The Russian defence ministry said it would allow a humanitarian corridor to be established from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia starting on Friday, Tass news agency reported, after a request to Russian President Vladimir Putin from French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Read our live blog to see how all the day's events unfolded. All times are Paris time [GMT+2].
6:05am: Governor says Russian fuel storage close to border is on fire
A fire broke out at a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Belgorod located close to the Ukrainian border, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said, two days after the province was rocked by blasts at an arms depot.
Two people were hurt in Friday's fire, Gladkov said on Telegram, and residents of three city streets were being evacuated.
5:50am: Ukraine-Russia negotiations to resume Friday
Negotiations aimed at ending the five-week war were set to resume even as Ukraine braced for further attacks in the south and east.
2:10am: RIA: Senior Russian official says confrontation with Moscow is not in EU's interest
Russia will respond to European Union sanctions and says the 27-nation bloc might realize that a confrontation with Moscow is not in its interests, RIA cited a senior foreign ministry official as saying on Friday.
"The actions of the EU will not remain unanswered ... the irresponsible sanctions by Brussels are already negatively affecting the daily lives of ordinary Europeans," Nikolai Kobrinets told the news agency.
12:15am: US: Russia is redeploying troops from Georgia to Ukraine
Russia is redeploying elements of its forces from Georgia to reinforce its invasion of Ukraine, British military intelligence said on Thursday.
"Between 1,200 and 2,000 of these Russian troops are being reorganised into 3x Battalion Tactical Groups," Britain's Ministry of Defence said.
11:30pm: Russian troops leave Ukraine's Chernobyl, take hostages
Russian troops on Tuesday vacated Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant after weeks of occupation, but took an unspecified number of captive Ukrainian servicemen with them, officials in Kyiv said on Thursday.
"As they ran away from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the Russian occupiers took members of the National Guard, whom they had held hostage since Feb 24, with them," the state nuclear agency Energoatom said in a statement on Telegram, citing plant workers.
It was unclear how many Ukrainian servicemen had been taken away.
10:10pm: US to impose more sanctions targeting Russia's defense, aerospace and maritime sectors
The U.S. Commerce Department will impose further sanctions in the coming days targeting Russia's defense, aerospace and maritime sectors, adding 120 entities from Russia and Belarus to its entity list, the White House said on Thursday.
That will bring the number of Russian and Belarusian parties added to the list to more than 200 since the invasion of Ukraine began, spokesperson Kate Bedingfield told a news conference.
10:00pm: Italy, Germany agree on importance of ongoing sanctions against Russia
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed in a phone call on the importance of keeping up sanctions against Russia, which are "proving very effective," Draghi's office said in a statement on Thursday.
The phone call between the two leaders comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to halt contracts supplying Europe with a third of its gas unless they are paid in Russian currency, his strongest economic riposte so far to crushing Western sanctions over his invasion of Ukraine.
9:15pm: Russia vows to open Mariupol humanitarian corridor on April 1
The Russian defence ministry said it would open a humanitarian corridor from the besieged city of Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia on Friday, Tass news agency reported.
It quoted Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, the director of the Russian National Center for Defense Management, as saying Moscow was acting on a request that French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had made to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
8:20pm: Putin may have placed some of his advisors 'under house arrest'
US President Joe Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be "isolated" and could have placed some of his advisors under "house arrest."
In his first public remarks on Western assessments about Kremlin tensions over the war in Ukraine, Biden also said he was "skeptical" about Moscow's claim to be scaling back its onslaught in parts of the country.
7:45pm: Rouble payment a 'last-ditch bid to prop up the Russian currency'.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "unfriendly" countries, including all EU members, will need to set up rouble accounts to pay for gas deliveries from April. FRANCE 24's international affairs editor Philip Turle sees Putin's decision as a "last-ditch bid to prop up the Russian currency".
6:30pm: Red Cross seeks assurances for safe passage of civilians as aid convoy heads to Mariupol
A convoy of buses approached the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol on Thursday to try to deliver humanitarian supplies and bring out civilians, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk and the Red Cross said. Vereshchuk said 45 buses were on their way to Mariupol after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed Russia had agreed to open a safe corridor.
In Geneva, the ICRC said its convoy was on its way but called on both sides to agree to the exact terms for the safe passage of civilians. It said that its two trucks had arrived in the city of Zaporizhzhia with aid items and medical supplies.
“For logistics and security reasons, we’ll be ready to lead the safe passage operation tomorrow, Friday, provided all the parties agree to the exact terms including the route, the start time and the duration,” ICRC spokesperson Ewan Watson said.
“It’s desperately important that this operation takes place. The lives of tens of thousands of people in Mariupol depend on it,” he said.
5:50pm: Russia bans top EU leadership
Russia's foreign ministry will expand its list of European Union figures banned from entering the country in response to sanctions imposed on Moscow over its military actions in Ukraine.
