Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Reuters

Today's visit to the White House isn't Nato Secretary General's Mark Rutte's first trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

He last came on 13 March, under remarkably different circumstances. That meeting, which came just weeks after Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky's infamous Oval Office meeting, came at a time in which Trump and the White House continued to insist that a ceasefire was perhaps just around the corner.

In an interview with Bloomberg shortly afterwards, Rutte called it "very positive" and said he felt there was an "absolutely clear commitment" towards the Nato alliance from Trump.

"I think good things are going to happen," Trump told reporters in the room. "I really do".

While he called the possibility of a 30-day ceasefire a "very smart plan", Rutte was also more cautious in his language.

"We are absolutely not there yet," he said.

As we've been reporting, today's meeting also comes after Nato member states committed to raise their defence spending to 5% of GDP, which is something Trump has long called for.

Image source, Reuters

In a new post of his Truth Social social media platform, President Trump says the US has been "ripped off" on trade and military spending for decades, claiming it has cost the country trillions of dollars.

"Countries should sit back and say: thank you for the many-years-long free ride, but we know you now have to do what’s right for America. We should respond by saying: thank you for understanding the situation we are in. Greatly appreciated!" he wrote.

Since he took office, Trump has been putting pressure on US allies to up their spending, specifically on defence.

Much of his criticism has been focused on Nato member states, of which the US has historically ranked among the highest in terms of military spending.

In response, Nato's 32 members have agreed to spend 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035.

Image source, STATE EMERGENCY OF UKRAINE/GETTY IMAGES

Four people have been killed by Russian strikes in Sumy, which borders Russia in north-eastern Ukraine, the region's administrator says.

"The number of injured people as a result of an enemy UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] strike on a medical facility in Sumy has increased to four", Oleg Grigorov says on social media.

Earlier on today, the Ukrainian state emergency service said two people had been killed and four more injured by Russian strikes on the region.

Pictures released by the emergency service show firefighters tackling burning buildings in the area.

Image source, STATE EMERGENCY OF UKRAINE/GETTY IMAGES

Image source, 'STATE EMERGENCY OF UKRAINE/GETTY IMAGES

Image source, Reuters

As we've been reporting, we’re expecting a “major” statement from Donald Trump later today, which could well be about the war in Ukraine.

But if you've just joined us, or are in need of a quick catch-up, here's the latest:

• Volodymyr Zelensky has just met with the US envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv. The pair enjoyed “productive” talks on strengthening Ukrainian defences, Zelensky says
• The comments come after Donald Trump suggested last night that the US would be sending Patriot missile defence systems to Ukraine
• US President Trump is due to meet Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte shortly, at 10:00 local time (15:00 BST)

• Meanwhile, Trump’s exasperation with Vladimir Putin is becoming increasingly clear, our White House reporter writes. The US president says Putin "talks nice but then he bombs everybody in the evening"

• However, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says it's very important the US continues mediation efforts, over Ukraine

Image source, Reuters

We've got a little more detail from Ukrainian President Zelensky's meeting today with the US envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

In a statement, the Ukrainian president's office says the pair have been discussing the prospect of a ceasefire, as well as the purchase of weapons to defend Ukraine.

It describes how the meeting "also focused on the overall front-line situation" as well as "the needs of Ukrainian warriors", for whom Kellogg expressed his respect.

The statement also says after Trump suggested the US would be sending Patriot missile defence systems to Ukraine, Zelensky "confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to purchase American weapons, particularly air defence systems".

"The parties also discussed joint drone production, the possibility of direct purchases of Ukrainian UAVs by the United States, and the potential for arms procurement in co-operation with European partners," it adds.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

We still don't have clear and precise details of what President Trump plans to announce later today. But some lawmakers have been vocally pushing him to announce additional sanctions on Russia.

One bipartisan bill, which has the support of 85 of 100 US senators, would levy extremely high tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that purchase Russian oil, gas and uranium.

One of the bill's authors, South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, has repeatedly described those tariffs as a "sledgehammer" that could bring Russia to the negotiating table.

"We're going after the people who keep Putin in business, and additional sanctions on Russia itself," Graham told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, adding "that's the money Putin used to prosecute the war".

Additionally, some lawmakers have hinted that the US, together with European allies, could access frozen Russian assets, including $5bn (£3.7bn) frozen by US authorities.

This money could then be used in a trust account for Ukraine to use.

The step, however, would be unprecedented. No US president has ever taken the central bank assets of a foreign country that the US is not at war with.

Image source, Getty

Germany's defence ministry says there are very positive signs from Washington on the sale of Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine.

