European officials have called for Putin to face “red lines” in terms of a timescale for when he accepts a ceasefire agreement.
Estonia’s foreign minister said on Friday that Vladimir Putin is “asking more and he is not asking only more about Ukraine. He's just putting new conditions on the table”.
He added as he arrived at a Nato meeting in Brussels: “There must be some kind of red lines on the timetable.”
He is the latest figure to ask for such measures in recent days, following Polish and Canadian calls for an official deadline.
David Lammy also accused Vladimir Putin of continuing to “drag his feet” on accepting the proposed ceasefire deal, after Moscow rejected an offer for a full 30-day ceasefire in March which Ukraine agreed to.
Meanwhile, at least four people have been killed after Russia launched an overnight attack on the city of Kharkiv.
Regional authorities said 35 people, including three children, had been injured in the northeastern city in the fourth such strike on the city so far this week.
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Key Points
- Four killed as Russia launches overnight attack
- Impose ceasefire red lines on Putin, sa officials
- French and British army chiefs to meet in Kyiv
- Trump's team advising against call with Putin until he agrees to full ceasefire, NBC News reports
- Ukraine reports Russian energy ceasefire violations
Mapped: Russia's invasion of Ukraine
10:36
,
Athena Stavrou
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has published its latest defence intelligence update on the war in Ukraine.
Its map shows where Russian forces are grouping and their direction of attack.
Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking energy infrastructure
10:22
,
Athena Stavrou
Moscow has accused Ukraine of attacking its energy infrastructure six times in the past 24 hours.
Russia news agencies reported the claim amidst an agreement between the countries to cease attacking such sites - an agreement both sides have accused the other flouting.
The Independent could not independently verify the alleged attacks.
Ukrainian servicemen training in Donetsk
10:16
,
Athena Stavrou
Impose ceasefire red lines on Putin, says Estonia
09:38
,
Athena Stavrou
European officials have called for “red lines” in terms of a timetable for when it comes to a Ukraine ceasefire
Estonia’s foreign minister said on Friday that Vladimir Putin is “asking more and he is not asking only more about Ukraine. He's just putting new conditions on the table”.
He added as he arrived at a Nato meeting in Brussels: “There must be some kind of red lines on the timetable.”
He is the latest figure to call for such measures in recent days.
Poland and Canada have also called for a deadline for Russia to accept a deal.
More pictures from the aftermath of Russian attack on Kharkiv
09:30
,
Athena Stavrou
Russia using ceasefire negotiations as 'leverage to seize territory' - ISW
09:15
,
Athena Stavrou
Russia seeking to use ongoing peace negotiations to “seize large amounts of territory in Ukraine,” a war-monitoring think tank says.
US based analysts The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Moscow is hoping to leverage ceasefire talks to install a pro-Russian puppet government in Kyiv, and is likely to continue military operations in Ukraine if it is not able to secure “full surrender” through the talks.
It cited the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence's (ODNI) which stated “Russia is leveraging its control of the theater-wide initiative and ongoing political and information efforts amid negotiations to end the war in Ukraine to achieve significant concessions from Ukraine and the West.”
It said the ODNI report also assessed that Putin is "probably" more willing to incur the risks of a longer war than to agree to an end to the war that is unfavorable to Russia.
Pictured: Lammy in Brussels with Nato leaders
08:54
,
Athena Stavrou
European officials blame Moscow for thwarting peace deal
08:43
,
Athena Stavrou
European foreign ministers have blamed Russia for thwarting a push for peace in the Ukraine war.
Putin "continues to obfuscate, continues to drag his feet," British foreign minister David Lammy said on Friday ahead of the second day of a meeting of Nato foreign ministers.
"He could accept a ceasefire now, he continues to bombard Ukraine, its civilian population, its energy supplies. We see you, Vladimir Putin, we know what you are doing," Lammy said.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Putin's talk of negotiations was "nothing but empty promises" and accused the Russian leader of "playing for time by raising ever new demands".
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Moscow "owes an answer to the United States, that have worked very hard to come up with a mediation effort and a ceasefire proposal."
"It has to be yes. It has to be no. It has to be a quick answer," he said.
Russia launches 78 drones overnight
08:25
Russia launched 78 drones in an overnight attack on Ukraine, Kyiv said.
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 42 of the drones and that 22 other drones were 'lost' using electronic warfare to redirect them.
Damages were recorded in the Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv regions, it added.
French and British army chiefs to meet in Kyiv
08:03
,
Athena Stavrou
French and British army chiefs are set to meet in Kyiv on Friday as plans for a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ peacekeeping force develop.
"There will be at some point a need for military capacity or reassurance, whenever peace is reached. And this is the reason why our army chiefs will be in Kyiv today in order to advance this work," French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in Brussels, AFP reported.
