Authorities in Ukraine's Sumy region bordering Russia ordered the mandatory evacuation of 11 villages because of bombardments, as Kyiv feared a Russian offensive there.

Nebenzya made the comments during a UN Security Council meeting convened at Moscow’s request. Russia accused European countries of “attempting to hamper the peace process around Ukraine.” He said that on a “principled basis” Russia could consider a ceasefire.

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.

The German-Swedish-made Taurus air-launched cruise missiles, currently under discussion, are noted for their effective range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles). If Ukraine deploys the missiles, it could gain the capability to strike deep into Russian territory, including Moscow.

Russia has accused the German government of warmongering over its promise of further support for Ukraine, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Berlin and Kiev are aiming to jointly produce long-range weapons.

But after more than three years of war, President Donald Trump has held out the prospect of restoring U.S.-Russia trade if there’s ever a peace settlement. And Russian President Vladimir Putin has said foreign companies could come back under some circumstances.

Ukraine and Russia, earlier this month, agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees each in a rare moment of cooperation in more than three years of war.