According to a statement from the Russian National Defense Management Center, Russia has given Ukraine a deadline of 5 am on Monday 21 March to agree to surrender its eastern port city Mariupol. Russian officials said they will open humanitarian corridors for civilians to exit Mariupol at 10 am Moscow time in exchange for Ukrainian forces laying down their weapons, Reuters and the Guardian report.
During his White House remarks, President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and other energy imports in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Biden acknowledged that the move would drive up US energy and gas prices for Americans, saying, “Defending freedom is going to cost.” According to The Associated Press, the US will make the move unilaterally but are acting in close consultation with European allies, who are more reliant on Russian energy supplies and may not be able to join in immediately.
According to Russian state media, Russia’s military announced a ceasefire and opening of humanitarian corridors in the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy and Mariupol, to come into effect from 10am Moscow time on Monday. The statement cited a request by the French President Emmanuel Macron to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Previous attempts to allow citizens to evacuate besieged Mariupol failed after reports the ceasefire had been broken for a second consecutive day, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.