>> announcer: this is cnn breaking news. and welcome to our viewers joining us all around the world. i'm michael holmes here in lviv, ukraine, with your live coverage of the russian invasion of this country. and we begin with that. the ukrainian delegation arriving at the ukrainian/belarusian border for talks with russia, but as bitter fighting continues around the country, the russian military just announced an open and safe corridor for civilians to leave

the ukrainian capital kyiv. this is only just happened in the last few minutes. meanwhile, moscow beginning to feel the impact of a slew of western sanctions, today russia's central bank more than doubled its key interest rate from 9.5% a year to 20%. we'll have more details on that in just a moment. so far, though, russian president vladimir putin, he doesn't seem to be backing down. he's put russia's deterrence forces, including its nuclear arms, on high alert. a move quickly condemned by world leaders as they ramp up their support for ukraine. so far ukrainian forces have managed to defend the capital kyiv despite being out gunned and out manned. we've also just learned the city is lifting its curfew for now, allowing grocery stores and public transportation to open during the day, but urging residents to leave home only when necessary. meanwhile, ukraine's armed forces say russian troops have

slowed their offensive, but have not ended their attack. and we've got new satellite images there that underscore russia's onslaught. they show a russian military convoy stretching more than 4 kilometers, or three miles. it is on a road leading to kyiv. now, cnn has reporters covering this from all angles across the snow globe. eleni giokos is covering russia's economy, we'll get to her. jim bittermann in france with the european union. and jasmine wright in washington with more on biden's call on u.s. allies. cnn's milk payton walsh is in the port city of odesa. fred pleitgen is in the region. fred, let's go to you first. talks between russia and ukraine were to begin moments ago. do we know it's actually started? >> reporter: well, michael, it certainly seems as though it's about to start. you're actually right. they're supposed to start about right now, a couple minutes ago.

what we've seen so far is the ukrainian delegation seems to have arrived. we saw video images of the delegation arriving with two helicopters. that delegation is being led by the defense minister, by alexi resnikov, and the foreign ministry as well. as far as the russian side is concerned, also some senior officials from russia's presidential administration, defense administration and foreign ministry as well as those two sides are set for those talks. those, of course, happening on the pripyat river right in the border area between ukraine and belarus. it's interesting to see the run up to this. russia says the talks are happening without any preconditions. the ukrainians in the form of the ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy saying he doesn't expect much of the talks. but he's going to try to do everything or anything to lead about a peaceful resolution to what is currently going on with that invasion in his country. very difficult to see whether or not there is going to be any headway made or whether or not

there is going to be a breakthrough, or whether or not, michael, this is a really big question, both sides even are coming to these negotiations with the same idea as to what exactly they want to achieve. do the russians essentially want a surrender from the ukrainians, then certainly this seems like something that definitely isn't going to happen. president volodymyr zelenskyy having said the last couple of hours the ukrainians will not lay down their arms as long as the russian military is on their territory. at the same time, you're absolutely right, michael. the russians saying on one hand they established air superiority over ukrainian territory. also impossible to verify whether that's true. the ukrainians continuing to claim they have shot down russian aircraft, and also have inflicted big casualties on the russians as well. the russians for now, by the way, for the first time acknowledging themselves there have been russian casualties. that is a first yesterday which they have announced. the russian also announcing that safe corridor along a highway

from kyiv, the silikov highway, they want to keep civilians safe is what the russians are claiming. also claiming the ukrainians are the ones who are upping the ante by handing out weapons and using human shields. so a lot happening on the diplomatic front. obviously the military front as well. it is interesting you point out the ukrainians are saying that the offensive appears to have slowed down for now. obviously from our vantage point here on the border, impossible to verify whether or not that's true. the only thing i can tell you here, that certainly might be an indicator, there is less movement of vehicles. aircraft have been flying toward ukrainian territory. it seemed as though this really is a decisive day, michael. those talks shaping up certainly what the world is watching at this point in time, michael.

