Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says invitation to join Nato is ‘only way’ to end Putin’s war
Zelensky says Putin ‘only understands power’ and a formal Nato invitation would boost Ukrainian morale
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A formal invitation for Ukraine to join Nato is “the only way” to end Russia’s war, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“We cannot be very strong without having an invitation [which] strengthens our diplomatic ways to end the war,” he told the Financial Times. “This war will finish when Putin will be isolated, and pushed by other partners to diplomacy.”
Earlier, Mr Zelensky said his spy agency has information that 10,000 troops from North Korea are being readied to join Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
“From our intelligence we’ve got information that North Korea sent tactical personnel and officers to Ukraine,” he said during a visit to Nato’s headquarters. “They are preparing on their land 10,000 soldiers, but they didn’t move them already to Ukraine or to Russia.”
A third nation wading into the hostilities would be “the first step to a world war”, Mr Zelensky said.
On the frontline, Ukrainian forces repelled 36 of 45 ground attacks near the strategic city of Kurakhove over the past 24 hours and nine clashes were still going on, Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said on Friday morning.
Watch: Ukrainian men dragged out of nightclubs by army recruiters
Russia releases man whose daughter’s drawing opposed Ukraine war
Russia finally releases man whose daughter’s drawing opposed Ukraine war
Moskalyov’s troubles began after his daughter drew a picture of missiles flying over a Russian flag
Senior US official warns of North Korean nuclear threats and help for Russia
Senior US official warns of North Korean nuclear threats and help for Russia
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says that Washington and its allies are “alarmed” by North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats as well as its increasing military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, but said he couldn’t confirm Ukrainian claims that Pyongyang was also sending soldiers to fight for Moscow
A glance at Ukraine's plan aimed at nudging Russia into talks to end the war
A glance at Ukraine's plan aimed at nudging Russia into talks to end the war
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has partially revealed his five-point plan aimed at prompting Russia to end the war through negotiations
Zelensky unveils his ‘victory plan’ to end Putin’s invasion at Ukraine’s parliament
Zelensky unveils his ‘victory plan’ to end Putin’s invasion at Ukraine’s parliament
Russian forces launch one of their largest drone salvos at Ukraine in recent months
UK makes new commitment on European defence in deal with Estonia
The UK’s involvement in European air defence and long-range missile development is a sign of the “new determination to work more closely” with continental allies, defence secretary John Healey has said.
Thousands of UK troops will be put on stand-by to deploy to Estonia’s border with Russia under a new agreement Britain has signed with the Baltic nation in another sign of the commitment to European defence, Mr Healey said at a meeting of Nato counterparts.
Arriving at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Mr Healey said: “Today, we will make the commitment to reinforce Nato’s eastern flank with a new plan alongside Estonia for our forces there.
“And we will make a commitment, a UK commitment, to bolstering the future of Europe’s defences, leading a new initiative to net together the European air defence systems and to work together with other European allies to develop long-range missiles.
“This is part of the UK’s new determination to work more closely with other European allies on security for the future, and Europe’s security is guaranteed by this Nato alliance.”
Norway to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets ‘in near future’, Kyiv says
Norway will supply six F-16 jets to Ukraine “in the near future”, Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov has said, following talks with his Norwegian counterpart Bjoern Arild Gram.
Video report: Ukrainian emergency workers search rubble after Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia
Full report: US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies accused of helping make Russian attack drones
US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies accused of helping make Russian attack drones
The U.S. Treasury has announced sanctions against two Chinese makers of drone engines and parts that the Biden administration says directly helped Russia build long-range attack drones used in the war in Ukraine
Labour MP says broadband better in Ukraine than London
A Labour MP has claimed she has experienced better internet connection in wartorn Ukraine than she does in central London.
Warning that broadband speeds “could be much better”, Labour MP Cat Eccles told the Commons: “In fact, when I was recently in Ukraine I experienced far better internet connectivity than I do in central London and Stourbridge town centre.
“So our European neighbours are enjoying much faster broadband while we languish behind, and Stourbridge residents have been left at the mercy of these third party companies.”
Technology minister Sir Chris Bryant said the government aspires to European levels of broadband, adding that some “cowboy” broadband companies should be told they’re “drinking in the last chance saloon”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments