Slovakia closes border crossing with Ukraine amid warnings of further Russian strikes – as it happened

From 12h ago 16.54 CEST Six people dead in 'ongoing' Russian strikes on Ukraine, Zelenskyy says Just as the leaders are talking in Bucharest, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media to post an update saying that at least six people were reported dead after Russian attacks on Ukraine today. “At least 800 Russian drones have already been launched, and the attack is ongoing, with additional drones entering our country’s airspace,” he said. He suggested that Russia seeks to “disrupt the overall political atmosphere” as it times its attacks for the duration of US president Donald Trump’s visit to China. “It is important that the world does not remain silent about this. It is important that Russia’s true intentions are made clear to leaders and countries. It is important to apply real pressure on the Russian aggressor so that this terror is brought to an end.” Share 11h ago 17.38 CEST Separately, Russia hit Ukraine’s railway facilities 23 times during its drone attacks on Wednesday, damaging trains, carriages, railway depots, and bridges, a senior advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Share 11h ago 17.12 CEST Slovakia closes border crossing with Ukraine amid warnings of further Russian strikes Meanwhile, the scale of the continuing Russian attacks on Ukraine today is so significant that some of its neighbours had to take precautionary measures, too. Slovakia has temporarily closed all border crossings with Ukraine until further notice, citing expectations of a large-scale attack on the city of Uzhhorod and the neighboring Zakarpattia region with attacks reported as close as 50 km from the Slovak border. “The Financial Administration recommends that the public monitor up-to-date information and comply with the instructions of the Financial Administration and Police Force officers. We will keep you informed of further developments,” it said in a statement. Earlier, Poland briefly bolstered air defence along the Ukrainian border following earlier strikes. The operation ended after several hours with no recorded airspace violations. Share Updated at 17.13 CEST 12h ago 17.04 CEST Nato’s Rutte says he is “cautiously optimistic” about the upcoming Nato summit in Ankara as he repeats his “Nato 3.0” theory of Europe taking more responsibility for its own security, allowing the US to pivot to its other interests without abandoning Europe. He says the focus is on making sure there is no gap in “our deterrence and defence.” Poland’s Nawrocki and Romania’s Dan essentially toe the same line. And that ends the press conference. Share 12h ago 17.00 CEST Reporters are now again fishing for lines on Trump’s relations with its Nato allies, but Rutte stays fully on message, repeating that there’s some “disappointment” in the US, and the European allies are responding to it. Poland’s Nawrocki was also asked about how the fugitive former minister Zbigniew Ziobro’s decision to move to the US would affect Poland’s relations with the US. Poland says it expects US to extradite ex-minister who fled from Hungary Read more In stark contrast to the government figures, he says he “cannot imagine” how this could affect the relationship with Washington given its importance for Poland’s security and foreign policy. He also claims that Ziobro, a senior figure in the Law and Justice party that endorsed him in last year’s presidential election, would not get a “fair trial” in Poland. Share 12h ago 16.54 CEST Six people dead in 'ongoing' Russian strikes on Ukraine, Zelenskyy says Just as the leaders are talking in Bucharest, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media to post an update saying that at least six people were reported dead after Russian attacks on Ukraine today. “At least 800 Russian drones have already been launched, and the attack is ongoing, with additional drones entering our country’s airspace,” he said. He suggested that Russia seeks to “disrupt the overall political atmosphere” as it times its attacks for the duration of US president Donald Trump’s visit to China. “It is important that the world does not remain silent about this. It is important that Russia’s true intentions are made clear to leaders and countries. It is important to apply real pressure on the Russian aggressor so that this terror is brought to an end.” Share 12h ago 16.50 CEST Another question concerns the presence of US troops in Europe amid talk of the White House looking to pull some of them out of the region. Nato’s Rutte says that “the US presence in Europe is still vast and massive,” and shows “a clear commitment” of the US administration to Europe. “We have always known that the United States, overtime, has to pivot more towards Asia, what we have to make sure of and the US, the Europeans agree on this, that … the overall level of deterrence and defence stays strong.” Poland’s Nawrocki says the topic did not come up during the official talks today, but Poland is always ready to welcome more