As Ukrainian and Russian officials met at the Belarus border on Tuesday morning (NZT), the Ukrainian Interior Ministry says the city of Kharkiv was bombarded by Russian artillery, killing a number of people
The peace talks resulted in no breakthrough, but the two sides agreed to continue negotiations and are likely to meet again in the coming days.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron, telling him that the conflict in Ukraine could only be settled if Kyiv is neutral, demilitarised, and, in his words, "denazified". He also wants Russia's control over Crimea to be officially recognised.
What you need to know:
- The Ukrainian Interior Ministry says Russian artillery bombarded a residential section of Kharkiv, potentially killing a number of people at the same time as Ukrainian and Russian officials met for peace talks
- The Ukrainian Ambassador to the US says Russia dropped a devastating vacuum bomb on Ukraine on Tuesday morning (NZT)
- There was no breakthrough in the discussion between Ukraine and Russia at the Belarus border, but the two sides have agreed to continue speaking
- Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, telling him there will be no settlement in Ukraine unless Kyiv is neutral and Crimea is official recognised as part of Russia
- The International Criminal Court is opening an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Russia against Ukraine
- New Zealand condemned Russia at an emergency meeting on the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday
- Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, saying that war must stop immediately
- The United States has seen no "muscle movements" after Putin on Monday put his nuclear forces on alert
- At least 352 Ukrainians, including 14 children, have been killed, with more than 1600 wounded. That toll is expected to growing significantly
Newshub's live updates have ended for the day.
4:20pm - Here are all of the day's key developments courtesy of Reuters:
- Moscow faced increasing isolation on Tuesday as President Vladimir Putin showed no sign of stopping an invasion of Ukraine, where fierce fighting and Russian bombardment have killed dozens and sparked a refugee crisis.
- The 193-member U.N. General Assembly began meeting on the crisis ahead of a vote this week to isolate Russia.
- Talks on a ceasefire ended without a breakthrough.
- Russian President Putin told France's President Emmanuel Macron a Ukraine settlement was only possible if Kyiv was neutral, "denazified" and "demilitarised" and Russian control over annexed Crimea was formally recognised, the Kremlin said.
- Ukraine's Western allies increased weapons transfers in support, and Britain called for such transfers to be expanded. Finland agreed to ship 2,500 assault rifles and 1,500 anti-tank weapons. Canada will supply anti-tank weapons and upgraded ammunition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
- Russia's foreign ministry said those supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine will bear responsibility should they be used during Russia's military campaign.
- The United Nations said more than 500,000 people had fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries since the start of Russia's invasion.
- The United States expelled 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations over national security concerns, U.S. and Russian diplomats said.
MARKETS, SANCTIONS AND OTHER REACTIONS
- The United States imposed sanctions on Russia's central bank and other sources of wealth, dealing a crushing blow to the country's economy and further punishing Moscow.
- Europe's financial market began severing Russia's ties to its critical plumbing for trading, clearing and settling securities as sanctions on Moscow started to bite.
- Markets paused for breath following days of volatility with Asian shares edging up and gold slipping slightly a day after the Russian rouble fell to a record low.
- Russia's central bank more than doubled its key policy rate.
- Airlines braced for potentially lengthy blockages of key east-west flight corridors after the European Union and Moscow issued tit-for-tat airspace bans.
- Energy giant BP, global bank HSBC and aircraft leasing firm AerCap joined a growing list of companies looking to exit Russia, as Western sanctions tightened the screws on Moscow.
4:05pm - Mastercard Inc said late on Monday it had blocked multiple financial institutions from its payment network as a result of sanctions imposed on Russia over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Mastercard will continue to work with regulators in coming days, the company said in a statement. It also promised to contribute a $2 million for humanitarian relief.
On Saturday, the United States and its allies said they would take action against Russia's central bank and bar some of the country's banks from the SWIFT international payments system.
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation".
Russians rushed to ATMs and waited in long queues on Sunday amid concerns that bank cards may cease to function, or that banks would limit cash withdrawals after Western sanctions.
- Reuters
3:50pm - There have been calls from Ukrainians, including the President, for foreigners to travel to Ukraine to fight for the country against Russia.
Reuters has reported on a number of people from the US and Canada planning to do just that.
