Vitaliy Shevchenko
Russia editor, BBC Monitoring

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says progress has been achieved in talks with the US on a new meeting between the two countries’ representatives.

He says the head of the Ukrainian presidential staff, Andriy Yermak, had spoken to US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz earlier today.

"There’s been positive movement. We are expecting first results next week," Zelensky says in his evening video address posted on social media.

Zelensky does not specify whether the new meeting with the US would involve himself and Donald Trump.

US intelligence plays two key roles in Ukraine war effortpublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March

17:33 GMT 5 March

Paul Adams
Diplomatic correspondent

Image source, EPA

The precise significance of US intelligence to Ukraine's war effort has, for obvious reasons, never been spelled out in detail.

But most analysts agree that it performs two important functions: helping Ukraine to plan offensive operations against Russian forces and giving Kyiv vital advance warning of threats posed by incoming Russian drones and missiles.

Satellite information and signals intercepts give Ukrainian forces on the front line a sense of where Russian forces are, their movements and likely intentions.

Without US intelligence, Ukraine will not be able to make such effective use of long-range Western weaponry, like the US Himars rocket system or the Stormshadow missiles supplied by Britain and France.

But the steady flow of real-time information provided by Washington has also given Ukraine's military, critical national infrastructure and civilian population valuable advance information on incoming threats.

Ukraine's air raid sirens and mobile phone alerts are all informed, to a greater or lesser extent, by the early warning data provided by US satellites, which can detect aircraft and missile launches deep inside Russian territory.

It's clear that the US is using the withholding of military assistance and intelligence as another, blunt, diplomatic lever.

The US National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, said military assistance to Ukraine could resume if Ukraine agrees to participate in US-led diplomatic efforts.

"I think if we can nail down these negotiations and move towards these negotiations," he told Fox News, "then the president will take a hard look at lifting this pause."

The director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, told Fox business the pause "will go away". But it’s clear what the White House wants from President Zelensky in return.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

I've been speaking to a few current and former officials in the US national security apparatus about the US decision to pause intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

One contact of mine – a former CIA officer and National Security Council staffer – tells the BBC he is concerned that the "betrayal of an ally" would having a chilling effect on other intelligence partnerships that the US has around the world.

He describes the Trump administration's strategy as "responding with emotions" rather than a long-term strategy, which he fears plays into the hands of Russia and Vladimir Putin.

Traditionally, the former official adds, intelligence-sharing agreements are strictly "non-political" and designed to survive shifts in domestic politics.

A dramatic sudden shift in intelligence sharing – which he describes as being the result of "bruised egos" – is largely unprecedented.

He adds that he believes "it's going to be a long four-years" if the Trump administration frays alliances overseas.

Image source, Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief aide Andriy Yermak says he has had a phone conversation with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

"We discussed the next steps towards a just and lasting peace," Yermak says in a social media post.

Yermak doesn't specify exactly what this means, but says that the pair "scheduled a meeting for our teams in the near future".

And, Zelensky's aide adds that he and Waltz "exchanged views on security issues" as well as "the framework of bilateral relations" between the US and Ukraine.

Image source, Reuters

We can now bring you some more comments from CIA director John Ratcliffe who a short while ago confirmed President Trump ordered a pause in intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

"What President Trump said is, he asked for a pause," Ratcliffe told Fox News, adding that "President Trump is the peace president."

He added: "[There's] never been in a war under his leadership. He wants to end the wars that exist."

Ratcliffe said Trump has a "real question" about whether Ukrainian leader Zelensky was committed to the peace process.

"I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, I think will go away," Ratcliffe adds.

"And I think we'll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that's there."

Let's have a look at Odesa now, where residents in the south-western Ukrainian city are searching destroyed houses and removing debris after renewed Russian drone strikes over the last few days.

Earlier, Ukraine said some districts in Odesa are without power and water after a strike overnight hit critical infrastructure.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Mick Mulroy, a former official at the US Department of Defense, tells the BBC he believes that cutting off intelligence to Ukraine "will have an immediate impact" on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself fully.

"There is no way to replace the capabilities that the US intelligence can provide from our European allies," says Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense and retired CIA paramilitary officer.

"This will likely inspire Russia to push harder on their efforts to take more terrain from Ukraine and away from the negotiating table."

With regards to broader military assistance, Mulroy says he believes that any shortfalls would have a "significant impact" starting around May of this year. "That is when they will start running out of ammunition."

Mulroy believes "the best way to ensure that Russia agrees is to present a unified front with Ukraine and Europe".

"Russia only responds to strength," he says. "Not compliments or concessions."

Romania has declared two Russian diplomats "persona non grata" - a diplomatic term used to indicate that a person is no longer welcome in a specific country and which often means they're expelled.

The Romanian foreign ministry said the two diplomats - the Russian embassy's military attaché and his deputy - carried out activities that contravene the international treaty on diplomatic relations, but has not specified further.

It comes amid claims of Russian interference in Romania's presidential election.

Russia declared a Romanian embassy official persona non grata in July, which followed Bucharest expelling another Russian diplomat in May, according to the Reuters news agency.

Image source, Getty Images

After a call with Germany's leader, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has also spoken with the Portuguese prime minister.

Zelensky says he appreciates Portugal's support in both a "military and political" capacity and shared with Prime Minister Luis Montenegro details of what happened at a London leaders' summit that took place last week.

Zelensky adds that he will be in contact with "all European partners" to discuss next steps, as it is important to them that "every country’s voice is considered in the joint plan".

The head of his office has also been assisting the efforts. He says he called the adviser to the French president and the UK prime minister today.

Image source, EPA

Volodymyr Zelensky says he has held an "honest conversation" with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz by phone, about various issues including Ukraine's future security.

