The president said he had exchanged “pretty strong words” with European leaders, while Russia signaled it saw itself as increasingly on the same page as the U.S.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week his country could be ready to hold elections in the next 60 to 90 days if security could be guaranteed, seeking to push back on claims by US President Donald Trump that he is using the war with Russia to cling to power.

Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraine's forces have withdrawn from the front line, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments published Friday in Russian business daily Kommersant.

The Ukrainian leader said Thursday that there was still no common understanding on the land issue and that Ukrainians should vote on any territorial concessions in a referendum.

A Ukrainian peace plan, sent this week to Washington, pushes back against President Trump’s proposal that Ukraine give up more land for peace.

Donald Trump's envoy will meet the Ukrainian president and European leaders in Berlin to discuss the latest peace plan.

A bulk carrier in Ukraine's Odesa region suffered damage and was on fire after a Russian attack on Friday, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. One of the sources said the vessel was in the port of Chornomorsk,

Ukraine and its allies are scrambling to keep Trump onside as the U.S. piles pressure on Kyiv to make a peace deal.