"I feel guilty to not go," said Dax, 26, a veteran of the elite U.S. Army 82nd Airborne infantry division, who planned to deploy with other former U.S. military personnel.
Canadian Bryson Woolsey told Reuters he quit his job as a cook after hearing the call. He doesn't have any military training but is planning to volunteer for conflict.
"I felt like I had to do something."
3:35pm - Gerry Brownlee asks the Minister of Foreign Affairs what other options are being considered in response to Russia's actions and why has no autonomous sanctions regime been introduced?
David Parker, the acting minister, says NZ condemns Russia's aggression and has taken a number of actions in response. He describes the invasion as a flagrant breach of the international rules-based order and other measures are being considered, such as those targeting Russian finances.
An autonomous sanctions regime would require further consideration and is not off the table. Parker notes the previous National government didn't introduce a regime after Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014 or when Brownlee was the minister.
Parker says Brownlee's previous autonomous sanctions Bill didn't give enough focus to human rights or cyber-security.
The latest advice from MFAT on a regime, which was received on Monday, was that a Russia-specific Bill should be considered by the Government first. Parker couldn't give a timeline when such a Bill might be introduced to the House.
3:25pm - Will New Zealand expel the Russian Ambassador? Ardern says nothing is off the table, but that few countries have expelled Russian ambassadors to their countries.
3:20pm - In response to a question from ACT about further measures the Government may take against Ukraine and whether those can be taken right now, the Prime Minister says advice has been sought on a specific, Russian sanctions Bill. Consultation will be undertaken with other parties shortly, she says. She outlines the actions already taken, such as the travel bans and export controls.
Ardern says the Immigration Minister has been speaking with his department about prioritising visas for Ukrainian visas. In regards to refugees, Ardern says there is a process to go through, but notes the government has increased the quota previously.
3:15pm - Joe Rogan has been ridiculed after sharing and swiftly deleting a spoof news story that claimed actor Steven Seagal had joined the Russian special forces amid the invasion of Ukraine.
The controversial podcaster shared a screenshot of a fake CNN report on his Instagram and Facebook accounts that showed action star Seagal wearing a military uniform, sunglasses and holding a machine gun.
3pm - Russian President Vladimir Putin has been stripped of his honorary taekwondo black belt over his country's invasion of Ukraine, a personal rebuke heaped on top of international economic and sporting sanctions.
World Taekwondo, citing its motto of "Peace is More Precious than Triumph," condemned the Russian military action in Ukraine, saying the "brutal attacks on innocent lives" violated the sport's values of respect and tolerance.
"In this regard, World Taekwondo has decided to withdraw the honorary 9th dan black belt conferred to Mr. Vladimir Putin in November 2013," the governing body said in a statement.
It added that it would join the International Olympic Committee in banning the Russian flag and anthem at its events.
The decision comes after the International Judo Federation said on Sunday it would suspend Putin's status as honorary president and ambassador "in light of the ongoing war conflict in Ukraine".
Other sporting organization such as FIFA and UEFA have suspended Russian national teams and clubs from competition.
Putin has demonstrated capable technique while appearing in martial arts uniforms, projecting an image of strength as he has in other carefully staged events such as those of him riding bare-chested on a horse or playing ice hockey.
Russian forces bombarded Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, on Monday, drawing new sanctions from the United States and its allies as part of the international isolation of Russia.
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour's military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists.
- Reuters
2:50pm - The role of the United National Security Council (UNSC) has come under scrutiny since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began given that Russia has been able to veto resolutions aimed at condemning its aggression.
Coincidentally, over the last month, Russia has also been the president of the council. However, that ends within the next few hours.
According to a CNN report, Russia's Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia ended his tenure by questioning some of the statements made by his colleagues about Ukraine.
"I would like to say … I was surprised, because just the reports and videos and information in Ukraine - some of them are taken as fact. And others … fully-reliable, unquestionably reliable - are being considered inaccurate, unreliable."
He claimed that there is no evidence of civilian deaths caused by Russia and that "tide of dirty lies replicated in Western mass media unfortunately have become a dangerous mark of our time".
Ukraine, and Western nations, however, say a large number of civilians have so far died. On Tuesday, Russia bombed Kharkiv, killing about nine people, according to the mayor.
The next president is the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Lana Zaki Nusseibeh.
