MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the country's deterrence forces to be placed on "a special mode of combat duty" in a Sunday meeting with top defense officials.

Senior officials of leading NATO members issued "aggressive statements" against Russia, Putin said at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov.

Putin said Western countries are imposing "illegitimate sanctions" against Russia's economy.

The decision to put the deterrence forces on combat duty was made as Russia has been conducting "a special military operation" in Ukraine since early Thursday.

Russian forces had destroyed 975 Ukrainian military infrastructure objects, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Sunday morning.

Russia has blockaded several cities in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The time-tested truths of history have taught generation and generation of Chinese to maintain a proper sense of right and wrong, and stand on the right side of history.

As the United States, the European Union, as well as allies and partners elsewhere, escalate sanctions against Russia, pledging to cripple the Russian economy, China has remained an impartial third party and has appealed for dialogue.

On Friday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China's position in his respective telephone talks with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, and French Diplomatic Advisor to the President Emmanuel Bonne, in which he exchanged views on the situation with them.

He boiled China's stance down to five clear points: that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, Russia's concerns about NATO's expansion should be heeded, all parties should practice restraint, a negotiated solution should be pursued and the UN Security Council should play a constructive role in resolving the Ukraine issue.

This makes China's views on the situation very clear. It adheres to a policy of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties. The US, which still views the world through the prism of the Cold War, thinks only in terms of friends or enemies and forms exclusive alliances and "small circles". China is not interested in such a practice and seeks communication and coordination with all countries.

Since both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have expressed willingness to negotiate, China hopes that they will make it happen as soon as possible since dialogue is the formula for ending the conflict as quickly as hoped.

The longer the war lasts, the greater the suffering the Ukrainian people face. Zelensky needs to negotiate to prevent avoidable harm to his country and people and Putin needs to do it to limit far broader consequences for his country's future.

The US and its allies may be overconfident about the expected impacts of their sanctions. Russia may have a tougher skin today than they think. But escalated confrontation over Ukraine would still be costly and debilitating.

China, on its part, supports all efforts that are conducive to de-escalating the situation and achieving a political settlement, as Wang Yi said in a telephone talk with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Saturday.

If the UN Security Council is to take action, it should facilitate a political settlement of the current crisis rather than instigate new rivalries and confrontations.

To this end, it should support NATO, the EU and Russia engaging in dialogue to build a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism so as to achieve lasting peace and stability on the European continent.

MOSCOW - Russia has closed its airspace for planes from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia, including transit flights, the country's Federal Agency for Air Transport announced Sunday.

"Due to the unfriendly decisions of the aviation authorities of Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia, restrictions are being introduced on air carriers of these states and/or those registered there to operate flights to destinations on the territory of Russia, including transit flights through the airspace of Russia," it said.

The four countries earlier introduced restrictions on Russian air carriers. Russia says its response is in line with international law, the agency said in a statement.

Some European countries, including Britain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Poland, have also decided to close their airspace to Russia.

KYIV - Kyiv is still under the control of Ukrainian forces as of Sunday morning, the Kyiv City State Administration said in a statement.

"The situation in Kyiv is calm, the capital is completely controlled by the Ukrainian army and defense. There were several clashes with sabotage groups at night," said Mykola Povoroznyk, first deputy head of the administration.

According to Ukraine's government-run Ukrinform news agency, a curfew is implemented here until 8 am (0600 GMT) Monday, and the movement of private vehicles without special passes is prohibited during the period.

KYIV/MOSCOW - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russia's offer to hold negotiations in Belarus, suggesting alternative cities including Budapest and Warsaw for talks.

Zelensky made the remarks in a video address posted on his Telegram channel on Sunday shortly after the Kremlin announced that a Russian delegation has arrived in Belarus and will be ready to negotiate with Ukraine in the city of Gomel.

The president said Ukraine is ready for talks with Russia, but Belarus is not an option because Russia has been carrying out some of its attacks from Belarus. "We're saying no to Minsk. Other cities can be a place to meet," he said.

