There are renewed calls for the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to help get trapped civilians out of war-torn areas of Ukraine.
Catch up on the latest developments with our blog.
Key events
Live updates
By Michael Doyle
That is all for the blog today
We are closing the Ukraine-Russia war blog for today.
Thank-you to those who read the blog this Monday.
You can stay up-to-date with the latest news online or on the ABC News app.
Goodbye.
By Michael Doyle
No EU agreement on Russian energy embargo according to German newspaper
There is insufficient support from European Union members for a complete embargo or punitive tariff on Russian oil and gas imports, the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell says according to German newspaper Die Welt.
"At the moment, we in the EU do not have a unified position on this question," Borrell told the newspaper.
Borrell said the topic will be discussed at the next EU summit due at the end of next month and that he did not expect any decision on the matter before then.
"A final proposal for an embargo on oil and gas is not yet on the table," he said.
By Michael Doyle
Peter Dutton compares Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler
By foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has marked Anzac Day by invoking the spectre of Nazi Germany and declaring that Australia can only preserve peace by preparing for war.
Mr Dutton also directly compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler and again suggested China was on a similar path to Germany in the 1930s in the lead up to World War II.
Mr Dutton made the comments on Channel Nine when he was asked about the Prime Minister's warning during an Anzac Day service in Darwin about an emerging "arc of autocracy" — a clear reference to China and Russia that Scott Morrison has used repeatedly in recent speeches.
"The only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war, and to be strong as a country" Mr Dutton told Channel 9.
"Not to cower or be on bended knee or be weak. That's the reality.
"People like Hitler and others aren't just a figment of our imagination or that they're consigned to history. We have in President Putin somebody at the moment who is willing to kill women and children. And that's happening in the year 2022."
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine again says it is having high-level talks with the US
The US secretaries of state and defence met on Sunday night with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Yes, they're meeting with the president. Let's hope something will be decided on further help," Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych told Russian lawyer and activist Mark Feygin on his YouTube show, Feygin Live.
The United States has not yet commented.
Zelenskyy's meeting with US officials took place as Ukrainians and Russians observed Orthodox Easter.
Speaking from Kyiv's ancient St. Sophia Cathedral, Zelenskyy highlighted the holiday's significance to a nation wracked by nearly two months of war.
"The great holiday today gives us great hope and unwavering faith that light will overcome darkness, good will overcome evil, life will overcome death, and therefore Ukraine will surely win," he said.
By Michael Doyle
It is 5.15am in Ukraine
It is early Monday morning in Ukraine.
Calls for a ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter were not accepted as Ukraine officials say roughly 1,000 people are trapped in Mariupol.
Ukraine says it is "disappointed" after Austria's Foreign Minister said it should not be offered membership into the European Union.
Top US officials are reportedly in Kyiv, holding talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine 'disappointed' as Austria says besieged nation shouldn't be offered EU membership
Ukraine has been left disappointed after Austria's Foreign Minister said the country should not be offered membership to the European Union.
Speaking at the 14th European Media Summit in Lech, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said alternative paths should be considered instead of Ukraine receiving candidate status in June.
A Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson has called the comments "strategically short-sighted".
Read more on this story by reporter Shiloh Payne about Austria saying Ukraine should not be offered EU membership.
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
EU preparing more sanctions against Russia, according to reports
The European Union is preparing "smart sanctions" against Russian oil imports, The Times reported on Monday.
European Commission's executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said the measures must minimise damage to Europe while punishing Russia for its war in Ukraine.
"We are working on a sixth sanctions package and one of the issues we are considering is some form of an oil embargo," he told The Times.
"When we are imposing sanctions, we need to do so in a way that maximises pressure on Russia while minimising collateral damage on ourselves."
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine's struggle recognised during Anzac Day commemorations
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Deputy Leader Richard Marles have both mentioned the war in Ukraine while speaking in Darwin this morning.
"On this particular day, as we honour those who fought for our liberty and freedom, we stand with the people of Ukraine who do the same thing at this very moment," Mr Morrison said.
Reuters is reporting New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Russia's invasion of Ukraine shows peace cannot be taken for granted.
"In New Zealand, we may feel a great distance from this conflict, but we are all inextricably linked to what it represents," Ms Ardern said.
