INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened the existence of Ukrainian statehood as his army's invasion of the neighbor faces stiff
resistance and his economy is increasingly asphyxiated by sanctions.In the latest efforts to freeze Moscow out of the world economy,
U.S.-based card payment giants Visa and Mastercard announced they will suspend operations in Russia, while world leaders vowed to act over
the intensifying onslaught."The current [Ukrainian] authorities must understand that if they continue to do what they are doing, they are
Russia's invasion 10 days ago, the economic and humanitarian toll of the war has spiraled, sending more than 1 million people fleeing
including warplanes, with President Volodymyr Zelensky pleading for Eastern European neighbors to provide Russian-made planes that his
citizens are trained to fly.Putin meanwhile escalated warnings against NATO, threatening a wider war if a no-fly zone is set up, as his
forces resumed their offensive against a key Ukrainian city where security fears stalled a planned evacuation.While Zelensky criticized NATO
for ruling out the no-fly zone, Putin spoke of "colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but also the whole world" if such
a step was taken."Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict by that country," Putin
said.He also dismissed rumors that the Kremlin was planning to declare martial law in Russia.Cards cutVisa and Mastercard both announced
the decision over the "unprecedented nature of the current conflict and the uncertain economic environment."Visa meanwhile said that
"effective immediately" it would "work with its clients and partners within Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming
days."Major corporations across a range of industries have halted business in Russia since the invasion, including U.S.-based tech firms
such as Intel and Airbnb to French luxury giants LVMH, Hermes and Chanel.Visa and Mastercard had already announced that they were complying
had serious global economic impacts, with the IMF warning that its effects would be "all the more devastating" should the conflict
escalate.Russia's business and other contacts with the West have been steadily cut
Moscow has suspended all flights by flagship carrier Aeroflot, effective Tuesday.Frenzied diplomacyAs frantic, top-level diplomatic talks
continued, President Zelensky announced on Sunday that he spoke by phone with his U.S
counterpart Joe Biden to discuss financial support and sanctions against Russia."As part of the constant dialogue, I had another
conversation with @POTUS," Zelensky tweeted
"The agenda included the issues of security, financial support for Ukraine and the continuation of sanctions against Russia."Hours earlier,
the Ukrainian leader had addressed U.S
lawmakers by video call, pleading for further funding and an embargo on Russian oil imports.The American legislators promised an additional
$10 billion aid package, but the White House has so far ruled out an oil ban, fearing it would ratchet up prices and hurt U.S
history.While visiting Ukrainian refugees on the Polish border over the weekend, U.S
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was seeking $2.75 billion for the unfurling humanitarian crisis as nearly 1.4 million
first face-to-face meeting with a foreign leader since the invasion began.The Israeli leader later spoke with Zelensky.Kyiv had asked Israel
Johnson's office said he is to launch an international "plan of action" to ensure Russia's invasion of Ukraine fails, including a flurry of
diplomatic meetings next week.Scenes of devastationOn the ground, the strategic city of Mariupol on the Azov Sea has for days been under
siege and without electricity, food and water.After Russia declared a ceasefire to open a humanitarian corridor, city officials said the
population of 450,000 could begin to leave by bus and private cars.But the officials then delayed the evacuation, saying: "The Russian side
does not adhere to the ceasefire and has continued shelling both Mariupol itself and its environs."A Russian Defense Ministry spokesman
later announced the assault was back on, citing "the unwillingness of the Ukrainian side to..
extend the ceasefire."The siege came as Russian forces inched closer to the capital Kyiv in an assault that has become ever-more
glancing back at the destruction she was leaving behind.Dozens of civilians have been killed in the northern town of Chernihiv
Those remaining live in craters or among ruins."There were corpses all over the ground," a man who gave his name only as Sergei told AFP, as
Moscow's insistence it is not targeting civilian areas.A defiant Zelensky said Saturday that Ukrainian forces were counterattacking around
Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, inflicting "such losses on the invaders that they have not seen even in their worst
dream."Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was equally defiant, saying, "Ukraine is bleeding, but Ukraine has not fallen, and stands both feet on
The myth of the unbeatable and almighty Russian army is already ruined."
