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Russia 'will never take central Kyiv now as it's a well-protected fortress', says Ukrainian former minister

A photo taken on September 2, 2019 shows the secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council Oleksandr Danylyuk listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speech during a meeting of the President with the new government members in Kiev. - Ukrainian top security adviser Oleksandr Danylyuk announced his resignation on September 27, 2019 in a new setback for President Volodymyr Zelensky, caught in a global scandal after a controversial phone call with Donald Trump. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)        (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Former minister Oleksandr Danylyuk has said Kyiv is 'impossible to take'. (Getty)

Russia will find Kyiv 'impossible to take' as the centre of Ukraine's capital is now a 'fortress' which is too well-protected, the country's former finance minister has claimed.

Oleksandr Danylyuk described any attempts by Vladimir Putin's forces to take Kyiv as a 'suicide mission', as the invasion of Ukraine went into a 21st day.

The city has been pounded with Russian shells and missiles since the invasion began three weeks ago, prompting half the population to flee in search of safety.

Authorities imposed a 35-hour curfew on Tuesday night amid fears the Russian campaign has shifted to the destruction of residential areas.

But despite the almost constant bombardment, Danylyuk says the resilience of the Ukrainian people means Vladimir Putin's forces cannot get through.

Read more: Russian bombardment of Kyiv kills four, curfew called

Firemen extinguishing the fire created by Russian shelling in Svyatoshyns'kyi District Kyiv, 12km from the center of the capital, on March 15, 2022.  (Photo by Andrea Filigheddu/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Firemen extinguishing the fire created by Russian shelling in Kyiv, 12km from the centre of the capital. (Getty)
KYIV, UKRAINE - MARCH 15: Firefighters extinguish fire at a damaged residential building that was hit by a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 15, 2022. (Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
But despite the almost constant bombardment, Oleksandr Danylyuk says the resilience of the Ukrainian people means Vladimir Putin's forces cannot get through. (Getty)

Danylyuk, who now chairs the Centre for National Resilience and Development, and is also a member of Ukraine's Territorial Defence Force in the Kyiv region, told Radio 4's Today programme: "Every day is almost like the same now.

"Russia is continuing its bombardment of Kyiv and they do it deliberately targeting residential areas of Kyiv to cause panic to make people feel like it doesn't matter where they are, it doesn't matter if they are close to military objects or they are just in the middle of a residential area, they are not safe.

"That is continuing across the whole country. They know very well that they cannot get into the city.

"Kyiv is impossible to take now, it's a fortress with many well armed people. It will be protected for as long as it is needed."

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Asked if there was any possibility Russian tanks could be seen in the streets of central Kyiv, Danylyuk said: "They could if we roll them ourselves, otherwise they will not be able to penetrate the city themselves.

"It is very well protected and Russians understand that very well.

"They will not be crazy and attempt to do this, it would be a suicide mission."

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in peace talks since the invasion began on 24 February.

Initial conversations ended with no solution, but in recent days both parties have shown signs that a deal could be reached, ending

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Ukraine will not become a Nato member, in a sign he may be willing to compromise.

“It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of Nato; we understand this,” he said.

Read more: Parts of possible peace deal with Russia close to being agreed

“For years we heard about the apparently open door, but have already also heard that we will not enter there, and these are truths and must be acknowledged.”

Putin had demanded Ukraine rule out the possibility of Ukraine joining Nato indefinitely before the attack.

Russia said on Wednesday that peace talks with Ukraine were not easy but that there was some hope of reaching a compromise and that neutrality for Ukraine was being seriously discussed.

"The negotiations are not easy for obvious reasons," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said told RBC news. But nevertheless, there is some hope of reaching a compromise."

"Neutral status is now being seriously discussed along, of course, with security guarantees," Lavrov said.

Ukraine has also made cautious positive statements on peace talks. It says it is willing to negotiate to the end the war, but will not surrender or accept Russian ultimatums.

Lavrov said key issues included the security of people in eastern Ukraine, the demilitarization of Ukraine and the rights of Russian-speaking people in Ukraine.