Also speaking in Brussels as he arrived at Nato headquarters, David Lammy also said Russian president Vladimir Putin should accept the proposed ceasefire with Ukraine now but he “continues to drag his feet”.
Lammy added that it had been important to hear from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday that the Americans remain committed to NATO.
Pictured: Russian attack on Kharkiv
07:50
Four killed as Russia launches barrage of drones in overnight attack
07:35
,
Athena Stavrou
At least four people have been killed after Russia launched an overnight attack on the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials said.
Regional authorities said 35 people, including three children, had been injured in the northeastern city in the fourth such strike on the city so far this week.
Rescue teams sifted through rubble throughout the night after Russian drones hit residential quarters, damaging several multi-storey apartment blocks and causing multiple fires.
"As of this morning, unfortunately, there are already four dead. The body of one more person killed by the Russian aggressor has been (removed) from the rubble," Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram. "We also have 35 wounded."
One killed in attack on Russia's Bryansk region, officials say
07:21
,
Athena Stavrou
One person has been killed after a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Bryansk region, the local governor said on Friday.
Alexander Bogomaz wrote on Telegram that two village residents had sustained shrapnel wounds, and were taken to hospital.
"The injured were promptly taken to the district hospital. Unfortunately, one of the injured, a man, died," he said.
Russian air defence units downed 107 Ukrainian drones overnight, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.
Putin envoy Dmitriev sees ‘positive dynamic’ in US-Russia relations
07:05
,
Namita Singh
Russian president Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday that he saw a "positive dynamic" in relations between Moscow and Washington, though more meetings were needed to sort out differences.
Mr Putin has been accused of dragging out or actively blocking efforts to finalise the terms of a deal to end the war, with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky calling them “fake conditions to buy time and then try to seize even more land”.
Mr Dmitriev, speaking to both Russian and US media outlets after talks with officials from president Donald Trump's administration, said he saw prospects for the beginning of a solution to the more than three-year-old war in Ukraine.
He said his talks in Washington had touched on matters as wide-ranging as rare metals production, cooperation in the Arctic and even crewed flight to Mars. He said work was proceeding on restoring direct air links.
Mr Dmitriev's visit to Washington follows US-Russian talks in Saudi Arabia and agreement on US-brokered ceasefires against energy targets and allowing problem-free navigation in the Black Sea.
"Without doubt, we note a positive dynamic in our relations," Russian news agencies quoted him as telling journalists in Washington.
"A series of meetings will still be needed for us to resolve all our differences. But the main thing we see a positive, creative attitude."
"We see absolutely clearly that the president's administration is intent on solving questions, unlike President (Joe) Biden. They conduct themselves with great respect, ask a lot of questions, find compromises," he said.
Ukraine reports Russia’s energy ceasefire violations to US
06:43
,
Namita Singh
Ukraine has informed the US about Russia’s energy ceasefire violations, providing evidence to support the claims, senior Zelensky aide Pavlo Palisa told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne.
He said Ukraine had not provided a full list of infrastructure targets to be included in the ceasefire, arguing that this strategic information would be abused by Russia.
"Under no circumstances are the coordinates or complete lists of critical infrastructure facilities given to anyone," he said.
While Kyiv had agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire in US-mediated talks in Jeddah, Russia declined to adhere to it, demanding it include restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities, such as a halt on foreign military aid to Ukraine.
Russia to expand forces in Ukraine by 150,000 troops in 2025, says official
06:42
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Namita Singh
Russia is set to increase its military presence in Ukraine by 150,000 troops next year, a senior Ukrainian official has said, equivalent to around 15 motorised infantry divisions.
Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said Russia was actively recruiting personnel and forming new units.
“Their formation is ongoing. The Russians have no problems with recruiting personnel now. However, it should be understood that all these formations cannot be put into action at the same time,” he said, according to Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne.
This buildup comes as Moscow pushes forward on the battlefield, despite supposedly engaging in ceasefire talks with the US. Mr Palisa said Russia was uninterested in broader peace talks, except for negotiations on maritime security, where a truce aligns with its strategic interests.
Kyiv had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in US-mediated talks in Jeddah on 11 March, but Russia refused unless it included restrictions on Ukraine’s military capabilities. Instead, a limited agreement was reached to protect energy infrastructure and the Black Sea.
Since then, both sides have accused each other of violating the energy truce, while Russia has tied the implementation of the Black Sea agreement to the easing of Western sanctions.
On the frontlines, Russian forces continue to press forward in targeted areas, making tactical gains, Mr Palisa said. However, he noted that Ukrainian troops were mounting counteroffensives.
