A senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that Ukraine is not "willing to give up any territory".

Speaking on the eve of further talks between Russia and Ukraine, Alexander Rodnyansky said "now the pressure is on Russia".

"Clearly, they cannot sustain this war for years and their morale is so low they can't even keep up their supplies and logistics," he said.

Mr Rodnyansky, who is also an assistant professor of economics at Cambridge University, said Ukraine would not sacrifice its "territorial integrity".

He suggested a "more concrete" version of the "Budapest memorandum" - which gave Ukraine security assurances - would be necessary to achieve peace.

"The Budapest memorandum was supposed to guarantee our security in return for giving up nuclear weapons in the 90s.

"It would have to be something along those lines, where steps would be specified, which countries exactly would act in what way if your security is threatened."

But he warned that the potential involvement of Nato countries in such a pact would be a "delicate issue".

"That's why the negotiations aren't easy, because you wouldn't want to trigger Article 5, essentially, pulling all of Nato into a conflict with Russia.

"That's [what] the Nato countries don't want to happen and that's why negotiations are still ongoing."

Image source, Reuters

Novaya Gazeta, Russia's last remaining established independent media outlet, says it will pause its online and print activities until the end of Russia's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The newspaper says , externalit has had a second warning from Russia's state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, today.

The outlet received its first caution over labelling on 22 March, the same day its editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, said he was auctioning his Nobel Peace Prize medal to raise money for Ukrainian refugees.

Two warnings from Roskomnadzor can lead to media outlets losing their licence in Russia.

Novaya Gazeta took part in the Russian media interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday, but did not publish the material.

Russia’s media watchdog had warned of possible consequences if they published it.

Journalists in Russia have come under unprecedented pressure from the authorities since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK government's response to the Ukraine refugee crisis was “completely wrong” and they have acted “too slowly, they are too mean”.

"They’ve still got this DIY package really, which is all over the place, where we hear the refugees who were supposed to be on their way here still haven’t got visas and clearance," he told LBC radio.

He said the government should have gone "further and faster" on imposing sanctions.

He added that he would not be able to offer his home to a Ukrainian refugee because of “practical issues” linked to his political role.

He acknowledged the "generosity of the British public" after hundreds of thousands of people in the UK applied to a scheme which will let them host refugees in their homes.

As of 27 March, 21,600 Ukrainians have been granted visas, external under a scheme for refugees with family links to the UK, the Home Office said.

Why Putin wants a neutral Ukrainepublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 28 March 2022

13:20 BST 28 March 2022

Paul Kirby
BBC News Online Europe editor

Image source, EPA

Since Ukraine achieved independence in 1991, as the Soviet Union collapsed, it has gradually veered towards the West - both the EU and Nato.

Russia's leader Vladimir Putin aims to reverse that, seeing the fall of the Soviet Union as the "disintegration of historical Russia". He has claimed Russians and Ukrainians are one people and denied Ukraine its long history: "Ukraine never had stable traditions of genuine statehood," he asserted.

It was his pressure on Ukraine's pro-Russian leader, Viktor Yanukovych, not to sign a deal with the European Union in 2013 that led to protests that ultimately ousted the Ukrainian president in February 2014.

Russia then seized Ukraine's southern region of Crimea and triggered a separatist rebellion in the east and a war that claimed 14,000 lives.

As he prepared to invade in February, he tore up an unfulfilled 2015 Minsk peace deal and accused Nato of threatening "our historic future as a nation", claiming without foundation that Nato countries wanted to bring war to Crimea.

But what would Russia accept from a neutral Ukraine? Russia is considering a "neutral, demilitarised" Ukraine with its own army and navy, along the lines of Austria or Sweden, which are both EU members.

"Austria was neutral, is neutral and will remain neutral in the future too," says Chancellor Karl Nehammer, even if it is part of Nato's Partnership for Peace.

But Sweden is not neutral: it is non-aligned. It has taken part in Nato exercises and Swedes have actively discussed joining in the future.

