Ukraine: Nato has warned Russia not to use chemical weapons in Ukraine ahead of Thursday’s emergency meeting and pledged additional support, including cybersecurity assistance, to Kyiv. As the conflict in Ukraine enters its 29th day, Kyiv and Moscow have reached an agreement to establish nine humanitarian corridors. Germany on Thursday hinted at the possibility of keeping coal plants open longer as a ‘security backup’ amid the Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and Western allies opened the first of three summits on Thursday focused on increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over his war in Ukraine while tending to the economic and security fallout spreading across Europe and the world.
UK government has decided to impose sanctions on 59 more Russian firms and individuals over the Ukraine war. The UK has already imposed a 35% tariff on Russian imports, including vodka. Britain will also deny Russia and its ally Belarus access to Most Favoured Nation tariffs under World Trade Organization rules.
As of today, the UK has sanctioned more than 500 Russian individuals and entities. This includes travel bans and asset freezes on 18 oligarchs with a combined worth of over 30 billion pounds, including Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, as well as Putin himself and his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.
More than half of all children in Ukraine have been displaced from their homes since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24th, the United Nations said on Thursday. Apple has banned the use of Russian Mir cards in Apple Pay. Mir is a Russian payment system for electronic fund transfers. It was established by the Central Bank of Russia.