US officials have finalised new economic sanctions against Russia to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace President Trump’s efforts to end its war, sources say.
The targets include state-owned energy giant Gazprom and major organisations in the natural resources and banking sectors, an administration official said. Mr Trump would need to approve the package.
State department official Tammy Bruce said envoys would no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat” to mediate.
She said it was now “between the two parties” to present concrete ideas on ending the conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said either a breakthrough towards peace was needed “very soon” or President Trump would have to decide how much time the US would dedicate to the conflict.
On the battlefield, Russia says its forces are continuing to create a “security strip” in border areas of Ukraine’s Sumy region after driving Ukrainian troops out of Kursk, just across the border.
Ukraine says its forces still have a foothold in Kursk, but that it is concerned about a possible Russian advance into Sumy.
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Key Points
- US draws up new sanctions on Russia
- Russian drones injure at least nine in Ukraine's Kharkiv
- Rubio warns Trump could walk away from peace talks soon if there's no breakthrough
- Trump gets his minerals deal, but what does Zelensky get in return?
- Putin may have shifted war objectives in Ukraine war, shows intelligence
- US 'not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings'
At least nine people injured in Russian drone attack on Kharkiv
21:53
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Jane Dalton
Russia launched a mass drone attack late on Friday in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, hitting a high-rise apartment block, triggering fires and injuring at least nine people, officials say.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov estimated the number of injured at 12.
He said there had been 17 strikes in the city, a repeated target of Russian air attacks lying 19 miles from the country's northeastern border.
Terekhov said a house had also been hit.
Regional authorities in the southern Kherson region said a village resident died when a fallen drone exploded as he was trying to carry it away from a house.
Russia's Defence Ministry, meanwhile, reported that its air defence units had destroyed 10 drones in an hour - eight over the border region of Bryansk and two over Crimea.
US draws up new sanctions against Russia, say officials
21:30
,
Jane Dalton
US officials have finalised new economic sanctions against Russia to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace President Trump’s efforts to end its war, according to officials.
The targets include state-owned Russian energy giant Gazprom and major entities involved in the natural resources and banking sectors, said an administration official.
It was far from clear, however, whether the package will be approved by Mr Trump.
The US National Security Council is trying to coordinate some set of more punitive actions against Russia, a source said. Mr Trump would have to sign off on it.
Who is Julie Davis? Ukraine's top diplomat in Ukraine
21:00
,
Bryony Gooch
US president Donald Trump and secretary of state Marco Rubio have identified Julie Davis, currently the US ambassador to Cyprus, to serve as charge d'affaires at the US embassy in Kyiv, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said yesterday.
The move comes as Washington tries to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia and after former ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink stepped down last month.
US State Dept spokesperson Tammy Bruce said of Davis: “Ambassador Davis is a distinguished career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister Counselor. With a robust background in international diplomacy, she has served in pivotal roles over the last 30 years.
“Ambassador Davis is currently serving as the United States ambassador to Cyprus, a position she has held since February 2023. This moment in time is one that calls for the department’s best, and Ambassador Davis is the President and Secretary’s choice.”
EDITORIAL: The minerals deal is advantageous for Ukraine – but also for the United States
20:00
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Bryony Gooch
The ‘Art of the Deal’ may have been Donald Trump’s abiding contribution to literature but it is Volodymyr Zelensky, it now seems, who used his personal diplomacy with the US president during the funeral for Pope Francis to excellent effect.
Here’s the Independent View:
Ukraine accuses Russian spies of plotting to kill blogger
19:47
,
Jane Dalton
Ukraine's internal security agency, the SBU, has accused Russian intelligence of orchestrating an attempt to assassinate a prominent Ukrainian blogger, accusing a 45-year-old woman of carrying out the failed hit.
The attempt to kill internet personality Serhii Sternenko, who once led the local chapter of a right-wing group but is now better known in Ukraine for crowdfunding donations for military drones, took place on Thursday.
The SBU said the woman fired several shots with a pistol, one of which hit Sternenko in the leg. The blogger said there was no danger to his life.
The woman's lawyer said in court that she did not contest the facts of the case.
