Ukraine's European allies and Canada urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to respond immediately to a US proposal for a partial ceasefire that Kiev has accepted unconditionally.
Speaking to reporters with his UK counterpart on Friday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot accused Russia of "sliding" by continuing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, despite an agreement reached last month to stop such attacks.
"Today, Russia owes the US a response," Barrot said alongside UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. "It has to be yes, it has to be no - it has to be a swift response."
The appeal by some of Kiev's key Western allies is an attempt to call on Moscow to its willingness to reach a ceasefire. U.S. officials have grown increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of Russia's talks to end its three-year war.
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that "at some point, Russia has to come back with a stance," adding that "if they ultimately do not agree to a ceasefire, there will be consequences."
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, at least three people were injured in a Russian drone strike in the central city of Dnipro overnight, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram. Russian drones also hit a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, killing at least five people and wounding more than 30, including children, local authorities said on Telegram. (A2 Televizion)
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