Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking Odessa, Moscow-Kiev talks deadlocked

“The Russian side attacked an apartment complex on the outskirts of the city of Odessa, Ukraine, located near the Black Sea, marking the first time such an attack has happened here,” Trukhanov told Al Jazeera news agency. today (March 21).

A commercial center in Kiev, Ukraine was destroyed by the fighting. Photo: AP

“No casualties were reported from the attack. However, the apartment building later caught fire. It is the residence of peaceful people,” added Mayor Odessa.

Russia-Ukraine negotiations stagnate

Al Jazeera correspondent Hashem Ahelbarra said that the peace talks between Moscow and Kiev taking place today did not make any progress. The main reason is due to disagreement on important issues raised by the two sides.

“The Russian delegation wants Ukraine to recognize the Crimean peninsula as Russia’s, and asks Kiev to consider the Lugansk and Donetsk regions as independent countries,” said Ahelbarra.

“Next, the Russian side wants the idea of ​​Ukraine to keep neutrality to be realized, as well as to have certain guarantees that Kiev will never think about the idea of ​​joining the Northern Treaty Organization. Atlantic Ocean (NATO). Russian diplomats say that NATO’s expansion to the east is always a major security concern that has never been resolved,” added Al Jazeera.

EU warns of child trafficking in Ukraine

Officials in the European Union (EU) today had to warn that the risk of Ukrainian children displaced by the war is in “danger from human trafficking rings”.

“There are currently a large number of Ukrainian children orphans or babies born without parental care due to the escalation of hostilities. This increases the risk that children will be kidnapped or become victims of child trafficking rings. That’s a huge risk,” said EU official Ylva Johansson.

Lithuania comes up with a plan to reduce its dependence on Russian energy

“Gas pipeline from Poland, undersea energy pipeline from Sweden, energy synchronization system with the whole continent of Europe. That’s what we prepare to live without relying on energy from Russia,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told Al Jazeera.

“We are ready to use oil from other countries, Lithuania’s energy synchronization will soon be complete and will be a good example for Europe,” added Mr. Nauseda.

>>> Update Russia – Ukraine war today

Tuan Tran