US to know whether Russia 'serious about peace' with Ukraine in coming weeks, Rubio says US, Russia make 'significant progress' towards Ukraine ceasefire deal, Kremlin negotiator claims Trump's team advises against calling Putin until Russia agrees to Ukraine ceasefire,

The Trump administration says it will soon be clear if Russia's Vladimir Putin really wants a peace deal in Ukraine, as France and Britain accuse him of playing for time.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Friday that he had met with an envoy for President Vladimir Putin this week and sent him back to Moscow with a message: the clock is ticking on when there needs to be a breakthrough in the peace talks to end the Ukraine war.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian ballistic missile strike Friday on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed at least 14 people and injured more than 50, Ukrainian officials said, as U.S. and European leaders pressed Russia to accept a ceasefire in the conflict.

A Russian missile attack killed at least 18 people, including nine children, in a residential area of the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, local officials said, but Russia's Defence Ministry said it had targeted a military gathering there.

The strike hit a residential neighborhood, setting buildings on fire and causing severe damage, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.