Russia's president has threatened the West with nuclear weapons if it continues to - in his view - "blackmail" his country following his invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin has announced a 'partial mobilisation' which will start today, with military reserves conscripted to service.
Four occupied regions in Ukraine are planning to hold votes on joining Russia.
The votes are seen by Western nations as attempts to justify the military action from Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is due to make an historic address to the UN General Assembly.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, will be among world leaders gathering in New York later today, where the war in Ukraine is set to dominate the agenda.
Tomorrow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, will attend a meeting of the UN Security Council which is expected to focus on accountability.
While countries from Africa and the Global South will use their platform to highlight the food crisis which is gripping some 828 million people categorised as suffering from hunger.
“We gather today at the most consequential moment of the last four decades.
We live, it seems, in a permanent state of humanitarian emergency.
The world needs solutions through solidarity, sustainability & science.”
Full #UNGA remarks 🔗 https://t.co/E212OnH7ww pic.twitter.com/zb6SeJUqap— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) September 20, 2022