The Ukraine flag was flown during an Anzac Day dawn service at Auckland Museum.
By Michael Doyle
Religious leaders speak out against war
Pope Francis has called for an end to the war.
"Stop the attacks in order to help the exhausted population. Stop," the pontiff said.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew — the spiritual head of Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide — called for humanitarian corridors in Mariupol and other areas of Ukraine, where he said "an indescribable human tragedy is unfolding".
By Michael Doyle
Calls grow for passage to safety for Ukraine residents
There are renewed calls for the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors, to help get trapped civilians out of war-torn Ukraine.
Aid organisations are bracing for a surge in refugees making their way to Romania and Moldova, as Russian attacks target Ukraine's south.
Chief executive of World Vision Australia Daniel Wordsworth, says the humanitarian response is focused on trying to reach those stuck in Ukraine.
"This gigantic movement of people is really quite shocking and the situation is still worse for those who are stuck in cities like Mariupol — perhaps in the future, Odesa — there just aren't the safe corridors to need to have in place to get civilians out of this conflict," he said.
By Michael Doyle
Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with his Turkish counterpart
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he discussed the need for the immediate evacuation of civilians from the southern city of Mariupol with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
On Sunday, Ukraine proposed a "special" round of negotiations with Russia to discuss the fate of the civilians and Ukrainian troops still trapped in the city. Moscow has yet to respond publicly.
Mr Erdogan said Turkey was ready to assist Ukraine's negotiations with Russia.
The aim of the talks would be to establish an immediate ceasefire in Mariupol as well as "multi-day" humanitarian corridors and the freeing, or swapping, of Ukrainian fighters trapped in the plant, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Retouch said.
By Michael Doyle
Finding out what happened in Mariupol depends on people like Nouri
Reporting by Emily Clark
For 22 days, Nouri Jabarov and his family lived in a Mariupol basement, catching and eating pigeons to survive and waiting for a break in the bombing and shelling to brave the street in search of water.
During one of those runs to a nearby well, Nouri said he witnessed three of his neighbours die.
Mariupol residents who have escaped have told the ABC Russian soldiers searched their phones, deleting any images or videos from inside the city.
But Mr Jabarov was prepared.
"They searched, but I did a smart thing. I had a flash card in my phone. So I uploaded all the videos and photos there and removed everything from the phone memory. And the flash card, I hid it in my shoe, under an insole," he said.
Read more of this story by clicking this link.
Warning: This article contains images and details readers might find distressing.
By Michael Doyle
US President says support will continue for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has taken to social media to reinforce his country's support for Ukraine.
"Two months after Putin launched an unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine, Kyiv still stands," Mr Biden said.
"President Zelenskyy and his democratically-elected government remain in power.
"We will continue to support Ukrainians in their fight to defend their homeland."
By Michael Doyle
Images show Orthodox Easter celebrations across Ukraine
Photographers from The Associated Press have documented Orthodox Easter celebrations in Ukraine, as war continues in their country.
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine's President thanks the United States for its leadership
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is grateful for the "leadership" and "friendship" of the United States and its President Joe Biden.
It comes after reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Ukraine.
By Michael Doyle
By Michael Doyle
Ukraine expected to ask the US for more weapons in their fight against Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to press the US for more powerful weapons during high-level talks in Kyiv.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reportedly in Kyiv, according to Ukraine.
In comments made on Sunday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was looking for the Americans to supply arms and security guarantees.
"You can't come to us empty-handed today, and we are expecting not just presents or some kind of cakes, we are expecting specific things and specific weapons,'' he said.
By Michael Doyle
Russian forces attempt to take steel plant, Ukraine says
European Correspondent Nick Dole in Kyiv
Ukraine says Russian forces have tried to storm the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol – one of last strongholds of resistance in the city.
Ukrainian officials say the situation is critical.
There are many wounded soldiers who are running out of ammunition, food and medicine.
By Michael Doyle
Calls for ceasefire over Orthodox Easter ignored
European Correspondent Nick Dole in Kyiv
There has been more bombardment of the city of Mariupol – despite calls for a ceasefire for Orthodox Easter.
The calls for ceasefire comes as residents continue to be trapped in cities in Ukraine's south and east.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zeklenskyy, has given an Easter message asking for God to protect his country.
