Ukraine-Russia Talks Kick Off on Belarus Border
Ukraine’s top officials have sat down with Russian diplomats to tackle the brewing crisis. Anton Geraschenko, adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, told ITV News the talks began Sunday around 3:30pm. Earlier, the Ukrainian president’s office confirmed the envoy meeting at the Ukraine-Belarus border.
EU Slams Door on Russian Jets and Media
In a bold move, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared the EU will for the first time fund the purchase and delivery of weapons to a nation under attack – Ukraine.
But that’s not all. Von der Leyen announced three sharp new sanctions targeting Russia and Belarus:
- Ban on Russian aircraft: “We are shutting down the EU airspace for Russians,” she said. All Russian-owned, registered, or controlled planes – including oligarchs’ private jets – are now banned from EU skies, groundings, or flyovers.
- Crackdown on Kremlin propaganda: Russia’s state media giants RT and Sputnik and their affiliates will be silenced to stop the spread of “lies” backing Putin’s war.
- Expanded sanctions on Belarus: Targeting Belarusian sectors and exports, punishing Lukashenko’s regime for aiding Russia’s brutal strike on Ukraine.
BP Ditches Russian Oil Stake Amid Invasion
Following Russia’s rampage in Ukraine, oil giant BP is scrapping its 19.75% stake in Russian state firm Rosneft immediately. CEO Bernard Looney and fellow director Bob Dudley are also quitting Rosneft’s board.
BP’s statement condemned Russia’s invasion, saying it forced a “fundamental rethink” of its Rosneft ties.
