Eurovision bosses say Russia can compete in song contest despite Ukraine invasion

Steven Seagal is speaking out amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Most of us have friends and family in Russia & Ukraine," the action star told Fox News Digital on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been thrust into the spotlight as Russian forces attempt to take over the country. Zelensky, 44, has bravely remained in the capital city Kyiv with his family, which includes his wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska, and their two children. With civilians fleeing the country in droves as the whole world watches Vladimir Putin‘s military invasion of Ukraine, Olena is standing by her husband and commending the Ukrainian people’s courage and bravery. “I am proud to live with you in the same country!” she said in an Instagram post on Feb. 25. “Today I will not have panic. I will be calm and confident. My children are looking at me. I will be next to them. And next to my husband. And with you.” Here’s everything to know about Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Young Thug has offered to help African immigrants who are currently trapped in Ukraine.Ukraine officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia and declared martial law after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation last week (February 24). Many Ukrainians are now trying to escape the war zone as the fighting continues.There have also been numerous media reports of African immigrants struggling to get across borders and out of Ukraine due to a “Ukrainians first” policy.

Vladimir Putin's troops destroyed it last Friday (February 25). The heaviest aircraft ever built was in service for more than three decades before being wrecked by Russian forces as they captured the Hostomel airfield.Its condition has since been inspected by experts who estimate that restoration will take five years and cost over $3billion (£2.2billion).The Antonov Company tweeted that it could not verify the "technical condition" of the aircraft until it had been "inspected by experts".The Ukrainian state defence company Ukroboronprom - which manages Antonov - vowed in a statement the aircraft would be rebuilt using cash from Moscow.It said: "The restoration is estimated to take over 3 bln USD (£2.2billion) and over 5 years."Our task is to ensure that these costs are covered by the Russian Federation, which has caused intentional damage to Ukraine's aviation and the air cargo sector. For the latest stories from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here ."According to the director of Antonov Airlines, one of the engines was dismantled for repairs and the plane wasn't able to take off that day, although the appropriate commands were given."The Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba slammed the destruction of the plane which reportedly delivered supplies to survivors of the Haiti earthquake in 2010 as well as medical supplies to those in need during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Vladimir Putin has promised to consider ending his brutal bombing campaign on Ukrainian civilians and the areas they live in as peace talks between the two countries continue in Belarus.This comes after the Russian President spoke in length with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday, February 28.According to a statement from the French government, Macron asked Putin to halt all strikes and attacks against civilians and places of residences, preserve civil infrastructure and secure main roads.Putin confirmed his willingness to commit to those requests, the French statement said.However a Kremlin statement about the same telephone call says that Putin told Macron: "A settlement is possible only if Russia's legitimate security interests are taken into account – including a recognition of Russia's sovereignty over Crimea and a resolution of the objectives of demilitarisation and denazification of the Ukrainian state and ensuring it has a neutral status".Ahead of the talks, Ukraine said it wanted a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal, while the Kremlin said it would not announce its position.Russia's negotiators have talked of striking a deal that's in the interests of both sides.This news comes as dozens of people were killed by Russian rocket attacks in Kharkiv earlier on Monday.The Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko said Kharkiv had been “massively fired on”, leaving “dozens of dead and hundreds of wounded”.To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.With fighting continuing around several cities and the Russian rouble falling drastically, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Russian troops to abandon their weapons and leave the

Russia out of the World Cup. Ceferin held a video conference call with Infantino and told him he had no choice but to do the right thing and ban Russia from the competition, in the wake of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The Queen is said to have broken royal protocol after Vladimir Putin left her waiting.

The Glasgow Film Festival has withdrawn two Russian titles from its 2022 program in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Strictly Come Dancing former pro dancer James Jordan entered into a tense back and forth on Twitter with head judge Shirley Ballas over claims that past and present Russian dancers haven't shown enough support for Ukraine, which is currently being invaded by Russia under President Vladimir Putin's orders. Following 43 year old James's angry rant on what he perceived past colleagues to have done to help in the crisis, Shirley couldn't let his comments slide by, in a row that comes amid controversy over former dancer Kristina Rihanoff's comments about Russia and Ukraine.

BBC: "The only time I met Vladimir Putin was back in 2003 on an official visit and my then dog barked very loudly."I did apologise to the Queen who was obviously hosting.

Billionaire soccer club owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly assisting with peace efforts in Ukraine.

Boris Johnson is coming under pressure to seize the super yachts of rich Russian oligarch that regularly sail in Scottish waters.

