Ukraine invoked martial law in 2022 following Russia’s military invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s presidential term would have ended in May 2023, but the country’s constitution prevents lifting martial law and bans elections while Ukraine is at war.

Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that he has always had good, pragmatic, and trust-based relationships with President Donald Trump. The Russian leader added that he is ready to engage in talks with the United States about ending the war in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in remarks published on Friday that he saw no objective signs that Ukraine or the West were ready for peace talks despite all their increasingly loud statements about the need for such talks.

A shortage of infantry troops and supply routes under Russian drone attacks have dealt a blow to Ukrainian forces around the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.