Russia has been expelled from the 2022 World Cup and all its teams suspended from international competitions, as the sports world continues to crack down on Russia in response to the country's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. It's now the fifth day of the conflict. 

The rouble plunged to an all-time low on Monday after Western nations announced fresh sanctions and Russian President Vladimir Putin put nuclear-armed forces on high alert.

In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin said that the West recognising Russia's sovereignty over Crimea and the demilitarisation of Ukraine were pre-requisites for ending fighting. 

Ukrainian and Russian officials have ended a first round of talks to discuss a ceasefire. 

France has decided to move its embassy from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv to the western city of Lviv.

The UN General Assembly on Monday holds a rare emergency special session of the 193-member body on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Also on Monday, the UN Security Council holds a meeting on the humanitarian impact of the invasion. At least 325 civilians, including 14 children, had been killed since the start of the invasion, according to Ukraine’s health ministry. 

More than 500,000 Ukrainians have already fled the conflict, mostly to Poland and Moldova, according to the UN refugee agency.

France 24