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U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a pause to all military aid to Ukraine until he determines that Ukrainian leaders have demonstrated a commitment to peace talks, Bloomberg reported on Monday evening, citing an unnamed senior Defense Department official. The decision comes after Trump and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance clashed with President Volodymyr Zelensky in a meeting on Friday, resulting in the Ukrainian leader leaving the White House without signing a proposed minerals deal with the United States. The official told Bloomberg that all U.S. military equipment not currently in Ukraine would be paused, including weapons in transit on aircraft and ships, and equipment awaiting transit in Poland. The decision was also reported by Washington Post national security reporter John Hudson, who cited two U.S. officials. “The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” a White House official told The Post. “We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.” According to The Post, the decision was made at a White House meeting on Monday that included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Citing an unnamed administration official, The New York Times reported that Trump’s directive temporarily suspends all military aid to Ukraine effective immediately, affecting “hundreds of millions of dollars in arms and ammunition in the pipelines and on order.” According to The Times , the order also halts aid through the the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a dedicated fund that allows Kyiv to purchase new military equipment directly from U.S. companies. This is a developing story. READ MORE ABOUT U.S. AID TO UKRAINE Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. military aid to Kyiv. How long can Ukraine last without American weapons?…

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Trump says Ukraine minerals deal not dead, but Zelensky ‘should be more appreciative’

about 6 hours ago

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Washington’s proposed minerals deal with Ukraine is still on the table, U.S. President Donald Trump said during a press briefing Monday afternoon. Taking questions from reporters after delivering an investment announcement , Trump commented on a variety of issues in U.S.-Ukrainian relations in the wake of a heated Oval Office meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday. Asked whether the Ukraine minerals deal “is dead,” Trump said, “No, I don’t think so” and promised to clarify the situation during his joint address to Congress on Tuesday. “Well, I’ll let you know. We’re making a speech — you probably heard about it — tomorrow night, so I’ll let you know tomorrow night. But no, I don’t think so. I think, look, it’s a great deal for us,” he said. Asked what Zelensky would need to do to restart negotiations, Trump said the Ukrainian leader “should be more appreciative.” I just think he should be more appreciative, because this country has stuck with them through thick and thin. We’ve given them much more than Europe, and Europe should have given more than us because, as you know, that’s right there. Evading a question about reports that he’s considering canceling U.S. military aid to Ukraine, Trump made another comment on Zelensky’s earlier statement that the end of the war is still “very far away.” I want to see it end fast. I don’t want to see this go on for years and years. Now, President Zelensky supposedly made a statement today in AP [...] He said he thinks the war’s going to go on for a long time. And he better not be right about that, that’s all I’m saying. Asked a second time if he had made a decision on suspending military aid to Ukraine, Trump said, “I haven’t even talked about that right now. I mean, right now, we’ll see what happens.” In response to a question about whether he would ease sanctions on Russia in the event of a peace deal, Trump replied that the U.S. is “going to make deals with everybody” to end the war, including European countries. READ MORE ABOUT U.S. AID TO UKRAINE Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. military aid to Kyiv. How long can Ukraine last without American weapons?…

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White House orders plan for possible sanctions relief for Russia — Reuters

about 7 hours ago

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The U.S. is working on a plan that would ease sanctions against Russia, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a U.S. official and another source. The White House has asked the State Department and the Treasury Department to make a list of sanctions that could be lifted so that U.S. officials could discuss them with Russian representatives as part of talks to improve relations, the agency reported. According to the sources, U.S. sanctions offices are drafting a proposal that would lift restrictions from specific organizations and individuals, including some Russian businessmen. The sources also noted that the Trump administration asked the State and Treasury departments to draft a sanctions relief plan before the president extended sanctions against Russia for an additional year last week. Lifting some sanctions would require approval from Congress, a former Treasury Department official told Reuters.…

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Over 30 Kursk region residents return to Russia from Ukraine

about 8 hours ago

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Thirty-three civilians from Ukrainian-controlled areas of Russia’s Kursk region who had been taken to Ukraine have now returned to Russia, Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said. Moskalkova credited the evacuation to efforts by the Red Cross and the Belarusian authorities. Alexander Khinshtein, the acting governor of the Kursk region, said the group included “many” elderly people and four children. Nine of the returnees, he added, required emergency hospitalization. This is the second time in six months that Russian officials have reported the return of Kursk region residents taken to Ukraine. In November, 46 people were brought back to Russia. Estimates suggest that between 2,000 and 3,000 people remain in areas of the Kursk region under Ukrainian control. The total number relocated to Ukraine is unclear; the Ukrainian military typically evacuates those who request it for safety reasons. Evacuated to Ukraine ‘My mindset is totally different’ Photos and stories of Russians evacuated to Ukraine after the Sudzha school strike…

