James Menendez

Instead of making hollow statements about peace, he said, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians. For its part, Ukraine destroyed four Russian attack helicopters in a missile attack on the Belgorod region. And Russia's defence ministry accused Ukraine of targeting energy infrastructure in the Krasnodar region. For now, the fighting goes on.

Instead of making hollow statements about peace, he said, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians. For its part, Ukraine destroyed four Russian attack helicopters in a missile attack on the Belgorod region. And Russia's defence ministry accused Ukraine of targeting energy infrastructure in the Krasnodar region. For now, the fighting goes on.

Steve Witkoff is a property billionaire charged by Donald Trump to end a war that's left hundreds of thousands dead. Ten days ago, he spent several hours with Vladimir Putin. And yet, in his interview, Mr Witkoff revealed himself ignorant of basic facts and willing to repeat false Russian narratives. He was unable to recall the names of the four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by Russia.

Steve Witkoff is a property billionaire charged by Donald Trump to end a war that's left hundreds of thousands dead. Ten days ago, he spent several hours with Vladimir Putin. And yet, in his interview, Mr Witkoff revealed himself ignorant of basic facts and willing to repeat false Russian narratives. He was unable to recall the names of the four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by Russia.

But he nonetheless said their status was the elephant in the room. He said Russia regarded these regions and annexed Crimea as rightfully theirs. He said the key question was whether the world would acknowledge they were Russian territories. He said Russia considered Ukraine to be a false country and this was the root cause of the war.

But he nonetheless said their status was the elephant in the room. He said Russia regarded these regions and annexed Crimea as rightfully theirs. He said the key question was whether the world would acknowledge they were Russian territories. He said Russia considered Ukraine to be a false country and this was the root cause of the war.

This has long been President Putin's excuse for his unprovoked invasion. In what was an extraordinary interview, Mr. Witkoff said Mr. Putin told him he'd prayed for Mr. Trump after the attempt on his life last year.

This has long been President Putin's excuse for his unprovoked invasion. In what was an extraordinary interview, Mr. Witkoff said Mr. Putin told him he'd prayed for Mr. Trump after the attempt on his life last year.

As for Sir Keir Starmer's plan to send British and other forces to Ukraine to guarantee its security after the war, Mr Witkoff said this was a posture, an oppose, based on a simplistic notion of European leaders wanting to be like Winston Churchill. Downing Street chose not to comment.

As for Sir Keir Starmer's plan to send British and other forces to Ukraine to guarantee its security after the war, Mr Witkoff said this was a posture, an oppose, based on a simplistic notion of European leaders wanting to be like Winston Churchill. Downing Street chose not to comment.

What may worry European diplomats most is that Mr Witkoff's remarks suggest the US still sees this war as a territorial dispute, not an attempt to end Ukraine's statehood.

What may worry European diplomats most is that Mr Witkoff's remarks suggest the US still sees this war as a territorial dispute, not an attempt to end Ukraine's statehood.

According to President Zelensky, there were a number of drone strikes across the country. And as a result of that, there have been reports of a hospital in the town of Sumy being hit. There's also been reports of an attack on a rail power station in Dnipropetrovsk. directly in contradiction to Mr Putin's promises that he wouldn't target energy.

According to President Zelensky, there were a number of drone strikes across the country. And as a result of that, there have been reports of a hospital in the town of Sumy being hit. There's also been reports of an attack on a rail power station in Dnipropetrovsk. directly in contradiction to Mr Putin's promises that he wouldn't target energy.

And so in response to that, you know, Mr Zelensky is saying, well, look, the offer of a partial ceasefire is clearly positive. It's better than nothing. It was something that this idea of reducing the amount of tax on energy infrastructure was part of his original plan.

And so in response to that, you know, Mr Zelensky is saying, well, look, the offer of a partial ceasefire is clearly positive. It's better than nothing. It was something that this idea of reducing the amount of tax on energy infrastructure was part of his original plan.

But equally, the fact that the Russians have ignored and broken their promise already, he says, shows that Russia is not ready to finish the fighting. So there is some scepticism, I think, in Kiev about the promises that Mr Putin has made to Mr Trump.

But equally, the fact that the Russians have ignored and broken their promise already, he says, shows that Russia is not ready to finish the fighting. So there is some scepticism, I think, in Kiev about the promises that Mr Putin has made to Mr Trump.

Yeah, that's right. I mean, when Mr. Zelensky gave his briefing yesterday after the telephone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, he made it very clear that if Russia attacked Ukraine, particularly energy infrastructure, then Ukraine would hit back. He said, look, we're not going to stop doing this unless the Russians stop doing it. In other words, it has to be something that is mutual.

Yeah, that's right. I mean, when Mr. Zelensky gave his briefing yesterday after the telephone call between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, he made it very clear that if Russia attacked Ukraine, particularly energy infrastructure, then Ukraine would hit back. He said, look, we're not going to stop doing this unless the Russians stop doing it. In other words, it has to be something that is mutual.