2:40pm - Taiwan has sent 27 tonnes of medical supplies to Ukraine, the government announced on Tuesday, saying it was extending a helping hand as a member of the "democratic camp" in the international community.
Taiwan has joined with Western allies in putting sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and expressed cross-party sympathy for the Ukrainian people, seeing parallels with what Taipei views as Beijing's threats against the island.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the supplies left on Monday night on a flight to Frankfurt and will be sent onwards to Ukraine via "appropriate routes and channels".
"The Republic of China, Taiwan, as a member of the international community's democratic camp, is willing to act in the spirit of 'Taiwan Can Help' and based on humanitarian considerations, our country will provide Ukraine with urgently needed medical relief supplies in a timely manner," it added.
Taiwan's official name is the Republic of China, whose forces fled to the island in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own sovereign territory, has not so far announced any humanitarian aid supplies for Ukraine.
The head of a U.N. agency said on Monday that more than 500,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries since the start of Russia's invasion last week. EU officials have said the war could displace 7 million people.
- Reuters
2:35pm - The Walt Disney Co said Monday it is pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Pixar Animation Studios release, Turning Red citing the "unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis."
Disney is believed to be the first major Hollywood studio to pause theatrical releases in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
"We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation" Disney said in a statement. "In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance."
Over the weekend, the Ukrainian Film Academy created an online petition that called for an international boycott of Russian cinema and the Russian film industry following the invasion.
- Reuters
2:30pm - Rawiri Waititi of Te Pāti Māori is beaming into the House remotely. He says we are living through unprecedented and trying times meaning unity is more important now than ever.
While the rich play war games, it is the poor and vulnerable who pay the price, he says. Ukrainians have had their lives shattered overnight and now must defend their country.
2:25pm - The leaders of New Zealand's Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, Catholic Church and Anglican Church have released this statement:
"Across the globe people are horrified by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
"In a region that learnt the devastating lessons of war last century, the pattern has the tragic possibility of repeating. It flies in the face of much of the progress in peaceful coexistence that Europe has made in recent decades.
"Once again, on European soil, we see the rights and wellbeing of millions of ordinary people trampled on by an aggressive and entitled leader.
"It also flies in the face of the Jesus-values of peace-making. In this instance, those values call us to stand against violence and stand with the oppressed.
"Those values call for de-escalation and peace talks.
"They call for humility and kindness.
"As Christians we stand in solidarity with the vast chorus of voices calling for the aggression to end and the peaceful solutions to begin."
2:20pm - ACT's David Seymour joins with the other leaders supporting the motion and condemning the "barbaric" Russian invasion. He says he stands with the "brave" Ukrainians now defending their homes. It's an "extraordinary" display of courage, Seymour tells the House.
He believes no country has more to lose than New Zealand when a rules-based international order is lost and "thuggery takes its place". Seymour notes how ordinary people are fighting back against Putin by making donations and through their individual support of the movement against Russia.
Seymour welcomes the sanctions imposed by overseas countries and calls for the Government to introduce an autonomous sanctions regime. He says this is the time for the Government to use urgency in the House so "we can join in the moral movement against this government of Vladimir Putin". The family members of Ukrainians in New Zealand should be able to come here immediately, he says.
2:10pm - National's Christopher Luxon supports the motion and condemn's Putin's invasion of Ukraine. He says there is no justification for Russia's actions and National's thoughts are with Ukrainians, including those in New Zealand. This is an affront to human rights and democracy, the leader says.
Putin has shown disregard for international law and Ukraine's sovereignty, he says. It deserves a severe response from the international community.
New Zealand's lack of an autonomous sanctions regime means we can't follow other countries with imposing some sanctions. Luxon says we need to introduce this as soon as possible. We must also create a new humanitarian visa for the immediate family members of Ukrainians in Aotearoa, he says.
The Greens' James Shaw speaks of his personal experience in Europe trying to promote international order and peace. He says it's ordinary people that suffer the most during war. Watching a full-scale attack on the people of Ukraine was "shocking" and "depressing", he says.
The party condemns Putin's actions and Shaw calls on Russia to cease their operations and engage in peace talks.
New Zealand's response must focus on how we can help ordinary people and the Greens support the humanitarian assitance announced so far.
2:05pm - The Prime Minister moves that the House condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and calls for Russia to cease all military operations and withdraw. Jacinda Ardern says Russia's invasion is a blatant act of a bully, and is brutal and intolerable.