>> and briefly before i let you go, fred, this safe corridor, you can look at that two ways. the russians are allowing civilians to leave the city in an orderly fashion, or it could be because they want the city empty and they are about to ramp up the ferocity of the attack. >> reporter: yeah, that's something ukrainian officials fear, there could be a ramping up of hostility. certainly some of the voices we've heard out of kyiv and ukrainian officials, they fear last night could have been one of those massive attacks. they could have faced some pretty stiff russian attacks during that night. it seems as though the past night, as far as ukrainian officials are concerned, seems to have been fairly calm around kyiv, and other areas of ukrainian as well, some fighting obviously or a lot of fighting has been reported. but a lot less than ukrainians anticipated as the evening

kicked in. that is the big question, are they trying to empty the city out for some larger-scale assault. one of the things you mentioned in the lead-in to all this, certainly seems to be interesting right now, that's that giant russian convoy that seems to be north of kyiv. that is something of huge concern to the ukrainians, the u.s. and its allies watching the situation unfold as well, michael. >> absolutely. fred pleitgen there on the russian border. pr appreciate it. let's bring in nick payton walsh from odesa. give us a sense of what's happening there. >> reporter: yeah, obviously places like this, odesa, third largest city in ukraine, vital port city. and where we were over the last 47, 72 hours, smaller towns mykolyiv deeply concerned. they have a long history of

talking to pause military gains. is it going to speed? it is unclear. we'll learn more about that in the days ahead. one particular city we were in the last 24 hours saw firsthand exactly what it is like when russian forces use their heavy onslaught to try to push into a densely populated area they would subsequently like to have control over. here's what we saw . >> all right. nic, we don't have what you were apparently waiting for. what's the civilian population there now? >> reporter: here in odesa, we are seeing around tense

preparations being made in order for them to resist any possible move by the russian military. there have been explosions since we were here at the start of the invasion. there were reports of anti-air force flying overhead. i'm in defensive positions. it's quiet, edgy, in a city that is normally bustling and thriving. this is important for the russian government. if it fails, it could have any bids to control usual. what we've seen over the past days is the strange russian attempt to intermittently have a go at certain objectives. the strategic bridge, they had a go for that. they won, they got pushed back. even as we left, that fight was still going back and forth even after local officials said defenses there had been overrun.

the mayor there talking about the need for people to gather themselves together. he appealed to locals to be calmed, allow police to search them at checkpoints. the fear is russian saboteurs, the idea that in plain clothes they're entering town to sabotage, cause disruption that might facilitate the entry of russian larger forces. but we are here, obviously, after a lengthy trip across the black sea area where it appears despite the heavy nature of weapons being used, ukrainian forces do often seem to hang onto territory russians a moving for. michael? >> all right. nick payton walsh in odesa. fred pleitgen on the russian border, thanks so much to both of you.

now, in the last few hours, russia's central bank will raise a key interest rate from 9.5% to 20% a year. it says external conditions for the russian economy have drastically changed. now, this comes as russia, of course, faces a growing list of severe sanctions from the west over its invasion of ukraine. concerns over those sanctions have led to long lines at atms in st. petersburg and elsewhere with many russians worried their bank cards might stop working or that banks will limit cash withdrawals. i spoke earlier with max, the moscow bureau chief about the bank's interest rate hike. >> it is going to enormously increase the cost of goods in russia. it is going to cause enormous headaches for anyone who has a loan or mortgage because your price is more -- your rate is more than doubled. of course, it's going to have very serious effects on gdp

growth. i don't know how we're going to continue to finance our bureau quite frankly. there are 20 million people who live in poverty, millions more who live pay to to paycheck, migrants from kyrgyzstan and uzbek. they'll be wiped out. people will be suffering with enormous inflation. >> max there from the financial times speaking with me earlier. cnn's eleni giokos joins us to talk more about this. this is a serious uptick, isn't it? >> reporter: absolutely. i mean, look, when you hike interest rates, it does two things. it makes money more expensive. your loans, your mortgage becomes unaffordable, especially from 9.5% to 20%. the incentive is you don't withdraw your money because technically you'd be getting really good rates on whatever money you have in the bank. that's what the central bank is trying to do, trying to assert

people from going to the atm. when we hear about the fears they worried about their bank cards not working, that absolutely could be a reality. fear is there will be a run on banks, they will pump money into liquidity. you have to keep in mind, the sanctions are going to be calamitous for the russian economy. it is going to have a contagion on and spill over effect on global markets. i want you to look at what european markets are doing now. they are deeply in the red. we are seeing a rate across the board. europe, ftse 100. the dax in germany, down 2%. this is because of fear of inflation coming through, you have the oil price sitting at around $100 a barrel. that is going to cause a lot of pressure in terms of recovery of economic growth and making gas and oil expensive. russia is important for energy

