Donald Trump has threatened Russia with sanctions, saying both sides need to get to the negotiating table. It comes after the Kremlin and Ukraine shared very different starting points for truce talks. Watch Sky News live below – including coverage of an unscheduled Trump speech.
Friday 7 March 2025 18:00, UK
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That’s all for our coverage of the war in Ukraine for today.
If you’re just checking in, here is a quick recap of the key developments over the last 24 hours.
Ukraine has to “get on the ball and get the job done”, Donald Trump says as he answers questions on the war.
Russia is “bombing the hell out of Ukraine… I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine,” he adds.
Russia has “all the cards”, he says, and says it “may be easier” to deal with Moscow, despite their position.
Asked if he believes Vladimir Putin when he says he wants peace, Trump says “yeah… I believe him”.
Donald Trump is delivering unexpected remarks in the Oval Office.
You can watch it live in the stream above.
Earlier this afternoon we held a Q&A with about Donald Trump, and many questions focused on the Ukraine war.
Correspondents David Blevins and James Matthews were answering questions from readers about the US administration.
Will the Ukraine war spread to other countries in Europe? Why is it so important for Trump to do a minerals deal before he can start peace negotiations? Why isn’t Europe striking a minerals deal with Kyiv?
If you’d like to see the answers to these questions and more, take a read here…
These pictures show damaged buildings and smouldering fires in the aftermath of Russian missile strikes in the frontline town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, has proposed enshrining defence spending of at least 4% of GDP in the country’s constitution.
Poland currently spends a higher proportion of GDP on defence than any other NATO member, including the United States.
It reached 4.1% of GDP last year, according to NATO estimates, and could rise to 4.7% this year.
Donald Tusk, the prime minister, said in parliament that spending 5% on defence seems a “necessity” and Poles have a “lot of effort” ahead of them.
As we reported in our post at 2pm, he has announced a plan to offer military training to every adult male.
Donald Trump has threatened further sanctions against Russia.
That is based on the “fact” that Moscow is “pounding” Ukraine on the battlefield at present, he has written on Truth Social.
He is threatening banking sanctions and tariffs until a “ceasefire” and a final peace settlement are reached.
The US president wrote: “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
He did not provide any details on how extra sanctions might be imposed.
In January, Washington intensified the measures it is taking against Vladimir Putin’s regime by targeting Russia’s oil production and exports.
These pictures show firefighters battling a blaze after a Russian air attack in Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region.
Russian forces are steadily advancing on the region and have been slowly capturing village after village over the last few months.
The Polish government is drawing up plans to offer military training to every adult male.
Donald Tusk, the country’s prime minister, told the lower house of parliament the idea is to create a reserve force “adequate to possible threats”.
Poland is on NATO’s eastern flank and shares a border with Ukraine.
Concerns have become heightened after President Trump stopped providing Kyiv with military support and intelligence.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs to acknowledge security guarantees for Ukraine will be provided by Europe, the US treasury secretary has said.
Scott Bessent told CNBC the situation regarding any peace deal over Russia’s war in Ukraine is fluid.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK will “step up” to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, but said it would “need the US to be working with us”.
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