Russia and Ukraine exchanged drone attacks, with five people dead in the strikes, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was optimistic about military progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country needs funds of more than $65 billion annually as it continues to battle against Russian forces. "Ukraine must tackle a deficit of $40 billion.

Mr Zelensky faced unprecedented pushback after signing a law that handed control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sapo) over to the prosecutor general, a position directly appointed by the president.

President Donald Trump insisted Friday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “will happen," even as the Kremlin ruled out talks between the two leaders in the near term.

President Trump said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold peace talks, but Russia said not to expect that soon. "It's going to happen," Trump told reporters,