Ukraine war latest: Russia launches scathing attack on UK; Trump envoy makes disputed intel claim as crunch peace talks to begin

'I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was like... this can't be real': Rubio speaks of shock at Oval Office row

A little more now from US secretary of state Marco Rubio as he speaks to journalists on his military plane on the way to talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He is asked about the extraordinary Oval Office clash between Donald Trump and Volodomyr Zelenskyy.

"Well it wasn't the way it was supposed to go," he says.

"We had these conversations with them coming in. We explained to them our position. We really wanted to get negotiations. We felt, I felt, I was actually shocked as it was happening, because it went the total opposite of everything we had talked about ahead of time.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was like - this can't be real, but it was. But we have to move on."

US secretary of state says Ukraine must show 'it is prepared to do difficult things'

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has been speaking to reporters on his flight to Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukrainian officials.

He says the point of the meetings is to establish Ukraine's intentions and reach a point where peace is possible.

Rubio says he hopes to get an understanding of "where both sides truly are" and get "a sense of how big the divide is and hard it's going to be".

"The most important thing that we have to leave here with is a strong sense that Ukraine is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things to end this conflict," he says.

He adds that he doesn't have any pre-determined words that each side need to say, but that both need to come to the understanding that there is no military solution to the war only a diplomatic one.

⁠To that end, Rubio says: "I think the French and the British have been very supportive along the way over the last week as well, very helpful."

He says the minerals deal - abandoned after Donald Trump's Oval Office row with Volodomyr Zelenskyy - is still on table but not part of this conversation or the main topic on this agenda

On the vexed topic of intelligence sharing (see 14.11 post), he adds: "The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as we speak.

"I think all the notion of the pause in aid broadly is something I hope we can resolve… what happens tomorrow will be key to that."

Pressed further on the subject, he says: "Yeah, they [Ukraine] have the ability to defend themselves. But I don't want to get too deep into the intelligence piece."

Starmer and Trump speak ahead of Ukraine peace talks

Ukrainian and US officials are meeting in Saudi Arabia this week to discuss whether there is a way forward to peace in the war with Russia.

It comes on the back of a policy reversal from Washington after Donald Trump re-entered office, with the Republican putting heavy pressure on Kyiv to stop their fighting.

This has included withdrawing intelligence support and the bust up in the Oval Office between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ahead of this summit, Downing Street has confirmed Sir Keir Starmer and Trump spoke today for around 20 minutes.

The prime minister's spokesperson said UK officials had spoken to Ukrainian counterparts as well, with several deadly attacks on Ukraine launched from Russia.

The spokesperson said Starmer wants to see intelligence sharing resume as quickly as possible.

They added: "The prime minister said he hoped there would be a positive outcome to the talks that would enable US aid and intelligence sharing to be restarted.

"The two leaders also spoke about the economic deal they had discussed at the White House and the prime minister welcomed the detailed conversations that had already happened to move this forward. Both leaders agreed to stay in touch."

It is understood Starmer and Trump also discussed trade and tariffs. 

Ukrainian police fire howitzer at Russian troops

These pictures show members of Ukraine's National Police Special Purpose Battalion firing a howitzer towards Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region.

No risk of encirclement for Ukrainian troops in Russia, Kyiv's top general says

Ukrainian troops fighting in Russia's Kursk region are not at risk of encirclement, Kyiv's top general has said.

Russian forces have launched a counteroffensive alongside North Korean troops in an attempt to encircle the Ukrainian soldiers.

Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a post on social media that the situation was under control

Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi Arabia

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom will host talks between the US and Ukraine tomorrow, though Zelenskyy is not expected to attend.

Instead, he is in Saudi Arabia to meet its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Crunch US talks

Talks will take place between the Ukrainian president's team and US officials on ending the war with Russia at an increasingly precarious moment for Kyiv.

Once Ukraine's main ally, under Donald Trump's second administration, the US has reorientated its foreign policy and support for the country.

The Saudi Arabian leader has played various mediating roles since Russia's invasion in 2022, including brokering prisoner exchanges and hosting talks between Russia and the US last month.

The talks are set to take place tomorrow and will be the first between the two countries since the disastrous Oval Office row between Zelenskyy and Trump.

The focus is expected to be on the critical minerals deal as well as how to end the war.

Moscow 'applying increased pressure on Ukrainian forces' in Russia, MoD says

Russia is "applying increased pressure" on Ukrainian forces that have pushed into Russia's Kursk region, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Ukrainian forces seized around 1,300 sq km (500 sq miles) of land in Russia's Kursk region in August, which Kyiv said was an attempt to gain a bargaining chip in future negotiations.

