Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the continuation of the peace talks with Russia amid the accusations of war crimes and genocide against Moscow.
After Russian troops retreated, remains of civilians were found littered across the streets in Bucha, near Ukraine's capital Kyiv.
The horrific images have triggered worldwide outrage and call for more sanctions against Russia. According to BBC News, Moscow claimed that Ukraine fabricated images of crimes without presenting any proof.
Ukraine launched a war crimes investigation after discovering the bodies of 410 people in locations around Kyiv. Some were buried in mass graves, while others were found with their hands tied and shot at close range.
Zelensky described the treatment of Russian troops on civilians as "worse than animals."
"That is real genocide, what you have seen here," he said.
But when asked by journalists if peace talks with Russia were still possible after the discovery of the victims' bodies, the President of Ukraine responded, "Yes, because Ukraine must have peace."
Despite discovering the horrible killings, Zelensky further said that Ukraine "will continue efforts diplomatically and militarily."
A Scene of Brutality on Civilians
Witnesses in Bucha reported Russian soldiers fired on fleeing men after they refused to let them leave through humanitarian corridors. At least 20 males were discovered dead on the ground, and several of them had severe wounds. Some had been executed by being shot through the head, while others had been run over by tanks.
Maxar's satellite photographs reveal a 14m (45ft) mass burial near the church of St Andrew and Pyervozvannoho All Saints in the city.
World leaders reacted to the images ABC News reported. One of them is Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who said he was "strongly shocked" by the "brutal act of violence" conducted against civilians in Ukraine.
"Murdering innocent civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law and it's absolutely unacceptable," he said.
After the Russian air force bombed a maternity center on March 9, Russian authorities attempted to cast suspicion on mainstream media reporting. One Russian envoy accused a bombing victim, a pregnant woman who fled the assault and sustained injuries, of being a fake victim.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov labeled the reported crimes in Bucha as an "act" that was "staged" several days after Russian forces withdrew. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, told the media that Russia "categorically" rejects all accusations.
Biden Wants Further Sanctions on Russia
Meanwhile, as per CBS News, United States President Joe Biden condemned the killings, reiterated his accusation that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, and pledged that the US would pursue putting him on trial for war crimes.
He called Putin "ruthless" and described the situation in Bucha as "horrible."
The White House said further sanctions on Moscow would be announced 'this week,' with France considering that such measures could target Russian oil and coal shipments. However, Germany cautioned that cutting off Russian gas would be premature.
Christian Lindner, Germany's finance minister, said a "need to terminate all economic ties" with Russia. However, the cutting of gas supplies "is not doable."
"We need some time," he said.
