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The United States has given Ukraine and Russia a deadline until June to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as fresh Russian attacks severely damaged the country’s energy infrastructure. Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy said the Trump administration wants the war to end by early summer and is likely to pressure both sides if no deal is reached by then. “The Americans want to do everything by June. They want a clear schedule and will push both sides according to this timeline,” Zelenskyy said. His comments were made on Friday but released on Saturday. He said the US has proposed holding the next round of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States next week, possibly in Miami. Ukraine has confirmed its participation, he added. Zelenskyy also said Russia has submitted a massive $12 trillion economic proposal to the US, referred to as the “Dmitriev package,” named after Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Economic cooperation with the US is part of the broader negotiation process, he noted. Meanwhile, Russian forces launched more than 400 drones and around 40 missiles overnight, targeting Ukraine’s energy grid, power generation facilities and distribution networks, Zelenskyy said in a post on X. Ukraine’s state energy operator Ukrenergo said the strikes forced nuclear power plants to reduce output after key high-voltage substations were hit. Eight energy facilities in eight regions were damaged in what it called the second major attack on energy infrastructure this year. As a result, Ukraine’s power shortage has worsened significantly, leading to extended scheduled power outages across the country, the operator said. The June deadline follows US-brokered trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi that failed to produce progress, as both sides maintained firm and opposing positions. Russia continues to demand Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbas region, a condition Kyiv has repeatedly rejected. “Ukraine has once again confirmed its position on Donbas. We stand where we stand,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the most difficult issues should be discussed directly at the leaders’ level. He said no agreement was reached on the management of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and voiced doubts about a US proposal to turn the Donbas into a free economic zone as a compromise. Zelenskyy said the talks also covered how a potential ceasefire would be monitored, with the US reaffirming its role in that process. He added that Washington again proposed a ceasefire banning attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukraine is ready to accept such a deal if Russia complies. However, he noted that a previous US-backed pause was broken by Russia after just four days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that about 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, as US-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv continued with what Washington described as constructive engagement. In an interview broadcast late Wednesday by French television channel France 2, Zelenskyy said the fighting has also left a large number of people missing. The figure marks an increase from his previous disclosure in early 2025, when he said 46,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed on the battlefield. The war, now in its fourth year, has turned into a prolonged struggle of attrition along a roughly 1,000-kilometre front line stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine. Russian forces have sought to use their numerical advantage, while both sides continue to strike targets deep behind the front lines with long-range drones and missiles. Zelenskyy’s estimate is significantly lower than figures published last month by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, which put Ukrainian military deaths at up to 140,000 by the end of last year. The same report estimated Russian troop deaths at as many as 325,000. Neither Ukraine nor Russia regularly releases detailed or up-to-date information on military casualties. Russia’s Defense Ministry last issued an official death toll in September 2022, when it said fewer than 6,000 Russian soldiers had been killed. The civilian toll has also continued to rise. Human Rights Watch said in a report released Wednesday that Ukrainian civilian casualties increased by 31 percent last year compared with 2024. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, nearly 15,000 civilians have been killed and more than 40,000 injured since the war began, up to last December. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict moved forward slowly. Ukrainian and Russian delegations held a second day of US-brokered talks on Thursday. US special envoy Steve Witkoff described the discussions as detailed and productive, saying the two sides agreed to exchange 314 prisoners, their first such swap in five months. However, the talks in Abu Dhabi produced no major breakthrough. Witkoff said sustained diplomacy was yielding tangible results and helping advance efforts to end the war. Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council chief Rustem Umerov said Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner attended the talks, as they did during negotiations last month. Zelenskyy has previously described the future control of the Donbas industrial region as a central issue in any settlement. NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, was also present at the meeting, according to a spokesperson speaking on condition of anonymity. On the ground, hostilities continued. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for an official visit. In the Ukrainian capital, two people were injured overnight in Russian drone attacks, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. In the surrounding Kyiv region, authorities reported that a man suffered a chest wound from shrapnel. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 183 drones and two ballistic missiles overnight. Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed its air defenses shot down 95 Ukrainian drones over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv aims to inflict losses on Russian forces at a scale that exceeds Moscow’s monthly reinforcements, outlining a strategy he believes could weaken Russia’s military capacity and shift the balance in the nearly four-year-old war. Addressing military personnel, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian units should ensure Russian losses surpass the number of troops Moscow can deploy each month, describing 50,000 losses as the optimal level to achieve that goal. He said recent battlefield assessments showed a steady rise in Russian casualties, including killed and severely wounded soldiers no longer able to return to combat. Ukraine’s military leadership estimates tens of thousands of Russian troops were killed or incapacitated in December alone. Kyiv claims Russia has suffered more than one million casualties since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, though such figures cannot be independently verified. The war remains largely stalemated, with Russian forces struggling to make significant territorial gains despite sustained offensives in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian commanders say their troops continue to hold key cities in the Donetsk region, while countering Russian attempts to advance using small assault groups. Zelenskyy said drone warfare has become central to Ukraine’s strategy, with unmanned systems now striking the majority of targets on the battlefield. He said domestic drone production has expanded rapidly, supported by incentive schemes that reward operators and frontline troops for confirmed hits and the destruction of Russian equipment. The president recently appointed a new defence minister with a background in digital innovation, tasking him with accelerating drone manufacturing and strengthening international technological cooperation. Meanwhile, Russia has continued heavy drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, leaving large numbers of households without electricity and heating during winter. Ukrainian authorities said repair crews were working around the clock, while international partners have provided generators and emergency support. Ceasefire talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States have so far failed to produce a breakthrough, with Moscow showing no willingness to compromise on territorial demands. Zelenskyy has warned that without stronger military pressure and firm security guarantees, prospects for a negotiated settlement remain remote.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, following Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which produced no agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he had a “long and substantive” conversation with Trump on Saturday after the U.S. leader met Putin in Alaska. He thanked Trump for the invitation to meet in person and said the two leaders would “discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war.” Highlighting Europe’s role, Zelenskyy said, “It is important that Europeans are involved at every stage to ensure reliable security guarantees together with America. We also discussed positive signals from the American side regarding participation in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.” Zelenskyy spoke to Trump one-on-one, followed by a call with other European leaders. The discussions lasted about an hour and a half. The US-Russia summit in Alaska saw Trump welcome Putin, but ended without tangible progress on ending the war. Trump said, “there’s no deal until there’s a deal,” after Putin claimed the two leaders had reached an “understanding” on Ukraine and warned Europe not to “torpedo the nascent progress.” Trump leaves Alaska summit with Putin without a Ukraine peace deal Before leaving Alaska, Trump told Fox News Channel that the responsibility might fall on Zelenskyy “to get it done,” while also acknowledging European involvement. After returning to Washington, Trump spoke with NATO leaders following his call with Zelenskyy but did not speak to reporters. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the discussions included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. European leaders, who were not part of Friday’s summit, had no immediate comment. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine continued overnight. Ukraine’s Air Force reported one ballistic missile and 85 Shahed drones were launched, 61 of which were intercepted. Front-line areas in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Chernihiv came under attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Berlin on Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European leaders and U.S. officials ahead of the Trump-Putin summit later this week, the German government said. Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings aimed at ensuring European and Ukrainian voices are heard before the summit, from which they have been excluded. Zelenskyy will first meet European leaders, followed by a virtual call with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. EU urges Trump to protect European security in upcoming talks with Putin A separate call with members of the “coalition of the willing” — nations ready to help enforce any future Moscow-Kyiv peace deal — will take place last. Merz pledged to assist Ukraine in developing its own long-range missile systems without Western-imposed restrictions, as Kyiv continues to resist Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy last visited Berlin in May. Trump has described Friday’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a feel-out” session to assess Moscow’s intentions. However, he has unsettled European allies by suggesting Ukraine may have to cede some Russian-held territory and by raising the possibility of land swaps. Zelenskyy rejects Putin’s demand for Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk as ceasefire condition Zelenskyy on Tuesday rejected a proposal for Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of Donetsk region it still controls, calling it unconstitutional and a potential prelude to further Russian aggression. He criticised U.S.-led diplomacy for failing to address key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees and European participation in talks. Since returning to office, Trump has ruled out Ukraine’s NATO membership, pressed NATO allies on defence spending, and raised EU import tariffs to 15%. Senior EU officials believe he may settle for a ceasefire, focusing instead on broader U.S.