They now "likely maintain control of approximately 300 sq km" of territory, the MoD said.

"Russian forces continue to conduct fewer offensive operations elsewhere on the frontline compared to late 2024 and early 2025", it added.

Ukrainian forces "have launched a number of counterattacks" in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, "Russia's primary operational focus," the MoD said.

"Opportunities for Ukrainian counteroffensive have been improved by the reduced number of ground offensives being carried out by Russia," it added.

"Russian logistics supply lines on the Pokrovsk axis have also been degraded by Ukrainian First Person View Uncrewed Aerial System attacks (drones)."

Trump envoy's claim about intelligence sharing contradicted by Ukrainian source

A little more on the claim from US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, as reported in our previous post, that Washington has "never cut off intelligence for any defensive needs of the Ukrainians".

Sky News' Ukraine producer Azad Safarov cites a Ukrainian source with knowledge of the situation as saying the US has continued to share intelligence with Kyiv about Russian activity on the territory of Ukraine.

However, Ukraine is not receiving intelligence on the preparation of missile strikes into its territory by Russia, the source said.

Last week, a Ukrainian source told Sky News that Washington had stopped sharing "all" intelligence with Ukraine.

30 nations to take part in talks on international security force for Ukraine

Military officials from more than 30 nations will take part in Paris talks tomorrow on the creation of an international security force for Ukraine, a French military official has said.

Such a force would aim to dissuade Russia from launching another offensive after any ceasefire comes into effect. 

The long list of participants will include Asian and Oceania nations joining the talks remotely, the French official said.

The news comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK would host another "coalition of the willing" meeting virtually on Saturday. 

The international makeup of the talks offers an indication of how broadly France and Britain are casting their net as they aim to build a coalition of nations to safeguard Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

Trump envoy says major progress expected in Ukraine talks this week - and makes claim over intel sharing pause

The United States expects substantial progress in Ukraine talks this week and hopes that a deal on critical minerals can be signed, Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has said.

As he set off for talks in the Middle East, Witkoff told Fox News intelligence sharing would also be discussed at this week's meetings.

He also claimed: "The US has never cut off intelligence for any defensive needs of the Ukrainians."

This claim is at odds with the sources in Kyiv, who say the White House's decision to halt the sharing of some information has affected Ukraine's ability to defend against Russian attacks.

We'll bring you more detail on Witkoff's comments as we get it.

Ukrainian war veteran amputees learn to ski

Stepping away from the frontline and talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian war veterans have been learning to ski.

The wounded ex-servicemen were taught adaptive skiing in Oregon, USA.

Oleksandr Shvachka (pictured below in first image) lost his left leg to Russian tank fire outside Kyiv, in March 2022.

He said skiing on the mountain was an "amazing emotion."

"It's a new experience, and I'm so happy," he said.

Analysis: UK becomes Russia's 'public enemy number one'

Today's diplomatic expulsions come as no surprise. 

Speaking to British and European officials here, the threat of being kicked out is very much baked-in to diplomatic life here, with many saying it's a question of "when" they'll be given their marching orders, rather than "if".

That's because there's been a wider tit-for-tat exchange of expulsions that has been going on between Moscow and London for a number of years now, ever since the Skripal poisoning in Salisbury in 2018. 

These latest expulsions can be seen as part of that.

But why now? 

I think it's no coincidence that it comes only a matter of days after three Bulgarian nationals in the UK were convicted of spying for Russia.

It also comes amid this apparent rapprochement between Washington and Moscow. 

That shift in relations with the US has elevated the UK to the role of public enemy No 1 here, and these latest expulsions are a way of reinforcing that status.

The camera crews from Russian state media were waiting for the British embassy representative when he arrived at the foreign ministry this morning after being summoned. 

"When is Britain going to stop with the violations?" one reporter asked, in footage that will no doubt be splashed all over the news bulletins here. 

It's how the Kremlin shapes public opinion - casting Britain as the enemy, out to attack Russia.

But even if it's not surprising, the expulsions are still significant in the sense they will be disruptive, both on a professional level and a personal one (for the diplomat whose spouse was sent home). 

The British embassy here is already operating on a vastly reduced headcount as a result of all the expulsions. 

And although the diplomat will likely be replaced in the not-too-distant future, any kind of depletion - albeit temporary - makes a difficult job even harder.

