Ukraine and Russia targeted each other with long-range strikes, officials said Monday, amid continuing uncertainty about whether an agreement to stop their more than three-year war is within reach at the start of what America’s top diplomat called a “very critical” week.

The Trump administration has been trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to halt the three-year conflict.

Russia said on Monday it was waiting for a signal from Ukraine to say it was willing to hold direct negotiations to end their war, but had not seen any signs of movement. The Kremlin said last Friday that the possibility of direct talks had been raised during a three-hour meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine next month to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II.

Ukraine is calling for an immediate ceasefire in response to Moscow's announcement it plans for a three-day pause in fighting next month. Newsweek's live blog is closed.

Ceasefire, Ukraine Wants Truce Now MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a three-day ceasefire in May in the war with Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies in World War Two.

North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it has dispatched troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

North Korea acknowledged for the first time Monday that it had provided troop reinforcements to aid Russia in its war on Ukraine.