-Russia relations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed former economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s new prime minister, marking a key leadership shift aimed at boosting Ukraine’s defense and diplomacy amid the ongoing war with Russia. Svyrydenko, 39, becomes the first new head of government since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. She has played a prominent role in Ukraine’s international negotiations, including leading a recent mineral partnership deal with the United States — a move seen as crucial in aligning U.S. economic interests with Ukraine’s long-term security. US selling weapons to NATO allies for Ukraine support The appointment comes just days after a major U.S. weapons deal was announced, with support from President Donald Trump. In her first remarks after parliamentary approval, Svyrydenko emphasized urgency. “War leaves no room for delay,” she said on X. “Our top priorities are ensuring army supply lines, expanding domestic weapons production, and strengthening our defense technology.” Outgoing prime minister Denys Shmyhal will now serve as Ukraine’s defense minister, replacing Rustem Umerov, whose tenure was criticized for inefficiency despite efforts at reform. Shmyhal, who led the government since March 2020, was Ukraine’s longest-serving prime minister. The reshuffle is part of a broader leadership update, though Zelenskyy is largely retaining his core team. He also named former European integration minister Olga Stefanishyna as special representative for U.S. cooperation and nominated her to be Ukraine’s next ambassador to Washington, replacing Oksana Markarova. Trump envoy visits Kyiv as US pledges Patriot missiles to Ukraine Zelenskyy acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining global focus on Ukraine amid rising international conflicts. “We all want peace,” he said in a speech to parliament. “But the world’s attention is scattered. Ukraine must rely more on its own strength.”  Source: Agency 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that his country is committed to ending the war with Russia but he urged dozens of European leaders to ramp up sanctions if President Vladimir Putin continues to play for time in talks aimed at securing a truce. Russia and Ukraine were holding their first direct peace talks in three years, in the Turkish port city of Istanbul, but officials and observers expected them to yield little immediate progress on stopping the more than three-year war, AP reports.  Russia-Ukraine war is top of the agenda as European leaders meet in Albania on security concerns “Ukraine is ready to take all realistic steps to end this war,” Zelenskyy told leaders gathered for a summit of the European Political Community. But he warned: “If it turns out that the Russian delegation really is just theatrical and can’t deliver any results today, the world must respond.” That reaction, he said, should include "sanctions against Russia’s energy sector and banks.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed his call, saying in a summit speech that “Russia is dragging its feet and playing games.” “We must be prepared to follow through because if Russia won’t come to the negotiating table, Putin must pay the price,” he said, at the summit in the Albanian capital, Tirana. Zelenskyy's remarks came after Putin declined to attend face-to-face talks. “I think Putin made a mistake by sending a low level delegation,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said as he arrived for the summit under a steady drizzle. “The ball is clearly in his part of the field now, in his court. He has to play ball. He has to be serious about wanting peace," Rutte added. European Union foreign chief Kaja Kallas said Putin was “playing games, which shows that they are not serious about peace.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was clear that “President Zelenskyy was ready to meet but President Putin never showed up, and this shows his true belief. So we will increase the pressure.” Von der Leyen said the EU is preparing a new package of sanctions. She said that the measures will target the shadow fleet of aging cargo vessels that Russia is using to bypass international sanctions and the Nord Stream pipeline consortium. Russia’s financial sector would also be targeted, she said. EU envoys have been working on the new sanctions package for several weeks, and the bloc’s foreign ministers could enact them as soon as Tuesday.  Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first peace talks in 3 years Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni stressed that efforts to reach a deal on Ukraine must continue. “I think ... that we must not throw in the towel. I think we must insist, we must insist for an unconditional ceasefire and a serious peace agreement that includes guarantees of security for Ukraine,” she said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the leaders of dozens of European countries and organizations for a one-day summit in Albania's capital Friday to discuss security and defense challenges across the continent, with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine at the top of the agenda. On the eve of the summit in Tirana, Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey to try to secure a ceasefire with Moscow, sending a low-level delegation instead. European leaders criticize Putin's decision not to met Zelenskyy “I think Putin made a mistake by sending a low level delegation,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said as he arrived for the summit under a steady drizzle. “The ball is clearly in his part of the field now, in his court. He has to play ball. He has to be serious about wanting peace. So I think all the pressure is now on Putin,” Rutte added. Zelenskyy did not make any comments as he arrived for the summit, walking with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama along the red carpet past the gathered media. European Union foreign chief Kaja Kallas said Putin was “playing games, which shows that they are not serious about peace.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was clear that “President Zelenskyy was ready to meet but President Putin never showed up, and this shows his true belief. So we will increase the pressure.” Von der Leyen said the EU is preparing a new package of sanctions. She said that the measures will target the shadow fleet of aging cargo vessels that Russia is using to bypass international sanctions and the Nord Stream pipeline consortium. Russia’s financial sector would also be targeted, she said. EU envoys have been working on the new sanctions package for several weeks, and the bloc’s foreign ministers could enact them as soon as Tuesday. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni stressed that efforts to reach a deal on Ukraine must continue. Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first peace talks in 3 years “I think ... that we must not throw in the towel. I think we must insist, we must insist for an unconditional ceasefire and a serious peace agreement that includes guarantees of security for Ukraine,” she said. The spurning of the offer for direct talks with Zelenskyy “is clear evidence that Putin doesn’t seriously want peace. He’s dragging his heels,” said U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “And that’s why today is a really important opportunity, to work with colleagues to make sure that we are absolutely united.” Summit a chance for bilateral meetings The theme of the European Political Community, or EPC, summit in Tirana is “New Europe in a new world: unity — cooperation — joint action.” The gathering of leaders from about 50 nations and organizations will also address ways to improve the continent’s competitiveness and tackle unauthorized migration. But the EPC will also be a setting for leaders to meet bilaterally, or in small groups, to weigh in on major security issues. The inaugural summit in Prague in 2022 saw the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia holding rare talks in an effort to ease tensions between the longtime adversaries. Last weekend, Zelenskyy hosted French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Kyiv, where they made a joint call for a 30-day end to hostilities. “As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues, its consequences stretch far beyond Ukraine’s borders, straining our security and testing our collective resilience,” Albania's Rama and European Council President António Costa wrote in their EPC summit invitation letter. The last summit, hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ardent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, was dominated by the concerns and opportunities that might arise in the wake of Trump's reelection. The leaders arrived in Tirana’s central Skanderbeg Square on a rainy morning and were to be greeted by a brief performance by dancers in folk costumes before heading into the temporary conference hall, set up at the foot of a monument to Albania's national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu, or Skanderbeg, who fought against the Ottoman Empire. Albania hosts a major summit days after election Rama's governing Socialist Party won Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, attracting voters who support the country’s long and somewhat uphill effort to join the European Union. The vote secured a fourth term for Rama. The prime minister said that the summit is a point of pride for Albania, and an “inspiration and motivation to continue further on.” His Socialist Party says it can deliver EU membership in five years. The EPC forum is Macron's brainchild, and was backed by former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, aiming to boost security and prosperity across the continent. But critics claimed it was an attempt by them to put the brakes on EU enlargement. The 2022 inaugural summit involved the EU's 27 member countries, aspiring partners in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, as well as neighbors like the U.K. — the only country to have left the EU — and Turkey. Russia is the one major European power not invited, along with Belarus, its neighbor and supporter in the war with Ukraine. The next EPC meeting will take place in Denmark later this year.  54 people killed in overnight airstrikes on southern Gaza city amid Trump's Mideast trip

Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first face-to-face peace talks in three years on Friday, convening in Istanbul under Turkish mediation. However, both officials and analysts anticipate little progress in halting the war, which has now stretched into its fourth year. Ukraine’s delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, is expected to meet a lower-level Russian team headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.  Russia launches smallest nighttime attack on Ukraine in months in run-up to possible peace talks The renewed attempt to revive peace talks began on a shaky note Thursday, as Russian President Vladimir Putin declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer for direct talks. The two delegations also arrived in different Turkish cities and appeared mismatched in terms of diplomatic representation. While expectations were low for a possible Zelenskyy-Putin meeting, the sluggish momentum of the peace process dashed hopes of a breakthrough in Turkey. The two sides remain deeply divided on terms for ending the conflict. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump, during a visit to the Middle East, said a meeting between him and Putin was essential to overcome the stalemate. Ukraine has accepted a 30-day comprehensive ceasefire proposal backed by the U.S. and Europe, but Putin has dismissed it, instead laying out broad preconditions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts report that Russia is preparing for a renewed military offensive. After Putin declined Zelenskyy’s invitation to meet in Ankara on Thursday, the Ukrainian president accused Moscow of not being genuinely interested in ending the war, criticizing Russia’s delegation as merely symbolic. Nonetheless, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would still send a delegation led by his defense minister to the Istanbul talks, as a signal to Trump that Kyiv remains committed to peace despite Russia’s apparent reluctance. According to the Kremlin, Russia’s delegation will include three additional senior officials, along with four junior “experts” assigned to the discussions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he would meet Friday in Istanbul with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Ukrainian delegation. He also noted that members of the U.S. team would hold talks with the Russian side, expressing hope that all parties might eventually sit down together. “We’re not expecting major results tomorrow. Honestly, it’s clear by now that a real breakthrough would require a direct meeting between President Trump and President Putin,” Rubio told reporters Thursday in Antalya. