The Latest Breaking News from Sergei Lavrov

At least 12 dead after strikes; Donald Trump calls on Putin to ‘stop’; Zelenskyy holds firm on Crimea. What we know on day 1,157

THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: Far from ending the war in Ukraine in ‘24 hours’, the US president has demonstrated that he and his team are inept at facilitating meaningful peace negotiations

In a potential breakthrough, US, European and Ukrainian leaders meeting in Paris have hailed a renewed push to end the war in Ukraine as a constructive step toward peace. France said the talks marked the start of a “positive process” and confirmed a follow-up summit in London next week.

The US vice-president dismissed as ‘absurd’ the suggestion from Ukraine’s president that he had somehow sought to ‘justify’ Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

Environment minister says experts ‘actively working’ to prevent leaks in wake of February attack; Russian foreign minister praises Donald Trump for his understanding of the conflict. What we know on day 1,145

Russia and Ukraine’s top diplomats have used a high-level conference in Turkey to once again trade accusations of violating a tentative U.S.-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure

While Beijing has publicly maintained a neutral stance, China continues to provide diplomatic and economic support to Russia.

Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi will visit Russia next week for talks on issues including the resolution of the war in Ukraine, both countries said on Friday.

Russian foreign minister’s comments come after Kyiv and Moscow agree to maritime ceasefire, despite Kremlin citing need for sanctions relief first. What we know on day 1,127

Trump says negotiators have already discussed ‘dividing up certain assets’ and that he will talk to Putin on Tuesday

Defence minister says Ukraine ‘systematically transforming’ its military; Macron says allied security force does not need Russia’s blessing. What we know on day 1,118