Uncertainty meanwhile remains whether Kyiv diplomats will attend a new round of peace talks proposed by Moscow for early next week in Istanbul.

A bipartisan pair of US senators met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday and urged stronger sanctions against Russia, while uncertainty swirls over whether the next round of peace talks will move ahead in the coming days.

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Russia is prepared to consider a ceasefire in Ukraine to pave the way for a lasting settlement, but during any truce Moscow wants Western states to stop arming Kyiv and for Ukraine to stop mobilising troops,

Zaur Gurtsiev, a retired Russian commander who led airstrikes on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol died in a blast Thursday in Russia, authorities said.

Russia dramatically intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine this month in an effort to sap Ukrainians’ morale – but it is also stepping up ground attacks in many areas along the long frontline,

The Kremlin expects Russia and Ukraine to discuss the list of conditions for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine next week in Istanbul, its spokesman said on Friday, praising the U.S. role in mediating the talks.

Russia has continued to make billions from fossil fuel exports to the West, data shows, helping to finance its full-scale invasion of Ukraine – now in its fourth year.

Christiane Amanpour speaks to Fiona Hill, former National Security Council Senior Director for Russian Affairs.