"We are waiting for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's agreement and we agree that if there is no real progress this week, we want to work together at European level for a significant tightening of sanctions," Merz said at a news conference with his Greek counterpart.

Ukrainian officials say Russia launched more than 100 drones, rejecting calls for a ceasefire as Zelenskyy says he'll "be waiting for Putin" to join him for direct talks in Turkey.

A Ukrainian military spokesperson said the deployment signals that Russian forces are facing some trouble in Chasiv Yar.

WASHINGTON/RIYADH/ANTALYA (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg will travel to Istanbul for potential talks on Thursday on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine, three sources familiar with the plans said on Tuesday.

We’re happy to announce that Paul Schemm will become our next Russia/Ukraine editor, leading coverage of a conflict that has upended the global balance of power and will pose a challenge to Europe and the United States for years to come.

The weapon is made with a model aircraft engine available for approximately $16,000, according to the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate.

However, the FAB-500 munition crashed to earth on the Russian side just over 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the Ukrainian border. It landed two kilometres from the village of Ivica, but miraculously did not explode and injure anyone. Local sources reported that the half-ton bomb was quickly removed and destroyed by military engineers.