Kremlin: Putin called for negotiations, and Kiev did not respond

The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered, on Friday, a temporary halt to the attack of Russian forces, pending possible negotiations with Ukraine, but Kiev refused to negotiate, and the attack resumed today.

"Putin, as the supreme commander and the head of the country, ordered yesterday, Friday, amid expectations to start negotiations with Kiev, to stop the advance of the main Russian forces in Ukraine," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov added that due to the Ukrainian side's refusal to negotiate, "the main Russian forces resumed their advance this afternoon, according to the approved plan."