ukraine

Residential and shopping district being targeted in Kyiv

• Kyiv mayor is reporting

Russia's Defense Ministry: Calls on Ukraine's 'nationalists' in Mariupol to lay down arms

• Offers safe passage out on March 21

Russian negotiator offers a moderately positive assessment

• Comments from Medinsky

Kremlin says Ukrainian delegation hasn't shown willingness to speed up negotiations

• Some finger pointing

Ukranian presidential aide says talks with Russia progressing slowly

• Comments from Presidential aide Zhovkva

US President Biden and China's President Xi will speak on Friday 18 March 2022, 9am US ET

• 1300 GMT

China's foreign ministry: China, Russia met on March 17 to discuss security cooperation

US media report Putin has placed some of his intelligence officials under house arrest

• As always, treat reports such as this with the knowledge that truth can be a scarce commodity during war

Australia says it has now covered the majority of Russia's banking assets with sanctions

• Australia's foreign minister statement

UK Defence ministry update on Russia's war on Ukraine, highlight Russian logistic problems

• The UK Ministry of Defence

UK PM Boris Johnson said to be open to attending European Council meeting next week

• Just don't mention the Brexit I guess?

More on the potential of a Russian debt default

• Reports re that coupon payments on Russian sovereign bonds due this week were received by correspondent bank JPMorgan

S&P lowers Russia rating even further

• Russia's rating has been cut to CC from CCC- by S&P and may be cut further (i.e. still on negative watch)

Russian media report that Zelensky and Putin 'could' meet, in 'coming weeks'

• Don't hold your breath

Russia warns Bosnia and Herzegovina against joining NATO

• Russia warning on Bosnia