"The restrictions apply to the top leadership of the European Union including a number of European commissioners and heads of EU military structures as well as the vast majority of members of the European Parliament promoting anti-Russian policies," the ministry said in a statement.
4:55pm: Ukrainian forces 'managing to make some advances to the east of Kharkiv'
FRANCE 24's special correspondent in Kharkiv, Catherine Norris-Trent, reports that she can hear loud explosions and that fierce fighting is under way in the outskirts of the city. Ukrainian forces have managed to make some gains to the east of Kharkiv, she added:
3:50pm: Germany, France reject Putin’s demands to pay for gas in roubles as ‘blackmail’
Germany and France rejected Vladimir Putin's demand that foreign purchasers of Russian gas pay in roubles as an unacceptable breach of contract, adding that the manoeuver amounted to “blackmail”.
Germany Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Germany was prepared for all scenarios, including a stoppage of Russian gas flows to Europe. "It is important for us not to give a signal that we will be blackmailed by Putin."
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said that both nations rejected Russia’s demand and were “preparing” for the possibility that Russia would halt deliveries.
Russia on Thursday also said it had barred the European Union’s top leadership from entering the country in response to what it described as anti-Russian policies.
3:45pm: Putin says foreign buyers of Russian gas must now pay in roubles
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that "unfriendly" countries – including all EU members – will need to set up rouble accounts to pay for gas deliveries starting April 1.
"They must open ruble accounts in Russian banks. It is from these accounts that payments will be made for gas delivered starting tomorrow, April 1," Putin said in televised remarks, adding that missing payments will lead to "existing contracts being stopped".
3:15pm: Norwegian PM says Putin 'intends' to allow access to Mariupol
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him Russia would contribute to securing humanitarian access to civilians in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
During an hour-long phone call with the Russian president, Stoere said he urged Putin to end the war in Ukraine, pull out Russian troops and enable humanitarian access.
“We have very limited expectations of what could be achieved, but nothing should be left untried in the situation we are now in,” Stoere said.
Commenting on their discussions about the need for humanitarian access to civilians in the port city of Mariupol, Stoere said: “My impression is that he confirms Russia’s intention to contribute to that.”
Stoere added, however, that only actions on the ground could tell whether Russia delivers on the promises or not.
2:30pm: Foreign fighters prepare to battle
Foreign fighters are entering Ukraine to join the military resistance against the Russian offensive. FRANCE 24’s Ellen Gainsford reports on the recruitment process from Shegyni, Ukraine.
2:25pm: Ukrainian forces 'on guard for a potential renewed offensive' near Kyiv
FRANCE 24's correspondent in Kyiv says that Ukrainian forces around the capital remain on guard, as they fear that Russian troops could be preparing to resume offensive operations in the area.
12:17am: Russia has destroyed most of Ukraine's defence industry, says presidential adviser
Russia has destroyed almost all of Ukraine's defence industry, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said on Thursday in a video address where he welcomed the terms of a proposed peace deal as a win for Ukraine.
"They have practically destroyed our defence industry," Arestovych said.
He said under a peace agreement discussed with Russia on Tuesday, Ukraine would be protected from future threats by international security guarantees that Russia would not be able to veto.
"This is an ideal agreement that improves our position several times over in a fundamental way," he said.
11:51am: IAEA to monitor occupied Ukrainian nuclear plants, says Ukrainian official
The UN nuclear watchdog will establish online monitoring missions to the Russian-occupied Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants in Ukraine, the head of Ukraine's state nuclear company said on Thursday.
Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should use its influence to ensure Russian nuclear officials do not interfere in the operation of nuclear plants occupied by Russian forces that invaded Ukraine last month.
"(The IAEA) can influence this and they must influence this, and this question will be discussed," Kotin said.
11:32am: ICRC says ready to lead evacuations from Mariupol, deliver aid
Teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross are on their way to the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol with aid supplies and stand ready to evacuate civilians, it said on Thursday.
Ewan Watson, ICRC spokesperson, said Ukraine and Russia must agree on the exact terms of the operation, which is planned for Friday, adding that "tens of thousands" of lives depend on its success.
"For logistics and security reasons, we’ll be ready to lead the safe passage operation tomorrow, Friday, provided all the parties agree to the exact terms, including the route, the start time, and the duration," Watson told Reuters in Geneva.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday he was working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the return of Ukrainians who have been "abducted or forcibly relocated" to Russia.
11:25am: Some people arriving in Poland are already trying to get back to Ukraine
More than 2.3 million Ukrainians have so far crossed into Poland but as many as 380,000 people have returned to Ukraine. Some are struggling to find lodging and work in Poland while others have elderly relatives they left behind when they fled. FRANCE 24’s Ellen Gainsford reports from the border crossing at Medyka, Poland.
11:11am: Ukrainian president urges Dutch parliament to stop all trade with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday asked the Dutch parliament for weapons, reconstruction aid and to halt all business with Russia in response to the invasion of his country.
"Stronger sanctions are needed so that Russia doesn't have a chance to pursue this war further in Europe," he told lawmakers via video link. "Stop all trade with Russia."
