Ukraine says it is ready to “move forward” with a peace framework proposed by the US as President Donald Trump said the countries are getting “very close” to a deal.
The US president said on Tuesday he “thinks” negotiators are “making progress”. Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly ready to advance peace talks, according to Reuters news agency, and has urged European leaders to draft plans for a “reassurance force” in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader has reportedly said he is ready to discuss the “sensitive points” of the plan, but that Europe must be involved in talks that impact its security.
It comes after Kyiv said that it supports the “essence” of a peace agreement after intense negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Geneva.
A Ukrainian official said the most sensitive issues of the agreement would need to be discussed by Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, after a US official claimed that Kyiv had accepted the terms of an agreement.
One Ukrainian official deeply involved in negotiations told The Independent’s Sam Kiley that the US appeared to have agreed to a document set out by Europe’s allies in Geneva over the weekend – not a US plan.
The official in Zelensky’s office said that if the deal was “the framework from Geneva, we’re okay. It’s not a bad framework to work further”.
Read MoreThis is what Europe must do to call Putin’s bluff on Ukraine
Trump says he’ll visit Beijing in April after ‘very good’ call with China’s Xi
Ukraine has shown the US a viable peace deal – but can Trump shake off Putin’s influence?
Key Points
- Ukraine and US edge towards peace deal as Trump says ‘We’re getting very close’
- Ukraine accepts terms of Trump peace deal, reports US media
- Kyiv 'ready to move forward' with peace plan, Zelensky says
- Starmer hits out at Putin’s ‘depraved ambitions’
- Lavrov says peace plan must reflect 'spirit and letter' of Alaska agreement
Ukraine and US edge towards peace deal as Trump says ‘We’re getting very close’
19:16 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine and the United States appear to be edging closer to a peace deal over the war with Russia, in a potentially significant diplomatic shift following crunch talks in Switzerland.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday Kyiv was ready to move forward with a framework to end the war with Russia.
In a day of fast moving developments, Kyiv said it supported the “essence” of the Geneva plan while stressing there were still some sensitive issues still needing to be fixed.
Our reporter James C. Reynolds has the latest...
Ukraine and US edge towards peace deal as Trump says ‘We’re getting very close’
Europe-US taskforce planned to 'solidify' security guarantees, French officials say
18:56 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined a "coalition of the willing" video call on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine on Tuesday - the first time a senior US official has taken part in the meeting, French presidency officials said.
In the gathering, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the leaders decided to set up a task force between the United States and the coalition countries to "solidify" these security guarantees, the French officials told reporters.
Analysis: Ukraine has shown the US a viable peace deal - but can Trump shake off Putin’s influence?
18:36 , Nicole Wootton-Cane Ukraine has shown US a viable peace deal - but can Trump shake off Putin’s influence?
'Solid and encouraging' progress made towards peace deal, Von der Leyen says
18:16 , Nicole Wootton-Cane“Solid and encouraging” progress has been made towards a peace deal in Ukraine, president of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen has said.
She said talks would continue over financing for Ukraine, including the use of frozen Russian assets.
In a post on X, she wrote: “Today, the partners of the Coalition of the Willing convened to discuss ongoing negotiations toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
“In recent days and hours, we have seen solid and encouraging progress. We welcomed the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during our call. We need strong transatlantic cooperation.”
Ms Von der Leyen added the EU would continue to “increase” pressure on Russia until Moscow showed a “genuine willingness to engage on a credible path toward peace.”
Today, the partners of the Coalition of the Willing convened to discuss ongoing negotiations toward a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 25, 2025
In recent days and hours, we have seen solid and encouraging progress.
We welcomed the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during…
Macron says France will discuss financial support for Ukraine
18:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFrench President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France will finalise with other European Union countries a solution for providing financial support to Ukraine as he referred to frozen Russian assets.
Macron, who was speaking after a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, said Ukraine needed a peace that was "serious" and "respectful of international law".
It comes after Ukrainian officials said Russia's frozen assets should not be used as a bargaining chip in peace talks.
'I think we're making progress' Trump tells reporters
17:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS President Donald Trump has told reporters he believes negotiations on peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are “making progress”.
Speaking at a turkey pardoning at the White House on Tuesday, he said: “I think we’re getting very close to a deal we’ll find out...I think we’re making progress.”
