Ukraine president: We will not bow to Russian ultimatums

Ukraine will never bow to ultimatums from Russia and cities such as Kyiv, Mariupol or Kharkiv will not accept Russian occupation, President Voldymyr Zelensky has told Ukrainian media.

"We have an ultimatum with points in it - 'follow it and then we will end the war'. Ukraine cannot fulfil the ultimatum," Zelensky says in an interview published by Ukrainian public broadcasting company Suspilne, quoted by Reuters.

Russia had set Ukraine a deadline of this morning to surrender in the besieged port city of Mariupol, saying civilians and fighters would be given safe passage out of the city as long as they gave up their weapons.

But Ukraine ignored that ultimatum, saying surrender was not an option.