Russia-Ukraine peace talks commence
On the fifth day after Russian forces entered Ukraine, delegations from the two countries have begun talks aimed at ending the war.
The Ukrainian president’s office says it wants an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces.
Meanwhile Moscow wants to reach an agreement that was in the interests of both sides, according to Russian negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky.
Before the meeting started, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russian troops to lay down their weapons, and called for the EU to grant Ukraine membership of the bloc immediately.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Ukrainian officials said approximately 5,300 Russian troops have been killed, and claimed that 191 tanks, 29 fighter jets, 29 helicopters and 816 armoured personnel carriers have been destroyed by Ukraine’s forces.
The BBC has not been able to independently verify these claims, though the UK’s Ministry of Defence believes Russia has taken “heavy” casualties in the opening stages of the conflict.
The claims follow acknowledgements by the Russian defence ministry on Sunday that its forces have suffered losses, though officials did not provide an exact figure.
Meanwhile, independent observers said they had confirmed at least 94 civilian deaths during the first days of fighting.
It said the invasion had triggered “severe humanitarian consequences” and that casualties could be considerably higher.