President Putin has ordered Russia's nuclear arsenal to be on high alert

Ukrainian forces set fire to a Russian armored vehicle during a battle with Russian troops in Kirkiv, Ukraine. Sunday, February 26, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's nuclear arsenal to remain on high alert. Ukraine, on the other hand, has agreed to hold talks with Russia on the Belarusian border.

In the wake of escalating tensions with the West over Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Putin on Sunday called on Russia's defense minister to keep nuclear forces "on special warfare." He told his officials that the leading NATO countries were making "aggressive statements" and had imposed tough financial sanctions on Russia.

However, White House Press Secretary Jane Sackie told ABC News on Sunday that "Russia has never been under threat from NATO."

A senior U.S. defense official told reporters that Russia's decision to keep its nuclear deterrence high was "unnecessary" and "excessive."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to send a delegation to the Belarusian border to begin peace talks with Russia without preconditions.

Earlier, Zelensky said he was willing to sit down for peace talks with Russia, but not inside Belarus. Because Russia started attacking Ukraine from Belarus.

The European Union is banning Russian-owned, Russian-registered or Russian-controlled aircraft from entering its airspace.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday that "no Russian aircraft will be allowed to land, take off or fly over EU territory."

On Sunday, the fourth day of the Russian aggression, Russian troops continue to fight with Ukrainian defense forces and civilian troops for control of the capital, Kyiv, and other cities.

Zelensky tweeted, "Anti-war coalition working together."

Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign minister sent a tweet inviting foreign nationals to join Ukraine's war against Russia.