Read more analysis of the situation here.

Image source, DSNS.GOV.UA

Russia's war on Ukraine has cost Ukraine $564.9bn (£429.3bn) so far in terms of damage to infrastructure, lost economic growth and other factors, according to Ukraine's economy minister.

The fighting has damaged or destroyed 8,000 km (4,970 miles) of roads and 10 million square metres of housing, Yulia Svyrydenko said in a social media post., external

Russia continues to say it's conducting a "special military operation" in Ukraine with the aim of demilitarising the country.

Ukraine and its Western allies have said this narrative is an excuse for an unprovoked invasion.

Steve Rosenberg
BBC Russia editor

Image source, EPA

Russian officials deny there is censorship in Russia. Only laws that need to be obeyed.

In fact, under the country’s constitution, censorship is forbidden.

But in recent months freedom of speech and information in Russia have been under attack.

When state media regulator, Roskomnadzor, warned Russian media against publishing President Zelensky’s unexpected interview with four prominent Russian journalists, it did so without citing any legal basis.

That reflects the Kremlin’s determination to control the messaging about its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.

Plus, its concern that public opinion may turn against the offensive if Russians access alternative viewpoints.

Image source, Getty Images

That’s why alternative views are being silenced. In recent weeks, nearly all independent Russian news outlets – radio, TV and online – have either been blocked or shut down.

And changes to the law make spreading “fakes” about the Russian armed forces a criminal offence, punishable by up to fifteen years in prison.

Some Russians have managed to access President Zelensky’s interview online.

But in Russia television remains the most powerful tool for shaping public opinion.

And, so far, the interview hasn’t been mentioned in the TV bulletins here.

As we've been reporting, face-to-face talks between Ukraine and Russia are expected to take place this week.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has now said it's unlikely they will begin on Monday, but may start on Tuesday.

He said the Russian delegation is leaving for Turkey, which will host the talks, on Monday.

Face-to-face meetings "allow for conducting talks in a more focused, tighter and meaningful way," he said.

"Regrettably, we cannot say there have been any significant achievements or breakthroughs so far," he added.

Image source, Reuters

If you're just joining us or need a recap, here are the latest developments to bring you up to speed:

• Ukraine's deputy prime minister has said there are no plans to evacuate civilians via humanitarian corridors on Monday because of intelligence reports about possible Russian "provocations" along the routes
• The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it is still unable to get any aid into besieged Mariupol
• The southern city's mayor says it faces catastrophe and must be completely evacuated
• Ukraine and Russia are set to hold fresh peace talks in Turkey this week
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said he hopes the talks will be fruitful, but it would be counterproductive for Presidents Zelensky and Putin to meet right now
• Zelensky has said he is willing to consider Ukraine adopting a neutral status, but sovereignty and retaining territory remain priorities
• Russian forces are regrouping but they are unable to advance anywhere in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister has claimed

• Meanwhile schools in Kyiv are due to reopen online on Monday

Image source, EPA

Public sector bodies in the UK have been asked to review any contracts they have with Russian firms and consider switching suppliers.

The Cabinet Office issued guidance to hospitals, councils and other organisations across the public sector.

It urged them to look at all the ways they can go further to "sever their commercial ties to Russia".

"Public money should not fund (Vladimir) Putin's war machine," Cabinet Office Minister, Steve Barclay, said.

"The Government will continue to work closely with these organisations, ensuring they are able to take the necessary steps as quickly as possible, including taking legal routes where necessary," he said.

He added that most existing contracts were for energy and could benefit the Russian state.

Image source, Reuters

Dutch brewer Heineken has said it is pulling out of Russia, the latest in a number of Western firms which said they were leaving the country as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

"We have concluded that Heineken's ownership of the business in Russia is no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment," it said in a statement, external.

It had already halted the sale and production of its Heineken brand in Russia, as well as suspended new investments and exports to the country earlier this month.

