US ready to hit back if Russia uses chemical, nuclear weapons

The United States has put in place a contingency plan in case Russia uses chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons against Ukraine, reported the Kyiv Independent, quoting New York Times. A team of national security officials, known as the 'Tiger Team', is considering responses if Russia attacks convoys in Nato territories, bringing weapons and aid to Ukraine, according to officials involved in the process. These contingencies will be central in an upcoming Nato meeting between the leaders of all member states on March 24.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for worldwide protest as war marks a grim one-month milestone. "Come from your offices, your homes, your schools and universities, come in the name of peace, come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, to support freedom, to support life," Zelenskyy said in his appeal for a worldwide March 24 demonstration. Some 100,000 civilians are still trapped in Mariupol city without heat, food or clean water, facing relentless Russian bombardment from the sea and skies, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said as per Reuters.

According to a media report. a top advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin resigned from the government on Wednesday and reportedly left Russia to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Anatoly Chubais was the Kremlin’s special envoy for relations with international organisations for sustainable development. Meawhile, Russia will seek payment in roubles for gas sold to "unfriendly" countries, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, and European gas prices soared over concerns that the move would exacerbate the region's energy crunch.