BEIJING, March 13: The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues on Sunday as relevant parties are working to broker a peaceful solution. Following are the latest developments of the situation:
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday, and urged them to influence the Kiev authorities to stop "criminal acts" of Ukrainian "nationalist battalions," according to the Kremlin.
Macron and Scholz urged an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, the German government said in a statement, noting the 75-minute talk as part of the ongoing international efforts to end the conflict.
The three leaders agreed to continue contacts on Ukrainian issues, the Kremlin said.
Meanwhile, Scholz spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday morning, and learned about Zelensky's assessment of the current situation. The two agreed to keep in touch, according to the German statement.
Zelensky said at a media briefing on Saturday that "around 1,300" Ukrainian troops had been killed since the conflict started.
It was the first time Kiev had given such a toll since the beginning of the conflict.
Russia will publish individual sanctions against the West in the near future, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday.
"The lists are ready," Ryabkov said on Russian broadcaster Channel One, adding that the sanctions will be made public soon.
According to Ryabkov, Moscow sees no indication that the United States was ready to continue dialogue on Ukraine.
The diplomat also warned Washington against transferring weapons to Ukraine, adding that these weapons will become legitimate targets for the Russian forces.
