Zelensky calls for "real and lasting peace," air force says Russian MiG carrying missiles took off

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called today in Kiev for "real and lasting peace" to be established this year, during a meeting organized in Kiev to mark the third anniversary of the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"This year should be the year of the beginning of real and lasting peace," Zelensky said, chairing a meeting in Kiev with a dozen Western leaders who had come to express their support for Ukraine.

Zelensky called for the exchange of all prisoners of war with Russia before starting dialogue aimed at ending the war.

"Ending the war must begin with measures that restore trust. Such a measure could be the release of prisoners, thousands of people held in Russia," the Ukrainian president said.

According to him, Russia must release the Ukrainians, while Ukraine is ready to exchange all prisoners as a "way of a fair start" to the dialogue on achieving peace.

While the meeting is taking place, an airstrike warning has been issued across Ukraine.

"Missile threat throughout the territory of Ukraine," the Ukrainian Air Force said, adding that a Russian MiG-31 aircraft carrying missiles had taken off.