It's time for 'diplomatic action' over Ukraine, ally says, as pressure mounts on Kyiv for peace talks

This was CNBC's live blog tracking developments on the war in Ukraine. See here for the latest updates.

Diplomatic pressure could be mounting on Kyiv to pursue a diplomatic way out of the war with Russia as the conflict approaches its second anniversary.

Italy's defense minister said Wednesday that while Rome's support of Ukraine remained steadfast, the time had come for "incisive diplomatic action alongside the aid we are providing."

On a surprise trip to Lithuania today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there was no pressure from the country's partners to stop the fight against Russia, however.

A day before the World Economic Forum begins in Davos, Switzerland, next Monday, Ukraine and Switzerland are due to co-host a summit of allied national security advisors with the focus on promoting Ukraine's 10-point peace plan. Russia will not be attending the event.

A joint statement from the U.S. and seven other countries on Wednesday accused Russia of exploiting its position as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council to acquire weapons from North Korea.

The export of weapons from North Korea violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to a statement released by the United States Mission to the United Nations.

"Each violation makes the world a much more dangerous place.  And a permanent Security Council member that willingly engages in these violations demonstrates a clear exploitation of its position," it said.

Alongside the U.S., the joint statement was issued on behalf of France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Ukraine and the U.K.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. and its Western allies had released a statement condemning the alleged import of North Korean missiles to