Donald Trump has said that a minerals deal will be signed with Ukraine next week.
“We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, Scott, next Thursday? And I assume they’re going to live up to the deal, so we’ll see,” he told reporters in the Oval Office this afternoon.
It came after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said that Ukraine and the US could sign a memorandum of intent on the minerals deal as soon as today.
The deal would allow the US to have privileged access to Ukraine’s natural resources and critical minerals, which Mr Trump views as a repayment for military aid provided to Kyiv under Joe Biden.
It comes after leaders from Britain, France, the US, and Ukraine met in Paris today for talks on ending the war.
An aide to Emmanuel Macron, the French president, described the talks as “excellent” and that more would take place in London next week.
07:58 PM BST
That’s all for today
Thanks for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
We’ll be back soon with more updates and analysis. Here’s a recap of what happened today:
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A Russian mass drone attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro overnight killed three people, including a child, and injured dozens
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Ukraine’s foreign minister and defence minister have arrived in Paris to meet with Donald Trump’s peace envoys and European allies
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An aide to Emmanuel Macron, the French president, described the talks as “excellent” and that more would take place in London next week
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The Kremlin said that a meeting between the US, Ukraine and European countries in Paris was a chance for Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to inform them of the “current status” of peace talks
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Volodymyr Zelensky accused Mr Witkoff of “spreading Russian narratives” about the war
07:21 PM BST
Trump: I don’t hold Zelensky for starting the war
Donald Trump has said he does not hold Volodymyr Zelensky responsible for starting the war in Ukraine.
It represents a shift in tone from the US president, who earlier this week criticised Ukraine for “starting a war against someone 20 times their size”.
Speaking next to Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, Mr Trump said: “I don’t hold Zelenskyy responsible, but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started.
“And, so I’m not happy with him, and I’m not happy with anybody involved.
“I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job. Okay? I’m not a big fan.”
07:17 PM BST
Zelensky accused Trump aide of spreading ‘Russian narratives’
Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Steve Witkoff of “spreading Russian narratives” about the war as senior officials from Ukraine, the US and Europe meet in Paris.
Mr Witkoff, a special envoy to Donald Trump, is among the US officials meeting with Ukrainian and European officials in Paris today.
In a sign that ongoing talks in Paris may not be going well, Mr Zelensky said: “I believe that Mr Witkoff has taken on the strategy of the Russian side. I think it is very dangerous, because he is consciously or unconsciously, I don’t know, spreading Russian narratives.”
Mr Zelensky has accused Mr Witkoff of echoing Russian propaganda in the past. On Tuesday he rejected Mr Witkoff’s claim that peace depended on the five Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia.
Today he said Ukraine would not be ready to discuss territorial concessions until a full-scale ceasefire is put in place.
07:00 PM BST
Trump suggests minerals deal will be signed next week
Donald Trump has said that a minerals deal will be signed with Ukraine next week.
“We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, Scott, next Thursday? And I assume they’re going to live up to the deal, so we’ll see,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
06:48 PM BST
UK to host further talks next week
The UK is set to host further talks between the US, Europe and Ukraine in London next week, a spokesman for Emmanuel Macron has said.
An aide to the French president described today’s talks in Paris as “excellent, positive and constructive”.
US, Ukrainian and European officials will meet in London next week – AFP
06:18 PM BST
Macron praises talks in Paris
Today’s meeting in Paris was hailed by Emmanuel Macron, the French president, as a “very important occasion for convergence”.
“This is a very important occasion for convergence,” Mr Macron said after hosting Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, for lunch earlier in the day.
“I think everybody wants to get peace for sure, and a robust and sustainable peace,” he said.
05:58 PM BST
Listen to today’s Ukraine: The Latest
05:23 PM BST
Let us buy Patriot systems, Zelensky tells US
Ukraine wants to buy at least 10 Patriot air defence systems from the United States to shield against Russian attacks, Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists this afternoon.
“Ukraine is ready to purchase at least 10 systems. I told President Trump about this minimum during our phone conversation. He told me that America would work on it. So far, I have no other information,” the Ukrainian president said.
05:01 PM BST
China producing weapons ‘on Russian territory’, says Zelensky
Ukraine has intelligence which shows China is supplying artillery and gunpowder to Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky said this afternoon.
“We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia,” he said at a press conference in Kyiv.
He did not specify whether he meant artillery systems or shells.
04:52 PM BST
Hegseth urges France to boost defence spending
Pete Hegseth urged France to increase its defence spending and, alongside other Nato allies, take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defence during talks in Washington.
Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, said Mr Hegseth and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu also discussed efforts toward a “durable peace” in Ukraine.
04:07 PM BST
Who’s at talks between US, Europe and Ukraine?
Senior officials from the US, Europe and Ukraine are currently in talks in Paris over ending the war.
