Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky, on a tour of European countries, is expected to hold talks in Paris on ways to increase sanctions pressure on Russia, notably by targeting the 'shadow fleet' of tankers it uses to evade sanctions on oil exports. … The Kremlin said the planned meeting would obstruct the peace process and that the "very idea of trying to put pressure on Russia is absurd."

Teams of Ukrainian military experts have been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to help them defend against drones being launched from Iran in retaliation for the massive US and Israeli air attacks. … Ukraine says the US and 10 more countries across the Middle East and Europe have asked for help countering the threat of drones that have wrought much damage.

Ukraine is ready for new U.S.-backed peace talks "at any moment", but its partners' attention is currently focused on the Iran conflict, President ⁠Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday, adding that the U.S. had asked to postpone an upcoming meeting.

The Bank of Russia filed a claim on Tuesday at the EU General Court, challenging the December 2025 regulation to freeze its assets until the requests of the European Union are met and generated interests are redirected to Ukraine. 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the bloc may be open to direct talks with Moscow on trying to help settle the war in Ukraine but Moscow will have to temper its "maximalist" demands to pave the way for negotiations.

The European Union is looking into “non-standard” tactics to allow Ukraine to join the EU faster, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Tuesday. The EU is clashing with Kyiv over the timeline for becoming a member of the club and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for a 2027 accession date has been widely rebuffed by EU politicians.

Reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine will cost almost $588 billion over the next decade, or nearly three times the estimated GDP in 2025, as housing, energy and other critical sectors continue to come under fire from Russian forces. The finding comes in the updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) issued on Monday by the Government, the World Bank Group, the European Commission and the United Nations. 

The estimate comes amid evaluations from Western intelligence that found Kyiv’s forces are outmatched in personnel and equipment in most Ukrainian sectors, particularly near the eastern and southern fronts. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates Russia has lost about 1.2 million troops since President Vladimir Putin started the war in 2022, compared with roughly 600,000 Ukrainian casualties.

Evidence is mounting that Elon Musk's decision to deny Russian forces access to his Starlink satellite-based internet service has blunted Moscow's advance, caused confusion among Russian soldiers and handed an advantage to Ukraine's defenders. … 

Talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US aimed at ending Moscow's war in Ukraine have concluded without a breakthrough.