Moscow/ Kyiv/ Washington | Jagran News Desk: Russian and Ukrainian officials said on Sunday that the ongoing talks might yield positive results within days, despite no consensus on the ceasefire between the two sides. Meanwhile, the city council of currently under intense Russian seige Mariupol said that 2,187 residents have been killed since the start of Russia’s invasion on February 24. 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that Russia might use chemical weapons in Ukraine and that such a move would be a war crime.

People in Kyiv are scrambling to escape with the bulk of Russian ground forces about 25km (16 miles) from the centre of the Ukrainian capital, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the number of refugees fleeing Ukraine is nearing 2.7 million, according to the United Nations.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready for talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Israel, but "only if there is a ceasefire in place." Zelenskyy on Saturday also spoke to Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in this regard, who held discussions with Putin in Moscow earlier this month.

Though Zelenskyy said he is ready for talks with Putin in Israel, he has warned that the "Russian invaders" won't be able to conquer Ukraine. Amid this, United States (US) President Joe Biden has authorised the State Department to provide an additional aid of USD 200 million to Ukraine.

Here are the highlights from the Russia-Ukraine war:

- Russian delegate said that talks with Ukraine may soon produce draft agreements. RIA news agency quoted Leonid Slutsky as comparing the state of the talks now with the situation when they first started, and saying there was "substantial progress". His comments came on day 18 of the war which began when Russian forces invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what the Kremlin terms a special military operation.

-  Amid the continued attacks of Russia, on Sunday a US Journalist is shot dead in Ukraine, news Agency AFP reported citing medic and witnesses.

- Just in About 35 people have been killed in an attack on a western military base,  as per the Governor of Ukraine's Lviv region, reported Reuters.

- BREAKING: In view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, including attacks in western parts of the country, it has been decided that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine will be temporarily relocated to Poland. The situation will be reassessed in light of further developments, says India.

- Today, Russian war criminals abducted another Ukrainian mayor, head of Dniprorudne Yevhen Matveyev. Getting zero local support, invaders turn to terror. I call on all states and international organizations to stop Russian terror against Ukraine and democracy, says Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Ivanovych Kuleba.

- The governor of Ukraine's Lviv region says a Russian airstrike on a military range killed nine people, wounded 57, reports AP.

- Just In: PM Modi chairs another high-level meeting to review India’s security preparedness and the prevailing global scenario in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

- At least seven Ukrainian civilians, including a child, were killed in shelling at a humanitarian convoy of refugees, says Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.

- Just In: Russia may use chemical weapons, warns NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

- Mariupol mayor's office has claimed that over 1,500 people have died in the city's siege by the Russian forces.

- Also Read - Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow threatens western arm supplies; Zelenskyy says ‘around 1300’ Ukrainian soldiers killed so far

- US President Joe Biden has authorized USD 200 million in weapons and other assistance for Ukraine, said the White House on Saturday. The decision brings total U.S. security aid provided to Ukraine over the past year to USD 1.2 billion, it added.

- Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to hold talks with Vladimir Putin in Israel, but with a condition. He, however, has warned that Russians won't be able to invade Ukraine.

If they carry out carpet bombings and wipe off the historic memory of the entire region, the history of Kyivan Rus, the history of Europe, they could enter Kyiv but they will have to leave on that land alone, certainly, without us, he said at a press conference.