"We rely on Europe’s unity around Ukraine and are working toward it," Zelensky says in a post on X.

"We all want a safe future for our people. Not a temporary ceasefire, but an end to the war once and for all. With our coordinated efforts and US leadership, this is entirely achievable."

Scholz also says on X that he told Zelensky "our solidarity is unbreakable" - and that the US president will take a leadership role as they negotiate for a ceasefire and lasting peace.

A pause in US military aid to Ukraine will harm the country's ability to fight, but it may take weeks or months for the effects to be felt on the frontline, according to experts at the Institute for the Study of War, external.

The organisation says a shortage in US Patriot defence missile systems - which Ukraine depends on to intercept missile strikes - would threaten critical infrastructure. With fewer Patriots, Ukraine will have to make difficult decisions on which places to protect, it adds.

"If it runs out of Patriots entirely then Ukrainian cities will lie open to Russian ballistic missiles," the institute warns.

It says while the frontline in Ukraine "does not risk imminent collapse", the effects of the pause in aid "will become more acute over time" - and that Russia will likely exploit it to make further territorial gains in eastern and southern Ukraine.

As we have been reporting, the US military has paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

"We have taken a step back, and are pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship," National Security Adviser Mike Waltz says.

Watch below as he tells reporters about the decision, adding that talks with Ukrainian counterparts are going well and that "we're going to see movement in very short order".

Image source, Reuters

In the last few hours, we've had an update from the UK Ministry of Defence about the latest state of the conflict in Ukraine for the Russian side:

• Russia, it says, has sustained "approximately 90,000" casualties (meaning those killed and wounded) in 2025 - taking the total of Russia casualties since the invasion to about 875,000
• In February, the total reported Russian casualties was 35,140 - this is down by 13,000 from January's total which it says was the second highest monthly figure of the war

The MoD suggests that the decrease in the recorded rate of casualties "likely reflects a decrease in the tempo of Russian operations and assaults".

It predicts that Russia's casualty rate will continue to average above 1,000 a day through this month.

US pauses intelligence sharing: The US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz tells reporters the US has "taken a step back" on sharing intelligence with Ukraine. It's part of the US's decision - announced on Monday - to suspend military aid to Ukraine. The US has provided Ukraine with intelligence since the war began - information that's believed to help understand Moscow’s next moves and also providing information on where Russian troops are for targeting.

Military aid linked to peace talks: Waltz, in an interview with Fox News, says Trump will consider lifting the suspension on military aid to Ukraine if peace talks are arranged and "confidence-building measures" are taken.

Russian attack on Ukraine continues: The Ukrainian Air Force says 181 drones were launched into the territory by Russia overnight, 115 of which were shot down. Zelensky's chief aide says Russia must stop the "daily shelling" if it wants peace.

Trump 'appreciates' Zelensky letter: Yesterday, the US president told Congress he had received a letter from the Ukrainian leader saying he is willing to come to the negotiating table and work under Trump's "strong leadership". "I appreciate that he sent this letter," Trump said. A Kremlin spokesperson says Trump's remarks that Ukraine is willing to enter talks are "positive".

Tom Bateman
US state department correspondent

Explaining US President Trump’s suspension of military assistance to Ukraine, the director of the CIA John Ratcliffe said the pause was on the military and intelligence fronts.

Likewise, asked whether the suspension included intelligence sharing, the White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said the administration was pausing and reviewing all aspects of the relationship.

Halting intelligence support would likely have serious consequences on the battlefield.

The information is believed to help Ukraine both strategically understand Moscow’s next moves and also tactically, for example providing information on Russian troop positions for weapons guidance and targeting.

Both men, however, suggested progress and a more conciliatory tone emerging between Washington and Kyiv.

Image source, Royal Navy

The Royal Navy says it has tracked a Russian warship through the English Channel and North Sea for three days.

The Russian corvette, named Boikiy, was part of a task group escorting a cargo ship on its return from Syria to Russia.

Patrol aircraft and Nato forces also assisted with the monitoring operation, the Navy says.

Boikiy is one of several Russian vessels to have been spotted around the British coastline in recent months.

The operation comes two weeks after the Navy monitored five ships, including three merchant vessels, as they sailed for a Russian Baltic port from Syria. More here on what we know about the Navy's operation.

Image source, Reuters

We reported earlier on remarks from a French government spokesperson, who said Macron was considering returning to Washington DC with Starmer and Zelensky for talks.

But the French presidency appears to now be playing down the prospect.

The Élysée Palace says no new visit by Macron is being considered "at this stage", AFP reports.

The UK prime minister's official spokesperson also says the French government has clarified that there are no plans for a joint trip to Washington.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz says the US has "taken a step back" on sharing intelligence with Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Waltz adds that the US is "pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship".

He says he spoke on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart.

Waltz says they had “good talks” about the location and substance of the next round of negotiations.

He says there will be movement in “very short order".

President Zelensky says he wants to see "an end to the war once and for all".

In a post on X, he says he shared a call with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"We rely on Europe’s unity around Ukraine and are working toward it. We all want a safe future for our people," Zelensky says.

"Not a temporary ceasefire," he adds, "but an end to the war once and for all. With our coordinated efforts and US leadership, this is entirely achievable."

Image source, Reuters

The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has appeared to confirm that the US has cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine, in addition to suspending military aid.

Fox News journalist Maria Bartiromo puts to it John Ratcliffe that Polish President Andrzej Duda told her the US had stopped intelligence sharing and asks him to comment.

Ratcliffe says President Trump “had a real question about whether President Zelensky was committed to the peace process, and he said ‘let’s pause I want to give you a chance to think about that’.”

He adds the response came swiftly with Zelensky’s statement saying he was ready for peace.

Ratcliffe then adds: “On the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, will go away and we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that’s there.”