Authorities in Kyiv have banned rallies celebrating independence in the country in fear of attacks as Russia ruled out a peace deal in the wake of an assassination.
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Gennady Gatilov said Russia and Ukraine were close to a ceasefire as negotiations took place, but claimed that Western pressure encouraged Ukraine to walk away from any deal.
He said: "Now, I do not see any possibility for diplomatic contacts. And the more the conflict goes on, the more difficult it will be to have a diplomatic solution."