"We want peace, we want to meet, we want the end of the war ... Any other city would suit us, any country, from whose territory missiles are not launched at us," Zelensky said, adding that Ukraine has proposed meeting in other countries such as Poland, Hungary, Turkey and Azerbaijan, but Russia has so far refused.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a delegation including representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and other government agencies has arrived in Belarus.

Peskov said Russia warned Ukraine that it would not suspend military operations during any potential talks.

MOSCOW - The Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 975 Ukrainian military infrastructure objects since the start of operations, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Sunday.

Russia continued its strike against Ukraine's military infrastructure on Saturday using air- and sea-launched cruise missiles, Konashenkov told a regular briefing, reiterating that the Russian military takes all measures to ensure the safety of civilians.

The Russian armed forces have completely blockaded the cities of Kherson and Berdyansk in southern Ukraine, he said.

He added that a total of 471 Ukrainian service members have been detained and will be sent to their families after paperwork.

QUITO -- Ecuador will carry out on Monday its first humanitarian flight from Poland for citizens who have fled Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia, Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguin said on Saturday.

The diplomat said the flight will be operated by either Spanish or Polish airlines with a capacity for 350 people, a quota that is expected to be filled.

He said that more than 150 Ecuadorans have crossed the Ukrainian border.

According to Holguin, hundreds of Ecuadorans reside in Ukraine, most of whom are students. There are also a number of undocumented Ecuadorans living in the country, and the ministry has issued many of them emergency passports.

"We estimate that with two flights, we will be able to bring all the Ecuadorans. The Air Force has helped us coordinate the operation," Holguin said.

MOSCOW/KYIV -- Russian forces have been instructed to resume their advance into Ukraine "in all directions" after Kyiv refused to hold negotiations, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

All units were ordered to mount an offensive in accordance with the operation plan, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said during a briefing Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered a halt to military operations in light of expected negotiations with the Ukranian leadership, local media reported citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The Ukrainian side said that Kyiv refused to negotiate with Russia because the conditions proposed were "unacceptable," and were "an attempt to force the country to surrender."

Troops from Lugansk have advanced up to 46 km and captured the settlements of Schastia and Muratovo, while troops from Donetsk have advanced another 10 km from the frontline, according to the ministry.

The ministry also said Saturday that Russian Airborne Forces were protecting the Chernobyl nuclear power plant jointly with Ukraine's National Guard, according to local media.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday that the current sanctions against Russia could be a reason to review relations with all states that have imposed them.

Medvedev said this was a reason to end all dialogue with the West on strategic stability, and vowed that the sanctions wouldn't change Moscow's decision to conduct the ongoing military operation and protect Donbass.

He also noted that Russia may respond symmetrically to measures taken against Russian citizens and companies abroad, namely by seizing funds of foreigners and foreign companies in Russia.

Additionally, Russian aviation authorities said there would be a "mirror response" to the measures currently carried out by countries choosing to ban flights for Russian aircraft. Moscow vowed to close its airspace in retaliation.

During a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow is ready for negotiations with "all constructive forces" to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

However, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Saturday on Facebook that the siege of Kyiv is the primary purpose of Russia's offensive against Ukraine.

The department said that Russia plans to encircle and block Kyiv to "demilitarize" Ukraine and force the Ukrainian leadership to change its political course on Russian terms.

UNITED NATIONS -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres promised on Saturday to provide more humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The secretary-general conveyed to the president the determination of the United Nations to enhance humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine," according to a readout about the secretary-general's call with Zelensky.

The UN chief informed Zelensky that the world body "would launch on Tuesday an appeal to fund UN's humanitarian operations in Ukraine."

In an email, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, told reporters that because of the escalating situation in Ukraine, Guterres will not travel to Geneva as planned.

Instead, "he will send a video message to Monday's meeting of the Human Rights Council," he added.

