Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will join EU leaders in Brussels for emergency talks on ramping up support for Kyiv, as the US withdraws its military and intelligence aid.
Leaders of the European Union's 27 countries will discuss how they can quickly increase their military budgets as Ukraine looks to fill the gap left by Washington.
Meanwhile, Mr Macron warned Europe had to be ready for if the US was “no longer by our side” during a televised statement on Wednesday night. Mr Macron also said he was willing to discuss offering European allies the protection of France's nuclear capabilities.
The US suspended its intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, severely impacting the flow of vital information that Kyiv uses to defend itself from Russian attacks.
The latest blow comes after Donald Trump suspended military aid to Kyiv, but American officials have said positive talks between Washington and Kyiv mean it may only be a short suspension.
“We have taken a step back and are pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship,” national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Wednesday.
France is offering intelligence to Ukraine to help fill the gap, French defence minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Thursday.
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Key Points
- British and US volunteers survive missile strike which killed four, Zelensky says
- France offers intelligence to Ukraine to fill US gap
- US cuts off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine
- Macron hints at 'extending nuclear umbrella' to rest of EU
- EU leaders gather in Brussels today to ramp up defence spending for Ukraine
- White House says it is reconsidering Ukraine funding pause
Europe must be prepared to offer security guarantees, says EU boss
09:23
,
Alex Croft
Europe must be ready to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, EU chief Antonio Costa said ahead of talks later today, after the US cuts its military support to Kyiv.
EU leaders are set to convene in Brussels today for an emergency summit on how to quickly ramp up their support for Ukraine after Washington ended military aid and intelligence sharing in the past few days.
In a letter inviting EU countries to the talks, Mr Costa said: “As far as Ukraine is concerned, there is a new momentum, which should lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
“The EU and its member states are ready to take more responsibility for Europe’s security. We should therefore be prepared for a possible European contribution to the security guarantees that will be necessary to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine.”
British and US volunteers survive missile strike which killed four, Zelensky says
09:04
,
Alex Croft
American and British volunteers have survived a Russian missile strike in Ukraine which killed four people, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
More than 30 people were injured in the strike on the central city of Kryvyi Rih, Mr Zelensky added in a post on Telegram.
“Just before the strike, volunteers from one of the humanitarian organizations checked into the hotel - citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and Britain. They survived because they managed to get out of their rooms,” Mr Zelensky wrote.
“Many civilian facilities around the hotel were damaged by the strike. Rescuers are still working at the scene - all services.
“There can be no pause in the pressure on Russia to stop this war and terror against life,” he concluded.
Ukraine also shot down 68 drones out of a total 112 launched by Russia overnight, its air force said Tuesday morning.
France offers intelligence to Ukraine to fill US gap
08:36
,
Alex Croft
France is offering intelligence to Ukraine to help fill a gap left by Washington’s suspension of intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
The move was announced by French defence minister Sebastien Lecornu, who said: "We have intelligence resources that we use to help the Ukrainians.”
"It has been suspended since yesterday afternoon," he added, referring to US intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. "I think for our British friends who are in an intelligence community with the United States, it is more complicated."
The US suspended the sharing as it pressures Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to cooperate with president Donald Trump's bid to convene peace talks with Russia.
In pictures: Fighting goes on as diplomacy efforts ramp up
08:21
,
Alex Croft
Putin appoints Alexander Darchiev as Russia's new ambassador to Washington
08:07
,
Jabed Ahmed
Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed senior veteran diplomat Alexander Darchiev as ambassador to the United States, to lead a rapprochement that has stunned Ukraine and Washington's European allies.
The Foreign Ministry said last week Washington had given it the green light at a meeting between Russian and U.S. officials in Turkey to appoint Darchiev, who now serves as head of the Foreign Ministry's North America department.
That six-hour meeting in Istanbul last Thursday, where the delegations worked to try to restore normal function of their embassies, was the latest sign of a thaw between the two countries.
Russia has had no ambassador in Washington since last October when the previous envoy, Anatoly Antonov, left his post.
Darchiev, 64, has served two long spells in Russia's Washington embassy and was ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021.
UK aims to be 'honest broker' in Ukraine peace efforts, minister says
07:52
,
Jabed Ahmed
The UK wants to act as an “honest broker” in securing peace in Ukraine, a minister has said.
Asked whether the Government regrets the US decision to withdraw intelligence sharing with Kyiv, industry minister Sarah Jones told Times Radio: “The role that we are playing in this situation is to be an honest broker, and the Prime Minister has been clear that that means we’re not commenting on every twist and turn or comment that has been made overnight” adding “it wouldn’t be the right thing to do.”
