Russian forces are pressing ahead with their months-long military offensive to capture eastern Ukraine, with the former Soviet country calling for a Western-led ban on all Russians amid heavy fighting between the two sides.

Russia has said it is ready to open a humanitarian corridor for ships carrying food to Ukraine to leave the country in return for the lifting of some sanctions.

A popular pro-Republican cable TV host in the US has questioned Joe Biden administration’s raison d'être in confronting Russia over developments in Ukraine, saying it will prove counter-productive.