Global National: March 5, 2022 | Ukraine, Russia blame each other as partial ceasefire collapses

The first ceasefire attempted in Ukraine to evacuate civilians collapsed not long after it began. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of breaking the partial truce, with efforts to allow more than 200,000 people to escape the fighting having been halted and residents have been forced to turn back. David Akin has our top story.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any third-party declaration of a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be seen as participation in the war. It came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged U.S. lawmakers to push NATO into action and asked for more humanitarian aid as the refugee crisis worsens. Jennifer Johnson reports.

With the growing challenge to get into Ukraine, Global News teams have been reporting from neighbouring countries for more than a week. But today, a first-hand look on the ground in Lviv from Mike Armstrong who takes us through his journey to enter the war-torn country.

The Canadian ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, is in Poland witnessing the flood of refugees into the country every day. Eric Sorensen spoke with her on the West Block about the determination and grief Ukrainians are experiencing.

As the war in Ukraine intensifies, one person who understands what refugees are going through is Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, the former president of Latvia. She spent 50 years in exile after fleeing with her parents when Soviet forces invaded during the Second World War. Mercedes Stephenson spoke with her about that experience - and whether NATO will push back against Putin.

Cryptocurrency has emerged as a key factor in the war in Ukraine. Experts say it's likely to support residents on both sides of the conflict as people take their money out of the traditional currency markets. But as Anne Gaviola reports, it's unlikely to help Russia totally skirt global economic sanctions.

Alberta has deep historical and human communications to Ukraine. As Dan Grummett reports, the community of Vegreville, a town built on Ukrainian roots, is trying to help however they can.