US troops as it continues to campaign for the 5,000 troops pulled out of Germany to be relocated on the eastern flank of Nato. Romania’s Dan confirms the issue was not on the table today, but all allies are determined to work to maintain substantial US presence in Europe. Share 12h ago 16.43 CEST For talks with Russia, 'Putin has to play ball and he is not playing,' Nato's Rutte says The leaders get asked about the prospects for Ukraine and any potential peace discussions with Russia. Poland’s Nawrocki goes first and says that supporting Ukraine remains a “strategic” aim of the B9 group, as he notes the importance of Zelenskyy attending the meeting. He repeatedly says Russia’s Putin is responsible for the war, and calls for a “long-term, just peace settlement.” Nato’s Rutte says “Putin has to play ball, and at the moment he is not.” “He has to be willing to play ball to engage, really, in peace negotiations,” he says. “I must say the ball is clearly in Putin’s court. He has to play ball. He is not doing that yet. Let’s see what happens. And the Ukrainians, in the meantime, are maintaining the fight, doing well on the frontline, but obviously they did not ask for this, and many people have been killed because of Putin in Ukraine.” Share 12h ago 16.38 CEST Asked about the relations with the US, Rutte concedes that "we know that there was some disappointment in the US when it came to the reaction of some allies regarding Iran and the war against Iran by the US and Israel.” “But I would say that clearly, allies have heard the message … and that is on two fronts: first, … when it comes to living up to all the commitments to basic requests [from the US] … and then when it comes to the strait of Hormuz, the next phase…” He says that the Italians, for example, are sending more assets in the area, “so they can be active there when necessary,” with other initiatives taken by other countries, including France and the UK. “So my message to the United States is: The Europeans hear the message. They are following up. We are really working together on this.” Share 12h ago 16.35 CEST 'We cannot let down our guard,' as Russia remains 'most significant, direct threat to Nato,' Rutte says Nato’s Rutte says that the meeting showed the group of nine countries is “firmly anchored in Nato and the transatlantic relationship.” He warns that Russia “remains, indeed, the most significant and direct threat to Nato, as it continues its ruthless war of aggression against Ukraine.” “We cannot let down our guard. We will always do what is necessary to defend every inch of Nato territory.” Looking ahead to Nato’s summit in Ankara, Rutte says that “cash is crucial” as countries are urged to increase their spending, but he adds the talks will also be about “combat ready capabilities and significantly scaling up our defence industries.” Turning to Ukraine, he pays tribute to its continued fight against Russia, as he says “a strong Ukraine today and a strong Ukraine for the future is how Russian aggression can be stopped.” Share 12h ago 16.35 CEST Nato's Hague targets are not ceiling, but 'minimum' needed, Poland's Nawrocki says Romania’s Dan opens up by thanking all participants, including the US delegation. View image in fullscreen Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki, Romania’s President Nicusor Dan and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte arrive for a press conference during the summit of the Bucharest Nine (B9) and the Nordic countries at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Romania. Photograph: Mihai Barbu/AFP/Getty Images He says that allies in this part of Europe have “common concerns and a common threat” from Russia, and need to coordinate. He also pointedly backs Moldova, raising the issue of supporting Chișinău as it faces pressure from Russia. Poland’s Nawrocki picks up a broader discussion on defence spending, as he says that the spending targets adopted in the Hague last year “are not the ceiling, but the minimum needed that is necessary.” He says Russia “is and will remain the most serious, long-term and direct threat to the security of allied countries.” He warns that Russia wants to “rebuild its spheres of influence, weaken the integrity of Nato … and question the sovereignty and democracy of countries in our region.” Nawrocki also criticises some European leaders – he doesn’t name them – who in his view “question the alliance between the B9, the EU and the US in a way that is far from any logic.” “Tearing apart transatlantic relations, breaking up the relations of the European Union and nation states with the United States is in the interest of the Russian Federation. We should all be deeply aware of this,” he warns. Share Updated at 16.36 CEST 13h ago 16.07 CEST Leaders brief press after Bucharest Nine meeting on security, Nato As promised, you can watch along below, and I will bring you the key lines here. Romanian and Polish presidents deliver joint remarks at Nato Bucharest Nine summit – watch live Share 13h ago 15.59 CEST As we are waiting for the press c