in urine with regard to the s.w.i.f.t. payment system, anyone buying or selling oil becomes almost impossible. and then just taking the story to a wider perspective, we've got to keep our mind on this, markets don't lhave a lie detector. it is going to have a spill over effect on many businesses around the world. bp is trying to divest. norwegians are trying to get their money from the sovereign wealth fund that has exposure to russian assets as well. the big question isn't something i'm looking at, it's what china is going to do. they've already softened import rules for russia. and then you've got to remember russia is trying to tap into $630 billion worth of foreign exchange reserves, its war chest, which is mostly in urine and the u.s.

b -- in europe and the u.s. china is looking to see how it plays out between china and russia as markets are in turmoil on the global level. >> eleni giokos, thanks. major update joining us from dubai. this coming in to cnn a few moments ago. ukraine is demanding from russia an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of their troops. now, that statement from the ukrainian presidency, coming as the country's delegation begins those talks at the ukrainian/belarusian border. meanwhile, the white house moving to coordinate the international response to this invasion. coming up after the break we'll have details on all of that and president biden's upcoming call with allies. we'll be right back. when they're sick, they get comfortable anywhere and spread germs everywhere. wherever they rest protection

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president joe biden, he's going to be holding a call with u.s. allies to coordinate the response to developments here in

ukraine. that says more than 4,000 u.s. army troops deployed have had their tours extended. president biden insisted american troops will not step foot in ukraine. cnn white house reporter jasmine wright joins me from washington. what are you hearing about what's likely to unfold in washington? >> reporter: well, no doubt sanctions will be a part of this phone call that president biden has with allies and partners in the situation room later today at the white house when he returns from his home in delaware. as the u.s. and western allies look to keep the pressure on russia in face of their aggression. now, something else that is likely to be a topic on this phone call, michael, is putin's threat after he ordered nuclear forces into a readiness stance. we heard from white house officials on sunday really trying in a lot of ways to de-escalate the situation. they did not match putin's rhetoric of that threat. instead they took a step back

and said, look, this is part of a wider pattern from president putin with manufactured threats and unprovoked escalations. and now white house press secretary jen psaki i think summed up the administration's position very well here in an interview. take a listen. >> this is really a pattern that we've seen from president putin through the course of this conflict, which is manufacturing threats that don't exist in order to justify further aggression. and the global community and the american people should look at it through that prism. >> reporter: now, spsaki added that the u.s. is ready to key f -- defend itself and pay attention to his rhetoric. as it pertains to condemning russia for their actions, but also in terms of intensifying sanctions that grow more crippling as they come, as u.s. officials say they are

proportional in their response to russia's aggression as they really try to cripple the russian economy here. now, of course, this threat from president putin is going to be top of mind for u.s. officials. they're taking it seriously and assessing the tangible effect that it has. but they declined when asked by reporters, they declined really to update the current nuclear alert levels, instead saying the u.s. is ready to protect itself and its countries. one thing i do want to point out, it's a key statement from a senior defense official where they said any miscalculation in this arena could make things much, much worse. so, all of these things are going to be on the president's mind as he heads into that phone call later today with allies and partners. michael? >> absolutely. jasmine, good to see you. jasmine wright there in washington with the very latest from d.c. all right. canada protesting a violation of its air space by a russian

flight. it's one of a growing number of countries that is off limits to russian planes because of moscow's invasion of this country. european commission president ursula confirmed on sunday the eu would be shutting down the entire bloc's air space not only to russian carriers, but to the private jets of oligarchs as well. now, we will have much more on the eu's response to the russian invasion of ukraine. our coverage continues after this. we got the house! you did! pods handles the driving. pack at your pace. store yoyour things until you're ready. then w we deliver to your new home - across town or across the country. pods, yourur personal moving and storage team.

for the first time ever, the european union will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment to a country that is under attack. this is a watershed moment. >> the european union taking unpoland/belarus de unprecedented measures to assist ukraine. >> the union was not providing arms in a war. yes, we are doing because this war requires our engagement in order to support the ukrainian army. >> now, that military aid comes as battles are raging throughout the country.

