To many, Trump’s decision was foretold — first by his fiery, televised encounter with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, then by the resignation of the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv.

But what does walking away from talks mean for Ukraine? In short, it leaves Kyiv and its European backers in a bind.

Several months of intensified U.S. and European pressure on the two sides to accept a ceasefire and negotiate a settlement have yielded little progress.

Russian authorities have shut down at least three airports in Moscow after overnight Ukrainian drone strikes. Flight operations were suspended at Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports after mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defences shot down six drones that were "flying towards Moscow", Kyiv Independent reported.

Flash flooding on Australia's southeast coast has killed two people and cut off towns, isolating tens of thousands of residents, as officials on Thursday warned more downpours were expected over the n...