Overview

• U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres urged an immediate halt to strikes on civilians in Ukraine and reported more than 14,000 confirmed civilian deaths and over 36,000 wounded.
• Ukraine, the European Union and 36 other countries issued a joint appeal calling on Russia to stop the killings and enter meaningful negotiations with Kyiv.
• After meeting Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said both agreed on the need to quickly shrink Russia’s fossil‑fuel revenues, with the EU’s 19th sanctions package targeting LNG imports and energy traders.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is acting as a mediator and is holding off new sanctions for now, as Trump separately warned the U.S. is ready to impose powerful tariffs if Moscow resists a deal.
• President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is routing long‑range drones via Belarus to probe European air defenses and test NATO responses.