Ukraine (Reuters) – Ukraine President Volodymyr Zeleskiy called for talks to stop Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskiy warned that it could take several generations for Moscow to recover its losses from battleground battles if they don’t change course.

Russian troops have been facing stiff resistance ever since they launched an attack on Kyiv on February 24. They are continuing to encroach upon the capital. They have taken control of cities to try to gain momentum and reduced urban areas to rubble.

The unprecedented Western sanctions designed to isolate Russia’s economy did little to stop what President Vladimir Putin called a “special operations” to decrease its neighbor’s military capability and “denazify its government.”

Russia claimed it was tightening the “noose” surrounding the port of Mariupol in the Azov Sea. The Ukrainian defense ministry confirmed Friday that they had lost “temporarily” access to that water body. It connects with the Black Sea. A major loss for Ukraine.

However, Western officials claim that Russia is suffering heavy losses and has shown signs of declining morale. This trend Zelenskiy mentioned in a video message where he called for renewed negotiations to end this war.

I want everybody to hear me, particularly in Moscow. It is now that a meeting has been called, and it is time for us to have a conversation,” he stated on Saturday. The time is now to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and ensure justice. Russia’s loss will continue for many generations.

Russia confirmed on March 2 that 500 of its soldiers had been murdered, but did not provide any update. The number is now estimated to be in the thousands by Ukraine. Reuters cannot independently confirm the death toll.

Moscow and Kyiv made some positive progress during talks this week toward a political agreement that would ensure Ukraine’s security outside of NATO.

The Ukraine reiterated that the Russian military must be withdrawn immediately, while both sides claimed they were dragging out talks.

Russian bombing has intensified in Eastern Ukraine. There have been deadly nightly missile attacks against Kyiv. Ukrainian forces also stopped troops from entering the city. Russia’s dramatic attacks on western Ukraine have also been reported in the last week.

Putin pledged to keep the invading force going until they succeed, promising that thousands of Russians would wave Russian flags Friday at Moscow’s soccer stadium.

The United States warned repeatedly that Russia could turn to China for help, the most powerful power not yet condemned by the invasion.

On Friday, President Joe Biden called China’s President Xi Jinping to warn him of the “consequences” if Beijing gives “material support” to Russia in Ukraine. The White House confirmed that this was done via video. The White House stated that sanctioning Beijing is an option.

China and Russia both deny that Beijing may be considering providing military aid to Moscow. China claims it is interested in ending the conflict.

FLEEING TO COVER

The fourth week of Russian land, air, and sea assaults has not seen the capture of any major cities by the Russian forces. In Kiev, the elected government is still strong.

Fearing bombardment from Ukraine that has hit housing blocks and schools as well as cultural institutions, thousands of Ukrainians fled to Lviv, western Ukraine. This is far from the eastern frontline.

Three missiles struck an Lviv airport on Friday as Russia tries to take back the initiative. This raises fears that the Russian government could be under greater attack.

People fleeing bombardment in Eastern Ukrainian cities are now facing severe shortages of electricity, heating, water and food. There have been more than 3 million people fleeing Ukraine’s western borders.

Mariupol has seen some of the most intense fighting, with over 400,000 people trapped there for more than two weeks. According to officials there, fighting broke out in the centre of the city and near constant shelling prevented humanitarian aid from reaching it.

Russian air strikes hit the Mariupol theater on Wednesday, leaving no survivors. Rescue workers are still looking for them. Russia denied that it had attacked the theater.

Zelenskiy stated in his video address that there is no way to know how many died at the theatre where so many had sought refuge. Zelenskiy stated that 130 persons had been rescued to date.

The World Food Programme warned of the imminent collapse in food supply chains as people try to flee “humanitarian corridors”, which were set up by Russian and Ukrainian officials.

According to Jacob Kern (WFP’s emergency coordinator in the Ukraine crisis), key infrastructure like bridges, trains, and stations have been damaged by bombs, and there are many empty grocery stores and warehouses.

He said that “Inside Ukraine, our job is basically to replace broken commercial food supply chain,” calling it a “mammoth mission”.