The lawyer said a contact had told the woman that Sternenko was working for Russia's spy agency, the FSB.
US wants breakthrough on Ukraine talks soon, Rubio says
19:00
,
Bryony Gooch
There would need to be a real breakthrough on the war in Ukraine very soon or US president Donald Trump is going to have to decide how much more time to dedicate to the matter, US secretary of state Marco Rubio told Fox News last night.
"I think we know where Ukraine is, and we know where Russia is right now... They're closer, but they're still far apart," he added during an interview on Fox News' Hannity show.
Trump gets his deal, but what does Zelensky get in return?
18:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Yes, the minerals deal Zelensky agreed with the US is vastly less humiliating than the one he refused to sign after being monstered in the Oval Office. But all Ukraine is really left with is the prospect of more war, writes Mark Almond
What is StormShroud? The UK's new drone that draws on lessons learned by Ukraine in war against Russia
17:00
,
Bryony Gooch
The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) has described StormShroud as a groundbreaking first-of-its-kind drone that draws on lessons learned by Ukraine during Russia's invasion.
The drones offer a change in capability by using a high-tech BriteStorm signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges, thereby protecting aircraft and pilots.
Deployed ahead of crewed combat aircraft - like Typhoons or F-35s - it acts as a digital decoy, generating false radar signals to overwhelm enemy systems.
The confusion of enemy radars allows RAF combat aircraft to attack targets unseen.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Investment in our defence is an investment in this country's future. Putting money behind our Armed Forces and defence industry is safeguarding our economic and national security by putting money back in the pockets of hard-working British people and protecting them for generations to come.
"Together with our allies, this government is taking the bold action needed to stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security, which is vital for us to deliver our Plan for Change and improve lives of working people up and down the country.
"It is a privilege to meet and learn from the young minds driving innovation in defence technology, and we will continue to invest in the industries of the future to deliver security and opportunity for the British people through our Plan for Change."
JD Vance: no end to Russia-Ukraine war 'any time soon'
16:01
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Bryony Gooch
The war in Ukraine is not going to end "any time soon," US vice president JD Vance told Fox News last night.
It is "going to be up to the Russians and Ukrainians now that each side knows what the other's terms for peace are. It's going to be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict," Mr Vance said in the interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.
"It's not going anywhere, Bret. It's not going to end any time soon," Mr Vance added.
WATCH: Zelensky breaks silence on Ukraine US minerals deal
15:45
,
Bryony Gooch
Pictured: The moment the US-Ukraine minerals deal was signed and revealed
15:29
,
Bryony Gooch
Zelensky calls on Moscow to follow suit in unconditional ceasefire proposed by US
15:15
,
Bryony Gooch
President Volodymyr Zelensky shared an insight into his latest meeting with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen.
“We discussed how to further strengthen support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace. We understand what steps need to be taken to make our work with partners even more effective and agreed to move forward on this together.”
Zelensky also shared an update of his recent diplomatic efforts with the United States.
“We immediately supported the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Now Moscow must do the same—stop the attacks and killings, and finally show readiness to move toward peace.
“Mette, as always, is ready to support all proposals and to put in maximum effort. And I’m grateful for that.”
I had a good conversation with the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen @Statsmin.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 2, 2025
We discussed how to further strengthen support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace. We understand what steps need to be taken to make our work with partners even more… pic.twitter.com/K0PWtr3zO8
In pictures: Servicemen in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region
15:01
,
Bryony Gooch
WATCH: US say 'we will not be the mediators' in Russia-Ukraine war
14:43
,
Bryony Gooch
Donald Trump wants Kyiv to swap peace for land. Ukrainians say that’s too painful to contemplate
14:35
,
Bryony Gooch
Vitali Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxer who is now mayor of Kyiv, ventured last month into hazardous political territory: he delicately suggested in an interview that Ukraine might need to cede land to end its battle against Russia.
After a flood of angry online comments, he walked back his comments, saying on Facebook that "territorial concessions contradict our national interests and we must fight against their implementation until the last".
U.S. President Donald Trump and his negotiators believe the only route to ending the Russian war in Ukraine is for Kyiv to acknowledge in some form that it is not getting back the Ukrainian land Moscow's troops have taken since invading.
