Ukrainian President calls on Russia's Vladimir Putin to meet as tensions soar

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the ongoing crisis between the two countries. Zelenskyy said Russia could pick the location for the talks.

He also said that Ukraine will continue to follow only the diplomatic path for the sake of a peaceful settlement.

The statement came after separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilisation on Saturday while Western leaders made increasingly dire warnings that a Russian invasion appeared imminent.

Also watch: Ukraine update: Russia nuclear drills; German leader's warning; Munich meet

Meanwhile, Russia conducted massive nuclear drills on Saturday. The Kremlin said Putin, who pledged to protect Russia's national interests against what it sees as encroaching Western threats, was watching the drills together with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko from the situation room.