AP NewsWatch

I'm Ben Thomas with an AP News Minute.

Russia's defense ministry is claiming its forces have taken control of Ukraine's entire

Luhansk region.

Ukraine's military is denying it, but says it does hold only small patches.

Russia has previously made false claims of advances, and the Moscow-appointed head of Luhansk

announced its full capture last June.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Zelensky held talks with U.S. on-boys, and he said he's hoping

they can bring Moscow to the table.

We have proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays.

We hope that the United States will support this proposition, and we are waiting for response

from Russia.

Speaking to European Union foreign ministers in Kiev yesterday, Zelensky added,

Russia must not be left in any position that it could see as better than before, not

in territory, not in technologies, not in politics.

This is essential for peace and Europe.

I'm Ben Thomas.