Please see the latest reports sent back by Xinhua reporters from Odessa in southern Ukraine, Lviv in the west, Minsk in Belarus, Moscow in Russia, and Washington in the United States.
@Odessa, Ukraine
- As the Russians took control of Kherson in southern Ukraine and entered Nikolayev, the situation in Odessa, which was also an important southern town, became increasingly tense. Xinhua News Agency reporters saw on the roof of the building that reconnaissance soldiers carrying guns on the roof of a nearby building had been using telescopes to keep a close eye on the movement of the sea. On the water near the port, Ukrainian warships patrolled.
Sandbags, cement piers, etc. are set up at every intersection near the coast. After the curfew, the streets are still somewhat deserted, and a small number of citizens go for a walk along the coast. Some citizens told reporters that the sound of gunfire has become more and more frequent in recent days.
The citizens who want to evacuate are afraid that they have already left, and they do not want to leave and wait and see what happens. In the afternoon, the city center is slightly lively, some private cars and buses are still driving on the street, and some citizens drink coffee in outdoor seats. On Alexandrinsky Avenue, a market is open with shops. Nikolai, who sells leather goods, told reporters: "I will not leave, everything will pass quickly!" ”
Rainbows appear in Odessa. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lu Jinbo
@Ukrainian Lviv
Compared with the north, south and east of Ukraine, the situation in Lviv in western Ukraine is relatively calm. However, in the past two days, the reporter has seen that the local atmosphere has become more and more tense, and the locals have reactivated the abandoned air raid shelters. In addition, Lviv is a famous historical and cultural city in Ukraine, and locals have successively added protective facilities to historical buildings.
Delivery of supplies at a receiving and receiving station in Lviv, Ukraine, on March 5. The supplies were donated by all sides and will be provided to those affected by the war. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ren Ke
@Moscow, Russia
Russian President Putin said on the 5th that the Russian special military operation is proceeding smoothly as planned, the task of attacking military infrastructure in Ukraine is nearing completion, and most of Ukraine's military infrastructure, including weapons and ammunition depots and air defense systems, has been destroyed.
Speaking at the Aeroflot Aviation Training Center, Putin said the decision to conduct special military operations was difficult but necessary. Ukraine's accession to NATO could lead to a future conflict between Russia and NATO, and if the Ukrainians acquire nuclear weapons, then Russia's fate will be completely different.
Putin said any attempt by a country to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be seen by Russia as a part of armed conflict. The imposition of sanctions on Russia by the United States and other Western countries is similar to a declaration of war.
Mizintsev, head of the Russian National Defense Command Center, said in Moscow on the 5th that the opening of the humanitarian corridor of the Donbass region cities of Mariupol and Volnovaha was blocked. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also confirmed on the same day that the Ukrainian side could not safely evacuate civilians through the humanitarian corridor.
This is a photograph of a negotiating room that has been arranged by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a Xinhua reporter. The delegations of Russia and Ukraine held their first round of negotiations in the Gomel Oblast of Belarus on 28 February. Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus)
@Minsk, Belarus
Alahamiya, a Ukrainian negotiator and chairman of the parliamentary group of the People's Servant Party, said on the 5th that the Ukrainian and Russian delegations will hold a third round of negotiations on the 7th. Arahamiya participated in the first two rounds of negotiations.
Podolyak, an adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, previously said that a third round of negotiations would be held on the 5th or 6th.
@Washington, D.C., USA
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy held online talks with more than 300 US congressmen on the 5th, calling on the United States to provide more assistance to Ukraine. According to US media reports, Zelenskiy hoped that the US side would establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine during the talks, sanction Russian oil exports and suspend all commercial transactions. NATO has refused to set up a no-fly zone in Ukrainian airspace on the 4th, fearing that this move will trigger a conflict between NATO and Russia.
Source: Xinhua International Headlines