What happened around Ukraine's war diplomacy by 23 March 2023?
A look back at the developments reported in the days before 23 March 2023, from an ICC warrant to a British munitions pledge and a NATO vote date.
What had the days before 23 March 2023 brought for Ukraine and its backers? Several developments reported between 17 and 21 March shaped the picture on that date.
On 17 March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian president Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, presidential commissioner for children's rights. The warrants concerned alleged war crimes involving the abduction and forced adoption of children from Ukraine.
Two days later, on 19 March, Putin visited Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast, in Russian-occupied Ukraine. It was reported as his first visit there since the invasion began.
On 21 March, the United Kingdom confirmed it would supply Ukraine with depleted uranium armour-piercing shells alongside its Challenger 2 main battle tanks, saying the risk of radiation contamination was low. Putin said Russia would be forced to react to the British move.
There was also movement on NATO enlargement. On 17 March, Hungary announced that a vote on Finland's membership application would take place on 27 March. Máté Kocsis, Fidesz parliamentary group leader, said Sweden's application would be considered at a later date.
