Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky warns Putin is planning fresh ground invasion as Moscow’s troops gather on Sumy border

President of Finland Alexander Stubb has stated the probabilities of Vladimir Putin coming into peace negotiations are “abysmal”.

Requested concerning the Russian president’s willingness to enter peace talks, he informed the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “I feel the probabilities are abysmal. I don’t suppose Putin doesn’t desire a ceasefire. Putin doesn’t need peace.

“His unique intention was principally to destroy the impartial sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Principally to have Ukraine ceasing to exist. He hasn’t modified his intention and that is what all of us across the desk have to know.

“That’s why we’ve to maximise the strain on Putin which suggests extra sanctions which suggests utilizing the frozen property and which really means militarising Ukraine to the enamel.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Putin may very well be planning an assault into Ukraine’s Sumy area.

On Saturday, Zelensky stated Moscow had accrued troops on the jap border of Ukraine, indicating an “intention to assault our Sumy area”.

“We’re additionally observing instructions alongside our jap border of Ukraine, the place the Russian military is build up forces,” Zelensky wrote on X.

“This means an intention to assault our Sumy area. We’re conscious of this, and can counter it. I would really like all companions to know precisely what Putin is planning, what he’s making ready for, and what he might be ignoring.”

Former UK nationwide safety adviser Lord Peter Ricketts has stated {that a} European pressure in Ukraine is a “appreciable threat” with out US help.

He informed Sky Information’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “To be credible, a deterrent pressure must be prepared to battle, so are we really saying that this pressure may sooner or later should battle the Russians in Ukraine? I feel it is a real query.

“And the way in which to keep away from it, in fact, is to have a forged iron American assure that if the pressure acquired into bother, the People would are available and help. That is what the backstop means.

“I simply do not suppose Trump goes to present that type of dedication, so whereas I love the work going into this, and perhaps there are methods that European forces might help in Ukraine… I feel a fashioned preventing pressure is a substantial threat with out an American clear assure.”

Extra particulars concerning the help the ‘coalition of the prepared’ is planning to supply have been revealed.

In line with The Occasions, two minehunter ships which have been transferred from the Royal Navy to Ukraine final 12 months are able to be deployed as a part of the potential peacekeeping pressure.

The paper reported that the ships are participating in coaching workout routines to arrange for deployment to the Black Sea – which they’ve been unable to enter because of the conflict shutting the Bosphorus Strait.

Over 10,000 troops may very well be deployed as a part of the ‘coalition of the prepared’ peacekeeping pressure in Ukraine, studies have advised.

Sir Keir Starmer reportedly gained over quite a few international locations in his digital summit on Saturday, which mentioned plans for Western troops to be deployed to implement a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia.

A senior authorities supply informed The Occasions that Starmer has now obtained help from “significantly extra” than the three international locations that originally backed sending troops on the bottom.

Round 35 international locations have agreed to provide weapons, logistical and intelligence help, as army supply informed the paper that the pressure may very well be “comfortably north of 10,000”.

Italy has no plans to deploy peacekeeping forces on the bottom in Ukraine to help a possible ceasefire, prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s workplace introduced on Saturday.

Regardless of becoming a member of Starmer’s ‘coalition of the prepared’ assembly on Saturday, the place members mentioned sending troops within the occasion of a deal, Italy have dominated out sending their very own forces.

“The Prime Minister confirmed that Italy intends to proceed working with European and Western companions and with the USA to outline credible and efficient safety ensures, reiterating that nationwide participation in a attainable army pressure on the bottom isn’t envisaged,” the assertion stated.

It was not sure whether or not Meloni would be part of Saturday’s assembly, as she had been crucial of plans to deploy a peacekeeping pressure up to now.

Donald Trump has narrowed Normal Keith Kellogg’s position from particular envoy for Ukraine and Russia to solely Ukraine.

The choice comes after Russian officers had sought to exclude him from talks aiming to finish the conflict.

“Normal Kellogg, a Extremely Revered Army Skilled, will deal straight with President Zelensky, and Ukrainian management,” Trump stated in a publish on Fact Social.

“He is aware of them properly, and so they have an excellent working relationship collectively.”

Russia launched 90 drones in an in a single day assault on Ukraine in a single day, Kyiv has stated.

Ukraine’s air defence models stated it shot down 47 of the 90 drones and that 33 drones have been misplaced “in reference to the Ukrainian army utilizing digital warfare to redirect them”.

Harm was reported in 4 areas within the north, centre and south of the nation, the air pressure stated with out offering particulars.

It’s unclear what was included in that letter, however former senior British officers who give attention to Russia have advised to The Unbiased that Moscow will try to extract maximal demands from Washington in change for a ceasefire.