Germany's government says that Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first such conversation in two years.

Keir Starmer has accused Vladimir Putin of plumbing “new depths of depravity” as speculation mounts that the UK will give Ukraine the go-ahead to fire long-range missiles into Russia.US president Joe Biden has reportedly approved the use of American rockets with a range of 190 miles to be used by Kyiv as part of the ongoing war.

The Prime Minister, speaking to reporters on his way to the G20 summit, added that shoring up support for Ukraine was 'top of my agenda' for the meeting in Brazil.

Sir Keir Starmer has “no plans” to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he said “we need to double down” on support for Ukraine with the conflict approaching its 1,000th day. The Prime Minister pledged that Ukraine was “top” of his agenda at this week’s G20 summit of world leaders and told reporters that “there’s got to be full support as long as it takes”.