Steve Witkoff is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Plus, a new book highlights the forgotten builders of the Empire State Building

Good morning.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has said she fears talks between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will pile pressure on Ukraine to make concessions.

What did Kallas say? “I am afraid that all the pressure will be put on the victim,” she said. “In order to have peace, we shouldn’t lose focus that it’s actually Russia who has started this war [and is] targeting civilians”.

What’s happening today? Witkoff is meeting Putin in Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, continues his diplomatic push to rally support from European allies, visiting Ireland today after France on Monday.

This is a developing story. Follow our live blog here.

What did Maduro say? He reportedly refused to step down immediately and allegedly made a series of counter-demands, including worldwide immunity from prosecution and being allowed to cede political control but keep control of the armed forces.

What is the context? The US has undertaken three months of deadly airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats that have killed at least 83 people – attacks the UN and other humanitarian organisations have described as extrajudicial executions. The US accusees Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking.

Is Venezuela a major drug-trafficking route to the US? No. A 2020 report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration estimated 74% of the cocaine reaching the US had arrived via the Pacific, and only 8% on fast boats from the Caribbean islands.