Russian forces shelled Ukraine's second-largest city Monday and closed in on the capital, Kyiv, as talks aimed at stopping the fighting yielded only an agreement to keep talking.

Amid ever-growing international condemnationRussia found itself increasingly isolated five days into its invasion while also facing unexpectedly fierce resistance on the ground in Ukraine and economic havoc at home.

Stepping up his rhetoric, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the U.S. and its allies as an “empire of lies.”

Meanwhile, an embattled Ukraine moved to solidify its ties to the West -

by applying to join the European Union, a largely symbolic move for now, but one that is unlikely to sit well with Putin who has long accused the U.S. of trying to pull Ukraine out of Moscow’s orbit.

A top Putin aide and head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, said that the first talks held between the two sides since the invasion lasted nearly five hours and that the envoys “found certain points on which common positions could be foreseen.”

He said they agreed to continue the discussions in the coming days.

But as the talks along the Belarusian border wrapped up several blasts could be heard in Kyiv, and Russian troops advanced on the city.

A vast convoy of armored vehicles, tanks, artillery, and support vehicles was 17 miles from the center of the city.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city, residential areas were reportedly shelled.

Authorities said at least seven people had been killed and dozens injured.

They warned that casualties could be far higher.

The Russian military has denied targeting residential areas despite evidence.

Fighting also raged in other towns and cities across the country and many Ukrainians remain in shelters.