Russian forces launched a mass drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, late on Wednesday, injuring nine people and causing considerable damage, emergency services and officials said. Emergency services,

The U.S. reached deals with Ukraine and Russia to pause their attacks over the Black Sea and against each other's energy targets, but it was not clear when and how the deals would come into force.

The Trump administration has restarted diplomatic conversations with Russia regarding the U.S.'s interest in seeing an end to their war in Ukraine.

The European Commission statement on Wednesday came after the US said it had agreed a ceasefire with Russia and Ukraine, covering energy infrastructure and the Black Sea. The Kremlin later claimed the agreement was dependent on dropping sanctions including those imposed on Rosselkhozbank,

"The end of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine and the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine will be one of the main pre-conditions to amend or lift sanctions,

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Ukraine could be placed under a form of temporary administration to allow for new elections and the signature of key accords with the aim of reaching a settlement in the war,

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday warned Russia was still showing a "desire for war" despite efforts to forge a ceasefire in Ukraine, ahead of a summit aimed at boosting