Image source, EPA

More now from Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson in Stockholm, she says that Sweden will be in a vulnerable position while its Nato application is being processed.

She adds that people can have a different opinion about joining Nato and still care about Sweden.

Last week, the UK signed security pacts with both Sweden and Finland, agreeing to come to their aid should either nation come under attack.

Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson is giving a press conference in Stockholm.

She begins by confirming that Sweden will apply for Nato membership, upending a long history of military neutrality.

The PM adds that she is confident that there is support for this among the Swedish people.

Image source, Getty Images

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has urged other members of a Russian-dominated military alliance to stand united.

He also accused the West of hoping to prolong the conflict in Ukraine in an effort to weaken Russia.

Lukashenko, speaking at a summit of the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in Moscow, said "hellish sanctions" against his country and Russia could have been avoided if the group had spoken with a united voice.

"Without a united front, the collective West will build up pressure on the post-Soviet space," Lukashenko said in televised opening remarks, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Image source, Reuters

We have more on what President Putin has been saying in his latest remarks.

During Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow had obtained "documentary evidence of components of biological weapons being essentially created" near Russia's borders, he told the summit of the Russia-led security bloc CSTO.

He added "possible methods and mechanisms of destabilising the epidemiological situation in post-Soviet space were being worked on".

The BBC is unable to independently verify those claims.

Putin added the CSTO was planning a "series of joint exercises in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the autumn".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia has no issue with Finland and Sweden, but that the expansion of military infrastructure on their territory would demand a reaction from Moscow.

Speaking about Nato expansion at a summit of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in the Russian capital, he says it is a problem for Russia and is in the interest of the USA.

He also says Russia needs to pay additional attention to what he says are Nato's plans to increase its global influence.

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Ukraine's Eurovision victory continues to bring some joy to the war-torn nation, in particular Timur Miroshnychenko, a commentator whose reaction to the moment his country won the contest was caught on camera.

Covering the event from a bomb shelter in Kyiv, he could be seen celebrating when Kalush Orchestra beat the UK's Sam Ryder to take the title.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier, Miroshnychenko said Eurovision showed his country that the "whole of Europe stands with us" in the face of Russia's war.

"You can't even imagine how important that is for us," he said, adding he was "overwhelmed" with emotion when the result was announced.

Asked if he hopes Ukraine will be able to host the contest next year, the presenter said "of course".

• Eurovision win brings 'incredible happiness' to Ukraine

Ukrainian border guards repelled an attack by a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group in the north-eastern region of Sumy this morning, the regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky has said.

The Russian group entered Ukrainian territory under the cover of mortar shells, grenades and machine gun fire but retreated after the border guards fought back, Zhyvytsky wrote on Telegram.

Russia's military crossed into the Sumy region shortly after its invasion on Ukraine began on 24 February, however, Ukrainian forces regained control of the region on 8 April and have been bracing for further attacks.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify these claims.

Image source, Getty Images

The frontman of Ukraine's Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra has returned home to help people fleeing his country due to the war.

Oleg Psiuk, notable for his trademark pink bucket hat, runs a volunteer organisation that helps refugees with food, accommodation, and medication.

Psiuk said he hoped next year's Eurovision song contest would be held "in a newly rebuilt and happy Ukraine".

Winning nations are automatically given the chance to host the annual event. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky echoed the artist's sentiments, saying: "We will do our best so that Ukraine's Mariupol, a liberated, peaceful city that has been rebuilt, will host guests and participants of Eurovision one day."

Following his win on Saturday night, Psiuk made a plea from the stage. “Please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now,” he shouted, referencing some of the worst-hit areas since Russia invaded.

Take a look at Eurovision in pictures here.

Image source, EPA

Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has said Russia was closely watching Sweden and Finland’s bids to join Nato, adding that he was convinced that their accession would not strengthen the security of Europe.

"This is a serious issue, an issue that raises our concern, and we will follow very carefully," he said.

Peskov also pointed out that in comparison with Ukraine, Russia did not have any territorial disputes with Finland or Sweden.

