Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for comprehensive peace negotiations with Moscow and urged Switzerland to do more to crack down on Russian oligarchs who, he claimed, were using their wealth to wage war on his country.
British intelligence cautioned that Russia, disappointed by its inability to achieve its goals since the invasion began on February 24, was now pursuing an attritional policy that might deepen the humanitarian disaster.
Russian soldiers have suffered serious losses, and their advance has virtually slowed since President Vladimir Putin ordered the assault, with lengthy columns of troops bearing down on Kyiv coming to a halt in the outskirts.

They have, however, laid siege to cities, razing them to the ground, and in recent days have increased missile attacks on isolated locations in western Ukraine, distant from the main battles.

Zelenskyy, who frequently makes emotional appeals to international audiences for assistance for his country, told an anti-war protest in Bern that Swiss banks held the "money of the individuals who launched this war," and that their accounts should be frozen.
Cities in Ukraine "are being destroyed on the orders of those who reside in beautiful Swiss towns and own property in your cities. It would be extremely beneficial to deprive them of this privilege "He stated this in an audio address.

Neutral Swiss, which is not a member of the European Union, has completely implemented EU sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, including rulings freezing their assets in Swiss banks.

The EU sanctions are part of a larger Western sanctions strategy, which China has opposed, aimed at pinching Russia's economy and starving its military machine.

In a previous speech on Saturday, Zelenskyy urged Moscow to hold peace negotiations right away.
"I want everyone to hear what I'm saying right now, especially in Moscow. It is time for a meeting; it is time to talk "He stated this in a video speech. "The time has arrived to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity and justice. Otherwise, Russia's losses will be so severe that it will take decades to recover."

According to Britain's defence attache in the US, British intelligence believes Russia has been caught off guard by Ukrainian opposition to its attack and has thus far failed to achieve its intended objectives.
"Russia has been compelled to adjust its operational posture and is now adopting an attrition campaign," Air Vice-Marshal Mick Smeath said in a statement, possibly involving the "indiscriminate use of gunfire resulting in more civilian casualties."

Putin, who describes the operation as a "special operation" intended at demilitarising Ukraine and ridding it of what he sees as dangerous nationalists, told a gathering in Moscow on Friday that all of the Kremlin's goals would be met.
As of Friday, the United Nations human rights office reported that at least 847 civilians were killed and 1,399 had been injured in Ukraine, with the true figure likely significantly higher. According to the Ukrainian prosecutor general's office, 112 children were among those killed. Russia claims that it is not aiming at civilians.

Authorities in Kyiv reported on Saturday that 228 people, including four children, had been murdered in the capital since Russia's invasion began. The Kyiv city administration said in a statement that 912 more persons had been injured.