She added: “We learnt in Northern Ireland how important it is when you are playing that honest broker role, to not be commenting on every twist and turn, but to be sticking to our principles which I think everybody in the country supports in terms of continuing to support Ukraine, playing that role to stop the fighting. And that means working with the US, working with France, working with others.”
Asked whether it was a principle that intelligence should be shared with Ukraine, Ms Jones added: “We don’t comment on intelligence matters, as I said. The principle is that we will support Ukraine. That is an unwavering position.”
Recap | US suspends intelligence sharing with Ukraine in major blow to Kyiv’s war against Russia
07:39
,
Jabed Ahmed
The US has cut intelligence sharing with Ukraine, severely impacting the flow of vital information that Kyiv uses to defend itself from Russian attacks.
The latest blow comes after Donald Trump suspended military aid to Kyiv and despite the US leader boasting during an address to Congress on Tuesday about receiving a letter from the Ukrainian president expressing willingness to come to the negotiating table to end the three-year war.
“We have taken a step back and are pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship,” Mr Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Wednesday.
Today, European leaders will hold crisis talks in Brussels in support for Ukraine.
The US has provided critical intelligence to Ukraine for its fight against Moscow's forces, including information that helped thwart Vladimir Putin's drive to seize Kyiv at the start of his full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Volodymyr Zelensky had on Tuesday night bowed to the intense pressurefrom Mr Trump, calling the White House spat “regrettable” in a statement while pledging to enter peace talks.
Comment | Under Trump, the global order that America helped to build is crumbling
07:26
,
Jabed Ahmed
It is already clear the US president is hellbent on ushering in a new dawn in which traditional alliances are abandoned – and nations must fend for themselves, says Tobias Ellwood
Ukraine downs 68 out of 118 Russian drones fired overnight
07:12
,
Arpan Rai
Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 68 drones out of a total 112 launched by Russia overnight.
“As of 9am it was confirmed that 68 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones were shot down in Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa regions,” it said.
Russian drones strike energy infrastructure in Ukraine's Odesa
06:55
,
Arpan Rai
Russian drones struck energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s southern region of Odesa during a massive overnight attack, its governor said this morning.
At least two people were injured in the attack which targeted civilian and energy infrastructure, governor Oleh Kiper said on his Telegram channel.
Russia loses 1,140 soldiers in Ukraine in the past 24 hours
06:53
Russia has lost 1,140 soldiers killed and over 200 weapons and pieces of military equipment over the past day, the Ukrainian military officials said.
The General Staff of the Ukraine Armed Forces shared the daily casualties toll in its update this morning, adding that it takes total Russian losses to more than 881,800.
Zelensky to meet Nato chief and participate in European Council
06:41
,
Arpan Rai
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is likely to participate in the European Council meeting in Brussels today, his spokesperson said.
Mr Zelensky also plans to meet Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, the Austrian chancellor and the Belgian leadership during the visit, the spokesperson said.
White House defends Elon Musk's outfit amid Zelensky comparisons
06:40
,
Arpan Rai
The White House has defended Elon Musk's choices of attire during his appearances in the Oval Office, after Volodymyr Zelensky was ambushed by Republicans over his decision not to wear a suit.
Asking for clarity on the dress code inside the White House, Fox News journalist Peter Doocy asked the White House press secretary Koreline Leavitt: “We know that some officials here were miffed that Zelensky showed up last week without a suit for his meeting in Oval office, but Elon Musk never wears a suit...”
He was interrupted by Ms Leavitt who said that "Elon Musk wore a suit last night", referring to one occasion when the SpaceX owner showed up in formal attire.
The White House press secretary did not address the fact that the billionaire has appeared many times wearing a cap and a T-shirt under a jacket during his visits to the Oval Office and White House.
White House says it is reconsidering Ukraine funding pause
05:52
,
Arpan Rai
The White House said it is reconsidering its pause in funding for Ukraine and talks between the United States and Ukraine over a minerals deal are ongoing.
"I believe what the National Security Council told me in regards to that was... that they are reconsidering the funding for Ukraine, the pause in the funding," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
Millions of civilians to be impacted by suspension of intelligence sharing, says ISW
05:41
,
Arpan Rai
The Institute for the Study of War has said that the suspension of all US intelligence sharing with Ukraine would also allow Russian forces to intensify their drone and missile strikes against the Ukrainian rear, affecting millions of Ukrainian civilians and the growth of Ukraine's defence industrial base.
The US-based think tank highlighted that the American intelligence has “contributed to Ukraine's early warning system against Russian strikes against Ukrainian cities, allowing Ukrainian authorities and civilians to prepare once Russian forces launch missiles and drones”.
“The suspension of US intelligence on Russian strikes against the Ukrainian rear, coupled with the US suspension of supplies of Patriot air defence missiles that Ukraine relies upon to defend against Russian ballistic missiles, would have severe impacts on the safety of Ukrainian rear areas,” the ISW said.
Ending US intelligence sharing will impact Ukraine's defences, says think tank
05:22
,
Arpan Rai
The halt of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine will have a significant impact on Ukrainian forces ability to defend themselves against Russian attacks, a US-based think tank has said.
“The suspension of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine will damage Ukraine's ability to defend itself against ongoing Russian attacks against military and civilian targets,” the Institute for the Study of War said.
“Ukrainian forces have leveraged their ability to strike within Russia and destroy significant amounts of material in order to increase pressure on Russia,” it said.
Photos: Daily life in Ukraine
04:35
,
Arpan Rai
Top Trump allies hold talks with Zelensky's political opponents – Politico
04:24
,
Arpan Rai
Four senior members of Donald Trump's entourage have held discussions with some of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's top political opponents, Politico has reported.
Discussions were held on whether Ukraine could have quick presidential elections, according to the report.
Talks were held with Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko and senior members of the party of former president Petro Poroshenko, Politico reported, citing three Ukrainian lawmakers and a US Republican foreign policy expert.
Netherlands pledges £2.9bn in support to Ukraine for 2026
03:35
,
Arpan Rai
The Dutch government will reserve €3.5bn(£2.9bn) to continue its support for Ukraine in 2026, prime minister Dick Schoof said.
Mr Schoof said the funds would ensure Dutch support would continue unchanged next year, adding that the money could also be used in 2025 if necessary.
The previous Dutch government had already earmarked a comparable sum for support through 2025.
The prime minister said €700m from those funds would be used to invest in drones for Ukraine.
EU leaders gather in Brussels today to ramp up defence spending for Ukraine
03:28
,
Arpan Rai
European leaders are meeting today with the hope of endorsing bold new measures to ramp up support for Ukraine.
Leaders of the European Union's 27 countries will be joined by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at a summit in Brussels.
The gathering comes after Donald Trump's suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing to Kyiv, fuelling concerns the continent can no longer be sure of US protection.
Diplomats expect leaders at the summit to give the proposals a broad welcome and instruct officials to quickly turn them into draft legislation.
EU members will then have to agree on the nitty-gritty, which will not be straightforward.
On Ukraine, almost all EU leaders are keen to reassure Mr Zelensky that he can still rely on Europe for support after his bruising Oval Office clash with Mr Trump last week.
But EU members have so far not been able to agree on a proposal by foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to put a figure on the military aid they will pledge to Ukraine this year.
Officials have suggested the EU should vow to at least provide €20bn this year, as it did in 2024.
US president Donald Trump has indicated that he wants to force a deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, warning that “if [Ukraine] didn’t have our weapons, this war would be over in two weeks”.
Russia downplays French president Macron's warning
03:15
,
Arpan Rai
Russian former president Dmitry Medvedev mocked French president Emmanuel Macron's warning that Russia posed a threat, saying the French leader posed no threat at all and would not be missed once he stepped away from public life.
"Russia has become, as I speak to you and for years to come, a threat to France and Europe, says Macron," Mr Medvedev said on X today.
"Micron himself poses no big threat though. He'll disappear forever no later than May 14, 2027. And he won't be missed," he added, misspelling the French president's name.
His comment comes after Mr Macron warned Europe had to face up to the threat from Russia and proposed a discussion on extending the protection offered by France's nuclear arsenal to its European partners.
"Russia has become a threat for France and Europe," Mr Macron said, adding that "to watch and do nothing would be madness."
Two killed, 29 injured in Russian missile attack on Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih
02:53
,
Arpan Rai
At least two people were killed and 29 were injured after a Russian missile smashed into a hotel in Volodymyr Zelensky’s home town in Ukraine’s Kryvyi Rih.
Around 20 of the total injured were in serious condition and rescue operations proceeded past midnight, said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.
Ukraine's Emergency Services said 14 people had been rescued from rubble at the hotel, which suffered heavy damage.
They posted pictures of crews making their way through piles of rubble outside the floodlit five-storey building and clambering up and down ladders.
Smoke billowed from the top of the hotel and virtually all its windows had been blown out. A crane was deployed to reach upper levels.