US envoy meets Putin – as Trump tells Russia to ‘get moving’ on peace deal

Thanks for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine today. 

Before we go, here’s everything you need to be aware of:

Massive military aid boost for Ukraine

NATO allies pledged nearly £20bn in additional military aid for Ukraine, it was announced today. 

That followed a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group – previously run by the US but now headed up by the UK’s John Healey.

He pledged a UK-led investment totalling £450m, before Germany revealed it would increase its commitment to Ukraine by nearly £10bn by 2029. 

European figures echoed recent rhetoric regarding the need to step up in terms of funding Ukraine while Donald Trump pulls back American interest. 

Russia must ‘get moving’ on peace

Speaking of Trump, the president told Russia it must hurry up when it comes to peace in Ukraine.

His comments came as his envoy, Steve Witkoff, flew to St Petersburg for talks with Vladimir Putin. 

The result of those talks has not been made public yet. 

Russia’s navy now ‘fitted with newest weapons’

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin claimed Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces are now fully fitted with the latest weapons and equipment.

Speaking at a meeting of military and civil officials in St Petersburg, the Russian leader said Moscow’s top priority has been to strengthen its naval strategic nuclear forces – which consist of atomic-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles.

“Undoubtedly, one of the top priorities is strengthening the key segment of our domestic fleet, which is its strategic nuclear forces, which serve as a crucial guarantee of Russia’s security and the preservation of global balance,” he said.

“In this regard, I would like to note that the part of modern weapons and equipment in Russia’s naval strategic nuclear forces has already reached 100%, and I want to emphasise that this level must be maintained going forward.”