Moscow announced new "humanitarian corridors" to transport Ukrainians trapped under its bombardment - to Russia and its ally Belarus, a move Kyiv dismissed as an immoral stunt while pleading for more sanctions.

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* Russian promise on corridors
Russia`s defence ministry said it would open six humanitarian corridors in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, but Kyiv rejected the plan given the proposed evacuation routes led into Russian or Belarusian territory.

* More talks
A third round of talks about ending hostilities is due in Belarus on Monday, while Russia`s and Ukraine`s top diplomats are expected to meet in Turkey on March 10.

* MARKETS: Oil prices soar, shares tumble
Oil prices hit 14-year highs after Washington said it was talking to European allies about banning imports of Russian oil.

* Blinken assures of NATO guarantees
The United States has a "sacrosanct" commitment to NATO`s guarantee of mutual defense among its members, top diplomat Antony Blinken said during a visit to Lithuania.

* Russia shuns U.N. court hearing
Russia boycotted hearings at the U.N.`s highest court where Ukraine is seeking an emergency order to halt hostilities.

* China says friendship with Russia `rock solid`
China offered humanitarian aid to Ukraine, while its foreign minister hailed China`s friendship with Russia as "rock solid".

*Fleeing conflict
As many as five million Ukrainians are expected to flee if Russia`s bombing of Ukraine continues, the EU`s top diplomat said. U.N.s refugee agency said over 1.7 million have left so far.

* PM Johnson rejects calls for easier visa rules
Boris Johnson rejected calls for easing visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees, saying Britain was "generous" but needed checks on those arriving.

*`No war` protests in Russia
Police detained 5,020 people at Russia-wide protests against the invasion of Ukraine, according to an independent monitoring group.

* Rouble trouble
Russia`s rouble tumbled to another record low in thin offshore trade with local markets closed until at least Wednesday.

* COMPANIES: Uniqlo stays while more firms leave
Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing will keep its stores in Russia open as more global brands cut ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

* Sporting rebuke
Putin and a Russian businessman Arkady Rotenberg have been removed from all positions in the International Judo Federation, the sport`s governing body said.

*QUOTES
"In Ukraine rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This is not only a military operation but a war which is leading to death, destruction and misery," said Pope Francis, rejecting the term "military operation" used by Russia.

"My heart is being torn apart," said Olha Kucher, director of the Zaporizhzhia Central Christian Orphanage after evacuating more than 200 children from the southwestern city.