Leading the US delegation is Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for Donald Trump.
Earlier, Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s top adviser, said talks had included how to reach a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
Jonathan Powell, national security adviser to Sir Keir Starmer, is also present in Paris.
Senior officials from the US, Europe and Ukraine meet in Paris – AFP
03:31 PM BST
Russian contacts with Witkoff ‘very productive’, Putin envoy says
Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff was extremely productive but various countries are trying to disrupt dialogue between Moscow and Washington, the Russian leader’s investment envoy has said.
Putin received Witkoff in the former imperial capital of St. Petersburg Friday and they spoke for close to five hours. Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev were also in the room.
“The meeting was extremely productive,” Mr Dmitriev told reporters in the Kremlin during a visit by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Moscow.
“A lot of people, structures, and countries are trying to disrupt our dialogue with the United States,” he added, adding that various unidentified media were spreading misinformation.
“There is a very useful dialogue going on. It is certainly going on in very difficult conditions – constant attacks and constant misinformation.”
02:55 PM BST
Trump sees Meloni as ‘vital’ to Ukraine negotiations
President Donald Trump views Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, as a key intermediary on major issues, including efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
A senior US official noted that the two leaders share “a very special relationship” and intend to collaborate, particularly on trade, Nato contributions, and other matters, a senior US official said today ahead of their meeting.
The US president is due to greet Ms Meloni at 12pm ET.
The pair are scheduled to participate in a bilateral lunch followed by a meeting in the Oval Office, where they may speak to the White House Press Pool.
02:31 PM BST
Firefighters battle blazes in Dnipro
Photographs have emerged of the aftermath of attacks in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, overnight.
Three people, including a child, were killed in the attack. Houses, student dormitories, buildings of an educational institution and a food enterprise, as well as cars, were damaged.
Firefighters intervene the fire that broke out after a Russian drone attack in Dnipro – State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu via Getty Images
02:13 PM BST
Pictured: Macron greets Witkoff and Rubio in Paris
Emmanuel Macron welcomes Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy, and Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, in Paris – Ludovic Marin/AP
02:01 PM BST
Taurus missile strikes would mean ‘direct’ German participation, says Russia
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said today that the use of Taurus missiles to strike critical Russian infrastructure would be considered direct participation by Germany in the Ukrainian conflict.
Friedrich Merz, the incoming German chancellor, has said he supports supplying Ukraine with the German-made cruise missiles.
A Taurus “strike against any Russian facility of critical transport infrastructure….all of this would be regarded as direct participation of Germany in hostilities,” Ms Zakharova told journalists.
Britain has previously said it will support Germany if it decides to send the missiles.
01:28 PM BST
Macron speaks to Zelensky before key meeting
Emmanuel Macron spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky on the phone before talks with Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, and Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, at the Élysée in Paris.
01:15 PM BST
Russia says certain countries trying to ‘derail’ talks with US
Russia’s chief economic negotiator claimed today that some countries are attempting to “derail” ongoing talks with the United States, as both sides pursue efforts to normalise relations.
“There are a lot of people, structures, countries trying to disrupt our dialogue with the United States. There is a very active propaganda against Russia going on in the United States in various mass media,” Kirill Dmitriev, who is also the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, told reporters.
12:56 PM BST
Macron’s diplomatic advisor holds key meetings
Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, met with the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermark earlier today.
Alongside them were Jonathan Powell, the UK’s national security advisor, and Jens Plotner, the German national security advisor.
Mr Bonne has reportedly been in talks with Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, joined by Mr Powell and Mr Plotner.
The French president is also set to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff and Jean Noël Barrot, the French foreign minister, for a working lunch at 1.30pm.
All officials are due to participate in a final meeting,scheduled at the Élysée Palace at 3pm.
12:32 PM BST
Former top Russian military official gets 7 years in penal colony
The former deputy head of the Russian army’s general staff was sentenced today to seven years in a penal colony for taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.
Vadim Shamarin, a lieutenant-general, is one of a string of top officials charged in a series of corruption scandals that have engulfed the highest echelons of the Russian military establishment over the past year.
The prosecutions signal a drive by President Vladimir Putin to clamp down on graft, inefficiency and waste in Russia’s huge military budget as it wages war in Ukraine for a fourth year.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said Shamarin, 53, took bribes worth 36 million roubles ($440,000) between 2019 and 2023 from a factory in the Ural mountains that produces communications equipment. In return, he increased the size of state contracts awarded to the firm.
Interfax news agency said the official had pleaded guilty.
12:02 PM BST
Watch: Rubio and Witkoff in Paris for peace talks
Credit: Reuters
11:55 AM BST
German delegation’s ability to make major decisions at talks is limited
Jens Plötner, Germany’s foreign and security policy advisor, and Günter Sautter, the political director at the foreign office, are taking part in the Paris talks, German newspaper FAZ reports.
