Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin envoy claims ‘significant progress’ towards ceasefire in US talks

Ukraine has knowledgeable the US about Russia’s vitality ceasefire violations, offering proof to assist the claims, senior Zelensky aide Pavlo Palisa informed Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne.

He mentioned Ukraine had not supplied a full listing of infrastructure targets to be included within the ceasefire, arguing that this strategic data can be abused by Russia.

“In no way are the coordinates or full lists of important infrastructure services given to anybody,” he mentioned.

Whereas Kyiv had agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire in US-mediated talks in Jeddah, Russia declined to stick to it, demanding it embrace restrictions on Ukraine’s navy capabilities, comparable to a halt on overseas navy assist to Ukraine.

Russia is ready to extend its navy presence in Ukraine by 150,000 troops subsequent yr, a senior Ukrainian official has mentioned, equal to round 15 motorised infantry divisions.

Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential workplace, mentioned Russia was actively recruiting personnel and forming new items.

“Their formation is ongoing. The Russians don’t have any issues with recruiting personnel now. Nevertheless, it needs to be understood that every one these formations can’t be put into motion on the similar time,” he mentioned, based on Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne.

This buildup comes as Moscow pushes ahead on the battlefield, regardless of supposedly participating in ceasefire talks with the US. Mr Palisa mentioned Russia was bored with broader peace talks, apart from negotiations on maritime safety, the place a truce aligns with its strategic pursuits.

Kyiv had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in US-mediated talks in Jeddah on 11 March, however Russia refused except it included restrictions on Ukraine’s navy capabilities. As a substitute, a restricted settlement was reached to guard vitality infrastructure and the Black Sea.

Since then, each side have accused one another of violating the vitality truce, whereas Russia has tied the implementation of the Black Sea settlement to the easing of Western sanctions.

On the frontlines, Russian forces proceed to press ahead in focused areas, making tactical beneficial properties, Mr Palisa mentioned. Nevertheless, he famous that Ukrainian troops have been mounting counteroffensives.

“In the event that they do that, they may proceed to stall (peace talks) to get time,” he added.

Virtually a decade after the Brexit referendum, Amber Rudd is hoping to rebuild bridges between the Tories and Europe.

The previous dwelling secretary is likely one of the driving forces behind a brand new casual Conservative European Affairs Council (Ceac) that goals to encourage pro-European Tories and assist the social gathering speak to Europe.

And with US president Donald Trump stepping again from European defence and Russia persevering with to threaten the continent, she sees an excellent stronger case for bettering Conservative relations with Europe.

US president Donald Trump’s inside circle is advising him in opposition to a name with Vladimir Putin till the Russian president commits to a full ceasefire with Ukraine, NBC Information reported on Thursday, citing administration officers.

The report added that the officers have been involved Mr Trump may immediately determine he desires to speak to Mr Putin, no matter their steering.

Mr Trump informed NBC Information on Sunday he deliberate to speak to the Russian president this week.

America and Russia have made main strides towards reaching a ceasefire in Ukraine, a senior Kremlin envoy has mentioned following high-level conferences in Washington.

Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian negotiator and head of the state-run Russian Direct Funding Fund, introduced that “important progress has been made on the ceasefire settlement in Ukraine,” based on feedback reported by Russian state media.

Mr Dmitriev held talks with officers from the administration of former US president Donald Trump over two days, on 2 and three April, representing Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Praising what he described as a constructive and respectful dialogue, Mr Dmitriev mentioned each nations have been working to revive diplomatic and financial ties, reported Tass.

He additionally claimed that American corporations have been displaying curiosity in returning to Russia to occupy the market house left by European companies that exited following the invasion of Ukraine.

“US firms are able to occupy the niches left by European firms that left the Russian Federation,” he was quoted as saying.

Amongst different points mentioned have been cooperation within the Arctic and joint ventures on uncommon earth metals. Talks additionally touched on the potential resumption of direct flights between the 2 international locations, based on Mr Dmitriev.

Whereas particulars of the proposed ceasefire haven’t been made public, the Kremlin envoy mentioned the Trump administration “is listening to the place of the Russian Federation” and {that a} date for the subsequent spherical of negotiations can be decided “within the close to future.”

