After over two weeks since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two nations held the fourth round of talks on Monday, 14 March, via video conferencing. The peace talks will continue on 15 March.
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address US lawmakers virtually on 16 March, according to a letter from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, AFP reported.
This comes a day after Russia increased its shelling, while Ukraine presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych informed on Monday, that "more than 2,500 residents of the Black Sea port city of Mariupol have been killed since Russian invaded Ukraine".
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that residents of Mariupol face a “worst-case scenario” unless Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement to ensure their immediate safety and access to humanitarian aid.
In a video address late on Sunday, Zelenskyy urged NATO to close the skies above Ukraine, saying that if a no-fly zone was not implemented, it will "only be a matter of time before Russian missiles fall on your territory, on NATO territory, on the homes of NATO citizens".
In the backdrop of Russia increasing its air strikes on Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a high-level meeting to review India's security readiness
An American journalist was shot dead and another wounded in Irpin in Kyiv on Sunday
The Russian military has reportedly appointed a new mayor in Melitopol following the alleged kidnapping of former mayor Ivan Fedorov
Ministry of External Affairs announced that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine will be relocated to Poland
About 1,25,000 people have been safely evacuated through humanitarian corridors from multiple war zones across Ukraine
'Russia Continues To Occupy Parts of Georgia': US at UNSC
United States at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing claimed that Russia continues to occupy parts of Georgia and that it also maintains its force in Moldova without host government concern.
US further reaffirmed its "strong and unwavering commitment to OSEC's special monitoring mission that is forced to temporarily suspend its work in Ukraine."
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Strike On a TV Tower Kills Nine
A strike took place on a TV tower in Ukraine's west killing nine people, regional authorities were quoted by AFP.
Consistent in Calling for an End to All Hostilities in Ukraine: India at UNSC
India's Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the United Nations, R Ravindra, said at a UN Security Council briefing that India has been consistent in calling for an immediate end to all hostilities in Ukraine.
He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly called for an urgent ceasefire, adding that there is no other path left but of dialogue and diplomacy.
"The human toll continues to mount and the humanitarian situation has become dire. India undertook intensive and immediate steps to evacuate its nationals. So far, 22,500 Indians have returned home safely. We are grateful to all our partners for their support," he added.
Stating to be in touch with the Russian Federation and Ukraine, India further called for direct contacts and negotiations with a view to cease hostilities.
Ravindra added that India continues to underline the need to respect the UN Charter, international law, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the States.
Will Allocate Additional $40 Million for Humanitarian Assistance for Ukraine: UN
Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres announced on Monday, "The United Nations will allocate a further $40 million from its central emergency response fund to ramp up humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, where millions of people face hunger and dwindling water and medicine supplies," AFP reported.
Guterres added, "I am in close contact with a number of countries, including India, Israel, China, Turkey, France and Germany on mediation efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine."