Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow warns it could go to war with NATO over US move - as Germany follows Washington in approving strikes inside Russia with its weapons (2024)

Key points
  • Biden partially lifts ban on Ukraine using US arms to attack Russia, US officials say - with cross-border strikes allowed
  • Moscow warns it could go to war with NATO over US move - as Putin ally says Russia 'not bluffing' over nuclear threats
  • Germany follows US in announcing Ukraine can now use its weapons to strike targets in Russia
  • At least four dead in Kharkiv from overnight Russian missile strikes
  • Watch: Freed Ukrainian prisoners weep as they sing on way home after two years in captivity
  • Analysis: Sharp change of US policy increases chance of direct confrontation with Russia
  • The big picture: What you need to know about the war right now
  • Live reporting by Lauren Russell and Dylan Donnelly

18:30:01

That's all for our coverage today

We'll be back with live updates soon.

Scroll down to read today's news.

18:00:01

Zelenskyy signs long-term security deals with Norway and Iceland

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has wrapped up a flurry of negotiations in Sweden and signed long-term security deals with Norway and Iceland.

Earlier, we reported that the Ukrainian president had struck an agreement while in Stockholm (see 13.26 post).

Now, Mr Zelenskyy has signed a 10-year deal with Norway, through which Oslo will focus on supporting Ukraine's maritime and air defence needs.

Norway would be "open" to the Norwegian defence industry localising production in Ukraine under the deal. Iceland has also committed to a 10-year pact.

The new agreements mean Mr Zelenskyy now has 15 written pacts with Western nations, including all five Nordic countries - which are all NATO countries.

He previously agreed security pacts with Denmark and Finland in February and April respectively.

Sweden's agreement means Stockholm will transfer two ASC 890 surveillance aircraft as well as its entire stock of armoured tracked personnel carriers.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said earlier: "You are literally fighting not only for your own freedom but also for our freedom and our security."

17:15:01

Journalist accused of 'false information' detained by Russia until August

A Russian-American journalist will be detained until at least 5 August ahead of an investigation and trial.

Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor for the US government-funded Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty’s Tatar-Bashkir service, was taken into custody on 18 October.

She's been charged with failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about the Russian military.

Later, she was also charged with spreading "false information" about the Russian military.

Ms Kurmashevatold reporters she suffered from various health conditions whichcould not be properly treated in detention.

She also said she had last heard her children's voices inOctober, and held up two children's drawings forreporters which she said had been sent to her and had lifted herspirits.

She was the second American journalist detained in Russia last year, after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

He was arrested on espionage charges in March. A year later, President Joe Biden saidthe US was "working every day"to secure his release.

Read more about her chargeshere...

16:45:01

Zelenskyy accuses Russia of blackmailing world leaders ahead of Ukraine peace summit

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is trying to disrupt Ukraine's peace summit in June by blackmailing world leaders.

Speaking in Stockholm after signing a security pact with Sweden, the Ukrainian president said: "The most important thing right now is the peace summit. It should become a truly global summit.

"At this moment, we already have about 100 states and international organisations that will participate in the summit, but Russia is blackmailing some leaders and trying to block the participation of some countries."

Earlier, China's foreign ministry spokesperson defended Beijing's refusal to attend the summit - held 15-16 June in Switzerland - which Russia is not invited to.

Mao Ning insisted its demands for an international peace conference that is recognised by both Russia and Ukraine are "fair" and "impartial" (see 10.53 post).

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said China's decision shows Beijing understands that holding a peace summit without Russia would be futile.

Mr Zelenskyy also said it's "a question of time" before Ukraine uses Western weapons to strike targets inside Russia (see 13.26 post).

16:20:01

Kremlin downplays France's D-Day snub ahead of 80th anniversary

The Kremlin has dismissed France's refusal to invite Russian officials to events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in the Second World War.

Yesterday, the French presidency said Russia would not be invited next week over what Paris called "Moscow's war of aggression" against Ukraine.

Despite Vladimir Putin and officials accusing the West of trying to "erase" Russia's contributions to the war effort, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was planning for next year's Victory Day.

He said "next year, you know, is an extremely important year for us", as it marks 80 years since the Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany.

"This is our main priority in terms of memorial actions."

Earlier this week,Russia's foreign ministry spokeswomanMaria Zakharova accused Western countries ofpresenting D-Day as "the main event that decided the outcome ofWorld War Two".

She said: "Of course, nothing is said in the West about the fact thatno landing in Normandy would have been possible without thesuccesses of the Red Army.

"They are trying not only not toremember, but to erase it."

15:55:01

'This is nothing new': NATO chief dismisses Russian threats

Kremlin officials have today been issuing various statements - including dire threats of war with NATO - in response to Western powers' decisions to let Ukraine use weapons they have supplied to attack inside Russia.

But Jens Stoltenberg, the military alliance's secretary-general, has dismissed the threats and insisted NATO was simply helping Kyiv defend itself.

"This is nothing new. It has… been the case for a long time that every time NATO allies are providing support to Ukraine, President Putin is trying to threaten us to not do that," he said in Prague.

"And an escalation – well, Russia has escalated by invading another country."

Citing Russia's northern offensive against the Kharkiv region in Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg added: "Ukraine has the right for self-defence, we have the right to help Ukraine uphold the right for self-defence, and that does not make NATO allies a party to the conflict.

