LIVE UPDATES: Pentagon Chief Denies Ukraine Conflict Turning Into Proxy War Against Russia

Earlier, he reported that he woke up from sounds similar to explosions.

“It is absolutely normal for any sovereign state to wish, want, and sometimes even demand that its interests as a sovereign state be taken into account within the framework of the new security architecture... And it would not be entirely normal not to take into account our interests, it is strange to be surprised at our desire," Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz told Belarus 1 TV channel.

"Naturally, a number of foreign actors, Western partners would not want this, they don’t like it, they don’t like to take into account the interests of Belarus," he said.

Glaz said three rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks were held in Minsk, adding that Belarus sincerely wants the conflict in Ukraine to be settled.

So far we are not changing our posture, the Department added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in principle agreed to UN and International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) involvement in the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal compound in Mariupol during a meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

"The President [Putin] agreed, in principle, to the involvement of the United Nations and the International Committee for the Red Cross in the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol," Dujarric said in a readout of the leaders’ meeting.

Putin and Guterres during their meeting in Moscow also discussed proposals for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians from conflict zones such as Mariupol, the readout said. The meeting will be followed up by discussions between the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Russian Defence Ministry, the readout added.

At the same time, the UN chief stressed that it is very important to have an independent investigation for full credibility and accountability.

Trudeau and Sandu also discussed the issue of Ukrainian refugees flooding Moldova after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24. Trudeau promised Sandu that they would remain in contact and Ottawa will assess how it can best support Moldova.

"I personally read all the documents of the UN International Court of Justice on the situation in Kosovo. I remember very well the decision of the international court, which says that in exercising the right to self-determination, this or that territory of any state is not obligated to apply for permission to the central authorities of the country to declare its sovereignty. This was said about Kosovo, and this is the decision of the international court. And this decision was supported by everyone," Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Canada will send to Ukraine eight armored vehicles as part of its efforts to bolster that country’s defense amid Russia’s special military operation, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.

"Today, Canada announced that it will send Ukraine eight armored vehicles," Austin said during a press conference at the Ramstein Air Base following talks among the allied and partner nations about Ukraine.

As regards reports of recent explosions in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, Austin noted that the Pentagon is still looking into the causes and will keep monitoring the developments.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that he believes Ukraine will soon resume its effort to become a member of NATO.

"I do believe that in the future if the possibility exists, I think Ukraine will seek to once again apply to become a member of NATO, but again that's probably a bit down the road," Austin said after Ukraine-focused defence talks with allies in Germany.

The official added that he also informed the OPCW in the note about the presence of UK and US instructors in Ukraine, who are trained in the use of chemical weapons.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday that the United States was preparing provocations to accuse the Russian military of using chemical, biological and tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine joined the Hague-based organization in the late 1990s, thereby committing to never develop, stockpile or use chemical weapons.