U.S. and Ukrainian officials met on Friday on a U.S. proposal to gain access to Ukraine's mineral wealth, a source with knowledge of the matter said, adding that prospects for a breakthrough were scant given the meeting's "antagonistic" atmosphere.

Technical consultations between the U.S. and Ukraine on a minerals deal will begin in Washington on Friday, Ukraine's deputy PM said.

Peace is out of reach for Ukraine due to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing aggression, the defense ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany emphasized on Friday after a meeting of Ukraine’s key allies in Brussels.

Separately in Belgium, nations supporting Ukraine pledged billions more in military aid and raised doubts about Moscow’s desire for peace.

By Erin Banco, Jonathan Landay and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than one hundred Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine are mercenaries who do not appear to have a direct link to China's government,

More than 150 Chinese citizens are fighting in Ukraine alongside the Russian army, which is massing on the border of Ukraine ahead of a huge spring offensive, according to Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy.