Ukraine hopes to capitalize on Pope Leo’s calls for peace to coax the Vatican into helping secure the release of children and other prisoners held by Russia.

The U.S. and Russia have reportedly drafted a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, demanding major concessions from President Zelenskyy.

Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Friday in the push to get kidnapped Ukrainian children out of Russia.

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison after admitting taking bribes for pro-Russia interviews and speeches. Nathan Gill, 52, from Llangefni, Anglesey, is thought to have received up to £40,000 to help pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine.

A one-time leading figure in Britain’s right-wing populist Reform UK party has been jailed for accepting cash bribes in exchange for making pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament.

A bipartisan sanctions package against Russia with over 80 Senate co-sponsors stalls as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., dispute legislative procedures.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Ukraine has to confront the possibility of losing its dignity or risking the loss of a key partner as it figures out how to respond to a U.S. peace proposal to end Russia's war with his country.