US and Russian officials to meet in Abu Dhabi for Ukraine peace talks after deadly overnight strikes
US and Russian officials to meet in Abu Dhabi for Ukraine peace talks after deadly overnight strikes
Kyiv residents take shelter after Russian attacks
Here are some of the latest images from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, following a wave of Russian attacks overnight.
Officials say six people were killed and at least two residential apartment blocks hit.
Six people have died following a Russian attack on Kyiv – the Ukrainian capital – according to the city’s doctors, mayor Vitali Klitschko says.
Earlier, officials said at least two residential blocks were hit.
US official confirms to the BBC that they will meet Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi.
It follows talks in Geneva between the US and Ukrainians about a draft peace plan.
Keir Starmer has announced a virtual “coalition of the willing” meeting of Ukraine’s European allies will take place later.
Ahead of the call, Starmer says all partners in the alliance are focusing on achieving a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
He says the progress of peace talks “matters for all of us, because the conflict in Ukraine has had a direct impact here in the United Kingdom
The overnight attacks came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed changes to a US-backed peace plan.
Kyiv and its allies in Europe have been pushing the US to amend the plan, fearing it concedes too much to Russia.
Both the Ukraine and the US have signalled progress in recent days, with Zelensky issuing another optimist message late last night.
He said the plan, which had originally featured 28 items, had been slimmed down and “many of the right elements have been taken into account”.
Zelensky wrote on social media: “Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable.”
Suggesting further talks with Trump are planned, Zelensky wrote: “Our team has reported on the new draft of steps, and this is indeed the right approach โ I will discuss the sensitive issues with President Trump.”
US and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the plan. Russian representatives did not take part in the meeting and dismissed the amendments as “completely unconstructive”.
Good morning and welcome to our ongoing coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine launched strikes overnight, with each side reporting deaths.
The full picture is still emerging but it appears these were significant attacks – we’ll bring you all the latest as details are confirmed.
The fighting continues even as talks aimed at ending the war appear to gather pace.
Last night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed changes his negotiators have secured to a US-backed proposal to end the war.
The original draft of that plan triggered nervousness in Kyiv and around Europe as it was widely viewed as being too favourable to Russia.