“If they do this, they will continue to stall (peace talks) to get time,” he added.
‘We’re all pro-Europeans now’: Rudd seeks to rebuild Tory-Europe relations
05:30
,
Namita Singh
Almost a decade after the Brexit referendum, Amber Rudd is hoping to rebuild bridges between the Tories and Europe.
The former home secretary is one of the driving forces behind a new informal Conservative European Affairs Council (Ceac) that aims to encourage pro-European Tories and help the party talk to Europe.
And with US president Donald Trump stepping back from European defence and Russia continuing to threaten the continent, she sees an even stronger case for improving Conservative relations with Europe.
Report:
Trump's team advising against call with Putin until he agrees to full ceasefire, NBC News reports
05:22
,
Namita Singh
US president Donald Trump's inner circle is advising him against a call with Vladimir Putin until the Russian president commits to a full ceasefire with Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
The report added that the officials were concerned Mr Trump could suddenly decide he wants to talk to Mr Putin, regardless of their guidance.
Mr Trump told NBC News on Sunday he planned to talk to the Russian president this week.
US and Russia make 'significant progress' toward Ukraine ceasefire, says Kremlin envoy
04:45
,
Namita Singh
The United States and Russia have made major strides toward reaching a ceasefire in Ukraine, a senior Kremlin envoy has said following high-level meetings in Washington.
Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian negotiator and head of the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund, announced that “significant progress has been made on the ceasefire agreement in Ukraine,” according to comments reported by Russian state media.
Mr Dmitriev held talks with officials from the administration of former US president Donald Trump over two days, on 2 and 3 April, representing Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Praising what he described as a constructive and respectful dialogue, Mr Dmitriev said both nations were working to revive diplomatic and economic ties, reported Tass.
He also claimed that American firms were showing interest in returning to Russia to occupy the market space left by European businesses that exited following the invasion of Ukraine.
“US companies are ready to occupy the niches left by European companies that left the Russian Federation,” he was quoted as saying.
Among other issues discussed were cooperation in the Arctic and joint ventures on rare earth metals. Talks also touched on the potential resumption of direct flights between the two countries, according to Mr Dmitriev.
While details of the proposed ceasefire have not been made public, the Kremlin envoy said the Trump administration “is listening to the position of the Russian Federation” and that a date for the next round of negotiations would be determined “in the near future.”
Ukraine expands troop base as US general warns against aid cuts
04:23
,
Namita Singh
Ukraine has addressed some of its manpower shortages in the fight against Russia by broadening its recruitment base, a senior US military official has said.
General Christopher Cavoli, who leads the US European Command and serves as Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told American lawmakers that Kyiv had taken steps to replenish its ranks.
He warned, however, that any halt in US support, particularly in weaponry and intelligence, would have a devastating effect on Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities.
Testifying before the US Senate on Thursday, General Cavoli stressed the critical role of American-supplied advanced weapon systems. He noted that Ukraine remains heavily reliant on Washington for larger anti-aircraft and missile defence platforms.
“If the Ukrainians were not able to receive intelligence from us, they would struggle to target, especially in-depth operational level targets such as command posts, logistics areas and things like that,” he told senators.
He said Ukrainian forces were maintaining control of territory in Russia’s Kursk region and that Moscow had lost around 4,000 tanks since the start of the invasion – almost equivalent to the total tank fleet of the United States.
Trial of former Russian minister ‘not about Vladimir Putin’, jurors told
03:56
,
Namita Singh
The trial of a former Russian minister accused of breaching sanctions in the UK is "not about Vladimir Putin" or the war in Ukraine, jurors have been told.
Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, 48, the former mayor of Sevastopol in illegally annexed Crimea, is facing seven counts of circumventing sanctions between February 2023 and January 2024.
He is said to have deliberately avoided sanctions by opening a Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) account on or before February 2023 and having tens of thousands of pounds transferred to it by his wife, Ekaterina Ovsiannikova, who is facing four counts of breaching sanctions by assisting with the payments totalling £76,000.
During closing arguments yesterday at Southwark Crown Court, his defence barrister, Rosemary Davidson, told jurors that the case is not about the war in Ukraine or Ovsiannikov's work as governor of Sevastopol.
Report:
Foreign secretary says Putin obfuscating on peace
03:00
,
Jane Dalton
The Foreign Secretary has accused Russia's Vladimir Putin of "dragging out and obfuscating" efforts to find a peace deal to end the war.
David Lammy called on the UK’s Nato counterparts to increase pressure on Russia and stressed the need for Europeans to step up spending on defence to be "fairer" to the US.
Mr Lammy said: "Russia continues to rain down bombs on Ukrainian families, on Ukrainian armed soldiers and, of course, on Ukraine's infrastructure.
