Ukraine LIVE: Russian on Channel ship waves machine gun as Moscow issues horror warning

8 mins ago11:22 Richard Ashmore

The United States is "destroying" the international rules-based order by trying to meet Russia "halfway", Ukraine's ambassador to the UK has warned.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi told a conference at the Chatham House think tank that recent steps by Washington towards Moscow were "a huge challenge", warning Nato could collapse and Europe could become Russian President Vladimir Putin's next target.

He said: "We see that it is not just the axis of evil and Russia trying to revise the world order, but the US is finally destroying this order."

Mr Zaluzhnyi, who took over as Kyiv's ambassador to London in 2024 following three years as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, also warned that the White House had "questioned the unity of the whole Western world" and suggested Nato could cease to exist as a result.

His comments come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attempts to repair relations with US President Donald Trump following a dramatic row between the two men in the Oval Office last week.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump signalled that tensions could be easing, telling Congress he had received a letter from Mr Zelensky saying he was ready to sign a peace deal "at any time".

But on the same day, the US president ordered a sudden freeze on shipments of US military aid to Ukraine and Washington has since paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv and halted cyber operations against Russia.

Mr Zaluzhnyi said the pause in cyber operations and an earlier decision by the US to oppose a UN resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine were "a huge challenge for the entire world".

He added that talks between the US and Russia - "headed by a war criminal" - showed the White House "makes steps towards the Kremlin, trying to meet them halfway", warning Moscow's next target "could be Europe".

9 mins ago11:21 Richard Ashmore

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked European nations for their support as he attended a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

Mr Zelensky said there had been backing "during all this period and last week, you stayed with us" - a reference to his White House falling out with US President Donald Trump.

"We are very thankful that we are not alone. These are not just words, we feel it," he said.

"You made a strong signal to the Ukrainian people, to Ukrainian warriors, to civilians, to all our families.

"It's great that we are not alone, we feel it, we know it."

19 mins ago11:11 Richard Ashmore

First daylight images have surfaced from inside the hotel where Brit aid workers were staying when Russian missiles hit overnight.

Rubble and damage can be seen at the five-storey building which is in the Kryvyi Rih city, in south central Ukraine.

Inside the hotel after the missile strike (Image: State Emergency Services of Ukraine )

22 mins ago11:08 Richard Ashmore

President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Brussels, Belgium, for a Special European Council meeting.

The summit brings all 27 EU leaders together for the first time since the explosive meeting between the US and Ukraine presidents on February 28 at the White House.

elgium's prime Minister Bart De Wever (R) greets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (Image: Getty )

Belgium's prime Minister Bart De Wever (R) greets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (Image: Getty )

2 hours ago09:45 Richard Ashmore

The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, and former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, met with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle at Westminster.

Ambassador Zaluzhnyi wrote on X: "Honored to visit the historic Palace of Westminster and meet Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

"Grateful for the UK’s steadfast support of Ukraine in our fight for freedom and democracy. Together, we stand united in defending our shared values and strengthening our partnership."

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, met with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle at Westminster (Image: Ukrainian Embassy )

2 hours ago09:39 Richard Ashmore

Vladimir Putin has appointed a new ambassador to Washington in a further sign relations between Russia and the Trump administration are beginning to warm.

Alexander Darchiev, who previously held the role in Canada, will be taking over in Washington after the Americans agreed to the move following a six-hour meeting in Istanbul last week.

There has been no Russian ambassador in the US since October 2024.

3 hours ago09:00 Richard Ashmore

Images have emerged showing the devastation after a Russian ballistic missile strike killed four people in a hotel where British and American aid workers were staying.

Emergency services raced to the scene after the projectile hit a five-storey hotel in Kryvyi Rih, southern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said British and American aid workers had just checked in before the explosion happened.

The hotel hit by a Russian missile (Image: State Emergency Services of Ukraine)

The hotel hit by a Russian missile (Image: State Emergency Services of Ukraine)

3 hours ago08:35 Richard Ashmore

The French intelligence service has said it has begun sharing information with Ukraine after the US announced it was no longer giving intel freely to the Ukrainians.

Intelligence sharing has allowed Ukraine to maintain air defences as it can give an early warning of Russian strikes and launches.

3 hours ago08:33 Richard Ashmore

Ukraine cannot get a lasting peace "without the support of the United States" a minister has said.

Sarah Jones told Sky News that the US is a "huge ally" that Britain works with "every single day" on security and trade.

She added: "We know in the conversations we are having on Ukraine, that we cannot have a lasting peace without the support of the United States, we need that relationship to be right. We are working - the Prime Minister is working to try and get an agreement that includes the EU and the US but of course must start and finish with Ukraine and what they want to do."

4 hours ago07:51 Richard Ashmore

The Ukrainian leader praised the emergency services after he said a Russian missile strike struck a hotel injuring more than 30 people.

