Pope Leo discussed the war in Ukraine on Saturday with Metropolitan Anthony, a senior cleric in the Russian Orthodox Church, in a possible effort to ease ties between the churches strained by Russia's invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is stalling over a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Trump has changed his mind about sending weapons to Ukraine.

Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, discusses China's influence on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and the need for an unconditional ceasefire.

Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least 12 civilians and injured more than 120 others. In the eastern Donetsk oblast, or province, systematic shelling and glide bombs killed six non-combatants and wounded 44 others.

The warring sides remain far apart after the third round of U.S.-brokered peace negotiations on Wednesday. But there was progress on humanitarian issues.

Russia has promised that no 18-year-olds will be sent to fight in Ukraine, but the BBC finds many have already been killed.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds and Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur discuss reaching peace in Europe on 'Special Report.'

Russia has advanced around Pokrovsk for many months, but has so far failed to entirely encircle or seize control of the city.

Kiwi troops have been training soldiers in the UK as part of our Government’s support for Ukraine since the middle of 2022. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced in April that New Zealand is extending its deployment of 100 Defence Force personnel in the UK and throughout Europe to December next year.

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Saturday its forces had captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine, including one in Dnipropetrovsk region where Moscow says its troops have begun to make advances.

Vasily Astrov, expert on the Russian economy at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, told Newsweek that "inflation has really subsided markedly over the past few months. The outcome of this policy has been a marked cooling of domestic demand, with the welcome side effect of rapid disinflation.