Ukraine war latest: 'Vladimir, STOP!' - Trump 'not happy' with Russian strikes on Kyiv

'Vladimir, STOP!': Trump 'not happy' with Kyiv strikes

Donald Trump has shared his thoughts on last night's Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv.

Posting on Truth Social, the US president says: "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. 

"Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!"

Yesterday, Trump claimed he found it easier to negotiate with Russia than he did with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he thought "we have a deal with Russia".

He also accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war in Ukraine due to his stance over Crimea (see 9.41am post).

Macron: Zelenskyy can't be expected to accept ceasefire while Kyiv is being bombed

We can now bring you French President Emmanuel Macron's reaction to Russian strikes on Kyiv last night, following Keir Starmer's comments about the attacks earlier (see our previous post).

Speaking on a trip to Madagascar, Macron has reiterated his support for Ukraine, saying that Volodymyr Zelenskyy cannot be expected to accept a ceasefire while his capital city is being bombed.

It comes as Donald Trump's US administration ramps up pressure on Zelenskyy and Ukraine to accept a seven-point American plan for peace.

As we've been explaining here, the peace proposal includes the US recognising Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea - an area Kyiv maintains is Ukrainian territory.

Zelenskyy has pointed out that this stance is enshrined in Ukraine's constitution, and most of the international community does not recognise Russia's seizure of Crimea.

Strikes on Kyiv 'real reminder Russia is the aggressor' as ceasefire talks progress - Starmer

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says "we're making progress towards a ceasefire" in Ukraine after talks this week.

Speaking in Bristol a short while ago, he insisted "it's going to be a lasting ceasefire" after discussions between Ukrainian and British officials in London yesterday.

But he was also asked about Russia's strikes on Kyiv last night, and whether they would harm the peace talks.

"It's a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor," Starmer replied.

"That's why it's important that we get Russia... to an unconditional ceasefire," he added.

Day 95: Is Trump really 'close' to securing a deal for Ukraine?

Donald Trump claims he's "close" to securing a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

In the latest episode of Trump 100, US correspondents Martha Kelner and James Matthews discuss if his high-pressure negotiation tactics are working, and if Ukraine is willing to pay the cost of a Trump-backed deal. 

If you've got a question you'd like the Trump 100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk. You can also watch all episodes on the YouTube channel and enjoy wherever you get your podcasts.

Not enough pressure on Russia, Zelenskyy says

Zelenskyy also told the news briefing in Pretoria that Ukraine did not "see strong pressure on Russia".

"We believe that with greater pressure on the Russian Federation, we will be able to bring our sides closer," he said.

Ukraine's president added that after more than three years of war and with thousands killed, the willingness to sit down for talks with Russia was already a compromise.

Zelenskyy said that agreeing to the ceasefire would demonstrate "political good will" from all sides.

Zelenskyy: Kyiv attack one of the 'most difficult'

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just concluded the news briefing in South Africa. 

He spoke in Ukrainian - but we now have translation of his comments.

He described last night's attack on Kyiv as "undoubtedly one of the most difficult and impudent".

He said yesterday's talks between US and European officials in London were "difficult but constructive".

"I’m sure Russia was hoping for a huge row yesterday," he added. "Russia doesn't like the alliance around Ukraine, because Ukraine would be an easier target without it."

Zelenskyy was also asked about his refusal to agree to recognise Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, which the US proposed it would do as part of a seven-point peace plan.

He said Kyiv was ready to do everything that its partners suggested, but it could not do things that contravene Ukraine's constitution. 

Zelenskyy speaking in South Africa

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is speaking now in Pretoria alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

His comments are in Ukrainian, but we'll bring you his comments as soon as we can.

Earlier, Ramaphosa said he had held "successful talks" with Zelenskyy, emphasising that the "only path to peace is through diplomacy".

He also called on "all parties" to ensure there is a ceasefire, and said he had already spoken to Donald Trump this morning about this.

"We both agreed that the war should be brought to an end as soon as possible to prevent further death and destruction," Ramaphosa said.

The South African leader also said he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin "earlier this week, where we both committed to work together towards a peaceful resolution of the Russia Ukraine conflict."

Trump's anger focused on Zelenskyy - to Kremlin's delight

Donald Trump's anger continues to be "focused on Ukraine", our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett says.

