In the midst of boosting the invasion into Ukraine, Russia has on Friday said that it is ready to talk with Ukraine on a condition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia will talk only if Ukraine stops fighting. Addressing a press conference in Moscow, Lavrov said, "We are ready for talks once Ukraine's Army stops fighting."

By claiming that the invaded Russian forces were looking to free the country from oppression, Lavrov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin took the decision to conduct a special military operation to demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine so that Ukrainians themselves could freely determine their future. "We are ready for negotiations at any moment, as soon as the armed forces of Ukraine respond to our call and lay down their arms", Lavrov added. 

He further claimed that nobody intends to occupy Ukraine and denied the claims from Ukraine that Russian forces had hit civilian infrastructure, despite widespread evidence of residential areas being damaged. His comments have come after the Ukrainian Army said on Friday that Russian forces were approaching the capital Kyiv from the north and northeast. 

As Russia has said it is ready for talks, the Russian troops are advancing into the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and Ukraine's Ministry of Defence had called on those living in Kyiv's northern outskirts to make firebombs to neutralise the enemy. Though Russia had denied carrying out strikes, Ukraine has said that the strikes had damaged one block of flats and several civilians were injured. 

In a video address on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Europeans with combat experience to take up arms and defend Ukraine against invading Russian forces. His call had come when Putin's troops were approaching Kyiv. He said, "If you have combat experience in Europe and do not want to look at the indecision of politicians, you can come to our country and join us in defending Europe, where it is very necessary now." 

By lamenting that the West was in no hurry to help Ukraine, he said, "How are you going to defend yourself when you are so slowly helping is in Ukraine?". The 44-year-old leader has said that Europe has enough strength to stop this aggression.