Russia and Ukraine’s tensions started in 2014, but have since settled into a stalemate. Shellings and skirmishes still often occur and violence escalated in the spring of 2021. Now in early 2022, Russia has invaded Ukraine. Difficulties to evacuate have been caused by the intense bombardment of the Kharkiv region, according to its military governor in an article by CNN. Ukrainian President Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, told CNN there is a “portion of optimism” after talks with Russia in Istanbul.

In light of the rising gas prices due to sanctions against Russia’s energy industry, President Biden is reported to announce on Thursday a plan to release 180 million barrels of oil from the US strategic reserves. Oil prices have already dropped in response to expectations of the announcement, all according to an article by The New York Times. 

According to an article by Aljazeera, NATO adds that it expects “additional offensive actions” from Russia. In an article by Reuters, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that it seems Russia is regrouping rather than redrawing and preparing new attacks against Ukraine, even with peace talks supposedly resuming on Friday, April 1. Stoltenberg said that NATO is not yet convinced that Russia was negotiating in good faith during the peace talks in Istanbul, as Moscow’s military objective has not changed since launching its invasion. According to their intelligence, “Russian units are not withdrawing but repositioning. Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive in the Donbas region,” Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels.

As of March 30th, 2022, Reuters reports that the war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in at least 23 thousand deaths, 10 million people displaced, 1900 non-fatal injuries, at least 1800 buildings destroyed, and $565 billion in property damage. 

This week marks the 6th week of the Russia Ukraine war.