As Ukraine and Russia prepare for peace talks scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, few observers expect a breakthrough. While the U.S. and Ukraine have pushed for an unconditional ceasefire, the Kremlin has rejected it.

Ukraine attacks elite Russian unit base nearly 7,000km away in Vladivostok, source claims Ukraine ready for 2nd round of Istanbul talks but seeks Russian draft memo in advance, Yermak says Senate to 'start moving' Russia sanctions bill next week,

International nonprofit organisation Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said one of its vessels left the Italian port of Catania on Sunday, heading for Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, after a previous attempt failed due to a drone attack on a separate ship in the Mediterranean.

The US representative to the United Nations told the UN Security Council on May 29 that the deal now on offer to end the war in Ukraine is the best possible outcome for Russia and President Vladimir Putin should take it.

Ukraine has received 16 Deep Tracker Revolution drones designed to aid in clearing mines from water bodies. It is estimated that about 53,282 square miles of Ukrainian territory is potentially contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance,

Russia is prepared to consider a ceasefire in Ukraine to pave the way for a lasting settlement, but during any truce Moscow wants Western states to stop arming Kyiv and for Ukraine to stop mobilising troops,

French President Emmanuel Macron made the remarks as the U.S. is considering withdrawing troops from Europe to shift them to the Indo-Pacific.