A spokesperson says that talks are now being held on the logistics of the deal, which examines, among other things, "how many systems there will be, who will take them over and how they will be financed."

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will meet his US counterpart Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon later today.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

It's still early morning in the US, where President Trump will meet with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House at 10:00 local time (15:00 BST).

For the moment, that meeting is taking place behind closed-doors, with no access for the "pool" of White House reporters.

These meetings, however, often open up to reporters with little notice, meaning that it's still possible that we see Trump on camera.

At noon local time, Trump will also participate in a luncheon of the White House Faith Office. Journalists will be allowed into the event - and many are likely to fire questions about today's announcement in Trump's direction.

As always, we could also hear from Trump, at any point, via posts on Truth Social.

There is no White House briefing scheduled today.

Charlotte Gallagher
Reporting from Kyiv

An air raid alert sounded almost as soon as pictures were released of President Zelensky meeting the US special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Ukraine says it was a Russian fighter jet taking off.

The alert was over in minutes, but underlines - particularly to VIP visitors like Kellogg - the ongoing threat in the skies over Ukraine.

Ukrainians are used to these alerts, many have a smartphone app which warns them, and you can hear the public sirens blaring out.

Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent

While the Trump administration ponders the wisdom of sending more weapons to Ukraine, one of Russia’s most important allies is upping the scale of its involvement.

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has offered his “unconditional support” to Moscow, according to state media reports following a visit to Pyongyang by Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.

Last year, North Korea sent an estimated 11,000 troops to join the fight against Ukraine.

Earlier this month, some reports suggested that Pyongyang might send another 25,000 to 30,000 troops.

But North Korea has also become a vital source of ammunition for Russia.

Last week, the head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, told Bloomberg News that North Korea was supplying up to 40% of the ammunition Russia is using against Ukraine.

Ukraine says Russia is making use of a variety of North Korean long range artillery systems, including howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems.

Image source, Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has finished his meeting with US special envoy Keith Kellogg, and describes it as a "productive conversation".

Posting on X, external, Zelensky says the pair discussed what the US and Ukraine "can practically do" to bring peace to Ukraine closer.

"This includes strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, joint production, and procurement of defence weapons in collaboration with Europe. And of course, sanctions against Russia and those who help it," Zelensky says.

He goes on to add that Kyiv is hoping for US leadership, and "it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength."

Trump's mounting anger with the Kremlinpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time

12:07 BST

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In February, I had a chance to ask several questions to Donald Trump regarding the war in Ukraine and his relationship with Vladimir Putin.

The answers he gave at the time were starkly different in substance and tone to what we've been hearing from the US president recently.

At various points on Air Force One and at Mar-a-Lago, he said - with almost no hesitation - that he trusted his counterpart in Moscow, and seemed to suggest that Ukraine was partly to blame for the war.

"You should have never started it," he said of the government in Kyiv. "You could have made a deal."

These sort of comments continued for months, along with often vague promises that peace or a ceasefire was just around the corner.

More recently, however, his exasperation has become increasingly clear, saying he's "very angry" and pleading "Vladimir, stop!".

Whether any specific prompted his expected announcement of additional weapons remains unclear, but US media outlet Axios has reported that the decision came after a call with Putin in which he indicated that further Russian offensives to seize ground would come in the next 60 days.

Clues to Trump strategy may come in the weapons Ukraine receivespublished at 11:48 British Summer Time

11:48 BST

Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent

There’s every indication that Donald Trump has reached an inflection point in his curious relationship with Vladimir Putin.

It’s clear that he’s increasingly disappointed that a man he prefers to regard as a friend has let him down.

After the shudder of horror in Kyiv that greeted the Pentagon’s decision two weeks ago to suspend weapons deliveries, Ukraine is now cautiously optimistic that the US – its most important ally – is once again on its side.

That’s certainly what Ukraine’s most prominent supporters in Congress are hoping.

"The game, regarding Putin's invasion of Russia, is about to change,” South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham told CBS News on Sunday.

“I expect, in the coming days, you will see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves.”

But what is Donald Trump’s game plan? Is this a negotiating ploy designed to force Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table, or a return to Joe Biden’s mantra that the US will do “whatever it takes” to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”

Some clues may come in the sort of weaponry the White House is now proposing to send to Ukraine.

Patriot air defence systems are vital to protect Ukraine from Russia’s frequent bombardments, but are, as the name suggests, purely defensive in nature.

Vitaliy Shevchenko
Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

Image source, EPA

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is reserved in his comments on reports that the US will be supplying additional weaponry to Ukraine.

At his daily press briefing, he has stopped short of directly criticising Washington after Donald Trump said he'd be sending "sophisticated" equipment to Ukraine.

