The Senate wants to increase funding for Ukraine's military by $200 million after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused Ukraine aid.

Work is ongoing with partners to strengthen the country's defense capabilities, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening address. "I spoke with the military. They reported on the frontlines and our operations.

Ukraine has received all necessary political signals for U.S. military aid to resume, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday after what he described as constructive talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Keir Starmer enjoyed another chance to play the global statesman this week as he hosted the latest meeting of his “coalition of the willing”. French President Emmanuel Macron, in the UK for a state visit, took part in person while other world leaders dialled in to a conference call.

Premier Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were opening the meeting Thursday, which gets under way as Russia accelerated its aerial and ground attacks against Ukraine, firing a record number of drones across 10 regions this week.

Ukraine announced Ambassador Oksana Markarova's departure Thursday following controversy and calls for her removal by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US top diplomat Marco Rubio held "frank" talks on the Ukraine war during a meeting Thursday, both sides said, as Washington hit out at Moscow's lack of "flexibility.

When the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) halted the transfer of critical air defense missiles and other weapons to Ukraine, Kyiv and its partners were caught off-guard and are now left scrambling for clarity on the scope and length of the Trump administration's decision.

An U.S. official says some weapons shipments to Ukraine have resumed, as the country's leader seeks more urgent support from his partners.

Ukraine has a timetable and details of upcoming weapons supplies. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.