Ukraine LIVE: Putin to defy Macron, Starmer and Trump as US issues red alert for attack

Mr Lammy said April had been the "deadliest month" for children since the war began, as he urged Russia to engage seriously.

Overnight, the Kremlin launched more than 100 drones into Ukraine, in what was seen as a rejection of calls for an unconditional ceasefire.

EU commission vice president Kaja Kallas said: “If there is no ceasefire there cannot be talks under fire… it takes two to want peace, it takes only one to want war.”

Meanwhile, Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Russia's consulate in Krakow would be closed after links were found to an arson attack in Warsaw.

He warned that European leaders are “prepared if this is not the moment of seriousness from Putin.”

Mr Lammy is hosting ministers from the Weimar+ group at Lancaster House after a weekend of diplomacy focused on Ukraine.

He is expected to announce fresh sanctions targeting supporters of Moscow, days after Sir Keir Starmer warned of further action if peace efforts stall.

Vladimir Putin must "get serious" about engaging in peace talks, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said.

He praised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for his "willingness to engage in talks" as European foreign ministers gathered in London.

Mr Zelensky has publicly challenged Mr Putin to meet him face-to-face for negotiations in Turkey on Thursday.

The invitation follows the Russian president's own statement suggesting he is open to direct talks with Kyiv.

Urging the Kremlin to respond, Mr Lammy said: "This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks."

Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Vladimir Putin to meet him face-to-face in Turkey on Thursday, offering to begin a ceasefire on Monday in what appears to be a marked shift in policy following an intervention by Donald Trump.

Mr Zelensky made the dramatic offer in a post on X early Sunday morning, saying: “I will be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally.

"We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings.”

His message followed a post on Truth Social by Mr Trump, published late Saturday night, in which the former US President said: “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY.

Vladimir Putin has suffered another dramatic blow after a drilling rig collapsed and burst into flames in Siberia, leaving three workers in critical condition and raising fresh questions over the stability of the Kremlin’s oil infrastructure.

Footage shared by Ukrainian blogger WarTranslated on social media platform X shows the moment the towering structure gives way, consumed by fire. In the clip, flames shoot out from the base of the rig as the upper deck begins to buckle. Moments later, the entire structure slants and crashes to the ground, while black smoke billows into the sky.

WarTranslated posted: “In Russia’s Siberia, a drilling rig collapsed. Russian media report that wells caught fire last night at the site, and the blaze continues, with two 25-metre flames still burning.

Three people were injured and are now in intensive care in critical condition.” The exact location has not been officially confirmed, and there has so far been no public comment from Russian authorities or state-run energy companies.

US officials are braced for a possible major Russian assault on Ukraine after issuing an alert from the Embassy in Kyiv.

The warning - issued on Friday - cited intelligence pointing to a “potentially significant air attack” which could strike “at any time over the next several days.”

American citizens were urged to be ready to take shelter immediately if air raid sirens sound. Concern is mounting after the end of Russia’s self-imposed three-day Victory Day ceasefire.

It comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin in Turkey to discuss a possible ceasefire.

We'll be bringing you regular updates about the war in Ukraine and efforts to secure a ceasefire.