The Latest Breaking News from Kyiv

The EU on Friday pledged to support Ukraine "every step of the way" in its quest for bloc membership as top officials gathered in Kyiv for a summit to discuss the extension of military and humanitarian assistance, as well as an eventual post-war reconstruction programme. But Ukraine presses for more.

This is the first summit to take place with Ukraine as an official candidate to join the European Union.

Air raid alerts sounded in Kyiv and across Ukraine on Friday as a summit of European Union and Ukrainian leaders was due to begin in the country's capital.

The first European Union-Ukraine summit since the start of the Russian invasion takes place on 3 February in Kyiv. EU accession, Russia's invasion, post-war reconstruction, food security and accountability are among the topics to be discussed.

Top EU officials met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a summit in Kyiv on Friday in a show of support for the country as it battles to counter Russia's forces and strives to join the 27-member bloc. Ahead of the summit, European Council President Charles Michel said Moscow's invasion…

New US $2.175bn military aid also includes precision-guided rockets and HAWK air defence firing units

EU leaders will try to temper Kyiv’s expectations while avoiding negative public statements that could weaken morale

The German government has approved the delivery of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine from industrial stocks and is in talks over purchasing back 15 Gepard tanks from Qatar to send to Kyiv, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported on Friday.

Ukrainians will fight "for as long as we can" to hold the eastern city of Bakhmut, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Friday, as he hosted European Union leaders to discuss further sanctions on Russia and Kyiv's prospects for joining the EU.