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy traveled to Albania to participate in a summit of European political leaders scheduled for Friday.  Russian House in Dhaka celebrates the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was city-hopping across Europe on Thursday to promote a “victory plan” that he said “aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war" against Russia, detailing the proposals to European allies after a summit with President Joe Biden was derailed by Hurricane Milton. Zelenskyy's talks in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte were quickly followed by another meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, who just the previous day sent a strong signal of support for Ukraine by visiting Ukrainian troops being trained in France. Zelenskyy posted on X that he “outlined the details” of the Ukrainian victory plan to Starmer and added: “We have agreed to work on it together with our allies.” Starmer's Downing Street office said the leaders discussed the blueprint, the challenges for Ukraine of the approaching winter and “how investment in the country’s security today would support Europe’s broader security for generations to come.” The Ukrainian leader also met Rutte with Starmer. Zelenskyy posted afterward that they discussed trans-Atlantic cooperation and further reinforcing Ukraine militarily. He gave no details but posted that “these are the steps that will create the best conditions for restoring a just peace.” Zelenskyy has yet to publicly present his proposals for victory. But the timing of his efforts to lock in European support appeared to have the looming U.S. election in mind. Former President Donald Trump has long been critical of U.S. aid to Ukraine. Zelenskyy had planned to present his blueprint at a weekend meeting of Western leaders in Germany, but it was postponed after Biden stayed home because of the hurricane that struck Florida. Zelenskyy then embarked on his whistle-stop tour of European capitals that have been among Ukraine's staunchest allies outside of the United States. In Paris, Macron and Zelenskyy hugged before talks on the plan at the French presidential Elysee Palace. Afterward, Zelenskyy said “all the details” would come in November and that he's talking with allies about securing more military aid and permission for Ukrainian forces to carry out long-range strikes. Kyiv wants Western partners to allow strikes deep inside Russia, using long-range weapons they provide. Some, including the U.K. and France, appear willing, but Biden is reticent about escalating the conflict. Read: New NATO chief Mark Rutte visits Ukraine in his first trip since taking office “The situation looks bleak for all sides,” Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said Thursday on X. "The West hesitates amid internal divisions, Ukraine struggles while bracing for a harsh winter, and Russia presses forward without any strategic shifts in its favor, yet grows increasingly impatient.” Later Thursday, Zelenskyy met in Rome with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who ensured Italy's full and continued support “at both bilateral and multilateral level in order to put Kyiv in the best position possible to build a just and lasting peace.” Meloni said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the situation on the ground and Ukraine’s “most immediate military, financial and humanitarian needs, as well as the forthcoming diplomatic initiatives and the pathway to bring an end to the conflict.” She added that Rome will continue to do its part also in the future reconstruction of Ukraine and announced the dates for the next Ukraine recovery conference, which will be held in Rome in July 2025. Zelenskyy stressed that his priority is to strengthen Ukraine’s position, with the help of its international partners, to create the necessary conditions for diplomacy. "Russia is not really looking for a diplomatic path,” he said. “If we are able to implement the victory plan, Russia won't be able to continue the war.” Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Pope Francis Friday morning for a half-hour audience, the Vatican said. Later in the day, he'll meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. Ukraine relies heavily on Western support, including tens of billions of dollars’ worth of military and financial aid, to keep up the fight against its bigger enemy after almost 1,000 days of fighting since the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. Fearing that crucial help could be in jeopardy due to political changes in donor countries, Ukraine has been building up its domestic arms industry. It also wants to raise more money from taxpayers to pay for the war effort. The Ukrainian parliament passed a bill on second reading Thursday that raises the so-called military tax from 1.5% to 5%. Some amendments are expected before it becomes law. Read more: China, at UN, warns against 'expansion of the battlefield' in Ukraine war Zelenskyy’s tour comes as Russia continues a slow but relentless drive deeper into Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and targets key infrastructure with airstrikes. Zelenskyy said Wednesday that the victory plan seeks to strengthen Ukraine “both geopolitically and on the battlefield” before any kind of dialogue with Russia. “Weakness of any of our allies will inspire (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” he said. “That’s why we’re asking them to strengthen us, in terms of security guarantees, in terms of weapons, in terms of our future after this war. In my view, he (Putin) only understands force.” The death toll from a Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa rose Thursday to eight, regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said. It was the latest in a string of assaults on the Black Sea port. Authorities in Kyiv also announced Thursday that Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna died while being in Russian captivity, although the circumstances of her death remained unknown. Moscow admitted detaining Roshchyna, who went missing in 2023 while on a reporting trip to Russia-occupied areas.