chelsea FC owner was reportedly poisoned just weeks ago after a meeting in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv whilst he acted as a a 'peacemaker' in the Russian war in Ukraine.
Investigative website Bellingcat has tweeted, "Bellingcat can confirm that three members of the delegation attending the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of 3 to 4 March 2022 experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons."
The billionaire and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian team developed symptoms that included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands, the WSJ reported.
'5,000 People Dead in Mariupol Since Invasion Began'
At least 5,000 people have died in Mariupol since start of the Russian invasion, a Ukraine official told AFP.
US Proposes $6.9 Billion to Aid Ukraine
United States President Joe Biden has proposed $6.9 billion to aid Ukraine against Russia and bolster NATO.