ukrainian troops seen here in kharkiv on sunday, meanwhile the ukrainian delegation is now at the border with belarus for talks with russia. this coming as the russian president vladimir putin has put the country's deterrent forces, that includes its nuclear arsenal, on high alert. and despite deep ties to moscow, turkey acting to limit passage of russian war ships to ukraine through the black sea. cnn correspondents have been covering all the global reaction. steven jiang standing by in beijing following the backlash to china's response to the crisis. jumanna caratachea in istanbul tracking turkey's response to ukraine, and jim bittermann in the european union. jim, we are seeing a major shift of europe coming to ukraine's aid. fill us in. >> reporter: germany was probably the most major.

the french european minister said this is a gigantic step forward for germany because they have now said that -- olaf scholes said they are going to spend 100 billion in upgrade offenses over the next few years, 100 billion euros. this is something the u.s. has demanded of germany, asked, requested of germany for years, for decades, and now this attack from russia has basically forced the hand and changed minds in germany. so they are going to increase their defense spending over the next few years. one of the interesting things about that sound bite you played from justice burrell, the head diplomat for the european union, he mentioned in that news conference, in fact this is $500 million in aid to ukraine, it's not going to just be ammunition and small arms and anti-attack weapons, but could include fighter jets. this would be fighter jets that

the ukrainian pilots would fly. it would have to be russian jets. there are a few of those around. members of the west and european union, interesting development there. so it's a great shift in what's happening as we've been reporting all the way along. the european air space has just about completely closed to russian civilian military and even private jets. the s.w.i.f.t. sanctions are going into effect. and, michael, even long neutral at the federal council meeting perhaps joining the rest of europe in the financial sanctions. michael? >> all right. good wrap up there from jim bittermann. jumanna caratachea in istanbul, some interesting developments there on turkey's position on the russian invasion of ukraine and what they're doing about it.

>> reporter: look, michael, turkey has always been in this unique position. a nato country that has been hit by sanctions by nato allies in the past because of its close ties to russia because of its defense ties to russia. but when it has come to this conflict, it has really tried to maintain and for good reason. turkey has close commercial trade and defense with both, russia and ukraine. so we have heard their position time and time again in recent weeks trying to call for negotiations, trying to find a peaceful resolution for the conflict. but they have been under increasing pressure from the ukrainians, russian naval war ships, through two of its main waterways, the two straits, the

dardonel. this is governed by the 1936 treaty. it's a very complex technical one. there are certain conditions, certain circumstances that need to be met for turkey to do that. one of those conditions is if turkey declares there is a war going on, it can stop the passage of the naval vessels of the warring parties. and this is where we saw that shift in rhetoric yesterday, michael, senior turkish officials, the foreign minister saying they have reached a conclusion. what is going on in ukraine is a war and that they will be having to implement the montrezl treaty. we have been speaking to a team of experts and analysts. they say this is not going to have a major impact on the ground or really change anything because russia has already moved whatever naval assets it needed

to move in the black sea region in the past few months. it's not going to have that sort of impact. also in the treaty there is a clause that allows those countries, even though they're banned, at times of war to move through the straits to head back to their bases. but what this really does, michael, it puts turkey in this really difficult position. it has been a very tough balancing act for president erred juan an erdogan the past few weeks. they have not been happy with turkey supplying ukraine with drones. we have heard from ukraine officials say they have been very effective on the battle field, michael. >> yeah, apparently so. jumanna crash >>. steven jiang, let's go $20. steven, it's interesting, it

hasn't outwardly criticized it either for president xi. >> reporter: imperfect balance is a good way to describe it. they cemented their relationship with russia and respecting integrity, trying to minimize their exposure to the western sanctions against russia. this is such a mission impossible that's why analysts say they have indeed made a choice. they have decided to side with russia despite their public assistance of being impartial and trying to play the role of a peace maker. if you look there are government statements and official reports as we discussed the last hour, it was increase beingly clear.

