Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - Feb. 27, 2022

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic and other news in Turkiye and around the world.

Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a telephone call that Ankara was making efforts for a cease-fire to avoid any further loss of life amid the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Turkiye urged Russia to halt its military operation in Ukraine. Escalation is not in anyone’s best interest, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in a phone call.

The Turkish and Azerbaijani presidents will help Kyiv start negotiations with Moscow, according to Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian families continued to arrive in Turkiye through border gates in Edirne and Kirklareli provinces as Russia’s attacks on Ukraine entered a third day.

Turkiye reported 61,764 new coronavirus cases, 221 deaths and 85,552 recoveries, according to the Health Ministry.

- Other developments worldwide

European countries, the US, UK and Canada agreed that a “certain number of” Russian banks will be removed from the SWIFT banking system.

Several European countries decided to send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as Russia continues its military operation.

Germany will supply Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 anti-aircraft Stinger missiles, said a government spokesman.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Belarus to demand Russia withdraw troops from its soil immediately, according to a statement from his office.

Ukraine shot down five Russian fighter jets, two aircraft and 11 helicopters, said Ukrainian officials.

Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Romania decided to close their airspace to Russian planes, joining other European countries that have taken the step since Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine.

Russia is closing its airspace to planes from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia, its state aviation agency said early Sunday.

Anti-war demonstrators gathered in world capitals including Brussels, Athens and Budapest as Russian troops are said to be advancing toward Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich handed the club's "stewardship and care" to its charitable foundation following Russia's attack on Ukraine.