WASHINGTON - The United States, Britain, EU and Canada on Saturday moved to block Russia's access to the SWIFT international payment system as part of another round of sanctions against Moscow as it continues its military operation against Ukraine.

The measures, which will also include restriction on the Russian central bank's international reserves, will be implemented in the coming days, the nations said in a joint statement.

Reuters

MOSCOW -- Moscow is preparing for negotiations with "all constructive forces" on a settlement in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Russia emphasized its readiness for a quick settlement in Ukraine for the sake of peace and stability, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Lavrov informed Cavusoglu about Russia's current military operation in Ukraine, reiterating the aim of ensuring "the security of the civilian population and demilitarizing Ukraine," said the statement.

MOSCOW -- The Kremlin said Saturday that Kyiv has refused to hold talks with Moscow, causing Russian forces to resume operations in Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian side has refused to negotiate. This afternoon Russian forces have resumed their advance in accordance with the plan of the operation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered a halt to military operations in light of the expected negotiations that were previously planned with Ukraine, local media reported citing Peskov.

Putin on Thursday authorized "a special military operation" in Donbass, and Ukraine confirmed that military targets across the country were under attack.

Also on Saturday, Oleksiy Arestovich, advisor to the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said Kyiv refused to negotiate with Russia because the conditions Russia proposed are "unacceptable" for the country, calling those conditions as "an attempt to force us to surrender."

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Ukraine has successfully beat off "enemy attacks," but battles are ongoing across the country.

"We have withstood and are successfully repelling enemy attacks," Zelensky said in a video message.

Battles are still ongoing in many cities and districts of Ukraine, said the president. "But we know that we are defending the country, the land, the future of children."

MOSCOW -- Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday that the current sanctions against Russia could be a reason to review relations with all states that have imposed them.

"Sanctions are a good reason to review all relations with those states that have imposed them, and to interrupt dialogue on strategic stability," Medvedev said in a post on his Vkontakte page.

These restrictions will not change anything, including Moscow's decision to conduct a military operation and to protect Donbass, he wrote, adding that the operation would be carried out in full until the final results are achieved.

Medvedev said that the sanctions were imposed due to the "political impotence" of Western leaders and their "inability to change Russia's course," and were also used as a means to justify "their shameful decisions."

The West is also threatening to seize the money of Russian citizens and Russian companies abroad, Medvedev wrote, noting that this will bring about a symmetrical response, namely seizing funds of foreigners and foreign companies in Russia.

KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday refuted reports that the country's army will disarm and evacuate.

"We will not lay down any weapons, we believe in our army and our country. We will protect it. Glory to Ukraine!" Zelensky said, noting that he did not leave Kyiv, which was under heavy shelling overnight.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that at least 35 Kyiv residents, including two children, were injured in clashes with Russian forces or shelling.

According to Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko, 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed in Russia's operation against Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook that Ukraine shot down a Russian transport plane IL-76 near Vasylkiv town in Kyiv.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

KYIV -- Air raid sirens wailing across Kyiv are awakening residents in the Ukrainian capital to the bleak reality of an ongoing military operation that is dangerously close.

For the past three days, residents have been going on a nerve-wracking trip to-and-fro between bomb shelters, grocery stores and their apartments as fears of imminent danger are compounded by anxiety over food shortages and risks of COVID-19 infection.

Iryna, a 28-year-old local who only gave her first name, told a Xinhua correspondent that she was horrified at the sound of bombing and shelling during the day, and was planning to stay in her windowless bathroom overnight in case of further air strikes.

The city of some 3 million people, once a hub of bustling activities, has been plunged into chaos since Day One of Russia's military operation on Thursday.

According to the latest information released by the two sides, multiple military targets across Ukraine were under attack; fighting was reported across several fronts; explosions were heard at Boryspil International Airport and other places across the city.

Sleep has been a luxury for many locals who stayed up all night fearing that they might miss the sirens and end up alone in the danger zone.