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Trump is threatening to cut off U.S. military aid to Kyiv. How long can Ukraine last without American weapons?

about 9 hours ago

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A worker moves artillery shells during the manufacturing process at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Thursday, April 13, 2023. “You gotta be more thankful,” Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a heated exchange in the Oval Office last Friday. What was meant to be a signing ceremony for a minerals agreement quickly devolved as Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance berated Zelensky for supposedly “gambling with World War III” and accused him of being “disrespectful” — all while talking over him when he tried to respond. Just hours later, U.S. media reported that Trump was considering cutting off all military aid to Ukraine. As Kyiv braces for the potential loss of a critical source of its military support, the independent outlet iStories examined just how long can Ukraine can hold out without American weapons. Meduza shares an English-language version of their findings. In terms of financial support, the United States has been one of Kyiv’s leading allies since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. According to calculations by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, total U.S. assistance has reached 114 billion euros (about $119 billion), while European countries have collectively provided 132 billion euros (about $138 billion). Military aid follows a different breakdown. A Western official told The Wall Street Journal that Ukraine now produces or purchases 55 percent of its weaponry, with the U.S. supplying about 20 percent and Europe around 25 percent. The Kiel Institute reports that since the full-scale war began, the U.S. has provided 64 billion euros (about $66.9 billion) in military aid, while European contributions total 62 billion euros (about $64.8 billion). The Pentagon’s own estimate is similar, putting U.S. military support at $65.9 billion. Financially, Europe could step in to fill the gap if U.S. aid were to stop — provided there is the political will to do so, says François Heisbourg from the International Institute for Strategic Studies. But funding is only part of the equation. Some of the U.S.-supplied weapons systems are critical for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and replacing them would be difficult, if not impossible, experts warn. These systems are either produced in limited quantities in Europe or not manufactured there at all. An ambush ‘You’re gambling with World War III!’ Trump and Vance ambush Zelensky in shouting Oval Office meeting What Ukraine stands to lose Air defense missiles Ukraine’s military would be unable to replenish its stock of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, which can shoot down Russian ballistic missiles and Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. These munitions are produced exclusively in the United States. As The Wall Street Journal notes , a shortage would quickly force Ukraine to make difficult choices about which sites to defend and which to leave exposed to Russian strikes. Rockets and missiles for MLRS Ukraine would also lose access to guided rockets and missiles for its multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) — both tracked MLRS and wheeled HIMARS units. The U.S. supplies the Ukrainian military with two types of these munitions: GMLRS, which has a range of up to 90 kilometers (about 55 miles), and ATACMS, which can reach 300 kilometers (more than180 miles). While Europe has provided SCALP and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are launched from aircraft, their numbers are not enough to fully replace U.S.-supplied long-range rocket systems. Without precision-guided, long-range artillery, Ukraine would lose the ability to strike Russian weapons depots, command centers, airfields, and training grounds. These strikes have been key to disrupting Russian logistics and supply chains — forcing Russian forces, for example, to relocate air bases farther from the front lines. “The Europeans have other air defense and [multiple-launch rocket systems] capabilities, but ours are the best, are already fielded in large quantities, and just need the munitions resupply and maintenance,” a former U.S. government official told The Washington Post. “European industry can’t create new/more on a dime.” Ukrainian forces have already learned to operate and maintain these systems without American assistance, military analyst Ian Matveev noted. The only challenge, he said, could be certain types of repairs. Intelligence support The U.S. government is also considering cutting off not just weapons deliveries but also intelligence-sharing with Ukraine’s armed forces, the New York Times reported . How Ukraine would compensate for this loss remains unclear. The United States far surpasses European countries in satellite surveillance and other intelligence-gathering capabilities, BBC reports . The aftermath In Fox News interview after Oval Office disaster, Zelensky thanks America repeatedly for support and stresses historical moment for U.S.