In pictures: Emergency workers help Zaporizhzia after a drone strike
14:16
,
Bryony Gooch
WATCH: US-Ukraine minerals deal explained
14:01
,
Bryony Gooch
Satellite images show new road bridge North Korea is building with Russia
13:45
,
Bryony Gooch
Russia has begun the construction of its first road bridge to North Koreaover the Tumen river on the border, marking rapidly advancing bilateral ties with the isolated regional ally.
The construction marks the first ever bridge for cars and motor vehicles crossing between Russia and North Korea and is a “significant milestone” in the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang, Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Wednesday as he attended the groundbreaking ceremony in a video conference.
My colleague Arpan Rai reports:
RECAP: Inside Donald Trump's meeting with President Zelensky at the pope's funeral
13:31
,
Bryony Gooch
As the United States has said they will no longer be mediators in the Ukraine-Russia peace talks, here’s a look back at the talks between President Trump and President Zelensky, described at the time as “potentially historic.”
US reporter James Liddell reports:
US steps back from Ukraine-Russia peace talks a week after Trump promises to help end war
13:15
,
Bryony Gooch
US official Tammy Bruce’s comment where she debuted the country’s new “methodology” for contributing to the Ukraine-Russia conflict comes just a week after President Trump promised the US would help to end the war in Ukraine.
Ms Bruce has said: “We are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings, that it is now between the two parties, and now – now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end. It’s going to be up to them.”
Trump previously said on Truth Social, after meeting Ukraine president Zelensky face-to-face at the Pope’s funeral: “We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”
What are Ukraine’s rare earth minerals?
13:01
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine is sitting on one of Europe’s largest deposits of critical minerals, including lithium and titanium, much of which is untapped.
According to the Institute of Geology, Ukraine possesses rare earth elements such as lanthanum and cerium, used in TVs and lighting; neodymium, used in wind turbines and EV batteries; and erbium and yttrium, whose applications range from nuclear power to lasers. The EU-funded research also indicates that Ukraine has scandium reserves but detailed data is classified.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has been trying to develop these resources, estimated to be worth more than £12 trillion, based on figures provided by Forbes Ukraine, for years.
For more information about Ukraine’s mineral deposits, as the country is set to make a deal with Russia, read this explainer below from Tom Watling, Alicja Hagopian and Maroosha Muzaffar.
Why Crimea matters so much to Putin – and now Trump
12:45
,
Bryony Gooch
As Russia-occupied Crimea reportedly faced drone attacks from Ukraine overnight, the territory remains a key part in peace discussions between Moscow and Kyiv.
Here, our world affairs editor Sam Kiley explains just why the region is so important in any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Pictured: The day after drone attacks in Zaporizhzhia injure more than 30 people
12:29
,
Bryony Gooch
WATCH: Devastating aftermath of a drone attack on Odesa
12:15
,
Bryony Gooch
More than 30 injured in Zaporizhzhia attack
12:01
,
Bryony Gooch
An attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia south-eastern Ukraine has injured 31, including two children.
Ivan Fedorov, the region’s governor, said: “victims of yesterday’s attack on the regional centre continue to be treated in Zaporizhzhia hospitals.
“The number of hospitalised people has increased - seven people are in medical facilities.”
UK government operate new drone as Starmer vows to 'stand up to Putin'
11:49
,
Bryony Gooch
A cutting-edge new British drone came into operation on Friday as Sir Keir Starmer vowed the UK government would “stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security”.
The StormShroud air systems will be fitted with a high-tech signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long range and fly alongside RAF crews on frontline missions.
Number 10 said the development took advantage of “learnings from countering (Vladimir) Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine”.
In pictures: Zelensky visits site of Kyiv missile strike while Klitschko greets servicemen returning from frontline
11:31
,
Bryony Gooch
What will the mineral deal ratification involve?
11:16
,
Bryony Gooch
Before the mineral deal between Ukraine and the United States can be signed into law, Ukrainian politicians and representatives must ratify it.
This involves discussion, unless otherwise decided by political representatives.
Ratification could involve a speech by the relevant committee, presentations and speeches from different political factions - two for and two against the deal.