10:46am: Ukraine's Zelensky says others may be emboldened if Russia not punished
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Australia's parliament on Thursday that Russia must be held accountable for past wrongs, warning that a failure to punish Moscow may encourage other countries to wage war against their neighbours.
Zelensky called for new and tougher sanctions to retaliate against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and suggested that years of failure to rein in the global power had emboldened Moscow.
"If we don't stop Russia now, if we don't hold Russia accountable, then some other countries of the world who are looking forward to a similar war against their neighbours will decide that such things are possible for them as well," Zelensky said in the video address, according to an official translation.
9:35am: Turkey says oligarch Abramovich 'sincerely' working to end war
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday that Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is sanctioned by European nations over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was "sincerely" working to end the war.
He has been liaising between Kyiv and Moscow since the invasion began on Feb. 24, Cavusoglu said.
Abramovich made a surprise appearance at Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul on Tuesday.
9:12am: Turkey working to bring together Ukraine, Russia foreign ministers again
Turkey is working to bring together the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers for talks after hosting peace negotiations in Istanbul this week, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, adding the meeting could happen within two weeks.
Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia held the first face-to-face talks in more than two weeks in Istanbul this week, during which Ukraine presented written proposals to stop the Russian invasion.
Speaking to broadcaster A Haber, Cavusoglu said Turkey had not seen the full implementation of the decisions from the talks in Istanbul, including the withdrawal of Russian forces from some areas, but added significant progress was still made.
9:09am: Europe must stop buying Russian oil and gas, Lithuania's president says
Europe must stop buying oil and gas from Russia and should apply new sanctions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania's president Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday.
"Europe must stop buying Russian gas and oil, because the Kremlin regime uses this money to finance destruction of Ukrainian cities and attacks on peaceful civilians," Nauseda told a joint news conference with the Danish prime minister.
"The fifth sanction package must deliver a maximum blow to the Kremlin regime," he said.
8:00am: Russian units are leaving the northern areas of Kyiv because they have been chased out, says Zelensky
The Ukrainian president said in his video address to the people last night that although some Russian units are leaving the north of Kyiv, they are not leaving as a tactical manoeuvre but because they have been chased out. FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg reports from the capital.
8:29am: Kyiv sends 45 buses to evacuate civilians from Mariupol
A convoy of Ukrainian buses set out for the southern port city of Mariupol on Thursday to try to reach trapped civilians, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.
She said the International Committee of the Red Cross had confirmed that Russia had agreed to open a humanitarian corridor to the besieged city where tens of thousands of civilians remain after weeks of Russian bombardment.
The city mayor said this week that up to 170,000 residents were trapped in Mariupol with no power and dwindling supplies.
7:31am: Eastern Ukraine braces for fresh Russian offensive
Ukrainian forces are preparing for new Russian attacks in the east of the country as Moscow deploys more troops there after suffering setbacks near the capital Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.
7:25am: UK military intelligence says Russian shelling, missile strikes continue in Chernihiv
Russian shelling and missile strikes have continued in Chernihiv despite Russian statements indicating an intended reduction of military activity around the area, British military intelligence said on Thursday.
Russian forces continue to hold positions to the east and west of Kyiv despite the withdrawal of a limited number of units, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. "Heavy fighting will likely take place in the suburbs of the city in coming days."
6:37am: Moscow announces Mariupol ceasefire
The Russian defence ministry announced a local ceasefire Thursday to allow civilians to be evacuated from Ukraine's besieged port city of Mariupol.
A humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia, via the Russian-controlled port of Berdiansk, would be opened from 10am (07:00 GMT), the ministry said Wednesday.
"For this humanitarian operation to succeed, we propose to carry it out with the direct participation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross," the ministry statement said.
The Russian ministry asked Kyiv to guarantee the "unconditional respect" for the ceasefire through written notification to the Russian side, the UNHCR and ICRC before 6am (03:00 GMT) Thursday.
6:30am: US, UK say fearful advisors misled Putin on Ukraine war
President Vladimir Putin is being misled by fearful advisors as his Ukraine invasion goes awry, with mutinous Russian troops sabotaging equipment and even accidentally shooting down their own aircraft, US and British intelligence agencies say.
The close allies, whose spies have played up Russia's failures and highlighted Kremlin divisions, said Putin's advisors were "too afraid" to tell him the full truth about battlefield reverses and the real impact of sanctions.
Hours after the White House released its withering intelligence assessment, Britain's GCHQ spy agency chief Jeremy Fleming said Thursday that the Russian leader had overestimated his military's ability to secure a rapid victory.
"We've seen Russian soldiers – short of weapons and morale – refusing to carry out orders, sabotaging their own equipment and even accidentally shooting down their own aircraft," Fleming said in a prepared speech to the Australian National University in Canberra.
"And even though Putin's advisors are afraid to tell him the truth, what's going on and the extent of these misjudgements must be crystal clear to the regime."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
