Ukrainian forces hold Kyiv as talks with Russia are planned

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian and Ukrainian officials have been preparing to meet for the first talks since Moscow began the invasion four days ago, as The defenders of Ukraine organized to the capital Kyiv and repel the Russian army in urban fighting in its second largest city, Kharkiv.

In the face of signs of increasing tensions with the West over Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered to put the country’s nuclear deterrent forces on alert.