Ukrainian officials say a missile and drone attack killed dozens, right as the U.S. Army secretary arrived to push for peace talks.

The sanctions were intended to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and bring an end to the war that began when Russia invaded in February 2022. U.S. officials on Thursday pointed to the price of key grades of Russian oil now selling at multiyear lows, citing publicly available data.

Carl Bildt, a former prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden, is one of Europe’s leading statesmen. The European: Mr. Bildt, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is one of the severest confrontations on European soil since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The UK confirmed it is shadowing Russia’s spy vessel Yantar with allied forces, signaling readiness to counter any potential threat near British waters.

Russian lawmakers have endorsed new tax hikes as Moscow tries to boost its economy during its almost four-year war with Ukraine.

Mounting economic hardship and growing public discontent could push Russia toward internal conflict, a senior Kremlin official has warned. The stark message comes as inflation, war fatigue, and social divisions deepen across the country.