Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine, Zelensky insists on sovereignty in talks

Ukraine has slowed a few of Russia’s advances, however a number of cities are being hit with missiles, a presidential adviser mentioned. In the meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned he is able to settle for a impartial, non-nuclear standing as a part of a peace take care of Russia.

Listed here are the newest developments within the conflict on Ukraine:

Russian strikes proceed: Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhail Podoliak mentioned the cities of Lutsk, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr and Rivne had been among the many areas hit by Russian missiles on Sunday. “Increasingly more missiles on daily basis. Mariupol underneath the ‘carpet’ bombing,” he mentioned. “Russia not has a language, humanism, civilization. Solely missiles, bombs and makes an attempt to wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth.” A loud explosion adopted by sirens had been additionally heard in Kyiv early Monday, in keeping with CNN groups on the bottom.

Zelensky insists on sovereignty in talks: With a brand new spherical of peace talks slated for Tuesday in Istanbul, Zelensky mentioned in a video posted to social media that peace and the restoration of regular life are the “apparent” objectives of Ukraine. “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are past doubt. Efficient safety ensures for our state are necessary,” he mentioned. Zelensky additionally advised journalists Sunday {that a} impartial, non-nuclear standing for Ukraine within the type of a “critical treaty” was acceptable as a part of a take care of Russia, however any settlement must be put to a referendum.

Biden says he was not calling for regime change: Attempting to stem response from remarks made Saturday, US President Joe Biden mentioned, “No,” in response to a query from a reporter asking if he was calling for regime change. Biden had earlier mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin “can not stay in energy.” Different Biden administration officers have sought to stroll again and make clear Biden’s remark.

Ukraine guarantees “rapid investigation” after video surfaces: An virtually six-minute-long video reveals what look like Ukrainian troopers capturing males who’re apparently Russian prisoners within the knees throughout an operation within the Kharkiv area. Requested in regards to the video, a senior presidential advisor, Oleksiy Arestovych, mentioned: “The federal government is taking this very significantly, and there will likely be a right away investigation. We’re a European military, and we don’t mock our prisoners. If this seems to be actual, that is completely unacceptable habits.” CNN just isn’t exhibiting the video.

Putin eyeing “Korean situation”: Ukraine’s navy intelligence head mentioned Putin could possibly be seeking to carve Ukraine in two – like North and South Korea. Brig. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov mentioned Russia’s operations round Kyiv had failed and it was now not possible for the Russian military to overthrow the Ukrainian authorities. Putin’s conflict was now targeted on the south and the east of the nation, he mentioned. “[Russian forces] will attempt to impose a dividing line between the unoccupied and occupied areas of our nation. In actual fact, it’s an try to create North and South Korea in Ukraine,” he mentioned.