Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special operation to“demilitarize and denazify Ukraine” in the early hours of February 24. Following this statement, Russian soldiers entered Ukrainian territory and unleashed an unprecedented war, which to date has left 331 civilians dead, according to the UN.

Ukraine and Russia have been in a military escalation for a week, while the West is imposing sanctions against the Putin government and sending aid to the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelensky. Although there have been attempts at negotiations between the parties involved, first on February 28 and a second-round on March 3, no favourable results yet.

Russian forces intensified their shelling in Mariupol

This was indicated by the mayor of the city after the authorization of humanitarian corridors and the provisional implementation of a ceasefire were frustrated early on Saturday.

“The city is in a very complicated state of siege,” Vadym Boychenko told Ukrainian television. “The incessant shelling of residential blocks continues. Planes have been dropping bombs on residential areas,” he added.

Doctors Without Borders had warned that the Mariupol humanitarian situation is “catastrophic” and considered it vital that civilians be evacuated.

Zelensky discusses with Biden financial support for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky reported that he discussed with US President Joe Biden financial support for Ukraine and the continuation of sanctions against Russia in the midst of its military operation in Ukraine.

“In the framework of a continuous dialogue, I had another conversation with the US president. The agenda included security issues, financial support for Ukraine and the continuation of sanctions against Russia,” Zelensky wrote on his Twitter account.