President Donald Trump started the week declaring a diplomatic breakthrough in his bid to get Russia and Ukraine closer to making peace, announcing he had begun arranging for direct talks between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

President Donald Trump said Friday he will give Russian President Vladimir Putin “a couple of weeks,” further extending a deadline for potential consequences against Moscow after urging the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet.

By Andrea Shalal, Yuliia Dysa and Max Hunder WASHINGTON/KYIV (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump renewed a threat to impose sanctions on Russia on Friday if there is no progress toward a peaceful settlement in Ukraine in two weeks,

Security guarantees have been one of Ukraine's main conditions in a peace deal. The country's officials have repeatedly said NATO membership for Ukraine is the best security guarantee Kyiv could have.

Three meters underground, a network of tunnels and trenches fortified with timber provides a safer spot for frontline fighters to rest and recuperate – and a deeper position to defend against a potential Russian advance into Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine.

The North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, publicly consoled bereaved families, as well as awarding medals to soldiers returning from the force he has sent to aid Russia.

Estonia is ready to participate in a peacekeeping operation in Ukraine with a force of up to one battalion, the Baltic country's Prime Minister Kristen Michal said at a press conference with his Finnish counterpart in Tallinn on Friday.

A special event was held in Bristol earlier to celebrate Ukrainian spirit ahead of the country's independence day on Sunday. The celebration began with a flag raising ceremony on College Green, followed by a concert in Bristol Cathedral.

P resident Donald Trump has expressed his anger at recent Ukrainian attacks that disabled the Russian oil pipeline Druzhba, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia, both NATO allies. Newsweek reached out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's office and the White House for comment.