Ukraine-Russia latest: Zelensky warns of missile shortage and says Putin will benefit from Iran war

Russia is ramping up its offensive efforts and taking advantage of more favourable weather conditions, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

The Ukrainian president also stated that Russia was trying to advance the border in occupied areas.

“As a result, the only tangible outcome for the Russian army has been an increase in their losses – more than 8,000 killed and seriously wounded Russian soldiers in just these seven days.” the Ukrainian president said.

“We also have information that the Russian command has finally managed to figure out where their units are actually located on the frontline and how this differs from the official reports submitted up the chain of command.”

“Some of their brigade-level commanders have already been replaced as punishment for false reporting. However, this will not help the occupier.

“In the Donetsk region, our positions have not significantly changed over the past week. In the Kharkiv region and in border communities of the Sumy region, we are observing attempts by the occupier to advance from the border – Russian units carrying out these attempts are being destroyed.”

“In the Oleksandrivskyi direction, active operations by our assault and airborne units continue – I thank every warrior.”

Talks between the US and Ukraine concluded in Miami on Friday, with Volodymyr Zelensky suggesting after the meeting that a new prisoner of war exchange could be possible.

Following the discussions, Chief Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said: “We continued discussing key issues and the next steps within the negotiation track. Particular attention was paid to aligning approaches for further progress toward practical results.”

The Ukrainian president has pushed the US for trilateral negotiations with Russia to resume.

In a post on social media, Zelensky said: “It is important that none of us is forced to return to war in a few months or years, which means that security guarantees for Ukraine and for all of Europe must be sufficient for a reliable peace.

“I expect that after the negotiating team returns to Ukraine, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the meetings, which for now cannot be safely discussed over the phone.

“There are signals that further exchanges may be possible, and this would be good news and confirmation that diplomacy is working. We hope this will happen.”

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Talks between Ukraine and the US are set to continue on Sunday after the two sides met in Miami yesterday.

Chief Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said the two countries spoke about the next steps within the negotiation track, as Kyiv pushes for trilateral negotiations with Russia to resume.

Following Saturday’s talks, he said: “Particular attention was paid to aligning approaches for further progress toward practical results.”

The US negotiating team included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

In his nightly video address, Volodymyr Zelensky said pursuing the talks was critical to clinching a deal.

“It is important for all of us in the world that diplomacy continues and that we are trying to end this war. … No one wants this war.

“The most important thing is to understand how ready the Russian side is to move toward a real end to the war and whether they are prepared to do so honestly and decently.”

Zelensky has said Ukraine will support peace talks on “any date and any place, but certainly not in Russia”.

Discussing negotiations on Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg, he said: “Our group is talking to the American side every day. I know that Americans are talking to the Russians every day too.

“The American side, because of this war in Iran, said that it was ready to host both sides in America. We confirmed our participation, but the Russians are against meeting in the United States of America.

“That’s why, for the time being, we’re trying to focus on America proposing a date and place. Ukraine will support any date and any place, but certainly not in Russia.”

Russia has fired close to 1,550 drone attacks against Ukraine, and more than 1,260 guided aerial bombs over the past week, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

“Over that same week, due to the easing of sanctions, Russia increased its crude oil sales to finance its war,” the Ukrainian president added.

At least six civilians have been killed and 29 others injured by Russian attacks over the past day, local authorities reported.

Volodymyr Zelensky said easing sanctions on Russia have resulted in an increase in Russia’s crude oil sales, which are helping finance its invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president has urged allies to continue applying pressure on Russia, saying its shadow fleet must not feel safe.

He said: “Revenues give Russia a sense of impunity and the ability to continue the war.

“That is why pressure must continue and sanctions must work. Russia’s shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters or anywhere else.

“Tankers that serve the war budget can and must be stopped and blocked, not just let go. I thank every leader who makes such decisions. This is what brings a dignified peace closer.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of a missile shortage and says Putin will benefit from a “long war” in Iran.

Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he said:

He has a “very bad feeling” about the impact of the war in the Middle East on the efforts to end the conflict in UkraineDonald Trump is “concentrating on Iran” and trilateral peace talks are “constantly postponed”He added that there will “definitely be a deficit” of Patriot missiles available to come to Ukraine’s aid if needed, saying it presents “another challenge”Called for Starmer and Trump to meet to “reload the relationship”, saying we need a strong NATO that is “ready to defend”