Russia-Ukraine war latest: European leaders travel to Kyiv after Russia shells apartments

At least two killed and dozens wounded in Ukraine's capital

The leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia travelled to Kyiv in support of Ukraine as the city came under shelling from Russian forces on Tuesday.

A new wave of air strikes on residential areas in Kyiv killed at least two people on Tuesday, emergency services said, the morning after the US Pentagon said Russia’s ground offensive had largely “stalled” outside of the capital.

More peace talks are planned between Moscow and Kyiv on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, China has denied US claims that Russia has sought military assistance from Beijing, accusing Washington of spreading “malicious disinformation”.

Eastern European leaders make surprise Kyiv trip

The Polish prime minister and his Czech and Slovenian counterparts are making an unexpected trip to Kyiv by train on Tuesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and plan to announce a “broad package” of support measures for embattled Ukraine.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland, Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic and Janez Jansa of Slovenia are all travelling to Kyiv on Tuesday. Joining them is Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Poland’s deputy prime minister who is also the leader of the country’s ruling party, the conservative Law and Justice.

Ukrainian officials said Russia shelled residential buildings in the capital overnight and that Moscow-led forces were apparently fortifying existing positions rather than pushing forward.

The visit had been planned for several days but was kept secret for security reasons, said Michal Dworczyk, the head of Morawiecki’s office.

He said that a proposal of concrete help for the nation would be presented to Ukraine’s leaders.

Shortly before dawn, large explosions thundered across Kyiv from what Ukrainian authorities said were artillery strikes. The shelling ignited a huge fire and a frantic rescue effort in a 15-story apartment building. At least one person was killed and others remain trapped inside.

Ahead of his departure, Mr Morawiecki on Facebook recalled how the former Polish President Lech Kaczynski had made a visit to the capital of Georgia in 2008 when that ex-Soviet country was under attack from Russia.

He quoted President Kaczynski who said at the time in Tbilisi: “Today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine, the day after tomorrow the Baltic states, and then maybe it’s time for my country, for Poland.”

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