"A lot of words have been said about how expensive it is and so on. Now it looks like European countries will be paying for these supplies. Something they'll pay for, something they won't. But the fact remains that supplies of weapons, ammunition and military equipment from the US to Ukraine have continued and are continuing," Peskov says.

When asked about the Kremlin's expectations of US presidential envoy Keith Kellogg's trip to Ukraine, Peskov says: "First of all it is Mr Kellogg and his Ukrainian interlocutors who should have expectations.

"For us, it is very important that Mr Kellogg as Trump's representative continues mediation efforts as part of Russian-Ukrainian settlement."

Has the Trump-Zelensky relationship turned a corner?published at 11:17 British Summer Time

11:17 BST

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Since returning to the White House in January, Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have had something of a troubled relationship.

Trump has, at times, seemingly blamed Zelensky and Ukraine for the war, and Zelensky has said he believes Trump is living in a "disinformation space" created by Russia.

And, of course, there was the now-infamous 28 February Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and Trump's team, which spiralled into acrimony and chaos before the eyes of the world.

More recently, however, Trump has held back from criticising his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv - and instead has repeatedly blamed Putin for prolonging the war.

What exactly prompted the shift is unclear.

Part of the reason is likely that both parties have made it clear that the US will be reimbursed for the weapons it sends to Ukraine.

This allows Trump to publicly maintain his "America First" agenda and justify the assistance to reluctant members of his own party that have previously balked at the idea that aid should be "given" to Ukraine with no strings attached.

Image source, Getty Images

Since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, western nations have allocated more than $250bn, (£205bn) of military, humanitarian and other financial aid to Ukraine. Let's have a look at the type of offensive military equipment which has been given to Ukraine.

Ukraine has been using US-made ATACMS missiles which have a range of about 190 miles (300km). In November, former President Joe Biden lifted the ban, allowing ATACMS to be fired into Russian territory.

The UK and France have supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow or Scalp missiles, which have a maximum range of around 155 miles (250km), and which Ukraine has reportedly fired into Russian territory.

At the end of July last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's air force had taken delivery of a batch of F-16 fighter jets from the West. He has said many more were needed.

Nato countries, including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, have pledged to give Ukraine 65 or more of the US-made planes, which they had been planning to retire from their air forces.

In early 2023, Western nations agreed to send tanks to Ukraine. It was hoped they would enable its forces to breach Russian defensive lines in a counter-offensive.

The UK provided 14 Challenger 2s. European nations have sent more than 200 German Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, according to figures from the Kiel Institute, external. The US sent 31 of its M1 Abrams tanks, which are thought to be the most advanced in the world.

BBC Monitoring

As Russia ramps up its attacks on Ukraine - we have a bit more on that in our earlier post - at least six civilians have been killed in the last 24 hours, according to local authorities:

• Three people were killed and 10 injured in Sumy, according to the regional military administration
• In Donetsk, two civilians were killed and seven injured after Russian strike damaged flats and administrative buildings, the regional governor says
• Another person was killed, and six more injured in Kherson
• Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk injured three civilians, the region's governor says
• Kharhiv's regional governor says a further three civilians were harmed after air strikes on population centres
• And, in Zaporizhzia, a 77-year-old woman was injured by Russian artillery strikes, the regional governor says

As we reported earlier, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte is meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House later today.

This is the first time the pair will have met since a Nato summit in the Netherlands last month, where during a joint press conference, Rutte jokingly referred to Trump as "Daddy" - a reference to the president's work brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

"Sometimes daddy has to use strong language," Rutte said to Trump, as the US president described the Israel-Iran conflict.

Trump appeared to have embraced the nickname, with the White House posting "Daddy's home" , externalon X as he arrived back in the US following the summit.

Speaking to the Reuters news agencey after the news briefing, Rutte said he used the word "daddy" to describe how some allies see the US, rather than Trump himself.

"In Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, 'Hey, Mark, will the U.S. stay with us?' And I said that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 'Hey, are you still staying with the family,'" Rutte told the outlet.

"So in that sense, I used daddy, (it's) not that I was calling President Trump daddy."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted a bill to the country's parliament to extend martial law and "the term of general mobilisation" until 5 November.

It will be voted on next week.

Ukraine has been under martial law since 24 February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country.

Vitaliy Shevchenko
Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

Yesterday evening, a Russian drone targeted a police car near a river ferry in Kupyansk, in the north eastern Kharkiv region.

Four police officers were injured in the attack, Ukrainian police say.

Meanwhile state emergencies service DSNS says a Russian drone hit a railway locomotive, in Bokove, which is in the east of the Donetsk region, killing two people.