Ukraine war latest: Russia warns it will respond to foreign troops in Ukraine, as it retakes town; Trump envoy arrives in Moscow

Ceasefire plan 'gives Russia nothing', says Kremlin aide

We're expecting to hear from Vladimir Putin shortly, when we may hear a definitive response to Washington's ceasefire proposal.

But if remarks given by one of his aides at the Kremlin are anything to go by, it's unlikely to be a positive answer for the US.

Yuri Ushakov has followed up on comments he gave earlier today that the ceasefire would only give Ukraine respite (see our 11.43 post) - now saying the deal would "give nothing" to Russia.

"A 30-day temporary ceasefire, well, what does it give us? It gives us nothing," he told Russia media.

"It only gives the Ukrainians an opportunity to regroup, gain strength and to continue the same thing."

'Up to Russia': PM's official spokesman cautious over peace talks

Keir Starmer's official spokesman said he would not get ahead of the conclusion to peace talks between Russia and the US when asked about comments by an ally of Vladimir Putin. 

Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, is reported to have said a ceasefire will offer "nothing other than a temporary breather for Ukrainian troops" (see our 11.43 post). 

Asked about the remarks, the prime minister's official spokesman insisted it was "up to Russia to respond and agree to a ceasefire if it is serious about ending the fighting and bringing peace about". 

He added: "I don't want to get ahead of the talks that the United States are going to have on these issues, so we will await the result of that. 

"But we have always been very clear that in order to have a secure and lasting peace, security guarantees will be needed."

Starmer has spent a lot of time on European security, relations with Trump and foreign policy in general recently. 

But today, he may well be distracted - after making a surprising announcement about the NHS. 

Lukashenko: US has no plan for Ukraine conflict

A joint news conference with Vladimir Putin and Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko is planned this afternoon, as we reported a few minutes ago.

But Lukashenko is already speaking to media during his visit to Moscow today - telling state TV the US doesn't have a plan, referring to Washington's proposed ceasefire.

"I can say with absolute certainty that Americans have no plan for the conflict in Ukraine. Absolutely not," he said.

"What they are doing... they are testing the waters. What does this side want? What does the other want? We will talk about this today. Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] will tell me."

Lukashenko arrives in Moscow for talks

Alexander Lukashenko has arrived in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin.

Belarus's president is expected to give a joint news conference with Putin this afternoon - we'll provide updates from that.

Top diplomats at G7 meeting - and it could be a tense two days

It's gone 8am in the Canadaian region of Quebec, where foreign ministers are meeting for what could be a tense G7 meeting.

Top diplomats from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the EU are gathering for two days of talks - and, of course, the US will be represented as well.

It's Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, who has the job of briefing Washington's traditional allies about talks with Kyiv in Saudi earlier this week.

But in the run-up to the meeting, the crafting of an agreed all-encompassing final statement has proven to be tough.

That comes after Donald Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports - a move that immediately drew reciprocal measures from Canada and the EU.

Meanwhile, Washington has sought to impose red lines on the lanuague around Ukraine and opposed a separate declaration on curbing Russia's so-called shadow fleet.

On Monday, Rubio cautioned Washington doesn't want language that could harm efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the table. 

He said a good G7 statement would recognise the US has made progress in ending the war.

Three killed in Russian attacks in one region - governor

Three people have been killed in Russian attacks on the Donetsk region, the area's governor has said.

As of this morning, Vadym Filashkin said two people were killed in Myrnograd and one in Pokrovsk, both in eastern Ukraine.

Across the region, he said 14 people have been injured.

He didn't specifically say if these deaths were a result of attacks overnight, but he added Russians have shelled the region 44 times in just one day.

Ceasefire would only give Ukraine a breather, says Kremlin aide

Donald Trump's envoy for the war is said to be in Moscow now for talks over an end to fighting, but we may have just had a hint at what Russia's view on it may be.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has said Washington's proposed ceasefire - which would stop the conflict for 30 days - would be "nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military".

In a TV interview, he said he spoke to US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz yesterday and set out Russia's view.

"It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation," he added.

In a live Q&A we ran yesterday, security and defence analyst Michael Clarke predicted Moscow may take this view, pointing out there is more incentive for Ukraine to agree to a ceasfire than there is for Russia.

Ukraine and Finland sign defence agreement

Finland and Ukraine have signed a bilateral defence agreement, Finland's defence ministry has said.

The two countries have agreed to deepen cooperation on armaments, exchange of intelligence, and production of ammunition.

Finland is also providing Kyiv with a new military aid package, worth about €200m (£168m).

That will include artillery ammunition to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

Finland joined NATO in April 2023 amid concerns about Moscow's actions. 

Finland shares a 1,340km (832-mile) border with Russia.

-SKY NEWS