Russia media websites that they will face “certain death” if they fight against Ukraine. An ominous message was first found on the homepage of Fontakna News, based in St Petersburg.It was also found on the homepages of Russian news websites Tass, Kommersant and IzvestiaClaimed by the hacking army, it reads: “Dear citizens.

Russian conductor Valery Gergiev has been dropped by his management and from upcoming performances in Europe and the US over his failure to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The friend and long-time supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far issued no statement on the war.Gergiev had been represented by Munich-based manager Marcus Felsner since December 2020.

THE BBC has been branded as "tone deaf" after it aired Muppets Most Wanted in which Kermit the Frog dances with cheering Russian soldiers. The movie stars Ricky Gervais as villain Dominic Badguy and sees the comedian teaming up with a criminal mastermind called Constantine, who looks just like Kermit.

Vladimir Putin's "propagandist-in-chief" has warned the West that their nuclear weapons are powerful enough to wipe out all NATO countries.Dmitry Kiselyov, a presenter for state media Rossiya 1, has a reputation for extravagant tirades demonising the West, recently threatening the Western world on TV by boasting Russia's military might.He said yesterday (February 27): "Our submarines can shoot more than 500 nuclear warheads. This would guarantee destruction of the USA, and all other NATO countries.

Motsi Mabuse has shared a cryptic post about friendship online just days after Strictly Come Dancing stars have spoken out about the Russia Ukraine conflict. On Sunday (27 February) evening, the Strictly judge took to Instagram to share a pointed message with her loyal legion of fans online.Over the past week, the 40-year-old ballroom dancer has shared a series of concerning posts about her family who have been caught up in the war-torn country.With the limited contact they have, she confirmed that her parents-in-law were unable to cross the border to Germany but now continue to attempt to leave Ukraine via other neighbouring countries.In the sensitive post Motsi confessed that the public reaction to the conflict going on overseas has given her perspective about who she classifies as a friend on the social media platform.She wrote: “This situation also makes me how I could never, ever be friends with some people , friendly , politeness yes but never friends because we care about different things which is fine but also a reminder for me [heart emoji].”It comes after former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff came under fire from fans for a string of since-deleted tweets which appeared to support Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The Stockholm Film Festival, due to run November 9-20, says it will not program any films that benefit from Russian state funding due to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Europa League and hand RB Leipzig automatic progression into the quarter-finals following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Russian sporting teams have been punished following the decision of Russian president Vladimir Putin to invade their neighbours - which he calls a "special military operation".Following news that Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic would refuse to play the Russian national side irrelevant of the location - UEFA have taken action at club level.German outlet Bild report that the administrative body for football in Europe will today (February 28) scrap both scheduled legs which were due to take place on March 10th and 17th.That comes after RB Leipzig had announced: "RB is currently in intensive talks with Uefa about how to proceed in the round of 16 games in the Europa League against Spartak Moscow."They added that they were assuming that the association would make a decision in the near future, with club official Oliver Mintzlaff saying that he believed the games would be scrapped.Mintzlaff said: "We continue to be in close contact with the associations and have complete confidence in Uefa and their decision.

Donald Trump, 75, has recently repeated his praise of Vladimir Putin calling him "smart" and American leaders "dumb" as Russia continues their widescale invasion of Ukraine. John Cleese, 82, has taken to Twitter to call out Trump for his recent comments and his "friendship" with Putin.John took to Twitter last night to make the statement, in view of his 5.7 million followers.He penned: "An old proverb: Judge a man by his friends."Putin's friends..."Bashar al-Hassad, who used poison gas on his own people."Alexander Lukashenko, Dictator of Belarus."Dictator Xi of China, comitting genocide on the Uighurs.

Liz Truss following last week’s meeting with Russia’s ambassador. During the summit last Thursday, the politician read the Russian envoy the riot act after Moscow ordered troops into Ukraine.She purportedly concluded the meeting early and ordered the diplomat to leave the building.A Foreign Office source said: "It was a heated meeting."Liz Truss kicked him out early."Said he should be ashamed of himself, that Russia has lied repeatedly and lost its last shred of credibility with the international community."Karren openly expressed her admiration for the Foreign Secretary in a new column for The Sun.The Apprentice star wrote: “You’ve got to admire Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for her chutzpah.“She berated Moscow’s ambassador to the UK, telling him the invasion of Ukraine has made Russia an ‘international pariah’, and she accused the country that he represents of having ‘repeatedly lied’.“Ms Truss allegedly showed Andrei Kelin the door at what was characterised by a Foreign Office source as a 'very grumpy meeting', as Kelin repeated Vladimir Putin’s lies.”Karren concluded: “ All I can say is, good on you Liz.