Bennett notes the attack on Kyiv overnight is the deadliest to hit Ukraine's capital in almost a year but this has not prompted Trump to focus his anger on Russia.

"You would think attacks like this would prompt Trump to get angry at Russia and accuse them of blocking peace because it is so at odds with diplomatic efforts from the Trump administration to reach a peace deal," he says.

"But Trump's anger is once again focused on Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy following another extraordinary tirade against Ukraine's president last night  - accusing him of prolonging the war."

When it comes to the Kremlin, Bennett says they will be "pretty content with the ways things are progressing".

Yesterday, the US leader suggested in the Oval Office that he found it easier to deal with Russia than he did Zelenskyy.

"I think Russia is ready and a lot of people said Russia wanted to go for the whole thing. And I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy," Trump told reporters.

"I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy. So far, it's been harder. But, I think we have a deal with both."

He also accused in Zelenskyy of "prolonging the war" - without providing any evidence as to why he believed that.

EU: Russian attacks make a 'mockery' of claims Moscow wants peace

The EU's foreign policy chief says Russia's overnight attacks on Ukraine make a mockery of its claims it wants peace.

In a post on X, Kaja Kallas said: "While claiming to seek peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv.

"This isn't a pursuit of peace, it's a mockery of it. The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed."

The situation on the battlefield

These maps show the latest territorial situation, indicating how much ground is held by Russian and Ukrainian forces.

The first map shows a wide view of the conflict, and from left to right you can see closer views of the fronts in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and of the Russian region of Kursk.

Kremlin: Russia still working with US towards peace deal

We've just heard from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in his regular briefing, where he was asked about Russia's latest strikes.

He only said Moscow would continue its military operation and strike military and military-adjacent targets in Ukraine.

Moving to the issue of peace talks, Peskov said Russia was continuing to work with the US towards ending the war, and that it would ensure Moscow's interests were heard in any settlement.

He added Moscow would release details about the next meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin once it had happened.

Trump's key negotiator is expected in Moscow tomorrow for his fourth meeting with the Russian president. 

'Goals achieved,' Moscow says after strikes across Ukraine

Moscow has said its overnight strikes across Ukraine were aimed at defence infrastructure sites.

Posting on Telegram, the defence ministry said it "delivered a massive strike" by air, ground and sea targeting "aviation, missile space, engineering, and armoured industry enterprises" as well as facilities that produce rocket fuel and gunpowder. 

"The goals of the strike have been achieved," it added. "All the targets have been hit."

Zelenskyy meets South African president in Pretoria

We're getting some of the first images of Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, greeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Pretoria.

The leaders are expected to meet before holding a news briefing at 12pm local time (11am UK time).

Zelenskyy says he will then head back to Ukraine, cutting the trip short, after Russia's deadly overnight strikes.

Missile that killed eight in Kyiv was North Korean, Ukrainian source says

The missile that killed at least eight people in Kyiv overnight was North Korean, a Ukrainian military source has told the Reuters news agency.

The source identified the missile as being a KN-23, a short-range North Korean ballistic known for its manoeuvrability, accuracy and ability to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.

'Unequivocally false': Rubio denies White House rift over Russia sanctions

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said reports of a White House rift between him and special envoy Steve Witkoff over lifting sanctions on Russian gas are "unequivocally false".

According to Politico, the Trump administration is debating removing sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other energy assets as part of peace efforts in Ukraine.

The move would be a major diplomatic coup for Moscow, though its financial impact would only be felt if the EU agreed to buy gas via the pipeline again - a prospect that seems unlikely given Europe's willingness to wean itself off Russian energy.

Witkoff, who is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow for their fourth meeting tomorrow, has reportedly promoted the idea, but Politico says it has "not found much traction in the White House" and that Rubio is against the proposal.

"This is unequivocally false," Rubio responded on X. "Neither Steve Witkoff nor I have had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a deal with Ukraine."

Kyiv attack is deadliest since July

Russia's missile and drone attack on Kyiv is the deadliest to hit Ukraine's capital in almost a year.

Kyiv's mayor says eight people were killed in the attack, the most in a single day since 8 July 2024, when officials reported 33 deaths and 121 injuries after a massive missile strike.

The latest attacks follow a pattern of recent Russian strikes that have resulted in high civilian casualties.

This month alone, 21 people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy's hometown, 35 were killed in Sumy and another nine were killed in Marhanets yesterday.

-SKY NEWS