Ukraine's leader offers calm but no 'childish illusions' about Russia threat

But there is hope," Zelenskiy said. "Protect your body from viruses, your brain from lies, your heart from panic."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday urged people to stay calm about the threat of a Russian attack and said there was work in progress to bring about a meeting between him and the leaders of Russia, France and Germany.

In a televised video address, Zelenskiy said this week's withdrawal of personnel from Western embassies in Kyiv did not signal that a military escalation with Russia was inevitable.

"There are no rose-coloured glasses, no childish illusions, everything is not simple .... But there is hope," Zelenskiy said. "Protect your body from viruses, your brain from lies, your heart from panic."