Oksana, a 40-year-old manager, who also only gave her first name, said she was hiding in an underground parking area following a siren on Day One, and has kept her bag at the door ever since.

"Like all people in my country, I am scared. I do not understand when and how this will end. It has been only one day of the war, but it seems to me that it has been a month. I hope that all of this can somehow be stopped," Oksana said.

In downtown Kyiv, the local bus system, subway, banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and hotels were still running normally. However, operations in private shops and bookstores had ground to a halt due to curfews and air raids.

Long lines snaked outside of gas stations, water stations, supermarkets and ATMs as people scrambled to withdraw money and stock up on supplies.

Anna, 37, who also only gave her first name, told Xinhua that sales in her cosmetics stores in Kyiv had dropped by 40 percent in the past month due to heightened tensions.

Not planning to leave the city because her children are still in school, she hoped that life could return to normal as soon as possible.

As some of Kyiv's residents rushed into nearby churches and subway stations in a desperate attempt to avoid artillery fire, others were reportedly seen leaving the city on foot along the highway, carrying children, pets and suitcases.

According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, around 100,000 people had fled their homes within Ukraine and several thousand more had left the country since the conflict erupted.

Refugee High Commissioner Filippo Grandi had voiced serious concern over the rapid deterioration of the situation as military operations unfolded across Ukraine.

"I hope that the Ukrainian society and leaders will remain cool and devoted to the strategic interests of Ukraine," a Kyiv resident said. "I would like to believe that we will have enough composure and wisdom to overcome this."

KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that "partners" are sending weapons to help Kiev, adding that he had spoken by phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

"A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with Emmanuel Macron. Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-coalition is working," Zelensky said on Twitter.

MOSCOW -- The Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 821 Ukrainian military infrastructure objects, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Saturday.

"In total, the Russian Armed Forces hit 821 military infrastructure objects of Ukraine. Among them: 14 military airfields, 19 control points and communication centers, 24 S-300 and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems, 48 radar stations," Konashenkov said, according to a statement published by the ministry.

Seven combat planes, seven helicopters and nine drones have been downed, he said, adding that 87 tanks and other armored vehicles, 28 multiple launch rocket systems, and 118 special military vehicles have been destroyed.

"The Russian Navy destroyed eight military boats of the Ukrainian Navy," the spokesman said.

BUDAPEST -- Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto has offered Budapest as a venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine on late Friday night on his Facebook account.

"Due to a dispute on the possible location -- in Minsk, Warsaw -- of peace talks, I recommended Budapest to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and to Andriy Yermak, chief of cabinet of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky," Szijjarto said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.

He added that neither party rejected the proposition during the telephone conversations.

Budapest can serve as a safe place for both the Russian and Ukrainian negotiating delegations, the top Hungarian diplomat said.

"The sooner talks begin, the sooner there will be peace and the fewer people will have to die in the war," he said.

Szijjarto was speaking from the airport in Brussels, where he participated in an extraordinary meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers.

From Belgium he was traveling to New York to discuss the conflict with United Nations (UN) leaders.

The Ukrainian president on Friday reiterated his call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold talks to stop the conflict.

"Fighting is going on all over Ukraine. Let's sit down at the negotiating table," Zelensky was quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying.

Putin said Moscow is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency tweeted on Friday.

On Thursday, Putin authorized "a special military operation" in Donbass.

At least 137 Ukrainians were killed and more than 300 injured in the military operation, Zelensky said earlier.

MOSCOW -- The Russian Armed Forces have established full control over the southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol, Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a briefing on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian military had entered Melitopol without meeting resistance.

"On the evening of February 25, after an amphibious landing near the locality of Azovske (Ukraine), Russian units marched and, without meeting resistance, entered Melitopol," the ministry's Zvezda broadcaster reported.

The Russian troops were greeted by residents of Melitopol, and some older citizens took to the streets with red flags.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had authorized "a special military operation" in Donbass, and Ukraine confirmed that military installations across the country were under attack.