ICJ calls on Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine ahead of fresh round of talks | Top Points

Russia has attacked a theatre in Mariupol where civilians have been sheltering, the city's

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has called on the Russian Federation to cease hostilities in Ukraine, stating that it was "profoundly concerned" by Russia's use of force. While Kyiv hailed the 13-2 verdict as a victory, Moscow maintained that the Hague-based court 'lacks jurisdiction' to hear the case. This verdict comes ahead of another round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations to negotiate a ceasefire. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an address to the US Congress, told President Joe Biden that being the leader of the free world also means being the "leader of peace". Zelenskyy even invoked the attack on Pearl Harbour and 9/11 in his speech.

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Zelenskyy also said Russia's demands for ending the war were becoming "more realistic". Later in the day, Biden announced that the US is sending "longer-range" anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg, however, denied that the military alliance had any plans to send forces to Ukraine in response to Poland's request for a peacekeeping mission to be sent to Kyiv.

One more huge improvement on Wednesday was a discussion between US public safety counselor Jake Sullivan and General Nikolay Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Committee. This was the primary undeniable level contact among Washington and Moscow since February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the interim, said the West's "monetary lightning war" against Moscow has fizzled. Expressing that Russia's "unique military activity" in Ukraine is a "triumph", Putin said that he won't permit Ukraine to turn into a "springboard" to compromise Russia. Battling Proceeds Inhabitants of Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, were woken up by a few blasts on the morning of Walk 16. A 12-story high rise in focal Kyiv apparently ejected on fire after it was hit by shrapnel. With a huge caravan of Russian shielded vehicles actually slowed down external the capital city, a time limit has been forced in Kyiv till Thursday morning. Ukrainian authorities said several civilians fleeing the port city of Mariupol were killed in Russian strikes on Wednesday. Russian forces have encircled Mariupol, cutting off the city's residents from gas, water and electricity. Claims are also being reported of 10 people being killed by Russian forces while waiting in a bread line in the northern city of Chernigiv.