It added it would not profit from any transfer of ownership and anticipated a charge of €400m (£333m) as a result of the transfer.

Other Western firms which have closed up shop in Russia include Ikea, Coca-Cola and MacDonald's.

Image source, Getty Images

Russian forces are regrouping but they are unable to advance anywhere in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister has claimed.

Hanna Malyar said that Russian forces were trying to reinforce positions they already hold and were trying to break through the defences of Kyiv but had "no hope of capturing the capital".

"As of today, the enemy is regrouping its forces, but they cannot advance anywhere in Ukraine," she told a briefing.

A number of Russian military units have returned to Belarus through Chernobyl to regroup amid mounting losses, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (GSAFU) said in a Facebook post., external

It added that the units could return to strengthen attempts to encircle the capital Kyiv.

Image source, EPA

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to exchange views on the war in Ukraine right now, would be "counterproductive".

Speaking to Serbian media outlets, Lavrov added that any meeting between the two leaders should happen once the two sides are closer to agreeing on key issues.

On forthcoming talks between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey, Lavrov adds he'd like negotiations "to be fruitful".

Sergei Markov, former member of Russia's lower house the Duma and former member of President Putin's party United Russia, has been speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked whether it is wrong for a country to pursue regime change in a sovereign independent country, such as Ukraine, he says it is "normal" for a larger country to interfere with a smaller one "if this regime is regarded by them as dangerous" - which the Russian government argues Ukraine is.

"If this regime is democratic, I think it is wrong to change this regime and to impose [a] repressive regime. But if this regime [is] repressive, if this regime uses terror against its own citizens, sometimes it is a humanitarian obligation to [make a change]."

The interviewer points out this is what is happening in Russia, with leading political opponent Alexei Navalny being jailed. Markov accuses Navalny of being corrupt and of using political rhetoric against Russia: "It is normal to be criticised, but I don't think that you believe that the status of [opponents] should protect of being charged for corruption."

What does neutrality mean for Ukraine?published at 10:26 British Summer Time 28 March 2022

10:26 BST 28 March 2022

Jonah Fisher
BBC News, Lviv

Image source, Getty Images

In his interview with Russian journalists, President Volodymyr Zelensky signalled that Ukraine was now in a position to talk about neutrality if the fighting stopped.

"Security guarantees and neutrality, a non-nuclear status of our state. We are ready to go for it," he said.

On the face of it, it sounds like something of a breakthrough.

With neutrality, Ukraine would also renounce its ambition to join the security alliance Nato, one of the reasons Russia cited for launching the invasion in the first place.

But there are a number of important caveats.

Firstly, the security guarantees: President Zelensky made it clear in the interview that for a deal to work, Western countries would have to commit themselves to a "serious agreement" to support Ukraine.

Secondly, President Zelensky says Russia would have to withdraw to its pre-invasion 24 February positions. Having fought so hard to gain ground, it's very hard to see Russia agreeing to this, particularly in the south and east.

Thirdly, there's the process. If Ukraine was to adopt neutrality, President Zelensky says there would need to be a referendum and constitutional changes, which could take up to a year. Would Russian President Vladimir Putin really agree to stop fighting if the Ukrainian people could then reject the key concessions he’d extracted from President Zelensky?

And finally and most important of all, there's the unanswered question of what Russia actually wants from this war.

Is it about security and Ukraine's Nato ambitions as was first claimed? Is it about more territory in eastern Ukraine? Or is President Putin determined to permanently disable Ukraine’s ability to function as an independent sovereign nation?

Ben Tobias
BBC News

Image source, DARYA KHEIKINEN

Russian activists and journalists speaking out against their country's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine have had their homes vandalised by unknown pro-Kremlin figures.

Apartment doors have been daubed with threatening graffiti labelling the people inside a "traitor", with messages featuring the letter "Z" - a pro-Kremlin symbol of Russia's war in Ukraine.

Other examples are even more extreme. In one case, a leading Russian journalist discovered a pig's head wearing a wig on his doorstep with an anti-Semitic sticker stuck to his door.

