KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A senior Kremlin official said Friday that Russian police and National Guard will stay on in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas and oversee the industry-rich region, even if a peace settlement ends Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine.

At least three oil tankers have been hit by explosions in what appears to be a stepped up unilateral effort by Ukraine to sink Russia's sanctions-dodging oil sales.

Millions of Ukrainians have been plunged into periodic darkness and cold as Russian drones and missiles wage a systematic long-range campaign.

The president said he had exchanged “pretty strong words” with European leaders, while Russia signaled it saw itself as increasingly on the same page as the U.S.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is finalizing a revised peace proposal that he will deliver to the U.S. soon, hinting at potential progress as President Trump increases pressure on Kyiv to agree to a peace deal with Moscow.

Ukraine had handed the U.S. a revised 20-point peace plan to end the war with Russia, ABC News reported on Thursday, citing a Ukrainian official.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with European leaders in London today after talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators came to a halt with no breakthrough. Follow for live updates