Russia is closing in on a key town in Ukraine's defensive line made vulnerable by the loss of Vuhledar, the British defence ministry says. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has signed off on increasing Russia's military spending to almost a third of the total budget.

Russia is open to resuming nuclear tests for the first time since the Soviet era, one of Vladimir Putin’s senior ministers has said.“This is a question at hand,” Sergei Ryabkov told the Tass state news agency.

Vladimir Putin has signed off increasing Russia's military spending by 25% - to 32.5% of the total budget - the equivalent of £99.5bn. Meanwhile, the new EU Council president Antonio Costa and high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas are visiting Ukraine on their first day.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s suggestion that Ukraine could temporarily cede territory to Russia in exchange for joining Nato would mark a “major concession” to Vladimir Putin, the UK’s former ambassador to Russia has said.