Despite the recent bombings this week on Ukrainian territory, which have left dozens dead, Russia claims to be "ready" to reach an agreement on Ukraine. This was expressed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview.
President Donald Trump "talks about an agreement, and we are ready to reach an agreement, but there are still some specific elements of this agreement that need to be fine-tuned," Lavrov said. "There are several indications that we are moving in the right direction," he added.
Meanwhile, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kiev, believes that Ukraine could be forced to cede territory as part of a peace agreement with Russia. "One of the scenarios is to cede territory. It's not fair, but peace, a temporary peace, may be a temporary solution," declared the mayor of Kiev to the BBC.
However, despite these words, three people have died and eight others were injured this morning in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Pavlograd, a day after the largest attack by Putin's troops on the Ukrainian capital, which left at least 12 dead and dozens injured on Thursday.
Romanian Citizen Arrested in Russia for Spying for Ukraine
A Romanian citizen was arrested in the Russian city of Sochi, on the shores of the Black Sea, for carrying out espionage activities in favor of Ukraine, reported the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), according to Efe.
According to the FSB statement, the detainee collected and transmitted, at the request of Ukrainian intelligence services, information about the locations of anti-aircraft defense systems in the Sochi territory.
"In return, the Ukrainian intelligence services promised the Romanian citizen to help him safely leave Russia and join the volunteer formation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to participate in military operations against our country," the press release adds.
Trump's Emissary Arrives in Moscow for Consultations with the Kremlin
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow today for consultations with the Kremlin on the White House's peace plan for the conflict in Ukraine, airport sources cited by the Interfax agency reported, according to Efe.
Russia Rejects Massive Drone Attack on Annexed Crimea
Russian anti-aircraft defenses rejected a massive drone attack on the annexed Crimea last night, where they shot down 59 Ukrainian fixed-wing aircraft, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Telegram, according to Efe.
The massive aerial attack last night on Crimea is the second consecutive one: the day before, Russian forces intercepted and destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones over the peninsula's territory.
According to the military report, another 11 drones were shot down last night over the waters of the Black Sea.
Trump and Zelenski Among Dignitaries Attending Pope's Funeral in Rome
Heads of state and royalty will begin arriving in Rome on Friday for the funeral of the pope in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, but the group of poor people who will receive his coffin in a small basilica across the city is more in line with the humble personality of Francis and his disdain for pomp, AP reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski are among the leaders who will arrive in the Italian capital on Friday, the last day the Argentine pontiff's lying in state will be open at St. Peter's Basilica before his coffin is sealed at night in preparation for Saturday's funeral.
Ukraine Could Be Forced to Cede Territory for Peace
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko believes that Ukraine could be forced to cede territory as part of a peace agreement with Russia, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to accept territorial concessions, Efe reports.
"One of the scenarios is to cede territory. It's not fair, but peace, a temporary peace, may be a temporary solution," declared the mayor of Kiev to the BBC.
However, he emphasized that the Ukrainian people "will never accept occupation" by Russia, although he admitted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski could be forced to adopt a "painful solution" to achieve peace.
Ukrainian Air Force Says Russia Launched 103 Drones Last Night
Russia launched 103 drones in overnight attacks on Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Friday, according to Reuters.
Air defense units shot down 41 drones, and another 40 were diverted through electronic warfare, the Air Force reported on Telegram.
The attacks caused damage in the regions of Kharkiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk, it added.
Rutte Says "the Ball" on Ceasefire in Ukraine Is in Russia's Court
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated on Thursday that "the ball" for achieving a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict is clearly in Russia's court, Efe reports.
Rutte said that although he has stopped trying to read the mind of Russian President Vladimir Putin, "clearly the ball is in the Russian court."
The Dutch politician met on Thursday in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as with the Secretaries of Defense and State, Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio, and with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.