Ukraine LIVE: Putin demolished in brutal five-word takedown as Russian airstrikes kill two

Roughly 8,000 personnel from the Norwegian Armed Forces, US Marines, and NATO allies are participating in Exercise Joint Viking 25 in northern Norway.

The large-scale winter warfare exercise, scheduled for March 2025, aims to enhance interoperability and readiness among allied forces in Arctic conditions, with the drills leant added significance as a result of ongoing tensions with Russia.

Training commenced in January, with forces conducting unit-level cold-weather training to prepare for the demanding terrain and climate.

Greece's Defence Minister has announced plans for a €25 billion (£21bn) splurge on military spending, as the country seeks to beef up its security.

The announcement, coming at a time of high global tensions and fears Russia may launch another attack on Europe prompting World War 3, marks a radical change in policy and was described by Nikos Dendias as "an existential issue for the country".

The new commitment to military spending comes after major government defence cuts between 2010 and 2018 in the wake of the financial crisis that gripped the country.

Greece aims to move away from traditional defence systems to a high-tech, networked strategy.

Mr Barrot criticised Russia for persistently striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and committing war crimes.

He stressed that Russia must respond decisively, either accepting or rejecting the ceasefire proposal.

Additionally, Putin's recent call-up of 160,000 conscripts indicated no intention of halting the war.

Both foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s armed forces as they strengthen their defenses in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Britain and France have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of delaying ceasefire talks, with both nations calling for an immediate response from Moscow regarding a proposed 30-day halt in fighting.

Russian officials have dismissed the US proposal, describing peace efforts as a prolonged process.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that Putin is stalling and continuing aggressive actions against Ukraine, including attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Mr Lammy said that while Putin should be accepting a ceasefire, “he continues to bombard Ukraine. It’s civilian population. It’s energy supplies. We see you, Vladimir Putin. We know what you are doing.”

French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised that Ukraine accepted ceasefire terms weeks ago, and now Russia owes the US a clear answer.

At least two people were killed and dozens injured in Russian drone strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian authorities reported.

The strikes targeted residential and office buildings, sparking fires and leaving 35 people wounded, including a child.

The attack is part of a broader escalation in aerial assaults, with Russia and Ukraine continuing to intensify their conflict.

Additionally, five more people were injured in attacks across the Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv regions.

More F-16 fighter jets are being prepared for transfer to Ukraine, US General Christopher Cavoli has confirmed.

The aircraft, which have been essential in intercepting Russian missiles and launching strikes against enemy positions, have primarily been supplied by northern European countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark.

Although the US has trained Ukrainian pilots, the jets themselves have not come from America, Cavoli said.

With further commitments from nations like Belgium and Norway, Ukraine's air force continues to strengthen its capabilities in the ongoing conflict.

President Donald Trump confirmed he had fired several National Security Council (NSC) officials after far-right activist Laura Loomer raised concerns about their loyalty, including those involved in Ukraine-related policy.

Ms Loomer, who met with Mr Trump in the Oval Office, urged the president to purge staff she deemed insufficiently loyal to his “Make America Great Again” agenda.

Mr Trump downplayed Ms Loomer’s influence, stating staff were let go for not performing adequately or having divided loyalties. The firings come as Mr Trump faces mounting scrutiny over his national security team’s use of the Signal app to plan operations in Yemen, raising concerns over security procedures.

Ms Loomer, a vocal critic of the NSC, took credit for the dismissals, linking them to her own efforts to root out disloyal staff within the White House, especially as tensions over Ukraine escalate.

Donald Trump did not add Russia to the list of 180 nations now facing retaliatory tariffs, despite including of US allies and war-torn Ukraine.

Following the US president's "Liberation Day" announcement, a White House official told Washington DC outlet NOTUS' that Russia was spared due to existing sanctions over the war, which have effectively nullified trade between the two countries.

However, Kyiv is now bracing for a 10% retaliatory tariff, along with numerous other nations once part of the Soviet Union. The White House has been quick to justify its decision to exclude Russia from the sweeping new tariffs that take effect today.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained to Axios that current US sanctions against Moscow have already cut off any significant trade, making additional tariffs redundant.

Stay tuned for regular updates about the ongoing war in Ukraine and its fallout.

The United States and Russia have made “significant progress” on a possible Ukraine ceasefire, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev has claimed, after two days of talks in Washington with officials from Donald Trump’s administration.

Mr Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said discussions were “constructive and respectful” and also touched on economic ties, Arctic cooperation, rare earth metals and restoring direct flights.

He said US firms were eager to replace European companies that had exited the Russian market, although he provided no further details. American officials have not yet responded to those assertions.

The talks came as figures in Mr Trump’s inner circle reportedly urged caution over any direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin before a full ceasefire is secured.