Russia's actions challenge New Zealand's core values of democracy, human rights and the international rules-based system.
We live in an increasingly connected and borderless world, where a challenge to one is a challenge to all, Ardern says.
"We must all take a stand together," she tells the House.
She describes Putin's actions as "calculuted" and "cynical".
Belarus must also face consequences for facilitating Russia's invasion, Ardern says. Travel bans have been placed on some Belarus figures.
New Zealand has not yet reached the extent of the measures it will take, she says.
2pm - The House is about to sit. There is sure to be a number of questions regarding Ukraine. You can watch it here.
The prayer is read by Speaker Trevor Mallard in Ukrainian.
1:55pm - Jacinda Ardern says Vladimir Putin's actions are "completely wrong" and that of a "bully. Ardern says she's not particularly focused on Putin's mental state, but instead on continuing to work with international partners to bring an end to the war.
National's Christopher Luxon previously called the Russian President "completely unhinged".
1:45pm - New satellite images from Maxar show the Russian military forces north of Kyiv. Previously, it was estimated that the convoy extended about 27km, but it's now thought to extend more than 64km.
There's also images said to be of additional ground forces and attack helicopters in southern Belarus.
1:25pm - World Rugby has joined the growing sporting condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, banning them and Belarus from international play.
Following sanctions from world football body FIFA and the International Olympic Committee, the oval-ball code has revoked Russia's membership, and forbidden Russian and Belarusian teams from playing outside their own countries.
Belarus has been punished for allowing Russian troops to use its border to enter Ukraine last week.
1:15pm - It was earlier reported by Reuters that up to a dozen people may have been killed after Russia bombed Kharkiv at the same time as talks were ongoing between Ukraine and Russia.
The city's mayor, Igor Terekhov, now says that nine people were killed in the shelling and 37 people wounded, including three children.
"Four people came out of the bomb shelter to collect water and died. A family, two adults and three children were burned alive in a car. It’s really horrible."
1pm - Russia's communications regulator on Monday demanded TikTok stop including military-related content in recommended posts for minors, in an announcement shared in its official Telegram channel.
The regulator Roskomnadzor said it had identified content on the video-sharing app related to Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine and that a lot of it was anti-Russian in character.
Russia, which has fined tech firms and hobbled their services in the country during a long stand-off with Big Tech platforms, has ramped up pressure on sites during the conflict.
A TikTok spokeswoman on Monday also confirmed that it had restricted access to Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik across the European Union, after the organizations were hit with sanctions by the EU. Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc also blocked access to the two outlets.
TikTok is popular with younger users and also has a version aimed at children under 13. It was not clear exactly what the Russian regulator meant in saying TikTok was recommending content specifically to minors. The company has recently said it is testing age-rated content restrictions.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Roskomnadzor's demands.
The app, which was originally known for lip-syncing videos and viral dance trends, has been widely used to document events and share news in the run-up to and during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It has also seen the spread of misleading footage about the conflict.
- Reuters
12:50pm - A petition has been launched on Parliament's website calling on the Government to enact an autonomous sanctions regime against Russia with urgency.
"I believe that the Russian Federation has waged a war of aggression without justification against the sovereign nation of Ukraine, transgressed its borders, attacked its cities, and killed civilians," the petition says.
"In the absence of an autonomous sanctions regime, New Zealand is unable to join our allies in strongly sanctioning the Russian Federation for its aggression."
12:40pm - The Green party is calling on the Government to offer to resettle and support Ukrainian refugees.
"Hundreds of thousands of people in Ukraine right now have fled their homes with little in hand. Mums and dads who just want to make sure their kids have access to meals, medical care, and can go to school as they become displaced in make-shift refugee camps," said foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman.
She called the humanitarian aid announced on Monday a "positive step", but said the Government can do more.
"Given our refugee quota has not been filled for two years now, New Zealand is well placed to offer to take 2000 refugees. We could easily use the Auckland Resettlement Centre as an MIQ facility.
"This must include anyone based in Ukraine, regardless of their race or ethnicity, including migrant workers and students stranded by this war.
"We know in particular that Ukraine’s Rainbow communities are extremely fearful and at risk based on Putin’s track record of oppression. Supporting their safe passage through targeted resources for local organisations, followed by resettlement will make a huge difference."
12:30pm - Ukraine on Monday said it had received donated Starlink satellite internet terminals from SpaceX, but an internet security researcher warned these could become Russian targets.
"Starlink here. Thanks, @elonmusk," Ukraine's vice prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, tweeted, days after asking SpaceX's billionaire chief executive officer Elon Musk for help. Fedorov's tweet included a picture of the back of a miliary-looking truck, loaded with terminals.
Musk tweeted back, "You are most welcome".
The terminals look like home satellite television dishes and can provide relatively fast internet service, by residential standards, by connecting to a fleet of satellites in low orbit.
But John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab project, took to Twitter to warn the terminals could become Russian targets.
"Re: @elonmusk's starlink donation. Good to see. But remember: if #Putin controls the air above #Ukraine, users' uplink transmissions become beacons ... for airstrikes," he tweeted.
"#Russia has decades of experience hitting people by targeting their satellite communications," he added in a series of 15 tweets detailing the risks.
Musk said on Saturday that Starlink is available in Ukraine and SpaceX is sending more terminals to the country, whose internet has been disrupted due to the Russian invasion.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
- Reuters
12:20pm - The House will sit on Tuesday afternoon with Government ministers likely to be asked a number of questions about the situation in Ukraine.
Among them will be:
- BROOKE VAN VELDEN to the Prime Minister: Is the New Zealand Government planning to take further measures to support Ukraine and stand against Russia’s unprovoked invasion; if so, what is stopping the Government from implementing these measures right now?
- Hon GERRY BROWNLEE to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What additional options, if any, has the Government considered in responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and why hasn’t the Government introduced an autonomous sanctions regime?
Both ACT's David Seymour and National's Christopher Luxon have general questions to the Prime Minister which may also canvass the issue.
12:15pm - Porn performers in Russia were temporarily blocked from accessing their OnlyFans accounts over the weekend amid economic sanctions imposed on the country due to the Ukraine invasion.
Several content creators hit out at the platform on Sunday saying they were unable to create new content or access their money.
OnlyFans is a subscription platform that allows content creators to be paid directly by their audience.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Russian based adult performer Bunnie Mommy claimed she lost thousands of dollars from having her account blocked.
12pm - Shell will exit all its Russian operations, including a major liquefied natural gas plant, it said on Monday, becoming the latest major Western energy company to quit the oil-rich country following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The decision comes a day after rival BP abandoned its stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft in a move that could cost the British company over $25 billion. Norway's Equinor also plans to exit Russia.
Shell said in a statement it will quit the flagship Sakhalin 2 LNG plant in which it holds a 27.5% stake, and which is 50% owned and operated by Russian gas giant Gazprom.
Shell said the decision to exit Russian joint ventures will lead to impairments. Shell had around $3 billion in non-current assets in these ventures in Russia at the end of 2021, it said.
"We are shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine, which we deplore, resulting from a senseless act of military aggression which threatens European security," Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said in a statement.
- Reuters
11:50am - Reuters is reporting the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, as saying that Russia used a vacuum bomb on Tuesday (NZT) during its invasion of Ukraine.
Vacuum bombs are a thermobaric weapon that sucks oxygen from the surrounding air to create a high-temperature explosion and shockwave. They are far more powerful than conventional explosives and are banned by the Geneva Convention. They are sometimes referred to as the Father of All Bombs.
"The devastation that Russia is trying to inflict on Ukraine is large," said Markarova. "They should pay, they should pay a heavy price."
11:35am - West Auckland Trusts, which owns 26 stores as well as a number of hospitality venues, will stop selling Russian made products, including vodka and beer products, in the region.
Allan Pollard, the chief executive, said the move is a response to Russia raising its nuclear alert level as well as "a growing groundswell of consumer sentiment".
The ban includes: Ivanov, Russian Standard, Russkaya, Kristov Red vodkas, Gorkovskaya Vodka, JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka, Royal Bison Vodka, Russkaya Vodka, Baltika Beer and Three Hills Pale Ale beer.
The space on the shelves where these products would normally be placed will instead display a Ukrainian flag. The products will be put into storage and discarded if there is no imminent resolution.
Thousands of bottles of Russian products are usually sold annually, Pollard said, but the trust is prepared to bear the cost to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
"Vodka is Russia’s most high profile export product and our actions today are designed to show our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty," he said.
"While New Zealand is a comparatively small market individually, joining our counterparts in other countries around the world in boycotting the sale of these products is a statement of solidarity for the Ukrainian people."
Pollard said companies in other countries have made similar moves.
11:25am - In his most recent address on Tuesday (NZT), Ukrainian President Zelensky said Russia's actions amount to war crimes, noting that Russian forces fired on the city of Kharkiv, where about a dozen people have died.
""Kharkiv is a peaceful city, there are peaceful residential areas, no military facilities. Dozens of eyewitness accounts prove that this is not a single false volley, but deliberate destruction of people: the Russians knew where they were shooting."
"There will definitely be an international tribunal for this crime — it's a violation of all conventions. No one in the world will forgive you for killing peaceful Ukrainian people."
11:10am - Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy said on Monday it was time to consider imposing a no-fly zone for Russian missiles, planes and helicopters in response to Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
In a video address, Zelenskiy did not specify how and by whom a no-fly zone would be enforced. He said Russia had launched 56 rocket strikes and fired 113 cruise missiles against Ukraine in the past five days.
- Reuters
11am - Speaking to reporters, National leader Christopher Luxon said there was no justification for Russia's actions in Ukraine, saying it was a "total affront" to human rights, global peace and democracy.
He encouraged the Government to introduce an autonomous sanctions Bill so we can "stand alongside our partners" and also create a new humanitarian visa for the immediate family members of Ukrainians in New Zealand. Visa applications in the system already should be expedited.
"I was just reflecting on the weekend that there were people in Ukraine going about the same kind of work that we were doing - going to the supermarket, dropping their kids to school, going to work - and now they’re there fighting for their lives. We completely condemn the actions taking place there."
National has also called for the Russian Ambassador to New Zealand to be expelled, which would underscore the seriousness of the situation, Luxon said.
The Prime Minister has previously said no decision has been taken on whether to expel the ambassador. She doesn't want to see retaliatory actions in Russia, which could cause issues for Kiwis there needing consular assistance.
National's Gerry Brownlee says Kiwis there should consider whether they need to stay in Russia. Our position shouldn't be held simply on the basis of wanting to protect some New Zealanders who are in Russia.
Brownlee wouldn't make any judgement on Vladimir Putin's state of mind, but said he has "threatened the order of the world that has been in place since the end of the Second World War".
Luxon said Putin is "completely unhinged".
10:55am - The National Party wants the Government to create a special humanitarian visa for immediate family members of Ukrainians who have settled in New Zealand.
"The situation in Ukraine is worsening by the day and Ukrainian Kiwis will be extremely worried about the safety of their family members back home," National's Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford said.
"This is something New Zealand can do now to support our Ukrainian Kiwis to bring their immediate family members here. There are approximately 1500 Ukrainians living in New Zealand, so this could benefit thousands of people in desperate situations.
"The Government should also fast-track existing visa applications for Ukrainians, as Australia has done.
"New Zealand's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine so far has been lacking compared to the rest of the global community. We urge the Government to make this a priority."
10:45am - While most European nations and Canada have banned Russian aircraft from entering their airspace, the United States has not.
Speaking on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said no decision has been made by the Biden Administration on the issue.
"There are obviously a range of options that remain on the table. So, it's not off the table. There are a lot of flights that US airlines fly over Russia to go to Asia and other parts of the world and we factor in a range of factors."
10:30am - Canada will supply anti-tank weapons and upgraded ammunition to Ukraine to support its fight against a Russian invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday, and it will ban imports of crude oil from Russia.
"Canada will continue to deliver support for Ukraine's heroic defense against the Russian military," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. "We are announcing our intention to ban all imports of crude oil from Russia, an industry that has benefited President Putin and his oligarchs greatly."
Canada imported C$289 million worth of energy products in 2021, according to Statistics Canada.
Canada has already sent weapons and non-lethal support to Ukraine, and it has backed a number of sanctions, including supporting the removal of Russia from the SWIFT system for international bank payments.
Canada also played a role in restricting Russia's central bank from being able to access its foreign reserves.
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the G7 would bring more sanctions against Russia.
- Reuters
10:25am - A Ukrainian man who tried to sink a New Zealand-built superyacht owned by a Russian arms tycoon is imploring his countrymen to come home and fight to save their nation.
