The first sign of progress was made by Russia and Ukraine in their talks, but all precautions remain. Myjaylo podolyak, the advisor to the Ukrainian government, stated that only a direct meeting of the presidents would result in a final agreement. However, he acknowledged that there was a possibility that a ceasefire might be reached within the next few days. The British newspaper «Financial Times» advanced yesterday in an exclusive that Negotiators are working out a 15-point plan, which would ensure a ceasefire as well as the withdrawal from Russian troops. As long as kyiv remains neutral, it is possible to agree to a 15-point agreement.
The draft allows Ukraine to keep its armed forces but not join military alliances with other nations. In other words, it would require Ukraine to renounce NATO membership and “host foreign military base” in exchange for the protection of countries like the United States or Turkey. In a statement that is more notable for its ability to facilitate a rapprochement, President Vlodomir Zelensky resigned Tuesday from allowing Ukraine to join NATO.
The shelling of infrastructure targets continued yesterday, with some exceptions in residential areas of cities and towns in Ukraine. Several villages on the coast of the Odessa were struck in the morning for the first time since the start of the war. Sergei Bratchuk said that the attack on Odessa region’s seaside villages was unprecedented. The sign from the regional administration’s spokesperson could be an indication of preparation for the landing of Russian troops in the Black Sea.To psychologically intimidate the Ukrainian troops and test their defenses on the shore,
Two Russian SU-30sm fighter planes were downed, according to Ukrainian authorities. Chernigiv also saw a Russian plane being shot down. Ten people were killed in a heavy artillery strike by the Russians today as they tried to sell bread. Mariupol continues to be one of the worst-hit cities. The City Council confirmed that a Russian missile struck a theater in which 1,000 people were hiding during the fighting. It was a designated area. Bombings caused the destruction of homes and property.. The bomb was not accessible because of the ruin of the theater.
Five people were killed when two residential buildings and the market in Kharkiv were attacked. Another school in the area was also damaged. According to emergency services, 500 people were killed by shelling over the three weeks following the invasion.
Partly collapsed a 12-story residential building in Kyiv. Although no deaths were reported however, several people were hurt and had to be evacuated. One bomb exploded 300m from the largest child’s hospital in Ukraine, and blew out part of the building’s windows. In the Ukrainian capital, the curfew imposed yesterday by the city’s mayor, Vitali Klichkó, ”before a possible escalation” and the visit of the leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, continues. It is expected that it will continue until 7 AM today. Two million people are hiding underground, in subway stations and at home. Some of these people are still faced with the dilemma of spreading the pandemic in densely populated shelters or staying in their homes and risking being killed by shelling.
Despite airstrikes and reports that the Russians are trying to encircle Kiev, kyiv remains strong and is not in danger. According to the Ukrainian military claims, it has inflicted severe damage on Russian forces during the day. It also struck back in certain directions, including near Mykolaiv in south and Severodonetsk, in the Donetsk area. The Russians want to keep the positions they have so far.
Mariupol has the worst situation, with heavy fighting throughout the city. Some 20,000 people managed to flee the city in their private cars. Some have made it safely to their destination. Russian troops continue to block the humanitarian convoy carrying 12 tons of food and water for the residents of the city. Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minster, also stated in a video that Russian forces held control of Mariupol’s hospital Tuesday night and that 400 staff and patients were being held hostage.
Analysts believe that the success of the Ukrainian resistance depends on how effective Western sanctions against Russia’s economic collapse. Europe continues to pour money into Russia as more sanctions are imposed each day in return for oil and gas. China claims it has not yet agreed to provide military assistance to Russia.
Qin Gang, the Chinese ambassador to the US, stated yesterday that war in Ukraine was detrimental to China, and that he would have done all he could to stop it if he knew President Putin’s intentions. Many find this hard to believe, given the “iron ties” between the countries and the fact that Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in person just a couple of weeks ago.