Ukraine has addressed a few of its manpower shortages within the struggle in opposition to Russia by broadening its recruitment base, a senior US navy official has mentioned.

Basic Christopher Cavoli, who leads the US European Command and serves as Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, informed American lawmakers that Kyiv had taken steps to replenish its ranks.

He warned, nevertheless, that any halt in US assist, notably in weaponry and intelligence, would have a devastating impact on Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities.

Testifying earlier than the US Senate on Thursday, Basic Cavoli confused the important position of American-supplied superior weapon techniques. He famous that Ukraine stays closely reliant on Washington for bigger anti-aircraft and missile defence platforms.

“If the Ukrainians weren’t capable of obtain intelligence from us, they’d battle to focus on, particularly in-depth operational stage targets comparable to command posts, logistics areas and issues like that,” he informed senators.

He mentioned Ukrainian forces have been sustaining management of territory in Russia’s Kursk area and that Moscow had misplaced round 4,000 tanks because the begin of the invasion – virtually equal to the overall tank fleet of america.

The trial of a former Russian minister accused of breaching sanctions within the UK is “not about Vladimir Putin” or the struggle in Ukraine, jurors have been informed.

Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, 48, the previous mayor of Sevastopol in illegally annexed Crimea, is going through seven counts of circumventing sanctions between February 2023 and January 2024.

He’s mentioned to have intentionally prevented sanctions by opening a Halifax Financial institution of Scotland (HBOS) account on or earlier than February 2023 and having tens of hundreds of kilos transferred to it by his spouse, Ekaterina Ovsiannikova, who’s going through 4 counts of breaching sanctions by aiding with the funds totalling £76,000.

Throughout closing arguments yesterday at Southwark Crown Court docket, his defence barrister, Rosemary Davidson, informed jurors that the case is just not concerning the struggle in Ukraine or Ovsiannikov’s work as governor of Sevastopol.

The International Secretary has accused Russia’s Vladimir Putin of “dragging out and obfuscating” efforts to discover a peace deal to finish the struggle.

David Lammy referred to as on the UK’s Nato counterparts to extend strain on Russia and confused the necessity for Europeans to step up spending on defence to be “fairer” to the US.

Mr Lammy mentioned: “Russia continues to rain down bombs on Ukrainian households, on Ukrainian armed troopers and, after all, on Ukraine’s infrastructure.

“And they’re dragging out and obfuscating all efforts to barter.

“Putin – we see you, and it is vastly essential that Nato allies come collectively to position extra financial strain on Russia in order that they reply and are attentive to the negotiation makes an attempt that President Trump has set out.”

Ukraine seems to have resolved a few of its shortages of troops preventing Russia, together with by widening the pool of eligible recruits, the highest US basic in Europe says.

US Military Basic Christopher Cavoli additionally confused that any US cutoff in provision of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine can be extraordinarily dangerous to its struggle effort, regardless of Kyiv’s makes an attempt to diversify its weapons suppliers.

Donald Trump briefly minimize off some help to Ukraine after an Oval Workplace blow-up with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, during which vice-president JD Vance complained about Kyiv’s manpower shortages and Mr Trump mentioned Zelenskiy did not “have the playing cards” to finish the struggle with out US backing.

No less than 11 extra Ukrainian youngsters have been introduced dwelling from elements of Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine the place that they had been taken with out permission, Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of workers mentioned.

Andriy Yermak, the chief of workers, wrote on his Telegram channel: “Throughout the framework of the president of Ukraine’s Carry Children Again UA initiative, one other 11 Ukrainian youngsters have been introduced again from briefly occupied areas (of Ukraine) and the territory of the Russian Federation.”

Among the many youngsters, Mr Yermak mentioned, have been brothers aged 10 and 12 whose father died after being tortured for expressing pro-Ukrainian views.

Additionally introduced dwelling, Mr Yermak wrote, was a pregnant mom who had been prevented from leaving occupied Ukraine as a result of she had refused to take out Russian identification papers, and her two-year-old toddler.

The mom gave delivery to a different little one in Ukrainian-held territory.

Mr Yermak thanked the workplace of Ukraine’s ombudsman for its assist in arranging the return of the youngsters.

Russia has not issued an announcement on returning Ukrainian residents.