Ukraine war live: Child killed in Russian strike after Zelensky says Putin sabotaging talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that Germany might send Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, potentially enabling Kyiv to strike deeper into Russian territory. This potential move marks a shift from former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s stance, who was against sending such weaponry due to concerns about direct involvement in the war. The Taurus missiles, with a range of up to 310 miles and stealth technology, could significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to target Russian forces and assets, including in the Black Sea region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has already criticised the potential delivery as a “very dangerous trend”, while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock defended Ukraine’s right to defend itself. The discussion around sending Taurus missiles follows a leak of a German military conversation about their potential use in Ukraine, which has raised security concerns and drawn threats from Moscow.

The Trump administration’s sympathy for Moscow’s anti-Nato demands has been likened to Nazi appeasement as parts of the alliance’s eastern bloc warn that the US is priming non-members for invasion.

Top officials from four Eastern European countries have hit out after Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, appeared to support Vladimir Putin’s reported demand to have in writing that Nato will not accept any new members from the region.

In an interview with US network ABC News, Mr Kellogg described Putin’s latest position as a “fair” one that was likely to include not just Ukraine but also Georgia and Moldova.

His comments prompted the Kremlin on Friday to say they were “glad” that Putin’s opposition to Nato was finally “being met with understanding” from Washington.

Read the full exclusive report from my colleague Tom Watling:

Russian forces captured two villages in eastern Ukraine – Novopil in Donetsk region and Vodolagy in Sumy region, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported citing the Defence Ministry.

The Independent could not confirm the battlefield report.

Hundreds of foreign companies left Russia after it invaded Ukraine, including major firms like Coca-Cola, Nike, Starbucks and Ford.

But after more than three years of war, US president Donald Trump has held out the prospect of restoring US-Russia trade if there’s ever a peace settlement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said foreign companies could return under certain circumstances.

“Russia wants to do large scale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree,” Trump said in a statement after a phone call with Putin.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.”

The president then shifted his tone toward Putin after heavy drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, saying Putin “has gone absolutely crazy” and threatening new sanctions.

That and recent comments from Putin warning Western companies against reclaiming their former stakes seemed to reflect reality more accurately — that it’s not going to be a smooth process for businesses going back into Russia.

That’s because Russia’s business environment has massively changed since 2022. And not in ways that favour foreign companies.

And with Putin escalating attacks and holding on to territory demands Ukraine likely isn’t going to accept, a peace deal seems distant indeed.

The US and 10 allies on Thursday said the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea flagrantly violated UN sanctions and enabled Moscow to increase its missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.

They made the allegations in their first report since joining hands to monitor sanctions against North Korea after Russia vetoed a resolution in March 2024 to continue the monitoring by a UN Security Council panel of experts.

The panel had been issuing reports of Pyongyang’s sanctions violations since 2010.

Read the full story here:

Western officials have admitted that Europe must “get real” about the prospect of Donald Trump abandoning Ukraine.

As they discussed plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, British and French officials acknowledged concerns the US president will step back from his role as mediator in ceasefire talks.

Amid a bleak mood at a meeting in the Hague, a Western official told The Telegraph: “Let’s get real and admit the US will never be on board.”

A European diplomat said: “It was mostly about how to sustain the necessary support to Ukraine when we assume that the US would only continue providing some specific assets, such as intelligence.

“We also agreed on the need to step up economic pressure on Russia.”

And when they all come together in Istanbul on Monday for ceasefire talks with Russia the Kremlin’s reaction will be “ish-to” – so what?

Vladimir Putin is facing no significant consequences from either Donald Trump or Europe for his continued war in Ukraine.

The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes: