Washington DC - President Joe Biden has condemned the large-scale Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, saying they had "no military purpose."

"They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people," Biden said. "These attacks only further reinforce our commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes."

The US and its allies would continue to impose costs on Russia for its aggression, hold Putin accountable for atrocities and war crimes, and provide the support necessary for Ukrainian forces to defend their country and their freedom, the president insisted.

"We again call on Russia to end this unprovoked aggression immediately and remove its troops from Ukraine," he added.

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meanwhile plans to meet with colleagues in the Ukraine Contact Group on Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO meeting in Brussels, the Pentagon said.

It will be the sixth meeting of the new group of nations aimed at helping Kyiv.