The Kremlin has described Ukraine’s push to join NATO as one of the “root causes” of the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out Ukrainian membership in the Western defensive alliance. Zelensky is searching for compromises that could secure a peace deal to end Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Ukraine said its naval drones damaged a Russian submarine in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, in a special operation it claimed was the first such attack.

The founder of Russia's opposition Yabloko party, which wants a ceasefire in Ukraine, has said his party will keep campaigning despite the arrest of two senior figures, a move he said was meant to derail it before next year's parliamentary election.

The European Union is set to lock up Russia’s assets in Europe until Russia ends its war on Ukraine and compensates for the damage.

The latest overnight attacks come as US envoy Steve Witkoff prepares to hold more talks with Ukraine's president.

The Russian submarine was allegedly carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia has used in devastating strikes on critical infrastructure and military targets across Ukraine. The SBU said the submarine was “put out of action” as a result of the blast. The FT could not independently verify the claim.

Ukraine has used long-range drones to attack Russian oil platforms as it expands its strikes on the country's energy sector.

A senior Kremlin official says Russian police and the National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas even if a peace settlement ends the war.