Taras Ostapchuk, 55, was arrested on Saturday when he allegedly opened several valves to intentionally flood the 48-metre superyacht named Lady Anastasia.
Ostapchuk said he gained inspiration for trying to sink the luxury yacht at Port Adriano, a marina in Mallorca, Spain, after seeing television reports of Russia invading Ukraine, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
10:15am - New Zealand's permanent representative at the United Nations, Carolyn Schwalger, delivered an address on Tuesday morning at the General Assembly emergency session.
"Innocent lives lost. Everyday lives in turmoil. Young and old lives that will never be the same as innocent people suddenly find themselves as refugees. The worst part of the trauma we see unfolding in front of us is knowing that it was completely avoidable," she said.
"New Zealand is in no doubt that the conflict in Ukraine is a direct result of the unprovoked and unjustified actions of Russia, and its decision to flagrantly ignore international law. Russia is escalating its aggression by its decision to increase the readiness of its nuclear weapons. Russia’s actions are nothing short of the acts of a bully."
10:10am - World Vision New Zealand has launched an appeal to raise funds for those impacted by the Ukrainian conflict.
The organisation says it's currently on the border between Ukraine and Romania supporting refugees from the now-war-torn country. It will be distributing aid packages, including hygiene and child-friendly kits, to those who have fled Ukraine.
"We are doing everything we can to prepare and provide essential support to refugees. Our focus is on getting them clean water and other essential food and supplies, and we will also be offering psychological first aid to children and individuals arriving from Ukraine," said national director Grant Bayldon.
"We are concerned about the detrimental psychological impact the ongoing crisis in Ukraine will have on children and families. We are very worried about children potentially being separated from their parents and families during displacement from their homes and communities, exposing them to heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse."
10:05am - The United States has expelled 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations due to national security concerns. The diplomats were apparently "engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security," the US mission said.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the move was "hostile" and Russia would respond.
9:50am - Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook, will restrict access to Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik across the European Union, the company's head of global affairs, Nick Clegg, said in a tweet on Monday.
Clegg said the social media company had received requests from a number of governments and the EU to take further steps in relation to Russian state-controlled media on its platforms.
- Reuters
9:45am - Almost 75 percent of Russian forces that were assembled on its border with Ukraine are now inside the country, the US Defence Department says.
Most are now about 25km from the capital of Kyiv. Other cities are also under threat, including Kharkiv in the north-east and Mariupol in the south.
The department says Russia is not making the advances it would have hoped, facing several logistical challenges as well as a stronger than expected Ukrainian resistance. Russia failed to destroy Ukrainian air defences as it wanted to on day one, the department says.
There are risks that come with a lack of Russian progress, such as that Russia may become frustrated and be more indiscriminate with what or who it attacks.
9:40am - Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan says his nation cannot abandon its ties with either Russia or Ukraine, but will enforce a 1936 convention that allows Turkey to limit vessels entering the Black Sea via the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits.
This means it won't allow Russian warships into the sea south of Ukraine. At least four Russian ships are currently waiting to cross through.
While Erdogan called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "war", he also hit out at the "indecisive" West.
9:30am - The Rail and Maritime Transport Union and Maritime Union of New Zealand both say their members are reluctant to work on Russian-flagged arriving in ports here and are looking at ways to protest in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
"Both New Zealand unions are affiliated to the International Transport Workers Federation, which has called for an immediate ceasefire in hostilities, for the conflict to return to the diplomatic level, and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, following the military escalation in Ukraine."
Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson said in a statement that the workers may deliver letters of protest to the captains of any Russian-flagged vessels in New Zealand's ports.
He stressed that any protest is not against the Russian crews, but "against aggression and war decisions at the leadership level".
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison said there are many Russian and Ukrainian crews who work in New Zealand's waters.
"The Maritime Union had dealt with exploitation and mistreatment and assisted in the repatriation of crew members from both countries," the statement said.
"He says there is not a large number of Russian flagged vessels in New Zealand ports but there are some including large fish factory trawlers in ports such as Lyttelton."
9:20am - The office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Monday said it will seek court approval to open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Prosecutor Karim Khan on Friday expressed his concern over the Russian invasion and said the court may investigate alleged crimes arising from the current situation.