-Ukrainian partnership What Ukraine can (probably) replace Starlink Along with intelligence support, the U.S. could also cut off Ukraine’s military from Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite communications system. But Defense Minister Rustem Umerov recently said that Ukrainians are working on an alternative and that “there’s already a solution.” “From the very beginning, it was clear what an unstable partner we were dealing with. All the military understood that it was wrong to rely on military communications built on commercial infrastructure owned by another country, which is beyond our control,” said Ukrainian electronic warfare specialist Serhii Beskrestnov. According to him, the Ukrainian military has been working on alternative communications for some time, so while losing Starlink would be painful, it would not be catastrophic. Ukraine’s armed forces have already faced disruptions in access to Starlink — for example, during operations in Russia’s Kursk region. According to Politico, the E.U. is also working on a potential solution involving Govsatcom, an E.U.-wide network of government satellite systems set to go fully operational by the end of this year. Ammunition A year ago, as Congress stalled on approving a $60-billion aid package for Ukraine, one of the biggest challenges on the front lines was a shortage of artillery shells. From the start of the full-scale war through September 2024, the U.S. supplied Ukraine with about three million shells. European stockpiles, however, were depleted within the war’s first few months, and ramping up production proved difficult. That has begun to change. In 2024, European countries produced 1.4 million shells and plan to increase output to 2 million in 2025. Meanwhile, Ukraine itself manufactured 2.5 million artillery and mortar shells between January and November 2024, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Tanks and Infantry Fighting Vehicles Since the start of the war, the U.S. has delivered 21 Abrams tanks and more than 300 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, according to a Pentagon report from late January. The Abrams could potentially be replaced with German-made Leopard 2 tanks. In 2023, Ukraine received around 70 Leopard 2s, and European armies collectively have about 2,000 of them. Ukraine also continues to rely on Soviet-era tanks, both from its own reserves and those supplied by allies. As for infantry fighting vehicles, by December 2023, Ukraine had received at least 140 German Marder IFVs, with another 20 expected in the first half of 2025. protests in support of Ukraine ‘My father died. I have to be thankful?’ Ukraine supporters across Europe and the U.S. take to the streets to protest Trump’s treatment of Zelensky How long can Ukraine keep fighting? Estimates vary, but assessments suggest that without U.S. military aid, Ukraine could hold its current frontline positions for six months to a year. However, former senior Pentagon official Celeste Wallander notes that the delivery of U.S. weapons already approved under President Joe Biden’s administration would be a key factor in this. Weapons shipments from the United States to Ukraine follow three main channels: Presidential drawdowns: The fastest option, where weapons are pulled directly from U.S. stockpiles and quickly sent to Ukraine. The Pentagon estimates that $3.85 billion worth of equipment can still be delivered through this process. New Pentagon contracts: The slowest channel, in which weapons are ordered and manufactured specifically for Ukraine. Some of these deliveries are scheduled through 2026. Direct Ukrainian purchases: Ukraine uses U.S. funding to buy American-made weapons. The last of these orders is expected to be fulfilled within six months. Meduza has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from the very start, and we are committed to reporting objectively on a war we firmly oppose. Join Meduza in its mission to challenge the Kremlin’s censorship with the truth. Donate today . The challenge now is that President Trump could halt deliveries through any of these channels — even canceling Pentagon contracts or redirecting ships carrying weapons, a U.S. foreign policy expert told iStories on condition of anonymity. “The freeze on federal grants and international aid has shown that what was once considered borderline illegal is now entirely possible,” the expert said. A Washington Post source confirmed that billions of dollars’ worth of weapons already prepared for shipment could be blocked from reaching Ukraine. Indeed, Trump is reportedly meeting with his advisors on March 3 to discuss canceling aid already approved and paid for under the Biden administration. “Would the loss of U.S. aid make the situation more difficult for Ukrainian forces? Yes. Would it lead to total collapse in six months? No,” said a former Ukrainian military officer and open-source intelligence analyst who uses the pseudonym Tatarigami. “It would mean more Ukrainian soldiers and civilians killed, especially as air defense stocks deplete, but on the battlefield, there would be no sudden collapse.” The minerals deal Trump and Zelensky were supposed to sign a ‘big’ minerals deal. Here’s what’s in it for Washington — and for Ukraine.…

