Russian irredentism

"The sanctions are designed to persuade Russia to end the conflict as soon as possible. The freezing of the assets of the Central Bank of Russia is an unprecedented move by the international community, as it will have serious difficulties in spending its huge savings to finance this war."

This was stated to bTV today by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Daniel Lorer.

A Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus for talks with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters, citing the Interfax news agency.

Peskov said the delegation included representatives of Russia's foreign and defense ministries, as well as representatives of President Vladimir Putin's administration.

US President Joe Biden has left for Delaware, where he is expected to meet with his security team.

White House spokesman Jen Psaki confirmed that the United States is joining its European allies and will impose sanctions directly on Russian President Vladimir Putin, the foreign minister and members of the Russian Security Council.

Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine's capital on Feb. 26, and street fighting broke out as city officials urged residents to take shelter. The country's president refused an American offer to evacuate, insisting that he would stay. "The fight is here," he said.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sent prices sky-rocketing

The Council of Europe has suspended Russia's membership, the BBC reported.

In accordance with the Statute of the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers decided to suspend the rights of the Russian Federation's representation in the Committee and in the Parliamentary Assembly.

The reason is the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia is ready to send a delegation for talks with Ukraine in Minsk. This was announced by the spokesman of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Dmitry Peskov, on Friday, BTA reports.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said he was ready for talks. He called on his Russian counterpart to sit down at the negotiating table to stop the loss of human lives.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Friday voiced deep concern about the security situation on her country's border caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed that Moscow is ready for negotiations on Ukraine if the Ukrainian army puts down its weapons

The West and its institutions, particularly NATO, should have taken more decisive steps on the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian crisis, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, stressing that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky needs more concrete support than advices from Western capitals.