Live Updates / Russia-Ukraine conflict live updates: Talks to begin as Kyiv fights on, Ruble crashes

LIVE COVERAGE Live Updates / Russia-Ukraine conflict live updates: Talks to begin as Kyiv fights on, Ruble crashes Russia and Ukraine were due to meet for talks on the Belarussian border Monday morning. TAP TO UNMUTE Link copied Feb. 27, 2022, 11:35 PM WAT / Updated Feb. 28, 2022, 11:08 AM WAT By NBC News As fierce fighting continued across Ukraine overnight into Monday morning, Kyiv said it would push for a cease-fire at talks with officials from Moscow. The meeting on the Belarussian border comes after President Vladimir Putin ordered his nuclear deterrent force to be on high alert, a huge escalation in Russia's confrontation with Western powers who have increased their supply of lethal aid to Ukraine and imposed crippling financial sanctions. On Sunday the European Union made the unprecedented move to finance the purchase and delivery of lethal weapons to aid the Ukrainian resistance. The effect of sanctions was felt across Russia on Monday, as the value of the Ruble went into freefall and Moscow's central bank raised interest rates from 9.5 to 20 percent to protect people's savings. Follow our in-depth coverage of the Russia-Ukraine crisis here. SEE 1 NEW POST Zelenskyy tells Russian forces to 'save your lives and leave,' says prisoners with combat experience can join the fight Chantal Da Silva 28m ago / 10:43 AM WAT Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday warned Russian forces to save their lives and retreat as he said Ukrainians are standing firm in the fight against Russia's invasion. Marking the "fifth day of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine," Zelenskyy hailed Ukrainians' "inspirational" response and said they had shown what they are "really capable of...to the fullest." Addressing Russian forces, Zelenskyy said in a video posted to his Telegraph channel: "Don't trust your commanders, don't trust your propagandists. Just save your lives. Leave," he warned. The Ukrainian leader said his government had also made a "morally difficult" decision to allow incarcerated people "with real combat experience" to be released from custody. He said they would be able to "compensate from their guilt in the flashpoints." "When I went to the presidency, I said that each of us is the president. Because we are all responsible for our country. For our beautiful Ukraine. And now it has happened that each of us is a warrior," he said. "And I am sure that each of us will win."