"That was the case back in February 2022, that was the case last year, that remains the case."

15:35:01

North Korea urged to stop supplying Russia with weapons

Ten foreign ministers, including Lord Cameron, are demanding North Korea stop supplying weapons to Russia.

Earlier this month, Russia dismissed claims it was working with Pyongyang on military matters and said the relationship between the countries was not a threat to others.

But the ministers say Russia is using North Korean arms transfers "to strike Ukraine's critical infrastructure, prolonging the suffering of the Ukrainian people".

They also called for North Korea to end its nuclear weapons programme.

Yesterday, North Korea fired a barrage of ballistic missile to show it is willing to strike South Korea's "gangsters' regime" pre-emptively.

Meanwhile, some of the officials are in Prague for a two-day NATO summit, where they've discussed allowing Ukraine to use weapons they have supplied to strike inside of Russia.

Germany announced it will allow Kyiv to do so, to the anger of Russian officials (see 10.30am post).

15:05:30

Watch: Freed Ukrainian prisoners weep as they sing on way home after two years in captivity

Earlier, we reported that Ukraine and Russia had carried out their first prisoner swap since February (see 13.05 post).

Now, Ukraine's defence ministry has shared a video of freed prisoners singing Ukraine, originally by Taras Petrynenko, as they're brought back home.

Leading the sing-along is Kostyantyn Myrhorodskyi, who was in Russian captivity for more than two years.

Some of the men with him on the coach can be seen weeping as they are overcome with emotion by the moment.

14:40:01

Blinken: Washington has approved use of US weapons to strike inside Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed Joe Biden approved for US weapons to be used inside Russia.

Speaking to reporters in the Czech Republic following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Mr Blinken said Ukraine asked for authorisationto allow its forces to defend itself against Russian attacks, particularly in the city of Kharkiv.

The meeting of NATO foreign ministers comes before a summit in Washington from 9 -11 July.

Mr Blinken said during the summit, "concrete steps" will be taken to bring Ukraine closer to NATO and the US will "ensure there's a bridge for Ukraine to NATO membership".

He said the summit is happening at a "pivotal time" when Russia is intensifying its attacks against frontline regions in Ukraine.

14:22:01

Russia confirms it launched 25 'precision' strikes in Kharkiv over six days

After last night's missile strike on a block of flats, Russia's defence ministry says it has carried out 25 attacks in Kharkiv.

According to the Interfax news agency, the strikes were carried out between 25 May and 31 May with precision-guided weapons, and targeted Ukrainian military facilities.

The ministry adds Russian troops are advancing in several directions - and have captured two villages - Berestove and Ivanivka - in the Kharkiv region.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow warns it could go to war with NATO over US move - as Germany follows Washington in approving strikes inside Russia with its weapons (2024)

FAQs

Is NATO preparing for war? ›

Following Russia's 2022 invasion, NATO activated its defense plans, making 40,000 troops—plus air, naval, and other assets—available to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). Four new EFP missions followed, alongside a strengthened maritime posture, air policing, air defense, and multinational exercises.

Who is the chief of NATO? ›

Mark Rutte set to be Nato chief as rival drops out

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis informed the military alliance he was withdrawing his bid at the end of last week, his office said on Thursday. The two had been vying to replace the incumbent Jens Stoltenberg, whose term expires in October.

Who will join NATO in the future? ›

Since 1949, NATO's membership has increased from 12 to 32 countries through 10 rounds of enlargement. Sweden became the latest country to join the Alliance on 7 March 2024. Currently, three partner countries have declared their aspirations to NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine.

What is the Russian equivalent of NATO? ›

Dominated by the Soviet Union, the Warsaw Pact was established as a balance of power or counterweight to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Western Bloc.

Is Mexico a part of NATO? ›

Answer and Explanation: Mexico is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); however, this does not mean that it does not have allies in times of trouble. One example of an ally is the United States.

Who is the highest rank in NATO? ›

The NATO Secretary General is the Alliance's top international civil servant. This person is responsible for steering the process of consultation and decision-making in the Alliance and ensuring that decisions are implemented.

Who is the mastermind behind NATO? ›

With a long list of accomplishments as Canadian Prime Minister and an international diplomat, Lester B. Pearson was a pioneer who helped shape world politics. He played a key role in drafting NATO's founding treaty and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for helping to resolve the Suez Crisis.

Is Europe preparing for war with Russia? ›

Global Peace Index finds Europe's military spending is rising amid fears the war in Ukraine will expand. More than three-fourths of European countries spent more on their militaries in 2023, a report has found, as the world's most peaceful region fears a possible expansion of Russia's war on Ukraine.

What is the NATO exercise for 2024? ›

British Armour rolls in as Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 gets underway in Poland. British troops and armoured vehicles have started training in Poland as part of NATO's largest exercise in a generation.

Is NATO a success or failure? ›

“NATO is not just the strongest military alliance in world history, it's also an effective international organization that materially increases its members' joint military capabilities and political influence,” says Stone, an expert on international relations and institutions.

Who is part of NATO in 2024? ›

2024 – The accession of Sweden

Over the following months, all NATO Allies ratified Sweden's Accession Protocol according to their national procedures. Sweden deposited its Instrument of Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty on 7 March 2024, becoming NATO's 32nd member country.

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