Watch: Zelensky confirms Trump talks and claims Ukraine will not be an obstacle to peace
17:45 , Maira ButtKyiv 'ready to move forward' with peace plan, Zelensky says
17:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky has indicated Ukraine is ready to move forward with a US-backed peace deal, according to documents seen by the news agency Reuters.
In a speech to the so-called coalition of the willing, Zelensky urged European leaders to hash out a framework for deploying a "reassurance force" to Ukraine and to continue supporting Kyiv for as long as Moscow shows no willingness to end its war.
Seven people killed in overnight strikes in Ukraine, Kyiv says
17:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSeven people were killed and 21 injured by overnight Russian strikes in Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service.
“In Kyiv, emergency rescue operations have been completed following the Russian shelling: 7 people were killed, and another 21 people were injured, including 1 child.,” it said in a post on X.
“Emergency responders saved 18 people, including 3 children. Psychologists from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine provided assistance to 64 people.”
У Києві завершили аварійно-рятувальні роботи після російського обстрілу: загинули 7 осіб, ще 21 людина постраждала, в тому числі 1 дитина.
— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) November 25, 2025
Надзвичайники врятували 18 людей, серед яких 3 дітей. Психологи ДСНС надали допомогу 64 людям. pic.twitter.com/BrCME4Ri5C
Revised peace plan could see Ukraine's army capped at 800,000, reports say
16:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe revised US peace plan could reportedly see Ukraine’s army capped at 800,000 soldiers.
First reported by the Financial Times, who cite unnamed Ukrainian officials, the plan would see Ukraine remain the second-largest force in Europe after Russia.
It comes after the original peace plan proposed by the US capped Ukrainian soldiers at 600,000 - something Zelensky refused to agree to.
Ukraine has not publicly confirmed agreeing to restricting its military size, and no agreement has been reached at this time.
'Tough road' remains to peace deal, Downing Street says
16:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine has not yet fully agreed to a peace proposal from the US, Downing Street suggested, amid suggestions from the Americans that Kyiv had done so.
The Prime Minister's official spokesperson told reporters: "I've seen those reports, but our position hasn't changed.
"We welcome the progress made, but there are still several points to work through.
"We are all resolute in our focus on securing Ukraine a just and lasting peace."
He also pointed to Sir Keir Starmer's statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, in which he said there is still a "tough road ahead" to reach peace.
Sir Keir Starmer said talks on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine were “moving in a positive direction” as he spoke to leaders of the “coalition of the willing”.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said: “I do think we are moving in a positive direction and indications today that in large part the majority of the text, Volodymyr is indicating, can be accepted.”
Ukraine loses land, no Nato and Russia back in the G8: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end the war?
16:10 , Maira ButtA Trump administration proposal to end the war in Ukraine would force Kyiv into giving up land while compensating the United States for upholding the peace.
The 28-point plan, drawn up following talks between Washington and Moscow, offers a guarantee of US protection for Ukraine.
In return for Kyiv must give up on its Nato ambitions and European allies agree to not station troops in Ukraine, rebuffing British-led plans to deploy international peacekeepers.
Russia back in G8, no Nato for Ukraine: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end war?
How much of Ukraine does Russia currently occupy as negotiations intensify
15:37 , Maira ButtAmong the key sticking points between Russia and Ukraine are the territorial rights each country believes it has.
Russia seeks to claim territory according to a predetermined assessment of their rights, while Ukraine hopes to freeze Russia’s expansion at the current frontlines.
White House says 'further talks' needed as 'delicate' differences remain
15:08 , Maira ButtThe White House has provided an update on peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, amid reports that Ukraine has accepted the “essence” of a proposed peace deal.
Delicate but not insurmountable details remain that “must be sorted out”, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. These differences will require “further talks” between Ukraine, Russia and the US.
“Over the past week, the United States has made tremendous progress towards a peace deal by bringing both Ukraine and Russia to the table,” Leavitt wrote in a statement on X/Twitter.
“There are a few delicate, but not insurmountable, details that must be sorted out and will require further talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US.”
Zelensky and German chancellor discuss Geneva talks in phone call, says spokesperson
14:58 , Maira ButtGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the status of negotiations over a US-backed peace deal following talks in Geneva over the weekend, a German government spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The 28-point plan was criticised for being pro-Russian, prompting a counter-proposal from Europe.
This is Europe’s counter-proposal for peace in Ukraine – with several key changes to Trump’s plan
14:45 , Maira ButtDonald Trump’s latest plan to end the war in Ukraine came as a shock to Kyiv’s international backers after 10 months of trying to negotiate careful compromise.
The 28-point plan seems to cater to Russia’s hardline positions, offering Ukraine very few of the security guarantees it says it needs to ensure a lasting peace.
Britain, France and Germany were left out of the conversations that produced the US proposal for peace but within hours, the E3 nations had pulled together a counteroffer.
This is Europe’s counter-proposal for peace in Ukraine – with changes to Trump’s plan
US appears to have agreed to Geneva plan, Ukrainian official tell Sam Kiley
14:34 , Sam KileyA Ukrainian official deeply involved with ceasefire negotiations said that the United States appears to have agreed to a document set out by Europe’s allies in Geneva over the weekend – not a US plan.
The official in president Volodymyr Zekensky’s office said that if the deal was “the framework from Geneva, we’re okay. It’s not a bad framework to work further”.
US media organisations said they had been briefed by US officials after a meeting in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine’s head of military intelligence major general Kyrylo Budanov and Dan Driscoll, US army secretary.
“Following the meetings In Geneva, we see many prospects that can make the path to peace real. There are solid results, and much work still lies ahead,” Zelensky wrote on X.
The Geneva plan gives a written “article 5”-style US guarantee of Ukraine sovereignty.
If the White House has accepted this it would be a significant U-Turn by Donald Trump who has consistently ruled out offering American forces to guarantee Ukraine’s future security. It gives Nato protection to Ukraine without it actually joining the alliance.
The Geneva plan would freeze Russian control of captured Ukrainian territory along the current front lines, restricts Ukraine’s peacetime forces to 800,000, forbids Nato troops from being stationed there in peacetime and demands both sides sign a non-aggression pact.
It also allows for progressive sanctions to be lifted for Russia and for Moscow to rejoin the G8 economic group of nations.
Zelensky has said that some of the sensitive parts of this plan would need to be left for discussion with president Trump.
But Russia has already outright rejected the scheme. If an agreement has been made between Kyiv and Washington this would be the first time this year that the Trump administration has fallen in with the demands that Ukraine and its European allies say are the bare minimum for their future security.
UK still committed to multinational force in Ukraine after ceasefire
14:31 , Alex CroftBritain is still making plans for a multinational force in Ukraine after a ceasefire is agreed, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
In a call on Tuesday, Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky discussed "the importance of the continued work by coalition partners in preparation for the deployment of the multinational force following the cessation of hostilities", Starmer's spokesperson said.
Asked if UK was still willing to put boots on the ground in Ukraine after any end to the fighting in Ukraine, the spokesperson said: "That commitment remains."
Russia has rejected any potential foreign military deployment in Ukraine, calling it "unacceptable".
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
14:16 , Alex CroftSouth African police have launched an investigation into serious allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of Jacob Zuma, enticed 17 men into fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine under false pretences.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the probe, which stems from an affidavit submitted by Zuma-Sambudla's sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube.
The document claims Ms Zuma-Sambudla, alongside two unnamed individuals, misled the men by promising them security training in Russia, only for them to become embroiled in the conflict without their consent. The identities of the two other alleged accomplices remain undisclosed.
Read the full report:
Daughter of ex-South African leader accused of luring men to fight for Russia
Ukraine supports 'essence' of peace deal, 'sensitive issues' yet to be agreed upon
13:59 , Maira ButtUkraine supports the “essence” of a peace deal framework following Geneva talks, a Ukrainian official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The most sensitive issues are yet to be discussed between Trump and Zelensky, according to the source.
Nato must speed up strengthening of protection of eastern flank
13:57 , Alex CroftNato must speed up work on strengthening the protection of its eastern flank from drones, Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said after Romania scrambled fighter jets on Tuesday after drone incursions into its airspace.
"Operation Eastern Sentry requires reinforcement. Eight countries have declared their forces, this must be accelerated. This is also a conclusion if this violation is confirmed today," Mr Kosiniak-Kamysz said after a meeting with his French counterpart.
