Ukraine War | 'Stop bombarding first, start negotiating afterwards': Zelenskyy ahead of talks with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Russia must stop bombing Ukrainian cities before meaningful talks on a ceasefire could start.

"As for dialogue, I think yes, but stop bombarding people first and start negotiating afterwards," the Ukrainian President said.

Speaking at a heavily guarded government compound, Zelenskyy urged NATO members to impose a no fly zone to stop the Russian air force, adding it would be a preventive measure and not a call for war between the alliance and Russia.

He further added, "If our partners are not ready to admit Ukraine to NATO, if they are not ready to admit Ukraine to NATO because Russia doesn't want Ukraine to be in NATO, there are security guarantees developed together for Ukraine (that need to be adopted)."

Also read: Russia Ukraine War Live Blog

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday imposed more sanctions on Russia while announcing closure of US airspace for Russian flights.

The first round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine earlier this week had not yielded any substantial outcome.

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