If the procedure is shortened, it will need 150 votes to be ratified.
This process is set to take place next week.
Politician Yaroslav Zheleznyak has said the vote to ratify the Minerals Agreement between the US and Ukraine will take place on 8 May.
Russia creating 'security strip' in occupied Sumy region after 'retaking' Kursk
10:51
,
Bryony Gooch
Russia is continuing to create a "security strip" in border areas of Ukraine's Sumy region after driving Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region of western Russia, state news agency RIA quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying on Friday.
It quoted the ministry as saying that in the past week, Russian troops had seized four settlements in Ukraine's Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.
President Vladimir Putin said in March that Russia should look to create a buffer zone in Sumy region, which borders Kursk.
Ukraine reported there were 33 clashes in the Kursk direction overnight.
“Our soldiers inflicted significant losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and are also actively undermining the enemy's offensive potential in the rear.”
Pictured: Ukraine prime minister attends parliament ahead of mineral deal ratification
10:47
,
Bryony Gooch
Russia report 'biggest combined attack' on occupied Sevastapol this year
10:27
,
Bryony Gooch
Russian air defences allegedly intercepted 89 Ukrainian drones over occupied Crimea and another 23 over the waters of the Black Sea, according to the Defense Ministry.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed leader in Sevastapol, thanked the air defence for repelling “the most massive combined attack” on the city so far this year.
“Our military worked on all targets over the sea: more than 50 drones were destroyed on approach to Sevastopol, and several sea drones in the waters.
“No objects were damaged either in the city or in the waters”, he added.
As well as Sevastopol, the pro-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel said there were explosions in key areas across the peninsula, including Dzhankoy, Saky, Novofedorivka, and Kacha. These sites that host Russian military airfields.
Vote to ratify Minerals Deal in Ukraine planned for 8 May
10:16
,
Bryony Gooch
Politician Yaroslav Zheleznyak has said the vote to ratify the Minerals Agreement between the US and Ukraine will take place on 8 May.
He previously said two of the three documents related to a minerals deal with the United States would not need to be ratified.
Ukraine insists fighting still ongoing in Kursk despite Russian claims its been retaken
09:59
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian armed forces have said there is still fighting in the Kursk region despite Russia’s claims that it has been retaken.
Ukraine’s general staff said on social media there were 33 clashes in the Kursk direction.
“The enemy launched 210 artillery attacks, five of them from multiple rocket launchers, carried out 15 air strikes, dropping 21 guided aerial bombs.”
The statement continued: “No signs of the enemy's offensive formations were detected in the Volyn and Polesie directions.
“Our soldiers inflicted significant losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and are also actively undermining the enemy's offensive potential in the rear.
“In total, the losses of the Russian invaders last day amounted to 1,110 people. Ukrainian soldiers also neutralized nine tanks, five armored combat vehicles, 50 artillery systems, four air defense systems, 138 operational-tactical UAVs, and 132 units of automotive equipment of the occupiers.”
Nearly 200 clashes between Ukraine and Russia over past day
09:33
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukrainian armed forces revealed that a total 199 combat clashes were recorded over the past day.
A statement on social media read: “Yesterday, the enemy launched three missiles and 96 aviation strikes at the positions of Ukrainian units and settlements, using five missiles and 172 controlled bombs.
“In addition, carried out 5898 shells, 61 of them - from jet systems of salvage fire, and deployed 2991 kamikaze drones for impression.
“The aggressor carried out air strikes, in particular, in areas of settlements Rogivka, Krasnopillya, Ugroydi, Mala Rybytsya, Miropilsky Sumy region; Rogivka Chernihiv region; Pokrovsk, Novopil, Green Field, Rozivka, Green Donetsk region; Svyatopetrivka, Zaliznychnne, Novodanilivka, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka of the Zaporizhia region; Kherson, Tyaginka of the Kherson region.
“Yesterday, Defense Forces rocket troops and artillery hit six concentration areas of the enemy's personnel, weapons and military equipment, one BPLA control point and two enemy air defense vehicles.”
