Russia

"I am ready for direct talks with Putin to bring this war to an end, rather than waiting for when all will resolve every conflict in the world before our turn finally comes," Zelensky said.

US officials have signaled openness to deploying nuclear weapons in additional European NATO states, though an agreement is not imminent, the Financial Times reported.

"If the Kyiv regime is consciously committing such inhumane... acts of terror against civilians, against children, then this is an entirely different paradigm," the Kremlin spokesman said.

The tanker, which had sailed from Russia's Arctic port of Murmansk, was suspected of flying under a false flag and was intercepted with support from Britain, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"This operation took place in the Atlantic Ocean, on the high seas, with the support of several partners, including the United Kingdom, in strict compliance with the law of the sea," said PM Macron.

Some European intelligence officials suggest that the aggressive measures Russia is taking to procure Western technology and defense secrets may be due to the state of its economy.

Authorities evacuated dozens after a drone hit a 10-story apartment block near the Ukrainian border, intensifying concerns over regional security.

Zakharova also said that the number of drone attacks on Russian territory from the direction of Europe and Northern European states was increasing.

Moscow and Kyiv have frequently attacked each other's ports and tankers since the start of the war. Neither country immediately claimed responsibility for the newly reported attack.

Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov said the group’s “Khorasan Branch” had stepped up efforts to recruit members from other extremist groups.