But the pause in U.S. aid served as a dramatic wake-up call: the most crucial factor in determining how long and how effectively Ukraine will be able to defend against Russian attacks in the coming months will be the extent to which European powers step up to fill in any gaps.

Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors and said new elections could be held under external governance.

The small incursion targets the Belgorod region, according to Ukrainian officials, analysts of open-source intelligence and Russian military bloggers. The advance comes as cease-fire talks continue.

An estimated 20,000 children from Ukraine have been forcibly taken to Russia, a tragedy absent from recent talks between the Kremlin and the White House

Following Volodymyr Zelenskyy's heated White House meeting with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance on Feb. 28, world leaders and U.S. allies quickly spoke up in defense of Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said “several” nations other than France and Britain want to be part of the armed force but added, “It is not unanimous.”

Nigel Farage has sought to distance himself from Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine, saying the US president risks turning Vladimir Putin “into a winner”. The Reform UK leader told the BBC’s Today programme he “would not be 100% with where (Mr Trump’s) team is right now” as the US appears to be withdrawing support from Kyiv.

Trump will speak with Putin on Tuesday about ending the Ukraine war, territorial disputes, and power plants amid rising global tensions.