The Kremlin says it is open to talks on ending the war but reiterates Moscow will not renounce claims to four partly-occupied Ukrainian regions.
The commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces says the situation around Bakhmut is “extremely tense”.
Putin orders the tightening of Russia’s border with Ukraine amid a spate of drone attacks.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Moscow, is due to visit Beijing as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes a trip to Central Asia.
Source: Aljazeera.com