Romanian defence minister Ionut Mosteanu earlier said the NATO pilots came close to shooting down a drone which had repeatedly entered the alliance member country's airspace, but had held off, over concern about causing damage on the ground.
Drone fragments without an explosive charge were later found on Romanian territory.
"We are dealing with a new Russian provocation against Romania, a drone which the Romanian army and German Eurofighters have tried to shoot down," Mr Mosteanu said.
Starmer says UK’s ‘best understanding’ is there is no new agreement from Kyiv
13:46 , Kate DevlinIn the Commons, the prime minister told MPs he wanted to update them “in relation to the news, as I understand it.”
However, he added, it was coming to him “second hand” and might not be “entirely accurate” - promising to return with more information if he was wrong.
He added: “But my understanding is, this is not a new agreement. It is Ukraine confirming that they are happy with the draft that emerged in Geneva yesterday, which of course, doesn't have the question of territory.
“So our best understanding is this is a confirmation of basically what came out of Geneva, but it isn’t a new set of proposals or agreements in any way.”
Watch: Kyiv residential buildings on fire after Russian strikes
13:38 , Alex CroftUkraine accepts terms of Trump peace deal, reports US media
13:20 , Alex CroftUkraine has accepted the terms of a Washington-brokered peace deal, according to US reports, after days of wrangling between the White House, Moscow and Kyiv.
A US official said Kyiv had "agreed to a peace deal" to stop Russia’s four-year invasion, CBS News reported hours after Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov said it had reached a “reached a common understanding” with the White House.
Umerov had said that president Volodymyr Zelensky is likely to visit the US in the next few days to finalise a deal with President Donald Trump to end Ukraine's war with Russia.
International unity must be shown in support of Ukraine, Starmer tells Zelensky
13:17 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the UK's support for Ukraine on a call with Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday morning, telling him that international unity has to be shown in support of the war-torn nation.
The prime minister also shared his condolences after a number of people were killed in overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv, with Downing Street saying that Sir Keir paid tribute "to the Ukrainian people who showed such courage and resilience in the face of daily hardship and bloodshed from Putin’s ongoing onslaught".
In a readout of the call, a spokesperson added: "Reflecting on talks in Geneva, the leaders agreed on the importance of securing a just and lasting peace. The prime minister said Ukraine can rely on the UK’s support as discussions continue.
"Looking ahead to this afternoon’s Coalition of the Willing call, the leaders discussed the international unity that has to be shown in support of Ukraine and underlined the importance of the continued work of coalition partners in preparation for the deployment of the multinational force following the cessation of hostilities.”
Starmer hits out at Putin’s ‘depraved ambitions’
13:00 , Alex CroftWhitehall correspondent Kate Devlin reports:
The prime minister has condemned Vladimir Putin as he updated MPs on the situation in Ukraine.
He said that more than a million Russians had been killed and injured in the war “all because of the depraved ambitions of one man”.
In a rare personal moment, the Labour leader also said that last night he celebrated his daughter’s 15th birthday and “later I saw images on the news of a young girl about the same age being pulled from the rubble of a building in Ukraine where her mother had just been killed. It is abhorrent.”
Starmer warns ‘a long way to go and a tough road ahead’ on Ukraine
12:57 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s Whitehall correspondent Kate Devlin reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has warned that there is “a long way to go and a tough road ahead” on possible peace for Ukraine.
The PM also revealed he had spoken to President Zelensky again this morning as he set out the UK’s position to MPs in the House of Commons.
He also stressed again that any decision on Ukraine’s future must be determined by Ukraine.
Sir Keir and President Zelensky discussed ongoing work by the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ to prepare for the deployment of a multinational force to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, Downing Street said.
Trump's 28-point plan included elements that were unacceptable - Starmer
12:42 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer is currently addressing the House of Commons on the Ukraine peace process, ahead of talks wit other members of the Coalition of the Willing later.
He tells MPs that “the initial draft of the 28-point plan included points that were not acceptable”.
But also it included some elements that “will be essential for a just and lasting peace”, he says, referencing US security backstop plans.
“Elements relating to Europe and Nato will need the consent of Europe and Nato members,” he added.