Britain to hold second 'coalition of the willing' meeting

Britain is set to hold a second "coalition of the willing" meeting. 

It is due to take place virtually on Saturday, after the previous meeting in Lancaster House.

"You can expect the prime minister to host a second leaders' meeting of the coalition of the willing, building on his Lancaster House summit," a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters. 

Zelenskyy: Ukraine has always wanted peace

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeated his past statements that Ukraine is, and has always been, seeking peace.

In a post on social media, he said: "Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war, and we have always said that the only reason it continues is Russia."

He also thanked the country's soldiers.

While it may seem like an ordinary post from a wartime leader, Zelenskyy's words on social media comes as both the US and Russia have made various allegations against Ukraine.

Ukraine was the victim of Russia's invasion in February 2022, and did not start the war.

Instead, it has been fighting to defend itself.

On top of that, recent months have seen its once-closest ally cut off military aid first and then intelligence sharing.

Fighting on multiple fronts, Ukraine is looking to defend its sovereignty against Moscow.

Donald Trump - who has a long history with the Ukrainian leader - has taken a number of shots at Zelenskyy in recent weeks, making some unfounded claims among these.

He has repeatedly called into doubt Ukraine's willingness to see a peace completed.

Zelenskyy's tweet could be seen as another response to Trump and his outriders, calling his aims into question.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has pointed to Russia, warning about Moscow's willingness to stick to any end to the fighting.

Moscow accuses London of being 'main instigator' of global conflict

Russia has accused the UK of being the "main instigator" of global conflict - and has appeared to blame the Second World War on Britain.

The country's Foreign Intelligence Service said London "sees a threat to its interests" in the US and Russia restoring relations. 

It adds the UK "fears that this will lead to the failure of the British strategy of containing Moscow", in which "control over Ukraine occupies a central place".

"As we can see, London today, just as it did on the eve of both world wars of the last century, acts as the main 'instigator' of the global conflict," the agency added.

"At the same time, the British themselves, obviously, are again counting on sitting it out on their island. 

"It is time to expose them and send a clear signal to the treacherous Albion and its elites: you will not succeed."

The agency also appeared to try and sow division between the US and UK.

For context: The Second World War was started by Nazi Germany, which began invading neighbouring countries despite public attempts by Neville Chamberlain, the prime minister, to commit to a peace deal.

War was declared by Britain after Adolf Hitler continued to disregard its overtures - a fight Russia (then the Soviet Union) joined when the Nazis broke their own agreement and invaded large swathes of Russian territory.

Ukraine to buy millions more drones this year in race against Russia

This year, Ukraine plans to purchase around 4.5 million first-person-view (FPV) drones.

It is more than double last year's rate and reflects how the war in Ukraine has been dependent on such technologies - and their developments - as well as the ability of the countries to get ahold of them.

The fighting has often been defined by cheaper and more effective alternatives to conventional artillery or long-range missiles.

Ukrainian officials said the majority of its hits on Russia were now by drones.

But as part of the move to keep purchasing drones this year, 96% of them are coming from Ukrainian manufacturers and suppliers.

This is part of Kyiv's attempts to develop its own defence industry and reduce reliance on allies.

Which notably comes as its once main ally, the US, committed an about-face after Donald Trump took office.

Small, inexpensive FPV drones are controlled by pilots on the ground and often crash into targets while packed with explosives.

In a separate statement also today, Kyiv's top general Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian drones had destroyed 22% more targets last month compared to January, but added that Russian forces were also adapting.

"We simply have no right to lag behind the enemy in those areas of technological warfare where we should be arming and strengthening ourselves by our own resources," Syrskyi said.

Ukraine captures nine Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk

Ukrainian special forces have captured nine Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk.

After a stand-off said to have gone on for "several days", soldiers from Ukraine's 144th Centre of Special Operations Forces won out against a group of Russian soldiers.

They captured what was described as an "industrial building" after the fight.

Using a speaker mounted on a drone, the Ukrainian special forces called on the Russian soldiers entrenched inside to surrender.

After they refused, Ukrainian forces blew up part of the building, leading to the soldiers reportedly "waving a white rag" and surrendering, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Among the Russian soldiers, some were said to be wounded.

Why Pokrovsk matters

Pokrovsk is a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine.

It is a logistics centre Ukraine uses to sustain its efforts at the frontline, and capturing it would be a big blow - and a big win for Russia.

Recent months have seen intense fighting around the city.

Pokrovsk is also the site of Ukraine's only colliery producing coking coal - now closed as Russian troops have made gains.

-SKY NEWS