Ukraine-Russia ceasefire talks begin

Ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials began on the Belarusian border, Monday as Russia faced deepening economic isolation 4 days after invading Ukraine.  

The talks are being held on the border with strong Russian ally Belarus, which has become a launch pad for Russian troops.  

Talks began with the aim of an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces, the Ukrainian president’s office said. Russia has been cagier about the talks, with the Kremlin declining to comment on Moscow’s aim.  
It was not clear whether any progress could be achieved after Russian President Vladimir Putin put Russia’s nuclear-armed units on high alert on Sunday.  

Blasts were heard, Monday in the capital Kyiv and in the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian authorities said. But Russian ground forces’ attempts to capture major urban centres had been repelled, they added.  

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had taken over the towns of Berdyansk and Enerhodar in Ukraine’s southeastern region as well as the area around Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, Interfax reported.   

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said 102 civilians in Ukraine have been killed since Thursday, with a further 304 wounded, but the real figure is feared to be “considerably higher”.  

Partners in the U.S.-led NATO defence alliance were providing Ukraine with air-defence missiles and anti-tank weapons, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.  
KYIV/MOSCOW, Feb 28 Reuters

U.N. Security Council calls rare General Assembly session on Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 27 Reuters   
 The United Nations Security Council on Sunday called for a rare emergency special session of the 193-member General Assembly on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which will be held on Monday, as western allies step up a diplomatic campaign to isolate Moscow.   

The vote by the 15-member council was procedural so Russia could not wield its veto. A resolution convening the General Assembly session was adopted with 11 yes votes. Russia voted no, while China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained.   

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged Russia on Sunday to tone down its “dangerous rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons.”