As it happened: US formally determines that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine; World reacts to Ash Barty’s shock retirement from tennis

Thanks for staying with us throughout the day as we brought you the latest news. We’re closing the blog for the night, but Broede Carmody will be back with you in the morning.

If you’re just catching up, here’s a summary of this afternoon’s main stories:

• World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, are meeting at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels to discuss the next steps in the Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting will seek to tighten the financial squeeze on Russia’s economy with more sanctions and send a stronger message that the Kremlin risks full-blown conflict with the West.

• Australia has recorded a total of 63,103 COVID-19 infections and 35 deaths, bringing the total number of virus-related fatalities in the country since the pandemic began to 5824. A total of 2149 patients are recovering in hospital and 102 are in intensive care. NSW was the jurisdiction with the highest number of new cases at 24,803, while Victoria reported 10,259 infections.

• Ash Barty has addressed the media for the first time after announcing she will retire from tennis yesterday. The women’s world No.1 said she and her team viewed the Australian Open as “one last crack” and that the Australian public allowed her through the tournament to be herself, make mistakes, and be imperfect.

• Australia has struck a deal for New Zealand to accept some of the refugees who arrived by boat, almost a decade since the offer was first made. The three-year agreement will lead to 450 refugees resettling in New Zealand. Priority will be given to about 100 people still on Nauru after being processed in Australia’s offshore immigration centre there.

Thank you again for joining me and good night.

At least 7000 Russian soldiers have likely been killed in the first month of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO officials say, but the total number could be as high as 15,000.

The figures are based on a combination of Ukrainian estimates, Russian disclosures, Western intelligence, and open-source information.

The number of wounded is likely much higher, noting that for each soldier killed in combat, there are usually three more injured. That would put the total number of dead, captured, or wounded Russian soldiers between 30,000 and 40,000.

However, information about the status of Russia’s forces in Ukraine has been sparse, which means the actual toll is unknown. Russia’s advances have been largely stalled in recent days, as the war has shifted into a more grinding phase.

As reported earlier, NATO leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss how to deter further Russian aggression and bolster the alliance’s eastern flank.

Bloomberg

China and the Solomon Islands are set to sign off on a security deal that will see Chinese warships based in the Pacific and shift the balance of power in Australia’s region.

The draft framework agreement will give China the power to use its military to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands.

It will also give Beijing a base for its navy less than 2000 kilometres off Australia’s coast.

The base would be the first time that Australia has had a strategic adversary within striking distance of its coastline since World War II.

The draft, released online on Thursday afternoon and verified by the Australian government, is a sharp escalation in the relationship between the two governments after protests, riots and looting gripped the island nation in November.

Read the full story by North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw here. 

Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky has called on people worldwide to gather in public to show support for his embattled country as he prepares to address US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders gathered in Brussels on the one-month anniversary of the Russian invasion.

“Come to your squares, your streets. Make yourselves visible and heard,” Zelensky said in English during an emotional video address recorded near the presidential offices in Kyiv.

“Say that people matter. Freedom matters. Peace matters. Ukraine matters.”

Zelensky said he would ask in a video conference with NATO members that the alliance provide “effective and unrestricted” support to Ukraine, including any weapons the country needs.

His address comes after Ukraine’s navy reported it had sunk the Russian ship Orsk in the Sea of Asov, near the port city of Berdyansk.

The navy released photos and video of fire and thick smoke coming from the port area, which has been in Russia’s possession since February 27.

AP

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson are speaking to the media in Perth.