The Ukrainian army has been shelling civilians in the areas surrounding the Donetsk region, while accusing the Russian army of atrocities, according to PressTV’s correspondent in Donetsk.

Democratic senator Bob Menendez says the US will continue to assist Ukraine and "defeat Russia" in Ukraine.

China says NATO is dragging the world toward a new Cold War.

Russia says it would like to have more “substantial” talks with Kiev to end the Ukraine conflict.

“If there was any illusion that we could one day rely on our Western partners, this illusion is no longer there,” Lavrov has told RT English television.

Moscow has imposed sanctions on US President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and dozens of other top officials, banning them from entering Russia in response to the Biden administration's "extremely Russophobic policy."

Diplomatic efforts to broker peace between the warring sides in Ukraine have gathered momentum with negotiators from Moscow and Kiev set to resume talks on Monday.