Ukraine-Russia war live: Warning Putin must face ceasefire red lines amid fury over Moscow’s delay tactics

Vatican foreign minister archbishop Paul Gallagher held a phone call with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss Ukraine, the Vatican said.

They discussed the three-year conflict and “some initiatives aimed at stopping the military actions”, the Vatican announced.

Mr Gallagher expressed the Vatican’s willingness “to continue its humanitarian effort in matters regarding the exchange of prisoners”, the statement added.

Last October, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Francis at the Vatican last October to ask for the pontiff’s help in securing the release of Ukrainians held captive by Russia.

Lavrov met the Vatican’s number two official, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Francis, currently out of public view as he recovers from double pneumonia, provoked anger among Ukrainian officials in March 2024 when he suggested they should have the courage of the “white flag” to negotiate an end to the war.

Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs, which have sent shockwaves around the world, do not violate any Nato treaties, secretary-general Mark Rutte has said.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after meeting Nato foreign ministers in Brussels, Mr Rutte was asked about article 2 in the alliance’s treaty which states: “(NATO allies) will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them.”

But Mr Rutte said there has been no violation of the treaty – despite large and damaging tariffs having been imposed on many of Washington’s European allies.

The ball is in Russia’s court regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said on Friday after meeting Nato foreign ministers in Brussels.

Several European ministers asked for a deadline to be set for Moscow to answer to the US proposal for a ceasefire – but Mr Rutte did not say if he was in favour of that proposal.

He added that the military alliance still believes Russia poses the greatest threat to its security.

The situation in Russia’s Belgorod region is “under control” after Ukrainian troops tried to break through the border a fortnight ago, Russian commander Apti Alautdinov said according to state news agency RIA.

Just as Ukrainian forces are battling to keep their grip on a sliver of Russia’s Kursk region they captured last year, they have tried to stage a little-publicised incursion into the adjacent Belgorod region, according to Russian military bloggers.

Russian forces are “clearing areas” of Ukrainian troops, Alautdinov said, who had not succeeded in their aim of carving out a meaningful foothold in Belgorod and were suffering heavy losses.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield report.

Moscow has accused Ukraine of attacking its energy infrastructure six times in the past 24 hours.

Russia news agencies reported the claim amidst an agreement between the countries to cease attacking such sites – a deal both sides have accused the other flouting.

The Independent could not independently verify the alleged attacks.

Although Russia was not included in Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff measures he unveiled earlier this week, the Kremlin is preparing to take “extra measures” minimise damage.

Moscow said it must do what it can to protect its economy from the turbulence the tariffs will bring to the global market.

“We see quite a high level of turbulence in international markets”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “We are hearing very unfavourable forecasts from various economists, including world-renowned economists, who are pessimistic about this latest news.”

He said that while the Russian economy was robust, thanks to the government’s efforts, “additional efforts” would be necessary to protect it from tariff shocks. He did not specify what those efforts would be.

“Let’s just say that with a storm like this, we need to be very careful to minimise the negative effects on our economy,” Peskov said.

Ukrainian officials are set to head to the US in the near future to discuss a new framework on a minerals deal.

Online consultations between Ukrainian and American teams could take place on Friday, public broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing foreign minister Andrii Sybiha.