"And they are dragging out and obfuscating all efforts to negotiate.
“Putin – we see you, and it's hugely important that Nato allies come together to place more economic pressure on Russia so that they respond and are responsive to the negotiation attempts that President Trump has set out."
Ukraine gains more troops by widening recruiting pool – US army chief
02:30
,
Jane Dalton
Ukraine appears to have resolved some of its shortages of troops fighting Russia, including by widening the pool of eligible recruits, the top US general in Europe says.
US Army General Christopher Cavoli also stressed that any US cutoff in provision of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine would be extremely harmful to its war effort, despite Kyiv's attempts to diversify its weapons suppliers.
Donald Trump temporarily cut off some assistance to Ukraine after an Oval Office blow-up with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, in which vice-president JD Vance complained about Kyiv's manpower shortages and Mr Trump said Zelenskiy didn't "have the cards" to end the war without US backing.
Russia returns 11 more Ukrainian children and pregnant woman
02:00
,
Jane Dalton
At least 11 more Ukrainian children have been brought home from parts of Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine where they had been taken without permission, Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff said.
Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff, wrote on his Telegram channel: "Within the framework of the president of Ukraine's Bring Kids Back UA initiative, another 11 Ukrainian children were brought back from temporarily occupied areas (of Ukraine) and the territory of the Russian Federation.”
Among the children, Mr Yermak said, were brothers aged 10 and 12 whose father died after being tortured for expressing pro-Ukrainian views.
Also brought home, Mr Yermak wrote, was a pregnant mother who had been prevented from leaving occupied Ukraine because she had refused to take out Russian identity papers, and her two-year-old toddler.
The mother gave birth to another child in Ukrainian-held territory.
Mr Yermak thanked the office of Ukraine's ombudsman for its help in arranging the return of the children.
Russia has not issued a statement on returning Ukrainian citizens.
Analysis: As Russia is spared tariffs, is Trump playing into Putin’s hands?
01:30
,
Jane Dalton
Watch: Firefighters tackle blaze after Russian strike
Friday 4 April 2025 00:30
,
Jane Dalton
Analysis: Trump ‘anger’ at Putin is play acting
Thursday 3 April 2025 23:59
,
Jane Dalton
In case you missed it:
Zelensky thanks troops who diverted Russian forces
Thursday 3 April 2025 23:30
,
Jane Dalton
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has paid tribute to his soldiers in the Sumy area in the northeast of the country, who, he said, had succeeded in forcing Russia to divert significant forces from other directions, “weakening the pressure there”.
Our defenders in the Sumy region are the true shield of northern Ukraine. Since August, they have been holding back Russian and North Korean forces and disrupting their plans.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 3, 2025
Their actions have forced Russia to divert significant forces from other directions, weakening the… pic.twitter.com/uvgNLAwNJG
Drone attack injures children
Thursday 3 April 2025 23:00
,
Jane Dalton
A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has struck an apartment building and triggered a large fire, with injuries reported, the city's mayor said.
The mayor, Ihor Terekhov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said children were among the injured.
Kharkiv has been subject to nearly nightly Russian drone attacks in the past week.
Sam Kiley: Ukraine’s pioneering work with ketamine therapy taking soldiers to Valhalla on earth
Thursday 3 April 2025 22:30
,
Alex Croft
Elton John's Aids charity placed on Moscow's 'undesirable' list
Thursday 3 April 2025 22:00
,
Alex Croft
Russia has placed Elton John’s charity focussing on HIV/AIDS prevention on its list of “undesirable organisations”, the prosecutor general’s office said on Thursday.
The office derided what it described as the charity’s “promotion of non-traditional sexual relations”.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation, launched in 1992, works in over 90 countries "to increase access to health care, tackle LGBTQ+ stigma, and end AIDS”.
The foundation, established by the singer and songwriter, has previously clashed with Russian authorities over LGBTQ+ rights. Sir Elton, who has performed in Russia, has criticised what he views as discrimination against gay people by the Russian government.
In the statement by Russian prosecutors, they said the charity is "focused on the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations, Western family models, and gender reassignment."
Ukraine tells US Russia violating energy ceasefire
Thursday 3 April 2025 21:30
,
Jane Dalton
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says he has told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Russia has violated a ceasefire involving energy sites.
Mr Sybiha wrote on social media: "Ukraine is fully committed to peace and has taken concrete unconditional steps to achieve it, whereas Russia continues to drag its feet.
"I also informed my counterpart about Russia’s recent violations of the energy ceasefire."
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of failing to observe the US-brokered ceasefire.
Mr Sybiha also repeated Ukraine's interest in developing mineral resource cooperation with the United States.