Ukraine latest updates: Russia committed ‘war crimes’, US says

Ukraine-Russia news from March 23: US gov’t assesses Russian forces committed ‘war crimes’ in its invasion of Ukraine, says troops targeted civilians. Speaking about the upcoming top-level meetings of Western allies in Brussels, Macron said: “We, the French and Europeans, will do everything to stop this war without entering it.” 23 Mar 2022 - 19:16 GMT Russia’s communications regulator has blocked Google News Russia’s communications regulator has blocked Alphabet’s Google News, accusing it of allowing access to what it calls fake material about the country’s military operation in Ukraine, the Interfax news agency has said. “But nonetheless, I think it is an encouraging statement that such a figure would make this move.” 23 Mar 2022 - 17:35 GMT Russia ally Belarus tells Ukraine to cut diplomatic staff Close Russian ally Belarus has told Ukraine to cut its diplomatic presence in the country citing unfriendly actions and meddling in its internal affairs, drawing Kyiv’s condemnation and promise of a “proper” response. We are calling on YouTube to help us support Ukraine by taking down videos doctored by the Russian state and disseminated to try and sap the morale of a people fighting for their freedom 🇺🇦 👇 pic.twitter.com/586ydI4VAp — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 March 23, 2022 23 Mar 2022 - 13:42 GMT NATO chief warns Russia against use of chemical weapons, pledges extra Ukraine support NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine would invoke “far-reaching consequences”. “This will be the direct clash between the Russian and NATO armed forces that everyone has not only tried to avoid but said should not take place in principle.” 23 Mar 2022 - 09:52 GMT Ukraine’s central bank asks SWIFT to disconnect Russia’s central bank Ukraine’s central bank has asked the SWIFT global payments network to switch the Russian central bank off from its financial messaging system.