Ukraine-Russia war live: Trump finally agrees to meet Zelensky as Romania scrambles jets against Russia drone

US vice-president Kamala Harris said calls for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia were “dangerous and unacceptable” as she met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The comments from the Democratic nominee for president were thinly veiled criticism of suggestions from Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, that Ukraine should quickly cut a deal to end the war.

“They are not proposals for peace,” Ms Harris said. “Instead they are proposals for surrender.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of the many friends his country has in Washington, “who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukrainians in the fight for freedom and independence” after meeting senators from both US parties.

US president Joe Biden has insisted that Ukraine will win the war against Russia, after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart at the White House in Washington.

“We stand with Ukraine, now and in the future,” Mr Biden said alongside Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

“Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail.”

Full report:

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tumultuous relationship with US former president Donald Trump has continued to deteriorate.

Instead of meeting Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump criticised him on Wednesday, complaining that “we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal” to end the war.

His message dovetails with Russian propaganda that claims intransigence by Kyiv - not aggression from Moscow - has prolonged the bloodshed.

“Every time Zelensky comes to the US he walks away with a hundred billion dollars. I think he’s the greatest salesman on Earth,” Mr Trump said.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky huddled with US leaders to shore up American support for his country’s fight against Russia as the war faces a partisan reckoning in this year’s presidential election.

Vice-president Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has pledged to continue sending military assistance to Ukraine if she’s elected.

She is also due to meet Mr Zelensky after his meeting with president Joe Biden, who announced billions of dollars more in missiles, drones, ammunition and other supplies, including an extra Patriot missile defence battery and glide bombs that can be deployed from Western fighter jets, increasing their strike range.

“The United States will provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war,” Mr Biden said in a statement, pledging to ensure that all approved funding is disbursed before he leaves office in January.

Mr Zelensky also met politicians from both US parties. At Capitol Hill, he was greeted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s east have killed at least three people and injured five more, regional authorities say.

One person was killed and three others wounded near the town of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region governor Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram messenger.

Russian troops have been pressing their assault on the town for months.

Overnight, he added, two people were killed and two injured in Russian shelling of nearby Toretsk.

Moscow’s troops have been steadily inching forward towards the strategic hub of Pokrovsk, and recently advanced towards the town of Vuhledar, further to the south.

US president Joe Biden has announced that together with allies, his country will aim to disrupt what he called “a global cryptocurrency network” to combat Russian sanctions evasion and money-laundering.

Mr Biden said he would convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month to coordinate efforts of more than 50 countries supporting Kyiv.

He also ordered the Pentagon to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including by supporting the training of an additional 18 pilots next year.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described Vladimir Putin’s warning to the West about nuclear weapons use irresponsible and poorly timed as world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly.

“It’s totally irresponsible,” Mr Blinken told MSNBC. “I think many in the world have spoken clearly about that when he’s been rattling the nuclear sabre - including China, in the past.

“So I would just say especially to do that now, while the world’s gathered... talking about the need for more disarmament, non-proliferation.”