Russian forces have captured hundreds of square miles of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region over the past year as part of their advance on the city of Pokrovsk.

Sweden’s defence minister said on Thursday the Nordic country had agreed to donate its biggest aid package to Ukraine so far, worth 13.5bn Swedish crowns ($1.23bn).

Simply sign up to the War in Ukraine myFT Digest -- delivered directly to your inbox. European officials are debating whether Russian pipeline gas sales to the EU should be restarted as part of a potential settlement to end the war against Ukraine,

Officials in Brussels are considering a return to purchasing Russian gas through the EU, reports the "Financial Times," citing sources familiar with EU negotiations. This move would be part of a potential agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukraine's foreign ministry summoned Slovakia's ambassador in Kyiv on Thursday to reject accusations that it is meddling in its neighbour's internal affairs and to accuse Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of being a "mouthpiece" for Russia.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Slovak Ambassador Pavel Vizdal to formally express its "strong rejection" of statements made by Bratislava concerning Ukraine's alleged interference in Slovakia's internal affairs.