JAKARTA - Ukraine is aiming to reach a ceasefire in peace talks with Russia that resume today in Istanbul, as the number of civilian casualties is said to be growing despite the success of holding back the invasion of Moscow forces.
The more than month-long invasion, the largest in a Western country since the Second World War, has caused more than 3.8 million people to flee abroad, left thousands dead or injured, and brought Russia's economic isolation.
Nearly 5.000 people have died, including about 210 children, in the port city of Mariupol amid heavy Russian bombardment, according to figures from the mayor. In addition, about 160.000 people are said to be trapped there. Reuters could not immediately verify the figures.
Survivors have told horrific stories, of people dying for lack of medical care, bodies being buried wherever they could be found, and women giving birth in crypts.
"There is no food for the children, especially babies. They give birth to babies in basements because women have nowhere to give birth, all maternity hospitals are destroyed," a grocery worker from Mariupol who gave her name only as Nataliia told Reuters after reached nearby Zaporizhzhia, reported Reuters on March 29.
In besieged Ukrainian cities where conditions are particularly bad, the threat of Russian strikes is blocking exit routes for civilians, two Ukrainian officials said.
The United Nations says it has been able to bring food and medical supplies to Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city and one of the hardest hit.
The mayor of Irpin, near Kyiv, said Ukrainian forces were back in full control and a US defense official said Ukraine had also retaken the eastern city of Trostyanets, south of Sumy, and was continuing to try to retake the area.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian delegation that arrived in Istanbul, Turkey to resume peace talks today, is aiming for a ceasefire, according to Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
"The minimum program is a humanitarian question, and the maximum program is reaching an agreement on a ceasefire," said Foreign Minister Kuleba.
"We are not trading in people, land, or sovereignty," he stressed.
In contrast to Foreign Minister Kuleba, Ukrainian Interior Ministry adviser Vadym Denysenko said earlier that he doubted "there will be a breakthrough on the main issue."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said talks so far had not produced any substantial breakthroughs, but it was important to proceed in person. He declined to provide further information, saying it could disrupt the process.
Inhibit invasion
Peace talks, which resumed today after more than a month of the invasion, come amid the impediment to the advance of the Russian invasion force, along with the resistance exerted by Ukraine.
"We have shattered the myth of the invincible Russian army. We resisted the aggression of one of the strongest armies in the world and have succeeded in getting them to change their goals," said Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
He said 100 people had died in the capital, including four children, and 82 high-rise buildings had been demolished. It was not possible to verify the numbers.
Russia's military last week signaled it would concentrate on expanding territory held by separatists in eastern Ukraine, but Ukraine said it saw no sign Russia had given up plans to besiege the capital.
Separately, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said talks should not end "selling Ukraine off", noting the "difficult settlement" that left her vulnerable after Russia's annexation of Crimea.
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Meanwhile, Britain's defense ministry said there had been no major change in Russia's position in the last 24 hours, with most of Russia's gains near Mariupol and heavy fighting taking place there.
Elsewhere, Russian armored convoys bogged down, with supply difficulties and making little or no progress.
"As of today, the enemy is regrouping, but they cannot advance anywhere in Ukraine," said Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar.
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