Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump and Putin to discuss ‘dividing up assets’ in Ukraine as Kremlin confirms call – UK Times

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian president Vladimir Putin will talk to US president Donald Trump by phone tomorrow.

Trump had said earlier that he planned to speak to Putin on Tuesday and discuss ending the war in Ukraine after what he said had been positive talks between Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, and the Russian leader in Moscow.

Asked about the planned call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Yes, that’s how it is. Such a conversation is planned for Tuesday.”

Europe’s latest tranche of loans approved for Ukraine is “further proof” of its united stand with Kyiv against Russia, Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal has claimed.

The European Union announced this morning it had approved the third instalment from the Ukraine Facility, which was valued at €3.5 billion (£2.9 billion). The programme, which entered into force on 1 March last year, will provide Ukraine with up to €50bn in grants and loans to Ukraine until 2027. Thus far, Ukraine has received around €20bn.

Mr Shmyhal described this as “further proof of Europe’s strategic support for our state”.

He wrote on X: “EU countries are strengthening our resilience and accelerating European integration.

“Ukraine is not only fighting for its freedom today, but we are also shaping the future of a strong and united Europe. We are counting on the swift disbursement of funds. Together, we will ensure the future of peace and security in Europe.”

Ukrainian firefighters and emergency workers have been pictured battling flames in the northeast Kharkiv region following a Russian drone attack overnight.

The strikes hit a storehouse in the Chuhuyiv district, roughly 20 miles southeast of the region’s namesake capital. A subsequent fire engulfed an area of around one kilometre squared.

Russia’s military intelligence service was behind an arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius in 2024, a prosecutor in the Baltic country has revealed.

The attack was one of several fires last year across Europe and in the UK at warehouses and shopping malls.

European security services, including in the UK, suggested at the time that this was a concerted Russian effort.

Foreign minister Cho Tae-yul held a phone call on Monday with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and discussed the handling of North Korean prisoners of war, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.

Cho reaffirmed Seoul’s efforts to support the Ukrainian people and said Seoul would accept North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine if they wish to go to South Korea, the ministry said.