Russia has been accused of refusing to stop its attack on Ukraine to allow aid to get in and civilians to escape.

Moscow’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov met his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Turkey in the highest-level talks since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion on 24 February.

And following the meeting Mr Kuleba said there was no sign of any agreement and that Russia was insisting its operation was going to plan, repeating a claim that Ukraine was a threat to its national security.

Ukraine war latest – ‘Notable decrease’ in Russian air activity

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

This claim – disputed by Kyiv and the West – was made by the Russian president when he ordered the invasion.

And in the 15 days since, Moscow has insisted it did not invade Ukraine and that civilians were not being targeted by its troops – despite reports of thousands having been killed.

Mr Putin has called the offensive a “special military operation” in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine war: Boris Johnson tells Sky News he fears Vladimir Putin may use chemical weapons as it is ‘straight out of Russia’s playbook’

Ukraine war: Dozens of bodies wrapped in bags or carpet buried in Mariupol mass grave as Russian shelling continues

Ukraine war: Putin ‘deliberately targeting’ civilians and could even carry out limited nuclear strike on Ukraine, UK ambassador warns

Following the talks, Sky’s Dominic Waghorn asked Mr Lavrov why Ukraine, and the rest of the world, could believe what Russia was saying amid these seemingly false statements.

Key developments:
• Russia could use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, US warns
• Roman Abramovich sanctioned by UK government amid crackdown on Russian oligarchs
• British troops must not go to Ukraine to fight and ‘take some selfies’, Armed Forces minister warns
• Fleeing Ukrainian refugees can apply for digital visas to come to the UK

“Until the last moment we wanted to resolve the matter in a diplomatic way,” he said.

“Putin explained very clearly why he chose to make that decision to conduct a special military operation and even if you’re not allowed to talk to your listeners about this you could yourself read this document and it will explain.”

Mr Lavrov insisted the West had agreed that “Ukraine is ours”.

Following Wednesday’s attack on a maternity hospital in Mariupol, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it had confirmed 18 strikes on medical facilities during the war.

But Mr Lavrov dismissed concerns about Russian military attacks on civilians as “pathetic shrieks” from its enemies.

He claimed the site had earlier been seized by Ukrainian far-right radical fighters who were using it as a base.

Even though there were many images of civilians wounded in the attack, Mr Lavrov claimed all the patients and nurses were moved out of the hospital before the assault.

That came just hours after another official denied Russia bombed the hospital, describing such claims as “fake news”.

He also claimed the US is developing biological weapons in Ukraine.

US press secretary Jen Psaki called the claim “preposterous” and said it could be part of an attempt by Moscow to pre-emptively justify its own use of such weapons of mass destruction against Ukraine.

Of Thursday’s talks, Mr Kuleba said there are “other decision-makers” in Russia who need to be consulted, adding that he agreed with Mr Lavrov to continue to seek a solution to humanitarian issues caused by the war.

He said Moscow is not ready to offer a ceasefire, adding: “They seek Ukraine’s surrender. This is not going to happen.”

Mr Kuleba said “the last thing” he wanted was to kill hope for Ukrainians seeking safe passage out of cities besieged by Russian bombardments and attacks.

Related posts:

Thousands march in Sydney against latest lockdown restrictions amid COVID surge Eastern European countries battle vaccine hesitancy as COVID strengthens its grip Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra reveals he was sexually abused as a teen Award-winning Swedish rapper shot dead in suspected gang attack Austria begins another national lockdown as COVD tightens its grip and protests spread across Europe ‘The most important email I have ever missed’: Journalist’s ‘million dollar’ Adele interview canned Children among at least 45 dead in Bulgaria bus fire EU to close airspace to all Russian planes, ban Kremlin-backed media and ship arms to Ukraine Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich trying to find ‘peaceful resolution’ to Ukraine invasion, spokesman says ‘No regrets and I’d do it again’: Ukrainian sailor tries to sink Russian boss’s £5m yacht Ukrainian president signs application to join European Union ‘My son needs me so I will be with him’: The children too sick to flee the Russian bombs