Earlier, Russia's deputy foreign minister said Sweden and Finland's plan to join the military alliance is a mistake that would have far-reaching consequences.

"They should have no illusions that we will simply put up with it - and nor should Brussels, Washington and other Nato capitals. The general level of military tension will rise, predictability in this sphere will decrease," Sergei Ryabkov told the state RIA Novosti news agency.

Sweden is expected to make a formal decision on its application to join the military alliance today. The country's parliament is currently debating the potential membership bid. Finland has also confirmed it will apply to join Nato.

Image source, PA Media

McDonald's has said it'll exit the Russian market and has started a process to sell its business in the country after 30 years of operating its restaurants there.

In March, the fast-food chain said it was temporarily closing around 850 restaurants in Russia in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

"The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald's to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald's values," the company said in a statement.

As part of McDonald's decision to leave, the company is "pursuing the sale of its entire portfolio of McDonald's restaurants" in Russia to a local buyer, it said.

McDonald's restaurants in Ukraine remain closed while the company continues to pay full salaries for its employees in the country.

If you're just joining or need a catch-up, here are the latest developments:

Kharkiv

• Ukrainian troops defending the northern city of Kharkiv have reportedly reached the state border with Russia, after driving opposition forces away from its second-largest city
• Ukraine's defence ministry posted a video showing a number of soldiers gathered around a yellow-and-blue-painted border demarcation post
• The region's governor said troops had restored a sign marking the border
• The Ukraine presidency said in a briefing that Russia had continued strikes on the Luhansk region south of Kharkiv, killing two people and injuring nine others as a result of shelling on a Severodonetsk hospital.

Diplomacy

• Sweden’s parliament is holding a debate this morning on the government's plan to apply for Nato membership
• Sweden is sending diplomats to Turkey to try to overcome the country's objections to its plan to join the military alliance
• It comes as Turkey said it would not view applications by Sweden and Finland positively
• Russia said Finland and Sweden choosing to join Nato would have far-reaching consequences, adding that the global situation could change radically as a result
• The European Union will launch its sixth set of sanctions against Russia in a matter of days, according to Austria's foreign minister

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Image source, Reuters

More now on our top story, that Ukrainian troops have reportedly reached the border with Russia after counter-attacking near the city of Kharkiv - Ukraine's second largest city and home to 1.4 million people.

Russia's inability to take over Kharkiv should be regarded as a defeat for the country, according to General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of UK Joint Forces Command.

"It was just way too big an objective for the Russian military," Barrons told Radio 4's Today Programme, adding that Russia "doesn’t have the numbers, the will or the skill to take large cities".

"When [the Russians] got stuck round outskirts, it became an easier target for a very aggressive and successful Ukrainian counter-attack, and trying to sit around Kharkiv became much less important than the fight under way in the Donbas," he said.

Barrons said Russia's failure around Kharkiv doesn't amount to a failure of the Russian invasion on its own terms, adding that its focus is now advancing in the east of the country.

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Image source, Reuters

French carmaker Renault says it is selling its majority stake in the Russian carmaker Avtovaz, in an agreement that will cost it some €2.2bn (£1.8bn).

Renault is the latest foreign company to leave following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Its holding of nearly 70% in Avtovaz is to be sold to the Russian Central Research and Development Automobile and Engine Institute, called Nami. The deal includes a six-year option to buy back the stake.

And its 100% shares in Renault Russia will go to the city of Moscow, the company said.

Moscow has said the company's Russian assets have now become state property.

"Today, we have taken a difficult but necessary decision, and we are making a responsible choice towards our 45,000 employees in Russia," said Chief Executive Luca de Meo.

In March, the car manufacturer said it was suspending work at its Moscow factory.

Image source, Getty Images

The European Union will launch its sixth set of sanctions against Russia in a matter of days, according to Austria's foreign minister.

Alexander Schallenberg said he was "confident" that the bloc's latest show of unity with Ukraine would be ready to go following the necessary "discussions". The move is necessary, he added, because "Russia is watching us".

Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's foreign minister, seemed less certain on timings, saying EU officials needed more time to reach an agreement that worked for everyone. But admitted: "There really is no excuse not to get the package done."

The EU, UK and US have already imposed a raft of economic and diplomatic sanctions on Moscow. Find out about them here.

At least 3,000 Mariupol residents are being held in a Russian "filtration camp" - a centre for housing civilians before they are evacuated - in the Donetsk Region. That's according to Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to Mariupol's mayor.

Russia has set up its so-called filtration camps in numerous locations outside Ukraine but many Ukrainians have given chilling accounts of life in these centres, one describing them "like a true concentration camp".

According to him, a former correctional institution in the town of Olenivka has been turned into a filtration camp.

"[They are being held] only because of their active pro-Ukrainian position. Is it not repression and political persecution?", Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted Andryushchenko as saying.

He also said the Russian "repressive machine" had stepped up activity across Mariupol and its outskirts, with the Russians "actively looking for" Ukrainian war veterans.

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Danny Aeberhard
Europe analyst, BBC World Service

Image source, Telegram/ Oleh Sinegubov

Ukraine says that troops that have been counter-attacking near the north-eastern city of Kharkiv have reached the Russian border.

Flashing "V" signs for victory, and gathered round a wobbly blue and yellow border post, the soldiers addressed President Zelensky.

"We are here! We are at the border!" they say.

It's a symbolic moment, and a morale boost. But despite successes of this counter-offensive, the city of Kharkiv itself is not out of danger.

Russian shelling, though reduced, does continue - several people were injured overnight in the latest attacks.

And Ukraine is not yet in a position to threaten Russian supply lines that lie further east. Meanwhile fierce battles continue in Luhansk and other parts of Donbas.

Sophie Williams
Reporting from Lviv

The intensity of the shelling on the city of Kharkiv has "significantly reduced", the governor of Kharkiv regional administration said on Monday.

Oleh Sinegubov said on Telegram that forces in the region are continuing to hold their ground and carry out successful counter-offensive actions.

It comes after he announced that Ukrainian troops had reached the border with Russia. That claim has not yet been verified.

He said that Russian forces are now focusing on maintaining their positions and preparing an offensive in the area of Izyum.

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Image source, Reuters

We told you earlier that Sweden is sending diplomats to Turkey to try to overcome the country's objections to its plan to join Nato.

It comes as Sweden is expected to make a formal decision on its application to join the military alliance today. Finland has also confirmed it will apply to join Nato.

However, Turkey, which is an ally to both countries, said it would not view applications by Sweden and Finland positively, with its president, Tayyip Erdogan, saying "Scandinavian countries are guesthouses for terrorist organisations".

Turkey said it wanted the Nordic countries to halt support for Kurdish militant groups present on their territory, and lift bans on sales of some weapons to Turkey.

Any decision on increasing Nato requires approval by all 30 members of the alliance and their parliaments, but diplomats said Erdogan would be under pressure to agree, as Finland and Sweden would greatly strengthen Nato in the Baltic Sea.

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Sweden and Finland have confirmed they will apply for Nato membership.

Both countries have been neutral for many years.

However, public support for joining Nato has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine.

But what is Nato and why do both countries want to join it?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance which was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US and UK.

It has expanded over the years and could reach a total of 32 members if Finland and Sweden join it.

Members agree to come to one another's aid if they come under armed attack.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said as a member of Nato, Sweden will be more secure.

Nato's original aim was to counter Russian expansion in Europe after World War Two.

But Russia believes Nato has been encroaching on its area of political influence, particularly by accepting new members from eastern Europe.

Read more here.

Maddy Savage
Reporting from Stockholm

Sweden’s parliament will hold a debate this morning on the country's potential Nato membership.

It follows the ruling Social Democrats announcing on Sunday that they now support joining the military alliance, which means there is now a strong parliamentary majority in favour.

This could pave the way for a formal application later today or in the coming days.

Sweden's Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist has told Swedish media that a Swedish delegation is set to meet officials in Turkey, the only Nato member that has raised concerns about the country joining Nato.