Ukraine was hit by a “massive” attack targeting its energy infrastructure overnight. Elsehwere, China said it is willing to play a “constructive role” in a “lasting peace”. Listen to the latest episode of Trump 100 – about the president and Vladimir Putin – as you scroll.
Friday 7 March 2025 07:08, UK
Russian forces have targeted Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure in a “massive” missile and drone attack, the Ukrainian energy minister has said.
German Galushchenko said on Facebook: “Once again, energy and gas infrastructure in various regions of Ukraine has come under massive missile and drone fire.”
He added: “Wherever possible, rescuers and power engineers are working to eliminate the consequences. All necessary measures are being taken to stabilise power and gas supplies.”
Natural gas production facilities at the state-run oil and gas firm Naftogaz were damaged, the company said in a statement.
“Fortunately there were no casualties,” it said on the Telegram messaging app.
Last night (9.37pm post) a regional governor for the port city of Odesa said drones had damaged energy infrastructure and sparked fires there.
It was described as a “massive drone attack”.
These photographs show the aftermath of a Russian missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
An apartment building was badly damaged.
China has said it is willing to “cooperate with the international community” to bring a “fair, lasting and binding peace agreement” to Ukraine.
It is also promising to play a “constructive role”.
Foreign minister Wang Yi said it was important to achieve an agreement that “every side can accept”.
He told reporters: “China is willing to cooperate with the international community in accordance with the wishes of relevant parties to achieve a final resolution of the crisis and lasting peace, and will continue to play a constructive role.”
The White House is facing further criticism it is aligning itself too closely with Russia – something described by US defence secretary Pete Hegseth as “garbage”.
On episode 47 of Trump 100, James Matthews is joined by Diana Magnay, Sky’s former Moscow correspondent, who’s been meeting Ukrainian refugees living in the US.
She shares her experiences of Putin’s Russia and reveals if the country has any similarities to Donald Trump’s America.
They also discuss Trump threatening to row back on NATO commitments – and the pause of tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico.
If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask James, Martha and Mark, please email it to trump100@sky.uk
Welcome back to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine, as European leaders continue their flurry of diplomacy to shore up defences both in Ukraine and across the continent.
Yesterday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed he plans to visit Saudi Arabia for peace talks – the country which hosted the first round of US-Russia discussions.
Donald Trump said he would visit over the next six weeks.
While there is no suggestion the two leaders will be there at the same time, Zelenskyy said his team will be meeting US officials.
That followed a summit in Brussels during which European leaders discussed a new spending plan on defence – which could lead to hundreds of billions of pounds being spent across the EU.
While diplomacy continues to gather pace off the battlefield, Russia has not relented as it continues to attack Ukraine.
Late last night, Moscow launched a “massive” drone assault on the port city of Odesa, according to the regional governor, causing damage to three residential buildings and starting fires, too.
That’s all from us for now, but we’ll be back in the morning.
Before we go, here’s a recap of today’s main developments:
Emmanuel Macron suggested extending France’s nuclear capability to provide an umbrella over more European countries.
It’s drawn criticism from Moscow – but what would this mean? And how is it different to what the UK offers?
Our military analyst Sean Bell explains…
We’ve just heard from the former head of MI6.
Sir John Sawers, who worked for the British government for more than 30 years, said Donald Trump’s approach to the war in Ukraine has tilted the conflict in Russia’s favour.
Speaking on The World with Yalda Hakim, he added: “I think at some point the Americans will discover the obstacle to peace isn’t Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it isn’t the Ukrainians, it’s Russian ambitions.
“And then we’ll see how President Trump and his administration respond.”
What we’ve seen over the past few weeks – such as the US voting alongside Russia at the UN – is unheard of until now, he added.
The US is “basically siding with invader” and “putting pressure on the victim”.
But while the US is an “unpredictable” partner, he said it is not yet unreliable – and the UK must continue “talking” to them.
Donald Trump is clearly determined to press ahead with his plan to get a peace deal and get it done quickly, our correspondent David Blevins has said.
Speaking in Washington, he said Trump’s plans to visit Saudi Arabia (see our 20:22 post) shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“Trump likes to see himself as a peacemaker, and he is the transactional president,” he said.
“So we shouldn’t be terribly surprised that he’s talking about going to Saudi Arabia himself if he thinks they’re going to clinch a deal.”
It’s hard to believe Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House just six days ago, following his disastrous meeting with Trump, Blevins added.
Since then, the US has ramped up the pressure – and Blevins said that as far as Trump is concerned it’s having the desired effect.
By Siobhan Robbins, Europe correspondent
Hungary’s vetoing of a statement of support for Ukraine isn’t a surprise, but it will be a disappointment to a bloc keen to show it’s united.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had flagged his opposition well in advance, calling for the EU to engage in direct negotiations with Russia.
He’s never hidden his admiration for the Russian president and has repeatedly blocked aid for Ukraine.
Less than 24 hours before today’s meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron invited him to Paris, no doubt hoping he could win him over.
But Orban clearly chose to stick with Donald Trump, another strongman leader who he’s sided with on Ukraine since his return to office.
In the end, the remaining 26 members backed the statement without him.
It was a quick-fix this time, but there’s no disguising deep divisions in the EU position when it comes to Vladimir Putin.
Devil will be in detail
The statement on Ukraine includes a pledge to step up pressure on Russia with further sanctions.
Again, Hungary could prove itself the problem child of the EU family if it blocks these in future.
On a more positive note, European Union leaders have backed new spending plans aimed at freeing up billions for Europe’s security.
But behind the seemingly united front, countries seem to have different views about the best way forward – suggesting the devil could be in the detail when they meet again later this month.
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