Canada plans to increase oil and gas exports this year by up to 300,000 barrels per day, the country’s natural resources minister has said, as nations seek to wean themselves off Russian energy supplies.

Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in a statement that the move which would amount to an increase of about 5 percent aims to help Canada’s allies respond to “an energy security crisis” caused by Russia’s ongoing invasion.

G7 warns against threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons

The G7 countries have warned against the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, rebuking Russia over what they called “completely

unfounded” allegations of bioweapons in Ukraine.

“We recall Russia’s obligations under the international treaties to which it is a signatory, and which protect us all,” the countries said in a joint statement.

Russia, Ukraine exchange prisoners

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners, Kyiv and Moscow confirmed, in what Ukraine said was the first swap of soldiers since Moscow ordered troops into Ukraine one month ago.

"Following an order from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the first fully-fledged exchange of prisoners of war has taken place," Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk wrote on Facebook.

"In exchange for 10 captured occupiers we rescued 10 of our servicemen," she said, referring to Russian and Ukrainian troops.

Bulgarians protest Russia’s war in Ukraine

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to show solidarity with Ukrainians.

The rally, organised on social networks, followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call on people around the world to protest the month-long war.

Blinken to discuss Ukraine in trip to Middle East, North Africa

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the Middle East and North Africa starting on Saturday, in a trip that will be heavily dominated by discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Blinken is set to visit Israel, the West Bank, Morocco, and Algeria from Saturday to Wednesday.

Ukraine says Russia conducted 1,804 air raids

Since the war began on February 24, Russia has conducted 1,804 air raids on Ukraine, including 467 missiles, the Defence Ministry in Kyiv has said on Telegram.

Canada to increase defence spending, impose new sanctions on Russia

Canada will continue to increase its defence spending, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said, as he announced new sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Biden says Nato will 'respond' if Russia uses chemical weapons

US President Joe Biden has said Nato would “respond” if Russian President Vladimir Putin used a chemical weapon during his invasion of Ukraine.

“We will respond if he uses it. The nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use,” Biden said after a NATO summit in Brussels.

Biden calls for removal of Russia for G20

US President Joe Biden wants Russia removed from the G20, but stressed that it is the organisation’s decision, adding that an alternative would be for Ukraine to attend as an observer.

Biden was speaking at a press conference at NATO Headquarters following meetings with leaders of both the alliance and the G7 in an extraordinary day of summits in Brussels over the invasion of Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)