olodymyr Zelensky has called for meaningful peace and security talks “without delay” with Moscow as Ukrainian cities face a humanitarian crisis.
The Ukrainian President said it was Russia’s only chance to limit the damage from its “mistakes” in the wake of its invasion.
“This is the only chance for Russia to reduce the damage from its own mistakes,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
“It’s time to meet, it’s time to talk, it’s time to restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine.
“Otherwise, Russia’s losses will be such that you will need several generations to recover.”
Meanwhile, Russia has attacked the outskirts of the western city of Lviv, a crossroads for people fleeing the war and for others entering to deliver aid or fight.
More than 1,300 people including women and babies are also still feared trapped in the bombed ruins of a theatre in Mariupol as rescue efforts are hampered by constant Russian shelling.
Residents were yesterday forced to spend a third night in the basement of the destroyed Drama Theatre which was hit by Vladimir Putin’s forces on Wednesday.
Rescuers are trying to dig through the rubble to save them but are slowed down by Russian troops firing at them.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared at a huge pro-war rally in Moscow and praised the Russian military.
Speaking on a stage at the centre of Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Putin promised to tens of thousands of people waving Russian flags and chanting “Russia, Russia, Russia” that all of the Kremlin’s aims would be achieved.
“We know what we need to do, how to do it and at what cost. And we will absolutely accomplish all of our plans,” Putin said.
Russian forces have agreed to allow residents to evacuate several towns and cities in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk after 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT), the region’s governor said.