Coca-Cola to leave Russian market, Danone to suspend ops as Russia's invasion continues

In yet another form of condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, beverage company Coca-Cola and food-products corporation Danone has announced actions against Russia. Coca-Cola has announced to leave the Russian market while Danone has suspended operations in one of the two factories in Ukraine. "The second was closed but has managed to resume operations," wrote Danone in a statement. "We have decided to suspend all investment projects in Russia, but currently maintain our production and distribution of fresh dairy products and infant nutrition, to still meet the essential food needs of the local population," the company added. 

“To support humanitarian aid, which is the immediate priority, we have made a donation of 500,000 euros to the Red Cross,” wrote Danone on Linkedin. 

Simultaneously, International Gymnastics Federation is also set to suspend Belarusian and Russian athletes from the competition starting Monday, according to a report by Nexta. Not only athletes belonging to the two countries but also judges and other officials would be subjected to the ban. The report said that they will not be allowed to participate in FIG-sponsored competitions until further notice.

Russia Ukraine war: Zelenskyy to hold an online meeting with US senators

On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he will hold an online meeting with representatives of the United States Senate on Saturday. According to a report by CNN, both Democratic and Republican US senators received an invitation to attend a Zoom meeting with Zelenskyy on Saturday. The emergency meeting is scheduled to take place at 09:30 am (16:30 Kyiv time) 

Russia faces objections from world leaders

In the latest, Singapore has also unveiled final sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said NATO would be responsible for the deaths of Ukrainians due to its refusal to help Kyiv protect its skies from Russian warplanes. “All the people who die from this day forward will also die because of you, because of your weakness, because of your lack of unity,” he said in a nighttime address. His statement comes as NATO rejected Zelenskyy's plea for a "No Fly Zone" over Ukraine. 

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