Lavrov says peace plan must reflect 'spirit and letter' of agreement at Trump-Putin Alaska summit
12:23 , Alex CroftRussian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that an amended peace plan for Ukraine must reflect the "spirit and letter" of an understanding reached between president Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trump at their Alaska summit.
Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia had welcomed an initial version of a US peace plan for Ukraine and was waiting for an amended interim version of the plan after Washington had coordinated with Ukraine and Europe.
If the amended version did not reflect what Putin and Trump had discussed when they met in Alaska in August, Lavrov said that Russia - whose representatives were reported to be preparing to hold more talks with the US in Abu Dhabi later on Tuesday - would take a very different view of the initiative.
"Our assessments remain valid in the sense that the key provisions of Trump's (original) plan are based on understandings reached in Anchorage at the Russian-American summit in August this year. And these principles are generally reflected in the plan, which we welcomed," he said.
Watch: Zelensky says Ukraine peace deal has fewer than 28 points after Geneva talks
12:03 , Alex CroftIn pictures: Heavy damage in Kyiv after huge Russian air attack
11:45 , Alex Croft What happened in today's Russia-US peace talks?
11:24 , Alex CroftUS Army secretary Dan Driscoll is set to continue talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi as part of an intense new push by the Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine.
US and Ukrainian officials are seeking to narrow the gaps between them over a peace plan, with core issues still unresolved and Ukraine wary of being strong-armed into accepting a deal largely on the Kremlin's terms.
The exact nature of the talks in Abu Dhabi were not immediately clear, and it was not known who was in the Russian delegation. A US official told Reuters news agency that Driscoll, who has emerged as a point man for diplomatic efforts, was also expected to meet Ukrainian officials while in Abu Dhabi.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he has nothing to say about the talks, adding that the "only substantive thing is the American project, the Trump project”. The Russia-US proposals are widely viewed by Kyiv and its allies as a capitulation for Ukraine.
We’ll keep you updated on all the latest from today’s continued talks in Abu Dhabi.
Comment | This is what Europe must do to call Putin’s bluff on Ukraine
11:04 , Alex CroftOur world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Europe is taking baby steps towards walking away from America and ending the Russian threat against its democracies. But the time has come to take giant leaps for mankind.
A non-Nato, Nato-style alliance of the West would be a powerful entity that would give Putin pause for thought if it acted together and with the sort of confidence the Kremlin has shown on the world stage.
The combined size of the economies of Nato nations – minus the US, Hungary and Slovenia – is over four times that of the Russian Federation. It spends 3.5 to 4 per cent more on defence than the Kremlin.
This bloc could muster about 3.2 million troops vs Russia’s 1.5 million. This is a massive amount of power for an alliance to wield and far beyond anything that Russia could resist.
Georgia and Ukraine have Russian forces occupying chunks of their territory. The Kremlin would think twice about moving forwards if they risked attack by the aircraft and long range missiles of the biggest, richest, and best equipped military and economic bloc on the planet.
As Europe gets its ceasefire proposal off the ground, it needs a threat that will shake Putin. A Nato-style defence pact would do that.
Mapped: The territory Ukraine stands to lose in a peace deal
10:46 , Alex CroftMoscow claims it has captured village in Donetsk region
10:27 , Alex CroftRussia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday its forces had captured the settlement of Ivanopillia in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.
The Independent could not verify the battlefield report, but authoritative Ukrainian battlefield map DeepState shows Russian forces edging into the outskirts of the town as of 24 November.
More on drone incursion into Romania
10:09 , Alex CroftAs we reported earlier, Romania had scrambled fighter jets after drones breached its airspace near its border with Ukraine on Tuesday.
The drones breached its territory near the border with Ukraine early on Tuesday, and one was still advancing deeper into the country, the defence ministry said.
Romania said it initially scrambled two Eurofighters - part of German air-policing missions in Romania - which tracked a drone in the southeastern county of Tulcea before it re-entered Ukraine.
The army later scrambled two Romanian F-16 fighter jets after radar showed a second airspace breach in the county of Galati. The planes tracked it moving inland towards the county of Vrancea, the ministry said.
Residents of all three counties were warned to take cover.
The EU and Nato member shares a 650-km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine and has had drones breach its airspace and fragments fall onto its territory repeatedly since Russia began attacking Kyiv's ports across the Danube.
