Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump-backed peace talks ‘constructive,’ Putin’s envoy claims after Kyiv hits Russian ship

At least two vessels and two piers were damaged as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region, authorities in the southern Russia region said today.

All crew on the ships at the Volna terminal in the region have been safely evacuated, the Krasnodar region’s operational headquarters said on the Telegram messaging app. The damage led to a fire spreading across up to 1,500 square metres (1,794 square yards), the authorities added.

Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:

Swedish authorities boarded a sanctioned Russian freighter that anchored in Swedish waters with engine problems overnight, the country’s customs service said on Sunday.

Sweden carried out an inspection of the cargo aboard the Adler, which is subject to both EU and US sanctions. Authorities declined to say what they found on board the ship.

The owners are also on the EU’s sanctions list, a spokesperson for the customs authority said.

Ukraine’s president Zelensky said that Russia had launched approximately 2,500 aerial attacks against Ukraine in the last week alone.

These included 1,300 attack drones, nearly 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and 9 missiles of various types, he said.

France is contemplating how to restart dialogue with Russia after Putin said he was open to talking to president Emmanuel Macron.

“It is welcome that the Kremlin has given its public approval to this approach. We will decide in the coming days on the best way to proceed,” the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.

The shift in diplomacy comes just two days after Macron suggested Europe would have to step up and talk directly to Putin if US talks fail.

The latest round of talks to end the war have been ongoing since November, but clear sticking points remain around territory and security guarantees.

The talks between Ukraine and the US have centred on Kyiv’s insistence that it needs security guarantees to end the war.

Ukraine also says it will not and legally cannot give up territory seized by Russia.

Moscow has shown no signs of backing down from its demands, however.

Russia opposes Europe putting boots on the ground to uphold peace in Ukraine when the war ends. That makes it tricky for Europe to offer tangible security guarantees.

Russia has gone into talks this week publicly refusing to budge on claims to the Donbas, Crimea and land in the south.

The two sides are stuck in gridlock with Trump pressuring Kyiv to give up land for a peace deal, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Ukraine’s leverage comes from Europe, which continues to offer funding and work on ‘security guarantees’.

Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:

US intelligence reports continue to warn that Putin has not abandoned his aims of taking all of Ukraine and parts of Europe, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence said this week.

The reports present a starkly different picture from that painted by Donald Trump, who says Putin wants to end the conflict.

The intelligence also contradicts the Russian leader’s denials that he is a threat to Europe.

The U.S. findings have been consistent since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022.

They largely align with the views of European leaders and spy agencies.

France will build a new, larger and more modern aircraft carrier to replace the ageing Charles de Gaulle carrier, Macron confirmed today.

The programme, known as “Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération” (PANG), is set to cost around 10.25 billion euros.

France says the new vessel will be operational by 2038, when the Charles de Gaulle is expected to retire. Work on nuclear propulsion components began last year.

France, the EU’s only nuclear power, is among the few European nations owning an aircraft carrier alongside Britain, Italy and Spain.