Alexei Venediktov, the long-time editor of radio station Ekho of Moscow before it stopped broadcasting due to increased Russian censorship, posted photos of the vandalism, external, pointing out the irony of an anti-Semitic attack happening in the "country that defeated fascism".

Such vandalism is a sign of the increasingly intimidating atmosphere in Russia for those people who publicly express their opposition to the war in Ukraine.

Read more on this story.

Image source, EPA

Ukraine has no plans to open any humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from cities under siege on Monday, the Deputy Prime Minister has said.

Iryna Vereshchuk said the decision was taken because of intelligence reports warning of possible Russian "provocations" along the routes.

Safe corridors have been set up from Mariupol, Sumy and towns and villages outside the capital Kyiv which are currently surrounded or almost surrounded by Russian forces.

However, Russian shelling previously prevented the evacuation of civilians from besieged cities, throwing attempted evacuations into chaos.

Image source, .

Harriet Agerholm
Data journalist

Image source, Reuters

The UK's attorney general has appointed a war crimes lawyer to advise Ukraine over the Russian invasion.

Suella Braverman said Sir Howard Morrison would become an independent adviser to Ukraine's chief prosecutor, Iryna Venediktova.

Sir Howard served as a judge on the International Criminal Court in The Hague for more than 12 years.

It comes as Russian forces continue to be accused of violating international law by targeting civilians.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of committing war crimes after it launched air strikes in Kharkiv that hit an opera house, a concert hall and government offices.

Read more here.

The key Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe and must be completely evacuated, its mayor has said.

Around 160,000 civilians were trapped in the city without power on Monday, mayor Vadym Boichenko said.

He added that 26 buses were waiting to evacuate civilians but Russian forces had not agreed to give them safe passaage.

"The Russian Federation is playing with us," he said.

Russian forces have encircled the city, leaving civilians desperately short of water, food and medicine.

Earlier, we reported that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is still unable to get any aid into besieged Mariupol, as it requires Russia and Ukraine to guarantee safe passage.

Russia has denied targeting civilians and blames Ukraine for the repeated failure to agree on safe corridors for trapped civilians.

Lucy Williamson
BBC News, Lviv

In the besieged city of Kharkiv, Polina is fighting for her life.

She’s only five days old, and weighed just less than one-and-a-half pounds [just over 600 grams] when she was born.

Premature births like Polina’s have shot up since the war here began, according to Iryna Kondratova, director at the clinic where Polina was born.

"Infections, lack of medical help, bad nutrition: war creates a risk of premature birth," she said.

Early deliveries now account for 50% of all births at her clinic.

Not all hospitals across Ukraine are reporting a rise, but at the maternity hospital in Lviv, which has seen a recent influx of mothers from conflict zones, premature deliveries have doubled, from one in ten, to one in five.

The hospital has begun building a special underground bunker to house the babies in intensive care, in the event of air strikes.

Read more here

Image source, EPA

In an interview with the Economist, external, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has given his view on which Western European countries are helping out or not, in his country's fight against Russia:

• He strongly criticises France's President Emmanuel Macron for failing to provide military support. Why? "Because they are afraid of Russia. And that’s it. And those who say it first are the first to be afraid."

• He says the UK's Boris Johnson has been much keener to send weapons: "Yes. To be honest, Johnson is a leader who is helping more. The leaders of countries react according to how their constituents act. In this case, Johnson is an example.

"Britain wants Ukraine to win and Russia to lose, but I’m not ready to say whether Britain wants the war to drag on or not," he adds.

• Germany, meanwhile, is on the fence: "They are trying to be balanced. They have a long relationship with Russia and they are looking at the situation through the prism of the economy. They help out at times. I think they are trying to adjust to the situation as it develops.
• "They are also looking at how the situation affects their own country. They can help, if there is pressure on them domestically to do so, and they can stop when they see what they have done is sufficient."

Image source, .