Vladimir Putin threatened to deprive Ukraine of “statehood”

According to a Facebook post by the Ukrainian General Staff on Sunday, the Russian army continued its offensive, “concentrating its main efforts on encircling the cities of Kyiv, Kharkov (east) and Nikolaev (south).” The situation in Mariupol is “very difficult” due to a “humanitarian blockade” and heavy bombing, the mayor of the strategic port said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett began mediation between Russia and Ukraine by visiting Moscow and then Berlin and speaking by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. So far, he has not joined the chorus of international condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the strong ties that unite Israel with Moscow and Kiev.

Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia would consider an ally any country attempting to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, a statement by Kyiv that NATO rejected. He said that the sanctions imposed against his country amounted to a “declaration of war” and warned of Ukraine’s possible loss of its “statehood” if the Ukrainian authorities did not change their policy.

The third round of talks between Ukraine and Russia will take place on Monday, David Arakhamia, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, said on Saturday.

The UN Security Council will meet again urgently on Monday at 9 pm (Paris time) on a humanitarian crisis at the request of the United States and Albania.

Global credit card giants Visa and Mastercard announced the suspension of operations in Russia.