Cities hit by barrage

RUSSIA has launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities in overnight attacks, officials reported, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow was “hesitating” about another round of US-brokered talks on stopping the fighting.

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Washington has proposed further negotiations next week between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Miami or Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, which was the location of the last meeting, Mr Zelensky said.

Ukraine “immediately confirmed” it would attend, he said.

“So far, as I understand it, Russia is hesitating,” Mr Zelensky told reporters in a messaging app interview late on Wednesday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that another round of talks was expected “soon” but gave no further details.

Mr Zelensky said last week that the United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a deal.