Russia's latest bombardment targeting civilian areas in Ukraine comes as President Trump has set a Sept. 2 deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal.

As Russia delays peace negotiations with Ukraine, U.S. elected officials in Congress are considering a new sanctions bill to force Russia to end its war.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia on Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans will vote on a Russia sanctions bill once Trump approves it, as pressure mounts on Moscow to negotiate peace in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held "frank" discussions on Ukraine during Thursday's meeting, both sides said. The US criticised Moscow's lack of flexibility.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, as Washington continues to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The talks were held on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia Thursday. "I think it’s a new and a different approach,