Putin tells Ukraine to stop fighting amid ceasefire calls

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday his campaign in Ukraine was going according to plan and would not end until Kyiv stopped fighting.He made the comments in a phone call with Turkish President Tayyep Erdogan, who appealed for a ceasefire in the conflict.  

“It was underlined the suspension of the special operation is only possible if Kyiv stops… and carries out well-known Russian demands,” the Kremlin said adding Ukraine would be better advised to adopt a ‘constructive’ approach to the third round of peace talks.  

Russia invaded Ukraine February 24 citing national security concerns over Kyiv’s closeness to Western powers and move to join the NATO. It has captured the port city of Kherson and the derelict Chernobyl nuclear plant, and have surrounded Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol. A military convoy is moving slowly on capital Kyiv, although its advance has been slowed by strong resistance, British military intelligence reported.  

Ukraine has made several pleas before the global community and to individual western nations looking for support but nothing, so far, seems forthcoming, with the United States and others wary of a boots-on-the-ground situation.  
“If you fail to offer a powerful assistance to Ukraine… tomorrow the war will knock on your door,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned.  

Two rounds of talks have yielded no result, with Moscow determined to pummel Kyiv into submission and Ukraine’s military keeping invading forces’ at bay.  
A third round is expected soon, with each side having submitted a list of demands for consideration.  
KYIV March 6 Reuters