As it happened: Presidents of 8 EU states call for immediate talks on Ukrainian membership

Presidents of eight EU states have called to immediately grant EU candidate country status to Ukraine, paving the way for accession to the 27-member bloc. It's now the fifth day of the conflict.

A picture taken on February 19, 2020 shows the European Union flags fluttering outside the European Commission building in Brussels.

The International Criminal Court plans to open an investigation into Russia's invasion of Ukraine and alleged war crimes committed there.

Russia has been expelled from the 2022 World Cup and Russian athletes and teams have been banned from international sporting events.

The rouble plunged to an all-time low on Monday after Western nations announced fresh sanctions and Russian President Vladimir Putin put nuclear-armed forces on high alert.

In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin said that the West recognising Russia's sovereignty over Crimea and the demilitarisation of Ukraine were pre-requisites for putting an end to fighting.

Ukrainian and Russian officials have ended a first round of talks to discuss a ceasefire.

France has decided to move its embassy from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv to the western city of Lviv.

More than 500,000 Ukrainians have already fled the conflict, mostly to Poland and Moldova, according to the UN refugee agency.