New Delhi:
Ukraine claims 352 civilians, including 14 children, were killed in the Russian offensive that began last Thursday. Negotiations between the two nations are underway after Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condition.
Russian artillery attacked several residential areas in Kharkov, Ukraine’s second largest city. At least 11 civilians have been killed in the ongoing shelling of Kharkiv.
Kiev says 352 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed since the invasion began last Thursday. Russia has admitted for the first time that it has suffered losses.
More than half a million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, the UN’s refugee agency said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told French Emmanuel Macron that a settlement in Ukraine is only possible if Ukraine is neutral, “denazified” and “demilitarized” and Russian control over annexed Crimea is formally recognized.
Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia will return to their capitals for talks and plan new talks, the two sides announced after their first meeting since the war broke out.
Russia faces international isolation as talks to resolve the conflict have failed to deliver a breakthrough.
The United Nations General Assembly is holding a meeting on the crisis in Ukraine and will vote later this week to isolate Russia.
India abstained on a UN resolution linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the second time in a week. New Delhi also welcomed the decision by Moscow and Kiev to hold talks on the border with Belarus.
The United States has expelled 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations over national security concerns.
Ukraine’s western allies increased arms transfers in support, and Britain called for such transfers to be expanded. Finland agreed to send 2,500 assault rifles and 1,500 anti-tank weapons. Canada will provide anti-tank weapons and upgraded ammunition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