There is scepticism on the French side about a breakthrough as it is clear to the Macron government that Vladimir Putin wants to continue the war.
Germany is currently in between governments, with the outgoing Scholz government due to be replaced by Friedrich Merz’s coalition in early May.
This could mean that German readiness to make any major decisions is limited, for the time being.
There are no plans to hold a press conference after the talks, meaning they will unfold in relative secrecy.
11:37 AM BST
Pictured: Witkoff embraces Macron’s aide
French President diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne welcomes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff – REUTERS
11:26 AM BST
Ukraine and Russia trade accusations of strikes on energy targets
Ukraine’s largest private energy producer DTEK said on Thursday that a Russian attack had damaged its energy infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
“This morning, (Russia) attacked a DTEK production site in Dnipropetrovsk region with drones. Buildings and equipment suffered serious damage,” a company statement on social media said. It added that nobody was hurt.
At the same time, Russia claimed that Ukraine carried out ten attacks on its energy infrastructure in the past 24 hours, without providing evidence.
Moscow and Kyiv both agreed to a US-proposed halt on attacks on energy targets last month, but have repeatedly accused each other of breaching the moratorium.
11:05 AM BST
Pictured: Ukrainian, French, British and German delegations meet in Paris
Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne poses with Ukraine’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov, UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, and Germany’s national security advisor Jens Plotner – REUTERS
10:55 AM BST
Kremlin: Paris talks are ‘chance for Witkoff to update Europeans on peace deal’
The Kremlin said that a meeting between the US, Ukraine and European countries in Paris was a chance for Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to inform them of the “current status” of peace talks.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said Vladimir Putin and Mr Witkoff had a long conversation last week in Moscow.
“The United States is continuing to work in this direction with the Europeans and with the Ukrainians,” Mr Peskov said, before again accusing European powers of trying to continue war.
10:38 AM BST
Top Kyiv official charged with ‘smuggling draft-age men abroad’
Volodymyr Prokopiv, deputy head of the Kyiv city administration, has been charged with smuggling draft-age men abroad, according to Ukrainian media reports.
Under martial law, which has been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are not permitted to leave the country, except in special circumstances.
Mr Prokopiv was suspended before he resigned back in October after an investigation revealed suspicious real estate acquisitions by the official’s family members.
10:26 AM BST
Two killed by Russian shelling in southern Ukraine
Russian artillery shelling killed two people and injured five more in the southern Ukrainian city of Nikopol on Thursday, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said.
Moscow’s forces regularly shell the city from their positions across the Dnipro river.
10:04 AM BST
Pictured: Putin meets former Hamas hostage
Vladimir Putin meets former Hamas hostage Alexander Trufanov, a Russian-Israeli citizen, at the Kremlin on April 16 – Shutterstock
09:46 AM BST
Ukraine ‘attacks base of Russian missile brigade for second day’
Ukrainian drones attacked the town of Shuya in Russia’s Ivanovo region for the second day in a row, according to local authorities.
Shuya, which is around 715 miles from the Ukrainian border, hosts the base of a Russian missile brigade that Ukraine has been blamed for the devastating strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday that killed at least 34 people.
The 112th Guards Missile Brigade, a unit long accused of “terror bombing” civilians, appears to have been the target of the strikes on Wednesday and Thursday.
The regional authorities claimed on Thursday that no casualties or damage had been inflicted.
Read more on the brigade, accused of slaughtering Ukrainian civilians, here.
09:23 AM BST
Russian and Belarusian ambassadors banned from German VE day event
Germany’s parliament has banned Russia and Belarus from May 8 commemorations for the end of World War Two, citing tensions over the war in Ukraine.
The decision came after the German foreign office issued new advice, advising public bodies against inviting representatives of either state to the commemorations.
The decision is also linked to tensions between the Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors in Berlin, over the latter’s attendance at a memorial for the Battle of Seelow Heights, one of the bloodiest for the Soviet forces who captured Berlin.
Sergei Nechayev, the Russian ambassador, was met with a warm welcome from Left-wing German activists when he attended the event and laid a rose. And he wore a St George’s Ribbon, a Soviet war symbol which has evolved into a symbol of support for Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Pro-Russian sentiment is on the rise in East Germany, where Berlin is located, due to concerns that the country is being dragged into a direct conflict with Moscow under incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
09:12 AM BST
Pictured: Rubio lands in Paris
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has arrived in Paris, where he will meet with Emmanuel Macron as well as Ukrainian and European delegations for talks on ending the war.
Marco Rubio lands in Paris
09:04 AM BST
Russia launches 5 missiles, 75 drones
The Ukrainian air force said that Russia launched five missiles and 75 drones during an overnight attack on Ukraine.
