Fresh talks between Kyiv and the Kremlin were set to resume Monday after a weekend of Russian attacks that threatened to widen the war — and unrelenting fighting that obstructed efforts to provide relief to besieged Ukrainian cities, including the port of Mariupol.

Ukrainian officials have projected a more optimistic tone for the talks than on previous occasions when negotiations between the two nations have ended without resolution. But Ukraine still insists it wants an immediate cease-fire and Russian troops gone. Meanwhile, officials said a residential building in Kyiv’s Obolon district was struck by Russian shelling Monday, forcing residents to flee as firefighters tried to extinguish the flames and rescue those trapped inside. A pregnant mother whose photo showed the tragedy of maternity hospital bombing in Ukraine died with her baby.

After a military facility was attacked 15 miles from the border of NATO member Poland, killing dozens, Ukraine is also set to dominate the agenda when U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan meets with China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, in Rome on Monday. U.S. officials said Moscow has turned to China for military equipment and aid since the Russian invasion began more than two weeks ago. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Monday called the U.S. allegations “fake news.”