New Russia-Ukraine talks set for Wednesday: Zelensky   

Updated 8.43pm

Russia and Ukraine will hold new peace talks Wednesday as a follow-up to two rounds in Istanbul that made little progress on ending their war, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.

"Today, I discussed with (Ukrainian Security Council chief) Rustem Umerov the preparations for the exchange and another meeting in Turkey with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday," Zelensky said in his daily address on Monday.

He added that more details would be released on Tuesday.

The rival sides met in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2 amid US pressure to agree a ceasefire. Despite the urging of US President Donald Trump, no breakthrough was made.

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators have so far only agreed to hold prisoner exchanges. And Russia has since launched intense air attacks on Ukraine and seized more frontline territory.

Russia has demanded Ukraine give up four regions, on top of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. The Kremlin also insists Ukraine give up any idea of joining the NATO military alliance.

Ukraine has rejected the demands and expressed doubt that Russia wants a ceasefire.

After Trump last week gave Russia 50 days to negotiate a deal or face heavy sanctions -- and also renewed arms supplies to Ukraine -- the Kremlin said it was ready for more talks.

The two sides exchanged ideas at the earlier talks on what a peace deal could look like, but remain far apart.

"A lot of diplomatic work lies ahead," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters earlier on Monday, commenting on the prospects for a breakthrough. 

- French foreign minister in Kyiv -

Russia has fired a record number of drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, deadly attacks that Kyiv says show Moscow is not serious about halting its invasion.

Two people were killed across the country in the latest wave, Zelensky said on Monday, calling it an "assault on humanity."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in the capital for a surprise visit while rescuers were still sifting through the rubble.

He later held talks with Zelensky, discussing air defence, sanctions and weapons production, the Ukrainian president said in a social media post. 

Six districts of Kyiv came under attack on Monday, sparking fires at a supermarket, multiple residential buildings and a nursery, authorities said.

An AFP reporter saw damage to multiple buildings, as well as debris and shattered glass on streets.

The entrance to a metro station where civilians were sheltering from the barrage was also damaged.

"The shelters themselves are no longer entirely safe, as the metro station behind me, which is being used as a shelter for the people of Kyiv, has been targeted," Barrot said while visiting the damaged station.

Russia's invasion has killed tens of thousands, forced millions to flee their homes and devastated much of eastern Ukraine.

Russia launched 450 drones and missiles in the overnight attack, according to Ukraine's air force.

The strikes, also using hypersonic missiles, targeted Ukraine's military facilities, the Russian army said, claiming it had destroyed three US-made Patriot air defence launchers.