Starmer to hold call with Ukraine's European allies on Tuesday
09:48 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer is set to speak to Ukraine’s European allies on Tuesday following the latest talks to secure peace in the war-torn nation.
The Prime Minister will host a coalition of the willing call after efforts over the weekend between the US and Kyiv to broker a truce with Moscow.
Sir Keir and other western leaders had pushed back against US president Donald Trump’s original 28-point peace plan ahead of the talks in Geneva, Switzerland, raising concerns about the prospect of a cap on Ukraine’s armed forces and land being ceded to Russia.
Foreign Office officials appeared confident that progress made in Geneva meant this was no longer a hard deadline.
Ahead of the coalition of the willing call, Sir Keir said all partners in the alliance were focused on achieving a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The peace “matters for all of us, because the conflict in Ukraine has had a direct impact here in the United Kingdom”, the Prime Minister added.
Zelensky could visit US finalise peace deal with Trump in coming days, says top Kyiv official
09:31 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky could visit the US in the next few days to finalise a deal with president Donald Trump to end Ukraine's war with Russia, Kyiv's national security chief said.
"We look forward to organising a visit of Ukraine's President to the US at the earliest suitable date in November to complete final steps and make a deal with President Trump," Rustem Umerov wrote on Facebook.
He said the US and Ukraine had held “productive and constructive meetings” in Geneva and praised Trump for his “steadfast efforts to end the war”.
“Our delegations reached a common understanding on the core terms of the agreement discussed in Geneva,” Mr Umerov added.
Ukraine strikes oil refinery in huge drone attack across southern Russia
09:22 , Alex CroftThree people were killed and at least 16 injured in a major Ukrainian drone attack on southern Russia with residential buildings damaged in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar, Russian officials said.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that 249 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russian regions overnight, including 116 over the Black Sea, 92 over the southern regions of Krasnodar and Rostov.
Moscow does not typically reveal how many drones were fired in total.
Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar said that a paint shop, a warehouse, four apartment buildings and 12 houses were damaged in the attack, which left at least three dead.
Unverified video footage on Telegram showed what sounded like a drone flying directly into a large residential apartment block in Novorossiysk - home to a major oil port - and exploding in a ball of flame.
"Overnight the Krasnodar region was subjected to one of the longest major attacks by the Kyiv regime," Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said, adding that an apartment building at Tuapse, a town beside an oil export terminal, had been damaged.
Six killed and 13 wounded in Kyiv after major Russian attack
09:00 , Alex CroftMore details are coming through on Russia’s large and deadly drone strike on Ukraine overnight, with Kyiv one of its main targets.
Six people have been killed and 13 wounded in the Ukrainian capital, during an attack which disrupted electricity and heating systems, officials said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces launched more than 460 drones and 22 missiles, in what was the second major Russian strike on Kyiv this month.
The Ukrainian president said on Telegram that the “primary targets were the energy sector and everything that keeps normal life going”.
Across the country, electricity supplies to more than 102,000 people in five Ukrainian regions, Kyiv’s energy ministry said.
Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the military administration for Kyiv , said damage was recorded at 13 sites across Kyiv.
The blacklisted businessman, the former film producer and the ex-soldier: Key players in Ukraine-Russia peace talks
08:41 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has claimed that “big progress” is being made in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
The US and Ukraine sought on Monday to narrow gaps in a peace plan proposed by Washington on Friday that was criticised as pro-Russian. European leaders have responded with a counter-proposal that reasserts Ukraine’s demands.
It includes respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, freedom to advance its Nato ambitions and EU membership aspirations and maintain a large military to deter the threat of future Russian aggression.
From blacklisted businessman to ex-film producer: Key players in Ukraine peace talks
Kremlin says it still has "nothing to say" about Driscoll's talks with the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi
08:25 , Alex CroftKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that he had "nothing to say" about US Army secretary Dan Driscoll's talks with the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi.
Moscow has not yet received any updated plans on Ukraine, Peskov said.
"Currently, the only substantive thing is the American project, the (U.S. President Donald) Trump project. We believe that this could become a very good basis for negotiations. We still adhere to this point of view," Peskov said.
He also spoke on Europe's role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine, saying that it is impossible to discuss the security system without the participation of Europeans, so at some stage Europe's participation will be necessary.
Peace talks reportedly taking place in Abu Dhabi
08:03 , Maira ButtPeace talks are taking place between US delegates and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, according to reports.
US army secretary Dan Driscoll is leading the discussions, according to the Financial Times.
The discussions are reportedly taking place in secret, in contrast to the public progress that has been made with other meetings.
The discussions come after US secretary of state Marco Rubio said that “tremendous progress” had been made in negotiations in recent days.
President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan was criticised for being pro-Russian and Europe demanded amendments in response.
The White House said revisions had been made to the plan, but Russia said it was not happy with the changes.
Romania scrambles fighter jets after drones breach airspace
07:18 , Maira ButtRomania’s defence ministry has reportedly scrambled fighter jets after drones breached its airspace near its border with Ukraine on Tuesday.
It follows a spate of reported airspace violations across Europe in recent weeks.
Death toll in Russian attack on Kyiv rises to six
06:56 , Arpan RaiAt least six people have been killed in Kyiv in Russian missile and drone attacks overnight, mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
He also said at least nine people were injured.
Russia launched a wave of attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv in the early hours today, striking residential buildings and energy infrastructure, according to video footage and local authorities.
A residential building in the central Pechersk district and another in Kyiv's eastern district of Dniprovskyi were badly damaged, the mayor said.
Only 'red line' on Ukraine peace plan is Russia, says France's Macron
06:49 , Arpan RaiFrench president Emmanuel Macron said only Russia stands in the way of peace in Ukraine.
“The only red line we have since three years is called Russia," Macron said, in a pre-recorded clip posted on X by French radio RTL.
Macron added that the US peace plan for Ukraine goes in the right direction but there are things that need to be improved in it.
“We want peace for Ukraine but not something that would represent a capitulation,” he said, adding that no one can tell Ukraine what territory they should give up.
The first 28-point peace proposal caught many in the US government, Kyiv and Europe off-guard and prompted fresh concerns that the Trump administration might be willing to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal heavily tilted towards Moscow.
The plan, which the US has denied was drafted by Moscow, would require Kyiv to cede more territory, accept curbs on its military and bar it from ever joining Nato, conditions Kyiv has long rejected as tantamount to surrender.
It would also do nothing to allay broader European fears of further Russian aggression.
Ukraine's European allies drew up a counter-proposal which, according to a copy reviewed by Reuters, would halt fighting at the present frontlines, leave discussions of territory for later, and include a Nato-style US security guarantee for Ukraine.
Only Trump wants Putin in G8, says Merz
06:22 , Arpan RaiOnly Trump wants Russia back in G8, says MerzGermany’s chancellor has indicated that other European nations do not want Russia to be allowed back into the G8 group of nations.
“At the moment, I cannot see that among the six members of today’s G7 who are not America, there is a willingness to readmit Russia to this group,” Friedrich Merz said.
Russia’s re-entry into what was the G8 is among the issues being discussed as part of talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Watch: Kyiv residential buildings on fire after Russian strikes
06:14 , Arpan RaiWhite House denies Trump plan favours Russia
06:02 , Arpan RaiA White House spokesperson has denied president Donald Trump is favouring one side over another, after his peace proposals appeared heavily weighted in Russia’s favour.
Officials on Monday said progress was made in urgent weekend talks on amending the draft, but the Kremlin said it hadn't seen the changes.
An adviser to Ukraine's president who attended the talks in Geneva between US and Ukrainian officials told the Associated Press they managed to discuss almost all the plan's points, and one unresolved issue is that of territory, which can only be decided at the head of state level. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions.
In photos: Kyiv under attack despite US peace push
05:51 , Arpan RaiRussia launched a wave of attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv early today, striking residential buildings and energy infrastructure, according to video footage and local authorities.
A residential building in the central Pechersk district and another in Kyiv's eastern district of Dniprovskyi were badly damaged, mayor Vitali Kitschko said.
Video footage posted to Telegram showed a large fire spread through multiple floors of the nine-story building in Dniprovskyi. At least four people were injured, the head of Kyiv city administration, Tymor Tkachenko said.
Ukraine's energy ministry said that energy infrastructure had been hit, without specifying what type or the extent of the damage.
The Russian attack followed talks between US and Ukraine representatives in Geneva on Sunday about a US-Russia brokered peace plan.