KYIV: Ukraine has demanded an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory during the ongoing talks with Russian delegations in Belarus. Ukraine has called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Crimea and Donbas. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stated that the main demands were a ceasefire and a military withdrawal. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly informed French President Emmanuel Macron that he is ready to reach an agreement with Ukraine.

Earlier, Russian forces had ordered the people to move out of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The Russian military said that it will provide a safe corridor for the people to move out of the city. A curfew was announced in Kyiv from 8 pm to 7 am.

Meanwhile, the United States has asked its citizens in Russia to leave the country. The security alert was issued by the US Embassy in Moscow. "U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available," said a security alert dated Feb. 27 on the web site of U.S. embassy in Moscow.