one sided coverage, calling it a russian invasion, using the term military operations on their television, cctv. time and again. there were reporters cited -- provided millions of viewers with information. their state backed tabloid newspaper, quote, unquote, investigating neo-nazi elements in neo-nazi guards. a talking point from the kremlin. so all of this one sided messaging from the government, for years, sharing common grievances and its allies may explain the actions we have seen, pro putin, pro russia, disparaging comments against usual. causing backlash to chinese

noted trapped in ukraine. obviously for weeks the authorize the warning about imminent war. they didn't get evacuated like their western counterparts did. michael? >> all right, steven jiang. jim bittermann in paris. thanks to all of you for your reporting. joining me now is william taylor, former ambassador to this country, and vice president of the russia and europe institute of peace. ambassador, thanks so much for being with us. before i was going to get to the question, your talks, the hopes for those, and also your reaction to russia putting its nuclear art analyze on alert.

>> these are clearly not going to solve this problem. it is not clear that the russians are very serious about these talks. the head of the russian delegation is a former minister of culture. not in his past life, but president zelenskyy has to take advantage of this opportunity to try. the russians first second take place in minsk. belarus has been the source of many of the attacks, the missile attacks on ukraine. so there was no way there was going to be any useful productive conversation in minske. the compromise was to do it on the border between ukraine bella

route, the pripyat river. president zelenskyy indicated he's open to a solution, a way to stop the fighting. that has to be the first thing. that has to be the first condition, that is, there has to be a cease-fire and the russian need to pull back their military forces from ukrainian. that is the kind of status of those discussions. we'll see if anything comes up that great. on your second question, nuclear forces on alert, they're already on alert. this was not a new status. this was not a new decision on the part of president putin. what it is is further attempt to intimidate. it's a show. it's an attempt to have

president zelenskyy, who has been very strong, and very defiant, an attempt to bully him, an attempt to getting him to make concessions. so far president zelenskyy has stood strong and he has the backing of his whole country. >> has this crisis, in your view, exposed some failings in the west's european security strategy? despite the sanctions, more sanctions putin hasn't blinked. he's invited a european nation. he's in the military corridor of kyiv. which could suggest he's about to up the an en tee. what can be done to stop this from happening. what's being done so far isn't working. >> mr. putin is clearly the aggressor.

he is continuing to attack and to kill ukrainians. this is clearly war criminal activity but you're right , the have not stopped this. the united nations security council, of course, has been stymied, has been blocked by the russians in the security council. there have been two votes now and there's only been one vote in favor of russia or russians. or abstained. the chinese abstained. this was a resolution condemning

russia. the russians have been totally -- >> mr. ambassador it's all talk. it's very rarely action. a major player has a veto on the security council -- given his in transience, what's to stop putin from turning his attention elsewhere? he's made clear his eyes are on other soviet states. >> that's exactly why ukraine is important, if putin is allowed to dominate ukraine, to incorporate ukraine back into the russian empire, then the next step is clearly to the west. the next step moldova, or the next states may be the baltic states, members of nato. this would be a terrible war

would result. >> you have a unique perspective on this country. former ambassador to this country, bill taylor, thank you so much. really appreciate you taking the time. >> thank you, michael. >> okay, much more from ukraine coming up. first let's go to isa soares in london. over to you, my friend. >> thanks very much, michael. coming up right here on "cnn newsroom," as the invasion over ukraine intensifies, we take you to the ukrainian and polish borders where families have been torn apart by russia's invasion. the emotional and physical toll it's taking on families. that's next.

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to build a future of unlimited possibilities. we are witnessing what could become the largest humanitarian crisis on our european continent in many, many years.

>> people fleeing the violence in ukraine are threatened by more than just bombs and bullets. the journey can be arduous and the freezing temperatures brutal. according to the u.n. 368,000 people have made that journey already and more than 115,000 have arrived in just poland alone. the emotional toll is equally hard. arwa daman is at the border as they reach the border in hopes of reaching safety. >> reporter: little hands clutch bigger ones that would give anything just to keep them safe. sleepy, tiny, cold faces and tired arms. the hum of voices you would expect from the number of people that are here, it doesn't exist. it's as if the shock and disbelief has brought with it an odd silence. it's mostly women and children here who have had to say good-bye to husbands, brothers, fathers, men aged 18 to 60 are

not permitted to leave. how were you able to say good-bye to your father? >> i think that it was the most awful thing to say. >> she was crying. >> reporter: and then there is the sheer hell of getting here. walking for hours, waiting in some cases for days out in the bitter cold, hungry, thirsty. we meet the family who fled afghanistan, getting asylum in ukraine. his 7-year-old daughter barely made it here. arwa? i'm arwa. >> arwa, it's similar. >> hi, marwa. >> hi. >> it's very, very cold, and my daughter become shocked. we call her and she not answer.

