Ukraine: Talks with Russia inconclusive as UN convenes

World Rugby has announced that it has brought sporting sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

The sports governing body confirmed that both Russia and Belarus would be suspended from international and cross border rugby.

Russia's World Rugby membership would also be suspended.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has refused to play against Russia's Anastasia Potapova in the Monterrey Open in Mexico.

The world ranked number 15 player said she would not play against any Russian or Belarusian player until the sports governing body to "follow the recommendations" of the International Olympic Committee and "accept Russian or Belarusian nationals only as neutral athletes, without displaying any national symbols, colors, flags or anthems," she tweeted.

The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has posted a message, thanking the people of Belarus who have taken a stand against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Borrell posted a video message in which he urged people to stand with Ukraine. "To the Belarusian people: many of you took huge personal risks struggling for a free and democratic Belarus. Now you are raising your voice against Russia’s war on Ukraine and Lukashenko's decision to support it. Thank you for your bravery. EU stands with you."

The country's leader Aleksander Lukashenko, has managed to tighten his grip on power, following a constitutional referendum on Sunday. 

The amendment will allow Russian troops and nuclear weapons to be stationed permanently in Belarus and also shields Lukashenko from prosecution. Russian tennis players Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Andriy Rublev have both called for peace and Svitolina was keen to express her admiration for those who have taken a stand against the invasion.

"I do not blame any of the Russian athletes. They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland."

"Moreover, I wish to pay tribute to all the players, especially Russians and Belarusians, who bravely stated their position against the war. Their support is essential."