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Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden met to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including financial assistance and sanctions against Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also declared that Western sanctions and the imposition of a no-fly zone amounted to a declaration of war, as his forces continued their onslaught towards the crucial Ukrainian city of Mariupol after a ceasefire agreed to allow civilian evacuations failed to take effect.
“Any movement in this direction will be interpreted by us as that country’s participation in an armed conflict,” Putin said.
Despite an escalating bombardment that had flattened more infrastructure and sent nearly 1.4 million civilians fleeing for their lives, Zelensky claimed that the Western military alliance’s “no” to a no-fly zone on day 10 of the invasion had effectively given “the green light for further bombing of Ukrainian cities and villages.”
Mariupol, a vital city, proudly withstood Moscow-backed separatists during a 2014 fight, but the Azoz sea port has been without electricity, food, and water for days in the depth of winter, and people have begun to prepare for departure.
Officials said the city’s 450,000-strong population may begin to escape by bus and private automobiles after Russia’s defence ministry declared a ceasefire in order to provide a humanitarian passage out of the war’s heaviest clashes.
Since Putin’s army invaded Ukraine on February 24, Russia has bombarded Ukrainian cities, killing hundreds of civilians, according to officials. Europe’s largest atomic power station has even been attacked, raising fears of a catastrophic nuclear accident.
Canada advises its nationals to leave Russia.
Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Canada called on its citizens to avoid any travel to Russia on Saturday, and Canadians in Russia to leave the country.
In an update to its travel advice, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its citizens to “avoid all travel to Russia owing to the effects of the military conflict with Ukraine.”
“If you are in Russia, you should leave as soon as commercial routes are open,” the warning continued. Ottawa had previously issued a warning to its citizens to avoid making unnecessary visits to Russia.
