Russia And Ukraine Will Both Lose Big If The War Lasts A Long Time

Paramedics assist a woman who was injured by gunfire at the site of a residential district of Kyiv, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 18, 2022. (Photo: ANTARA/REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/WSJ/sad)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for meaningful talks with Russia to halt the invasion, as Moscow said it was "tightening the siege" around the main port of Mariupol.

Diplomacy

US President Joe Biden warned Chinese President Xi Jinping of "consequences", which the White House said could include sanctions, if Beijing provided material support for Russia. Both sides called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in its fourth week.

Ukraine expects progress in its bid for EU membership within months, Zelenskiy said after a telephone conversation with the EU's chief executive, Ursula von der Leyen.

Battle

As the protracted offensive has reduced most of Mariupol to rubble, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it had "temporarily" lost access to the Sea of Azov, which connects to the Black Sea and would be a huge loss for Ukraine.

"Russian forces have made minimal progress this week," Britain said.

Britain said Russia's efforts to encircle Kiev and Mykolaiv had been pushed back while Russian missile fire against the besieged cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Mariupol continued.

Civilian Victims

The United Nations human rights office reported 816 confirmed civilian deaths. Kiev officials said 222 people had died in the capital, including 60 civilians and four children.

Ukraine's food supply chain is being cut and the conflict is leading to "increasing hunger" around the world, the UN food aid agency has warned.

The flow of people across the border from Ukraine has slowed but could pick up again if conditions in the west of the country deteriorate, the UN refugee agency said.

The United Nations says 3.27 million people have fled, with 2 million internally displaced.

Economy and Market

Roman Abramovich handed over a company to the Director of Chelsea Football Club the day Russia invaded Ukraine, company documents seen by Reuters show.

It is the second time the Russian tycoon, who is trying to sell England's football team, has transferred assets to close associates before Britain and the European Union imposed sanctions on him.

Moscow avoided defaulting on its two-dollar bond interest payment but faces a hefty repayment schedule in the coming weeks.

Quote

“I want everyone to hear me now, especially in Moscow. The time has come for the meeting, it is time to talk. Otherwise, Russia's losses will be so great that it will take you generations to recover," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video speech.