"The next step is to proceed with the process of seeking and obtaining authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court to open an investigation," the prosecutor said in a statement on Monday.
- Reuters
9:15am - US President Joe Biden says Americans should not worry about nuclear war.
It comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces onto high alert. The US said they've seen no "muscle movements" from Putin regarding any nuclear deployment since then.
9:10am - The UN Security Council is now meeting to discuss the latest events in Ukraine. We have added a YouTube livestream above.
9:05am - Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta gave a speech at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
In her speech, the minister again condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a "clear act of aggression; a blatant breach of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; and a violation of international law and the UN Charter by a Permanent Member of the Security Council".
"There is no victor in unjustified and unprovoked aggression," Mahuta said.
"We must be clear. The Russian government has repeatedly ignored opportunities for diplomacy, negotiation and de-escalation, and has instead chosen aggression."
She said Russia was acting as a "bully" and that women and children were becoming innocent victims of Putin's "illegal aggression".
"Our thoughts today are with the people in Ukraine impacted by this conflict, and also those Ukrainians around the world who feel helpless to protect their whānau, their relatives, at this time," Mahuta told the council.
"We must not let diplomacy fail we must persevere in the pursuit of an outcome that prevents further suffering. War, Mr President, must Stop!"
9am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the Ukraine-Russia war for Tuesday.
Here are the key developments overnight:
- Russian artillery bombarded residential districts of Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv on Monday, killing possibly dozens of people, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow's invading forces met stiff resistance from Ukrainians on a fifth day of conflict. Talks on a ceasefire ended without a breakthrough. A member of the Ukrainian delegation said the discussions were difficult and the Russian side was biased.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin told France's Emmanuel Macron that a Ukraine settlement was only possible if Kyiv was neutral, "denazified" and "demilitarised" and Russian control over annexed Crimea was formally recognised, the Kremlin said.
- The United States expects Russian forces to try to encircle Kyiv in the coming days and could become more aggressive out of frustration with their slow advance on the Ukrainian capital, a senior U.S. defense official said on Monday.
- The United States has still not seen any "muscle movements" after Russian President Vladimir Putin's weekend announcement that he was putting his nuclear forces on high alert, a senior U.S. defense official said on Monday. Earlier in the day, Russia's defence ministry said its nuclear missile forces and Northern and Pacific fleets had been placed on enhanced combat duty.
- Ukraine's Western allies increased weapons transfers in support. Finland agreed to ship 2,500 assault rifles and 1,500 anti-tank weapons.
- The United Nations said on Monday that more than 500,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries since the start of Russia's invasion.
- The websites of several Russian media outlets were hacked on Monday, Reuters checks showed, with their regular sites replaced by an anti-war message and calls to stop President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Later on Monday, Ukrainian government websites were temporarily taken down in the aftermath of a wave of digital attacks, a Kyiv government official said.
SANCTIONS AND ECONOMIC FALL-OUT
- The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Russia's central bank and other sources of wealth, dealing a crushing blow to the country's economy and further punishing Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
- Europe's financial market on Monday began severing Russia's ties to its critical plumbing for trading, clearing and settling securities as sanctions on Moscow started to bite.
- The Russian rouble fell to fresh record lows on Monday while world stocks slid and oil prices jumped, as the West ramped up sanctions against Russia over its Ukraine invasion, with steps including blocking banks from the SWIFT global payments system.
- Russia's central bank more than doubled its key policy rate on Monday and introduced some capital controls as the country faced deepening economic isolation, but its governor said sanctions had stopped it selling foreign currency to prop up the rouble.
- Airlines on Monday braced for a potentially lengthy dispute after the European Union banned Russian airlines from its airspace and Moscow responded in kind, barring carriers from 36 countries including all 27 members of the EU.
- Britain on Monday ordered its ports to block any vessels that are Russian-flagged or believed to be registered, owned or controlled by any person connected with Russia.
- Energy giant BP, global bank HSBC and the world's biggest aircraft leasing firm AerCap joined a growing list of companies looking to exit Russia on Monday, as Western sanctions tightened the screws on Moscow.
- Sporting bodies acted to bar Russian athletes from competing in international events, with FIFA and UEFA suspending Russia's national teams and clubs from international football. The move makes it likely that Russia will be excluded from this year's World Cup and the women's Euro 2020 tournament.
