Russia’s illegal seizure of Crimea from Ukraine 11 years ago was quick and bloodless. But Kyiv and most of the world never recognized Moscow’s annexation of the strategic peninsula.

Ukraine's president ruled out ceding territory to Russia in any deal before talks Wednesday in London among U.S., European and Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reinforced his rejection of concessions to Russia as the war-battered nation was hit by the biggest air strike this year and US President Donald Trump piled pressure on Kyiv to accept a peace deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, will visit Moscow this week for a new round of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine, the White House said on Tuesday.