Muristek
BRUSSELS, March 4
NATO allies rejected Ukraine's demand for no-fly zones on Friday, saying they were increasing support but that stepping in directly would lead to a broader, even more brutal European war so far limited to Russia's assault on its neighbour.
A woman with her children at the Kyiv railway station."We are not part of this conflict," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference. "We have a responsibility as NATO allies to prevent this war from escalating beyond Ukraine because that would be even more dangerous, more devastating and would cause even more human suffering."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for Western powers to enforce a no-fly zone since Moscow's invasion started nine days ago, with Russia shelling cities and bringing fighting to Europe's largest nuclear plant. In a video message earlier on Friday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said NATO foreign ministers should not allow Putin to "turn Ukraine into Syria," in reference to the devastating Russia-backed campaign against rebel cities in that country. "Act now before it's too late," he said in the message posted on Twitter. — Reuters
A building on fire after shelling by the Russian forces in Mariupol on Friday. AP/ReutersPrison for 'fake' war reports
Dusseldorf (Germany): Russians could face prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading information that goes against their government's position on the war in Ukraine, a move that comes as authorities block access to foreign media outlets. The Russian Parliament voted unanimously on Friday to approve a draft law criminalising spreading what Russia deems to be "fake" reports. AP
Amid conflict, unesco fears damage to cultural sites
New Delhi: The nearly century-old Freedom Square, renamed so after the Independence of Ukraine in 1991 post the Soviet Union's disintegration, virtually felt the country's pain when Russian missiles pummelled it three days ago, severely damaging the iconic Kharkiv Oblast Council building and other historic structures in its periphery. Many heritage experts feel that it is Kharkiv today, but could be Kyiv tomorrow, as the Russian army convoy reportedly advances closer to the capital. UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay called for "protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage, which bears witness to the country's rich history, and includes its seven World Heritage sites.