Ban On Russian Oil, Ukraine's New NATO Stand: Here's What Is Happening As War Enters Day 14

President Joe Biden has announced a ban on US imports of Russian oil, in the administration's most far-reaching action yet to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.

"We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy. That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to (President Vladimir) Putin," Biden said in an address from the White House, adding that the decision was taken "in close consultation" with allies.

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The United States on Tuesday also rejected a Polish offer to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via a US air base, saying the proposal raised "serious concerns" for the entire Nato alliance.

As the war enters Day 14, here's everything that is happening in the crisis zone:

Ukraine's new stand on NATO

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is no longer pressing for NATO membership for Ukraine, a delicate issue that was one of Russia's stated reasons for invading its pro-Western neighbor.

In another apparent nod aimed at placating Moscow, Zelensky said he is open to "compromise" on the status of two breakaway pro-Russian territories that President Vladimir Putin recognized as independent just before unleashing the invasion on February 24.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky | Getty

"I have cooled down regarding this question a long time ago after we understood that...NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine," Zelensky said in an interview aired Monday night on ABC News.

"The alliance is afraid of controversial things, and confrontation with Russia," the president added. Referring to Nato membership, Zelenskyy said through an interpreter that he does not want to be president of a "country which is begging something on its knees."

2 million have fled Ukraine

According to Save The Children, an estimated 8,00,000 children are among the two million people who have fled Ukraine after Russia's invasion began. Many of them are making the trip on their own and arriving unaccompanied, the agency warned.

¡°Parents are resorting to the most desperate, heart-breaking measures to protect their children. This includes sending their children away with neighbours and friends, to seek safety outside of Ukraine, while they stay home to protect their homes,¡± Irina Saghoyan from the NGO was quoted by BBC.

Meanwhile, around 5,000 people were evacuated from Sumy in Ukraine. Bombing in the city had resulted in civilians deaths and large-scale destruction.

What the #Ukrainian city of #Sumy looks like after the #Russian bombing.

About 5 thousand people were evacuated from there. As a result of the bombing by Russian aviation, civilians were killed, including elderly and children. pic.twitter.com/Fk5srvnklm

¡ª NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 9, 2022

Air strikes hit residential buildings in Zhytomyr, Kharkiv

In Ukraine¡¯s Zhytomyr region, an air strike on Tuesday resulted in destruction of seven houses. Five people, including two children, died in the attack, according to the Ukrainian government. Meanwhile, in Kharkiv region, an air strike hit a residential building on Tuesday evening and killed two people including a seven-year-old child.

First Lady's statements

Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, has written an open letter to the global media. Read excerpts: "On February 24th, we all woke up to the announcement of a Russian invasion. Tanks crossed the Ukrainian border, planes entered our airspace, missile launchers surrounded our cities. Despite assurances from Kremlin-backed propaganda outlets, who call this a "special operation" - it is, in fact, the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians. Perhaps the most terrifying and devastating of this invasion are the child casualties."

Olena Zelensky - Wife of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and the first lady of Ukraine

China's Xi calls for 'maximum restraint'

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for "maximum restraint" in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in Europe," state media reported, in his strongest statement to date on the conflict.

Xi, speaking at a virtual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, described the situation in Ukraine as "worrying" and said the priority should be preventing it from escalating or "spinning out of control".

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