North Korea confirmed for the first time on Monday that it had sent troops to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine under orders from leader Kim Jong Un.

After Russia claimed to have retaken the Kursk region from Ukraine, North Korea acknowledged for the first time that it had sent soldiers to fight in Moscow’s war.

Russia said on Monday it was waiting for a signal from Ukraine regarding Kyiv's willingness to hold direct negotiations to end the war, but said it did not so far see any signs of movement. The Kremlin said last Friday that the possibility of direct talks between the two sides had been raised during a three-hour meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.

The Trump administration has been trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to halt the three-year conflict.

Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Ukraine could result in the US moving to formally recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea.