Donald Trump's trade war has expanded to cover the world, with 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to the US in effect from today, affecting UK products worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

EU defence spending 'based on Russophobia' and 'risks stoking war', says Moscow

Russia's threat to Europe is a "deliberately invented story based on Russophobia" promoted by "inadequate Brussels officials", according to the Kremlin.

In remarks this morning, Russia's foreign ministry said the EU's plan to boost its defence spending amounts to "the incitement of war on the European continent".

It's important to note here that Russia started the war in Ukraine when it invaded in February 2022 after repeatedly denying it had any intention to do so.

Despite that fact, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (see our last post for more from her) - who mocked the West's correct warnings over Russia's impending invasion three years ago - accused European leaders of spreading false narratives about the threat posed by Russia.

The European Commission proposed this month to borrow up to €150bn for a rearmament plan driven by fears the continent can no longer rely on US protection.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the package could free up €800bn for defence (watch her announcement below).

Russia 'ready' to discuss peace with US 'as early as today'

More from Russia's foreign ministry - which has said Russia is "ready" to discuss peace with the United States.

Talks could begin as early as today, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added.

Ukraine said it was willing to accept a 30-day ceasefire following talks with US diplomats in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Afterwards, Ukraine, the US and other nations said the ball was now in Russia's court.

"We are ready to discuss the initiatives set out there in future contacts with the United States," Zakharova said this morning.

"Such contacts are possible as early as today." 

US negotiators are flying to Russia, the Kremlin said earlier.

Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and US national security adviser Mike Waltz spoke on the phone yesterday, it added.

Russia warns it will 'respond with all available means' to foreign troops in Ukraine

Yet more to bring you now from Moscow, where the foreign ministry has warned against the deployment of troops in Ukraine from other countries.

The Kremlin would consider that kind of move as a direct involvement into the conflict, the ministry added.

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia would take what she called appropriate measures if any country attempted to deploy its troops.

For context: As part of efforts to guarantee Ukraine's security after any potential peace deal, European leaders have suggested sending a peacekeeping force to the country.

The US has ruled out boots on the ground, but the UK and France are among the countries in Europe considering the possibility.

Putin may have 'international call' later today - but with who?

There are a flurry of new lines coming out of the Kremlin this morning.

One point worth noting is a Kremlin spokesman has mentioned Vladimir Putin may have an "international call" later today.

It's not clear who this will be with - if it even happens - but Donald Trump is waiting for a response to Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

We'll keep tabs on this and bring more when we have it.

Occupied regions are 'part of Russia' - but Kremlin won't comment on reports of truce demands

As you would have gathered from our reporting this morning, sources have told Reuters that Russia has sent demands to the US for any truce deal (see 6.50 post).

Part of those demands is likely to be a recognition of Russia's claim over territories it occupies, including Crimea and four eastern provinces in Ukraine. 

While the Kremlin would not comment on its reported demands, spokesman Dmitry Peskov listed those territories as "regions of Russia".

"Crimea, Sevastopol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk are regions of Russia," he said.

"They are written into the Constitution. This is a given. 

"As for negotiating positions before these negotiations have begun, and they have not yet begun, it would probably be wrong to shake heavens and talk about this publicly."

Key town in Russia's Kursk region retaken, Kremlin says

Russian forces have retaken control of Sudzha, a major town in the Russian Kursk region, Moscow's defence ministry has said.

Russian troops have also recaptured two other villages, Melovoi and Podol, the ministry added.

Ukrainian forces have been holding much of the Kursk region - seen in the map below in red - since last August following a surprise cross-border offensive.

As we've been reporting here though, Ukraine's forces have been losing the foothold, with videos emerging of them fleeing in the Sudzha area yesterday.

Vladimir Putin, dressed in military fatigues, visited Russian troops in Kursk yesterday. 

Sudzha is home to a now-idle metering station for Russian gas to Europe.

Trump's envoy for Ukraine war 'arrives in Moscow'

Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Donald Trump's special envoy for the war in Ukraine is expected to meet with Russian officials for talks over how to end the fighting.

The Kremlin said earlier today the US has given certain information about a proposed ceasefire - which would last 30 days - and would continue to do so in face-to-face talks.

'No doubt' Russia will force Ukraine's forces out of Kursk soon, Kremlin says

There is "no doubt" about Russian troops soon forcing Ukraine's forces out of Kursk, the Kremlin has said.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke this morning after Vladimir Putin's visit to the Russian region yesterday.

As we've been reporting, Putin wore military fatigues during the visit and ordered his commanders to finish the job as soon as possible. 

Ukraine 'out of long-range ATACMs missiles'

Russia said Ukraine started firing long-range ATACMs missiles towards the end of last year, when former US President Joe Biden lifted restrictions.

According to a US official, cited by The Associated Press, Washington provided fewer than 40 of those missiles overall.

But Kyiv ran out in late January, the official said, a claim supported by an unnamed Ukrainian lawmaker.

Both spoke on condition of anonymity to give details.

Trump's Ukraine war envoy crosses Russian border - report

The plane carrying Steve Witkoff, who we know is on his way to Russia, has reportedly crossed the Russian border.

Donald Trump's special envoy is expected in Moscow today for further talks to stop the war.

State-run news agency TASS said his flight is now over Russia.

This has not been independently verified.

'Three injured' in overnight Russian attack

We just reported Ukraine's military said it shot down dozens of Russian drones overnight - see our 7.48 post.

Some more information has been shared by local officials, who say three women were hurt in an attack targeting railway energy facilities in Dnipro.

All three are in hospital, according to local governor Serhiy Lysak, with the attack blowing out more than 100 windows in residential buildings.

-SKY NEWS