France has given a chilling warning that the "worst is but to return" for Ukraine, following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
Following a 90-minute cellphone name on Thursday between Mr Putin and Mr Macron, an Elysee supply advised reporters that Mr Putin had stated he supposed to proceed his army operation.
"With out making a prediction, we should always anticipate the worst is but to return. The (French) President stated so yesterday as effectively. There's nothing in what Putin stated at the moment that ought to reassure us," the supply stated.
LIVE UPDATES:Russian forces shut in on key cities
Mr Putin advised Mr Macron he was out there for negotiations however emphasised that dialogue should happen on the grounds of neutralisation and disarmament of Ukraine, the supply stated.
The French president stated he'll proceed the dialogue to forestall "extra human tragedy".
"We should stop the worst from occurring.
"Dialogue has to proceed to "shield the (civilian) inhabitants, to acquire good will gestures ... to place an finish to this struggle," Macron stated.
The Russian chief additionally stated that if Kyiv needed to speak, it should act now - and if Ukrainians do not settle for these circumstances, he'll receive the identical end result by the army path, the supply stated. Mr Putin denied having bombarded Kyiv and warned that the scenario would worsen, however that it was the fault of Ukraine, the supply stated.
France estimates that Russia's army ambition is to take all of Ukraine, the supply added.
Mr Putin claimed the struggle in Ukraine is "going in response to plan", with residents of the important thing metropolis of Mariupol going through a deteriorating humanitarian scenario, as town stays below siege by Russian forces decided to tighten their grip on Ukraine's south.
"The particular army operation in Ukraine goes in response to plan, in strict accordance with the schedule," Mr Putin stated in his Safety Council broadcast on state tv, utilizing the euphemism the Kremlin makes use of to explain the invasion of Ukraine. "All duties are being efficiently being carried out."
His remarks got here as civilians in Mariupol have been trapped with out energy, heating or water.
Photos seize the human toll of Russia's Ukraine invasion
Mariupol authorities warned of a "essential" scenario for residents amid heavy shelling. It is not clear what number of of Mariupol's roughly 400,000 inhabitants have been in a position to evacuate the strategically vital port metropolis or what number of have been killed or injured.