Man and woman left in serious condition following attack on Zaporizhzhia
09:14
,
Bryony Gooch
A man and woman are in serious condition following a drone strike on the city of Zaporizhzhia.
Ivan Fedorov, the region’s governor’, said that four more people were in moderate condition, totalling six people in the hospital under medical supervision.
He said that a further 24 people were being treated at home after receiving medical care.
US-Ukraine minerals deal may take more than a decade to generate revenue
09:13
,
Bryony Gooch
It’s likely to take a decade for the financial payoff of the minerals deal between the Ukraine.
Investors are facing hurdles to get new mines into production in the war-ravaged country.
Developing mines that produce strategically important minerals in countries with established mining sectors such as Canada and Australia can take 10 to 20 years, mining consultants said on Thursday, per Reuters.
Most mineral deposits in Ukraine have little data to confirm they are economically viable. Investors may also baulk at funnelling money into a country where infrastructure such as power and transport has been devastated by Russia's three-year-old full-scale invasion and future security is not guaranteed.
“If anyone's thinking suddenly all these minerals are going to be flying out of Ukraine, they're dreaming,” said Adam Webb, head of minerals at consultancy Benchmark Minerals Intelligence.
“The reality is it's going to be difficult for people to justify investing money there when there are options to invest in critical minerals in countries that are not at war.”
Minerals deal 'not a statement about Russia - US State Dept spokesperson
09:05
,
Bryony Gooch
US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce clarified that the US-Ukraine minerals deal was a “goal to solve something”, but shouldn’t be looked at as a statement about Russia.
She said of the deal: “It is something that is with a goal to solve something”.
“I don’t think we should look at the minerals deal as a statement about Russia, or if you talk to Putin on the phone it’s not a statement about something else. Trump has been very clear about his mission, and that is how we should have – we should look at through that lens.”
US 'not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings' says State Dept spokesperson
08:59
,
Bryony Gooch
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that the country will not be mediators in global conflicts, amid pressure to place secondary sanctions on Russia.
Responding to a question about Moscow’s persistent bombing of Ukraine, and the fact Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire, Ms Bruce sidestepped the notion of more sanctions, while saying they weren’t removing any sanctions that currently exist.
“We are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings, that it is now between the two parties, and now – now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end”, she said. “It’s going to be up to them.”
In pictures: Zaporizhzhia hit by drone strike
08:45
,
Bryony Gooch
Two of three mineral deal documents don't need ratifying - Ukraine PM
08:32
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine's prime minister Yaroslav Zheleznyak told parliament on Friday that two of the three documents related to a minerals deal with the United States would not need to be ratified, lawmaker he wrote on Telegram.
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers registered the law project to ratify the minerals deal with the U.S. late on Thursday, according to the parliamentary database.
Rubio: 'This is not our war'
08:14
,
Rachel Clun
Marco Rubio has argued that the US has “even more important issues” happening around the world that it has to deal with than the war in Ukraine.
“This is not our war,” he said on Fox News’s ‘Hannity’ show.
“We got so many and I would argue, even more important issues going on around the world, - not that a war in Ukraine is not important,” he said.
“But I would say what is happening with China is more important in the long term for the future of the world; obviously, Iran's nuclear ambition, you know, all these other things that we have going on.
“So at some point in time, it either has to be something that can happen, but we'll need to move on. That will be a decision the President will have to make.”
Rubio warns Trump could walk away from peace talks soon, if there's no breakthrough
07:59
,
Rachel Clun
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has warned that Donald Trump could walk away from peace talks if there is no major breakthrough soon.
Speaking on Fox News, Mr Rubio said Ukraine and Russia were “still far apart”, and said Trump was the only person who could talk to both sides, “and hopefully bring them to a deal”.
“We kind of can see what it would take for Ukraine to stop. We can see what it would take for the Russians to stop. The problem is, those two positions are still a little far apart,” he said on Fox News Channel's "Hannity" show on Thursday night.
“It's going to take a real breakthrough here very soon to make this possible, or I think the President is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we're going to dedicate to this.”
In pictures: Smoke rises over Ukraine city after drone attack
07:43
,
Rachel Clun
Emergency services fought fires and rescued the injured after an overnight Russian drone attack in