James Menendez

There may be ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, but on the ground in Ukraine, the firing continues without cease. Today it was the turn of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. It's long been the subject of Russian attacks. It's just over the border from the Kursk region of Russia, occupied by Ukraine last year. But the missile strike that laid waste to parts of the city this afternoon was exceptional.

There may be ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, but on the ground in Ukraine, the firing continues without cease. Today it was the turn of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. It's long been the subject of Russian attacks. It's just over the border from the Kursk region of Russia, occupied by Ukraine last year. But the missile strike that laid waste to parts of the city this afternoon was exceptional.

The authorities said a school, hospital and apartment blocks were damaged. Scores were injured, including children. So far, there have been no reports of any deaths. Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrei Subir, asked how Moscow could speak of peace while carrying out such brutal strikes.

The authorities said a school, hospital and apartment blocks were damaged. Scores were injured, including children. So far, there have been no reports of any deaths. Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrei Subir, asked how Moscow could speak of peace while carrying out such brutal strikes.

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.