Monday, March 7th
Ukraine formally petitioned for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order Russia to halt its invasion. They cited the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide as grounds for the condemnation. The Russian delegation to the ICJ was notably absent from the hearing.
Russian forces pledged to hold their fire and open humanitarian corridors in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Sumy at 10 am Moscow time. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested this plan after a phone call on Sunday with Russian President Putin. However, Ukraine rejected these corridors as they claimed that the offer to flee to Russia was “unacceptable.”
Furthermore, fierce battles resulted in several failed evacuation attempts. The Kyiv suburbs of Bucha, Hostomel, and Irpin, and the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha, located in the south to the east of the country, suffered several airstrikes and shelling.
Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine, led to a massive apartment building fire on Thursday. A week ago, Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling. pic.twitter.com/h5nTY9xLlQ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 3, 2022
In the private sector, additional western companies join their peers in cutting ties with Russia. This list now includes Netflix, Nike, Zara, Hermes, Ikea, KPMG, PWC, and American Express – many of whom have closed shops, offices, and ended operations in the region. Furthermore, several US and European allies are contemplating banning the importation of oil from Russia.
President Zelensky and European Council President Charles Michel have been in close communication over Ukraine’s petition to join the EU. Many officials including President Michel, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola have expressed their support and anticipation for Ukraine to join the EU.
Held regular talks with @eucopresident. Discussed the threat to nuclear facilities, shelling of civilian and critical infrastructure. We have to stop this. Raised the issue of 🇺🇦’s membership in the #EU. The people of Ukraine deserve this. #StopRussia
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 7, 2022
