In Ukraine the destruction continues and the death toll increases. Tonight we are focusing on the humanitarian situation. This Monday, day 19 of the Russian invasion, there have been strikes on residential buildings on the outskirts of Kyiv. A Russian vice squeezing the Ukrainian capital.

Russia this week widened its military offensive in Ukraine. For the first time, Russian forces have begun striking targets in the west of the country. But in addition to bombarding new cities, Russia is continuing its bombardment of Mariupol in the south, as well as Sumy and Kharkiv to the northeast. Satellite images of the long-awaited Russian convoy suggest that it is attempting to encircle the capital, Kyiv.

A stark warning from the United Nations, which says the conflict in Ukraine could lead to a global food shortage - due to rising prices and an inability to plant crops. Both Russia and Ukraine export large amounts of grain to Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, further sanctions have been announced against Russia, while hundreds of international firms have suspended their operations in the country. Sergei Guriev, professor of economics at Sciences Po in Paris, joins us to discuss this.

We examine the role played by Western allies in the Ukraine conflict. We're asking: what will NATO do next? There was more destruction in and around Kyiv this Tuesday. So what will NATO do? It is a question many observers are asking. Most importantly, it is the only question people in Ukraine want answered.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has unleashed a wide range of responses from leaders of countries across Asia.

Officials said the theater's bomb shelter, where hundreds of civilians had been hiding when an airstrike hit, withstood the attack. Survivors are believed to be trapped underneath.

The United States Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2018, as it tries to cool inflation, which is running at the highest level in 40 years. The Chair of the central bank, Jerome Powell, said the implications of the Russian invasion were "highly uncertain", pointing to the risk of disruption to supply chains. Also today, we look at details of the French government's plan to ease the economic impact of the war in Ukraine.

Three weeks ago at dawn, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the start of a "special military operation" in Ukraine. Since then, Ukrainian forces have fought back against the full-scale invasion. Some 3 million people have already fled the country, and the UN estimates that 2 million more are internally displaced. FRANCE 24's Rob Parsons, Clovis Casali and Abdallah Malkawi went to meet Ukrainian soldiers, as well as regular citizens – some trying to flee, others choosing to stay and resist.

"It cannot be that an autocrat attacks a sovereign country which has the right to the integrity of its territory." That's the firm response directed at Russia from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Speaking exclusively to FRANCE 24 about the war in Ukraine, the EU leader added that "democracy is standing up against autocracy and therefore we stand as one".

Igor Zhovkva is the deputy head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and also his chief diplomatic adviser. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Zhovkva underlined Zelensky's willingness to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the war in Ukraine, but stressed that Russia had until now rejected such an offer. Zhovkva also said that Ukraine wants "guarantees" from the United States and major European powers regarding its future security.

Igor Zhovkva is the deputy head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and also his chief diplomatic adviser. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Zhovkva underlined Zelensky's willingness to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the war in Ukraine, but stressed that Russia had until now rejected such an offer. Zhovkva also said that Ukraine wants "guarantees" from the United States and major European powers regarding its future security.

Who are the people keeping Vladimir Putin in power? Much is made of the oligarchs and their billions of dollars. Their support has been vital to keeping Putin financed. But how is his influence protected? This is now down to his Saint Petersburg friends: a collection of "hard men" who are in positions of power that they own to Putin. If the Russian leader were to be deposed – or even more unlikely – democratically voted out of power, these strongmen would do everything possible to stop that. Our guests discuss how democracy, freedom and the truth are quashed in Russia today.