Posting on X, the president wrote: "All night, a rescue operation continued in Kryvyi Rih at the site of a Russian missile strike. A ballistic missile struck an ordinary hotel.

"Just before the attack, volunteers from a humanitarian organisation – citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom – had checked into the hotel. They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms in time. Unfortunately, four people were killed in this attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones.

"In total, more than 30 people were injured, and all have received the necessary medical assistance. Many civilian buildings around the hotel were also damaged. Rescue workers are still on-site, and all emergency services continue to operate.

"I thank everyone who is on duty these days and nights, working and serving to save lives. My gratitude goes out to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Police, medical workers, emergency responders, and all those whose work helps save lives. There must be no pause in the pressure on Russia to stop this war and terror against life."

4 hours ago07:35 Richard Ashmore

The UK wants to act as an "honest broker" in securing peace in Ukraine, a minister has said.

Asked whether the Government regrets the US decision to withdraw intelligence sharing with Kyiv, industry minister Sarah Jones told Times Radio: "The role that we are playing in this situation is to be an honest broker, and the Prime Minister has been clear that that means we're not commenting on every twist and turn or comment that has been made overnight" adding "it wouldn't be the right thing to do."

She added: "We learnt in Northern Ireland how important it is when you are playing that honest broker role, to not be commenting on every twist and turn, but to be sticking to our principles which I think everybody in the country supports in terms of continuing to support Ukraine, playing that role to stop the fighting. And that means working with the US, working with France, working with others."

Asked whether it was a principle that intelligence should be shared with Ukraine, Ms Jones added: "We don't comment on intelligence matters, as I said. The principle is that we will support Ukraine. That is an unwavering position."

4 hours ago07:32 Richard Ashmore

Posting on X, Defence Secretary John Healey wrote: "The unique relationship between the UK and US is as strong as ever.

"At a crucial moment, we have a responsibility to deepen our defence relations and to work together to ensure any peace in Ukraine is lasting.

"That’s my message in Washington today."

4 hours ago07:29 Richard Ashmore

The UK Defence Secretary is expected to discuss the US decision to pause intelligence-sharing with Ukraine with his counterpart in Washington as European leaders hold crisis talks in Brussels on support for Kyiv.

John Healey will join Pete Hegseth on Thursday for a bilateral meeting on a possible peace plan while efforts continue to bridge a transatlantic rift over the country's future security.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would confer with allies about the prospect of using France's nuclear deterrent to protect the continent in the face of threats from Russia at a summit of EU leaders.

Mr Healey's trip was agreed last week after Sir Keir Starmer announced a rise in the UK's defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, and comes as the US suspended intelligence-sharing and military aid to Ukraine.

CIA director John Radcliffe told Fox Business Network on Wednesday there has been a "pause" on "the intelligence front" following Donald Trump's fractious Oval Office confrontation with Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

The decision could affect Ukraine's ability to effectively use long-range western weapons, such as US-made Himars launchers and deprive Kyiv of advance information about potential incoming threats.

As he arrived in the Capitol later in the day, Mr Healey was asked what he would say to his counterpart about the issue when they meet for talks.

"Those are discussions for tomorrow, but it's part of a two-day programme and we're working hard for peace," he said.

US national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Wednesday that Ukraine and America were still talking despite the pause.

"I just got off the phone with my counterpart, the Ukrainian national security adviser," he said.

"We are having good talks on location for the next round of negotiations, on delegations, on substance."

John Healey at earlier talks in Brussels (Image: Getty )

4 hours ago07:23 Richard Ashmore

War is still raging on the front line in Ukraine as Europe and America struggle to reach a pathway to peace.

The National Guard of Ukraine posted on X this morning (Thursday) that Kremlin forces had lost 1,140 soldiers in fierce fighting over the past 24 hours.

The losses they said included five tanks and seven combat vehicles, as well as 21 artillery systems.

A statement said: "On Wednesday, the amount of fighting on the front lines was almost the same as the previous day.

"The rate of destruction of enemy equipment is gradually returning to the average daily rate this year. The air defence of the occupiers is again missing Ukrainian strikes - two more installations were knocked out."

4 hours ago07:07 Richard Ashmore

Pictures showing civilian buildings ablaze have come out of Ukraine from last night as Russia missile and drone strikes continue.

Ukraine's ability to defend itself against aerial bombardment has been affected by Washington's decision to withdraw intelligence sharing.

Intel provided by the Americans helped Ukrainian air defences prepare for incoming Russia attacks and target drones and missiles.

A civilian building hit in Ukraine (Image: State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor of the United States, said " we have taken a step back" after it was confirmed the UK had paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

John Ratcliffe, CIA director, clarified that intelligence sharing could resume once Zelensky proved Trump he was serious about a peace deal.

Thank you for joining our live blog.

Last night, Emmanuel Macron described France as being in a "new era" in a televised address and said the country will have to make difficult decisions in the near future.

The French president is expected to head to Washington soon with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to present a "united front".