Most of these latest bits of news below were taken after watching this morning's BBC News.
Talks between the ministers on both sides are being held in Turkey. It was the first time that the ministers of both sides met face to face. There were hopes of a 24-hour ceasefire.
However, the talks have stalled. Ukrainian officials feel that Russia's demands are nothing short of being tantamount to total surrender.
There are reports that Russia continues to target civilian populations, particularly in Mariupol, where there were more such attacks today. There were reports yesterday of what western media and governments are calling a war crime, and which President Zelensky suggested was an atrocity. However, Russia itself calls these lies and utter nonsense, just western propaganda. They maintain that these are military targets, that the hospital in particular, for example, was being used for military purposes, with snipers on the roof and a bunker underneath.
Russia has confirmed that they have used thermobaric weapons, also known as vacuum bombs. These are weapons which release smaller, cluster bombs on their targets. Videos had already confirmed that these had been used, even before Russian officials had confirmed their use. American officials are warning that Russia may be preparing to use chemical weapons.
In the United Kingdom, there is a program underway that will allow holders of Ukrainian passports or national identification cards to get visas gaining access into the country
The United States backed down from a plan that would have allowed Polish fighter jets dating back to the Soviet Union to be transported into Ukraine to help them fight Russian air power.
American Vice-President Kamala Harris was in Warsaw, Poland, today to meet with Andrzej Duda. Harris reiterated the traditional, close ties, both historical and cultural, between the two countries, particularly stressing the number of Polish immigrants in the United States. Harris reiterated that the United States will continue to provide support for the Ukrainian cause against Russia. The United States will be sending Patriot missiles to Poland.
Oil prices keep varying wildly. The prices went down briefly earlier today, after reports that oil production would be stepped up. However, the prices spiked back up after these reports failed to be confirmed.
In Russia, the economy continues to take a hit. The Russian Ruble fell to 119 rubles to $1 US, although it made up some ground since. Before the invasion, the rubles was about 80 rubles to $1 US.
Ruble Plummets in Face of Western Sanctions SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA by Felix Richter, Mar 3, 2022:
https://www.statista.com/chart/26944/valuation-of-the-russian-ruble-against-the-us-dollar/
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