Digital Desk: Russia is willing to negotiate to Ukraine provided it 'lays down arms,' according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as cited by AFP. Lavrov also stated that Russia does not want 'neo-Nazis' to rule Ukraine. He stated that Russia merely wants the Ukrainian people to be independent and to be able to determine their own fate.
The Russian minister also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of lying when he said he was willing to discuss the former Soviet member's neutral status and states that if Ukraine 'lays down arms' they would negotiate the issue.
In remarks emphasising the bitter and hostile nature of Russia's aggression, Lavrov stated that Russia sees no possibility of recognising the current Ukrainian government as democratic.
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Meanwhile, Russia has assured India that it expects to be supported in its invasion of Ukraine when a UN Security Council resolution denouncing its actions is put to a vote this evening.
Last night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Putin, pleading for a stop to the bloodshed.
So far, India has not publicly condemned Russia's conduct, but has advocated for an immediate de-escalation of tensions on both sides in UN Security Council sessions.
The US delivered a warning to India before of the vote, calling for a 'collective reaction' to what it called a breach of the 'rules-based international order.'
Russia invaded Ukraine late Wednesday and early Thursday, following President Vladimir Putin's declaration of war in the largest attack on a European nation since World War II.
On the first day of conflict, at least 137 people were killed, including civilians, with both Russia and Ukraine claiming some devastation of the other's military assets.
Hundreds more people are thought to have perished today.
Russian ground forces, including tanks and missile launchers, are moving in on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, from the north and northeast, according to sources. Russian forces have unleashed massive ground and air strikes that have battered Ukraine's defences.
In Kyiv, explosions were heard before daybreak, and shooting was heard in various locations.
Ukraine's military has also claimed the presence of Russian spies on the outskirts of the capital, with local police detaining civilians in an underground metro station due to gunfire outside.
Ukraine President Zelenskiy has made numerous heartfelt appeals to the international community - whose response is seen as being led by the United States - to intervene and assist his country.
"If you don’t help us now… if you fail to offer a powerful assistance to Ukraine… tomorrow the war will knock on your door,” he said after snapping diplomatic ties with Moscow.
In a desperate attempt, Zelenskiy has proclaimed martial rule and ordered a complete military mobilisation of his country's forces, as well as urging residents to take up guns against Russian soldiers.
Ukraine's defence ministry has posted instructional videos on how to make Molotov cocktails on Twitter.
Multiple sanctions have been imposed by the US and other Western countries in response to Russia's activities, but they appear to be having little impact so far; US President Joe Biden has recognised that they are unlikely to have any effect. According to
