Ukraine demands 'immediate ceasefire' as talks with Russian counterpart get underway

Russia and Ukraine met on Monday for their first talks since the outbreak of war last week, with Kyiv demanding an "immediate ceasefire" as the number of refugees fleeing the country hit more than 500,000.

As the delegations arrived for talks on the border between Belarus and Ukraine on day five of Moscow's invasion, the Ukrainian presidency demanded the ceasefire "and the withdrawal of troops" - which Moscow is almost certain to reject.

"I do not really believe in the outcome of this meeting, but let them try," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The Kremlin declined to comment on Moscow's aim in negotiations. 

It was not clear whether any progress could be achieved after President Vladimir Putin on Thursday launched the assault and put Russia's nuclear deterrent on high alert on Sunday.