Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, stated on Sunday that the “situation” in Mariupol “might represent a red line” in talks with Russia.

On CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Kuleba stated, “The situation in Mariupol is both serious — militarily — and painful.”

“The city no longer exists.” Russian soldiers have essentially encircled the remaining Ukrainian army and a large group of civilians. They continue to fight, but based on the Russian army’s behaviour in Mariupol, it appears that they have resolved to raze the city to the ground at whatever cost,” he continued.

Any future Russian war crimes, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, would make dialogue with Russia impossible.

The foreign minister predicted that intense combat in eastern Ukraine will intensify in the next weeks.

He also predicted that “desperate attempts by Russia troops to finish with Mariupol at any cost” will continue, as well as missile assaults on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

In response to a query on how crucial it is for a high-ranking US official to visit Ukraine, Kuleba stated that he would welcome US President Joe Biden’s visit.