UN chief tells Lavrov: Ukraine ceasefire is needed as soon as possible

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Moscow on Tuesday that conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine should be created as soon as possible.

"We are extremely interested in finding ways in order to create the conditions for effective dialogue, create the conditions for a ceasefire as soon as possible, create the conditions for a peaceful solution," Guterres said at the start of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"I know that we have ... different interpretations about what's happening in Ukraine," Guterres said. "That does not limit the possibility to have a very serious dialogue on how best we can work to minimize the suffering of people."

Guterres is due to meet President Vladimir Putin later, before heading to Kyiv.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)