Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out conditions for ending his invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow's forces shelled the country’s second city and Western nations prepared even more sanctions.
Putin’s ultimatum came as Moscow and Kyiv held their first talks since the outbreak of war last Thursday, which shocked the world and provoked a massive diplomatic, economic, cultural and sporting backlash.
Putin laid out his prerequisites for ending the war in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron agreeing merely to hold the second round of negotiations soon.
Kremlin says Putin stressed that a settlement is possible only if Russia’s legitimate security interests are unconditionally taken into account, including the recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, the demilitarisation and denazification of the Ukrainian state and ensuring its neutral status.