The air force called it shot down 25 drones with another 30 not reaching their targets, likely due to electronic warfare countermeasures. It did not specify what happened to the missiles and the remainder of the drones.
08:54 AM BST
Britain ‘will support Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine’
Britain would support a decision by Germany to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, sources have indicated, in a boost to Friedrich Merz, the incoming chancellor.
Mr Merz signalled this week that he was ready to send the long-range missile system to Kyiv, but only in agreement with allies France and Britain.
On Wednesday, a British official involved in foreign policy told The Telegraph that the UK had long been in favour of Germany giving Taurus missiles to Ukraine, and would back the move if it were taken now by the new chancellor.
The UK source said: “We continue to work with our partners, including Germany, to equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory.”
Taurus is a powerful cruise missile system that can strike targets deep inside Russian territory, making it a potential game-changer in the hands of Ukrainian forces.
Friedrich Merz suggested this week that Germany was finally ready to send Taurus missiles to Kyiv – AP
08:19 AM BST
Moscow plans to use seized US-owned company to feed army
Russia plans to use a US-owned company seized by the Kremlin to supply food to the Russian army, official documents reveal.
A letter, seen by Reuters, said the canned food maker Glavprodukt was taken under state control in October to ensure stability of future supplies ot the national guard and defence ministry.
Glavprodukt was seized from Los Angeles-based Leonid Smirnov, who Russian prosecutors have accused of moving $17m (£13m) out of Russia from 2022 to 2024.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday. Mr Smirnov denies wrongdoing and says the lawsuit is a “Russian-style corporate raid” to steal his company.
About a dozen European companies have had their Russian subsidiaries expropriated by presidential decree, including Danish brewer Carlsberg and Finnish utility Fortum. Glavprodukt was the first US-owned firm to be taken under state control.
The Kremlin has warned of more asset seizures.
08:02 AM BST
Watch: Aftermath of deadly Russian drone strike on Dnipro
Credit: X/@maria_drutska. Original footage from Telegram
07:51 AM BST
Ukrainian ministers arrive in Paris for talks with US
Ukraine’s foreign minister and defence minister have arrived in Paris to meet with Trump’s peace envoys and European allies.
“We are working on important issues for the security of Ukraine and the whole of Europe,” Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian president’s office, said on Thursday morning.
07:45 AM BST
Russia ‘downs 71 Ukrainian drones’
Russian air defence systems destroyed or intercepted 71 Ukrainian drones over six regions overnight, its defence ministry said on Thursday.
Most of the drones (49) were downed in the Kursk region, where Ukraine still hangs on to a small patch of land.
07:37 AM BST
Putin launches devastating drone attack on Dnipro
A Russian mass drone attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro overnight killed three people, including a child, and injured dozens.
“A massive UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attack led to tragic consequences,” said Sergiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk. He added that 30 were injured, five of them children.
The strike late on Wednesday sparked fires throughout the city and hit homes, a student residence and school. Footage showed firefighters battling the blazes throughout the night.
Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of increasing its aerial bombardment of Ukraine despite the Trump administration’s attempts to broker a ceasefire.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to head to Paris today for talks on ending the war, despite Washington side-lining Europe in discussions so far.
A rescuer working at the site of a Russian drone attack in Dnipro in central Ukraine – AFP
A woman is helped to safety during the attack that killed three, including a child, and injured 30 – AFP
07:30 AM BST
Rubio and Witkoff head to Paris
Two of Donald Trump’s top aides plan to hold talks in Paris with Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, seeking to find common ground on ending the Ukrainian war and avert an Iran conflict.
Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to hear European concerns about Russia amid Mr Trump’s growing frustration with Vladimir Putin for dragging his feet over negotiations.
“I’m just trying to get it stopped so that we can save a lot of lives,” Mr Trump told reporters on Sunday.
European leaders have grown more concerned as Mr Trump made diplomatic gestures to his Russian counterpart, while applying pressure on Kyiv, sparking fears a potential deal will not be in Ukraine’s favour.
The US president has also been threatening military action against Iranian nuclear facilities unless they agree to a new deal to rein in their nuclear programme. A new round of talks is expected on Saturday.
07:14 AM BST
Nearly 102,000 Russian soldiers ‘killed in Ukraine’
At least 101,833 Russian soldiers have been confirmed dead in Ukraine, according to a media investigation.
The investigation conducted by Russian independent outlet Mediazona in collaboration with the BBC Russian service found that 4,897 Russian officers have been killed in the invasion.
Mediazona has been tracking the identifies of Russians killed since the start of the war using verified, publicly available sources, including social media, local news reports, and official announcements from regional authorities.
The Kremlin does not publicly disclose casualty information and Mediazona estimates the total number is likely far higher.
British military intelligence revealed earlier this week that Russia has likely sustained more than 920,000 total casualties in the war, including 138,000 in 2025 so far.
07:07 AM BST
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