we contact the ambulance, we get the ambulance, the doctor come. after that there is a chance. we had to go there first. >> reporter: she clutches one of the donated stuffed animals replacing a similar one she left behind. but who is going to give her the rest of her life back? >> i don't know the future. >> reporter: again. >> again. >> reporter: at least this time unlike in years past, europe is welcoming refugees. there is a massive inhumane backlog on the ukrainian side, but once finally here in poland, an army of volunteers. at the train station, 7-year-old max's face is in his mother's legs. he's not used to the crowds. it's all scary and confusing. >> they waited for two whole days. >> reporter: your mother is in kyiv? >> my mother.

>> reporter: it's tearing her apart, but at least her husband who is not ukrainian is out with her. how do you say good-bye to the love of your life, the father of your children? this woman is not the only one in tears. others as well understandably, not wanting to talk. we can't take it. it makes us cry too much, they say. arwa daman, cnn, poland. >> truly heartbreaking. organizations around the world are on the ground in ukraine and neighboring countries to help those in need with shelter, food, water as well as additional aid. for more on how you can help, just go to cnn.com/impact for information. you'll find 14 organizations providing help and support to those on the ground in ukraine. and still to come right here on the show, a show of solidarity right around the world as thousands take to the streets to rally behind ukraine,

condemning vladimir putin and russia's invasion. our breaking news continues after this very short break.

(ted koppel) 30 million americans have copd, half don't yet know it. every one of them is especially vulnerable to covid-19. help us find them at copdsos.org.

you're looking there at anti-war protests. this is in st. petersburg in russia. an independent monitor says russian authorities have detained nearly 6,000 people for participating in protests across the country since the invasion of ukraine began. under russian law, large demonstrations require a permit and even heavy fines or jail time can be imposed on those without the proper paperwork. russia just one of many countries where protests are being staged. in the united states, rallies were held in cities across the country over the weekend, including the nation's capital. protesters there demanding an end to the war. and in berlin, thousands gathered at the park to express their outrage over the russian invasion. sunday marked the 28th screen actors guild awards, and the organizing group is showing support for artists still working in ukraine. ahead of the awards, the guild

released a statement urging all nations to recognize and respect the freedom of the press, pleading for all workers to be kept safe amid russian attacks. award winners showed their support as well recognizing an ti -- artists who can't speak out under the rule of the russian president. >> the thing that's really distressed me is what's happening in russia to my fellow actors and actresses and performers and writers and critics. they are told under pain of high treason, that they can't say a word about ukraine. and i think that is pretty awful. and i think we should all stand together, and also for those people, the people in russia who don't like what's going on, and particularly the artists. and i think we should really join in celebrating them and hoping they can make a shift, as i believe they can. >> the screen actors guild has

pledged support for ukraine's cultural workers union as well as anti-war protesters in russia. and ukrainian brewery is contributing to the fight in their own special way, serving up quite molotov cocktails instead of the usual draft beer. have a look at this. they've even made a special label for the bottles featuring image of russian president vladimir putin. last week the ukrainian ministry of defense encouraged citizens to make molotov cocktails or petrol bombs to combat them, providing instructions on how to make them online. i'm michael holmes in lviv, ukraine. thank you for joining us for the coverage on russia and ukraine. new day continues with john

berman and brianna keilar. you're watching cnn.

>> announcer: this is cnn breaking news. good morning to our viewers here in the united states and around the world. it is monday, february 28th and i am brianna keilar with john berman. we are beginning with breaking news. day five of the russian invasion of ukraine and kremlin forces are encountering stiff resistance from not only the ukrainian military, but from ordinary citizens as well. ukraine says the intensity of the russian offensive may be slowing. in the last hour a meeting of delegations from russia and ukraine got underway on the border between ukraine and belarus. ukraine is calling f