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Trump blasts Zelensky for saying end of war is far away, calling it ‘the worst statement’ he could have made

about 9 hours ago

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U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out in a social media post on Monday in response to Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that the end of the war is “still very, very far away.” Calling it “the worst statement” the Ukrainian president could have made, Trump wrote on Truth Social: This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer! It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking? Attached to the post was a screenshot of a March 3 headline from the Associated Press reading, “Ukraine’s Zelensky says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away.’” In the article , the agency quotes Zelensky as saying that he expects to continue receiving support from the U.S. despite last week’s verbal clash with Trump at the White House. “I think our relationship (with the U.S.) will continue, because it’s more than an occasional relationship,” Zelensky reportedly told the AP. Read about the Oval Office clash ‘You’re gambling with World War III!’ Trump and Vance ambush Zelensky in shouting Oval Office meeting…

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Civilians under siege. As Russian forces advance on Ukraine’s Pokrovsk, a mayor’s appeal to Zelensky draws a rebuke from the local military administration

about 13 hours ago

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The Russian military continues its offensive near Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Russian troops have advanced east of the city, while Ukrainian forces have managed to halt their progress to the south and west of Pokrovsk. On the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Pokrovsk Mayor Ruslan Trebushkin released a video urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to “make peace and let people live.” In response, Pokrovsk’s military administration asserted that the civilian mayor has no authority until martial law and stated that it is “doing everything possible to bring victory closer.” Despite relentless shelling, civilians remain in the city — as of January 2025, approximately 7,200 people were still living in Pokrovsk. Civilians receive humanitarian aid on the outskirts of Pokrovsk. February 17, 2025. The aftermath of a Russian missile strike on an administrative building in Pokrovsk. February 17, 2025. Meduza has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from the very start, and we are committed to reporting objectively on a war we firmly oppose. Join Meduza in its mission to challenge the Kremlin’s censorship with the truth. Donate today . A cultural center building in the town of Bilytske, near Pokrovsk, that was hit by a Russian strike on February 24, 2025. Pokrovsk residents walk past the administrative building damaged by a Russian missile strike. February 17, 2025. Forty-seven-year-old Tetiana and her father, 73-year-old Volodymyr, wait to be evacuated in the village of Chernihivka near Pokrovsk. February 24, 2025. A resident of the town of Rodynske near Pokrovsk hands out religious pamphlets on an empty street. February 24, 2025. Ukrainian soldiers fire artillery near Pokrovsk. February 26, 2025. Ukrainian medical workers treat injured soldiers near Pokrovsk. February 19, 2025.…

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Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers reportedly killed and nearly 100 wounded by Russian strike on training ground in Dnipropetrovsk region

about 14 hours ago

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Russian forces struck a Ukrainian military training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region on Saturday, killing and injuring soldiers from one of Ukraine’s Ground Forces units, according to an official statement the Ukrainian army published on Monday. The official number of casualties has not been confirmed, but Ukrainian media reports suggest that dozens of soldiers were killed and around 100 wounded. Here’s what we know so far about the strike. Russian forces launched a missile strike on a Ukrainian military training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region on March 1, killing and wounding soldiers from one of Ukraine’s Ground Forces units, according to a statement published by the Ukrainian military branch on March 3. The exact number of casualties has not been officially disclosed. However, Ukrainska Pravda, citing sources, reported that “several dozen soldiers were killed and up to a hundred wounded.” Suspilne also cited sources saying a “large number” of wounded soldiers had been taken to hospitals in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi said an investigation is underway, with an independent review involving military counterintelligence. “Everyone who made decisions that day, and everyone who failed to make them in time, will be held accountable,” he said. Ukrainian lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla and several Ukrainian military bloggers claimed that Russian forces struck the training ground while soldiers were assembled in formation. Drapatyi did not confirm this directly but said he would push for “the harshest punishment” for those who “drag soldiers into outdated procedures, neglecting their safety.” On the evening of March 1, Russia’s Defense Ministry published a video on Telegram claiming it showed an Iskander-M missile strike on the Novomoskovsk military training ground near the village of Cherkaske in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where troops from Ukraine’s 157th Mechanized Brigade were stationed. Geolocation analysis confirms the footage does show the training ground near Cherkaske. Numerous tents are visible in the video, with soldiers seen running from at least one just before the strike. Several explosions resembling the detonation of cluster munitions from Iskander missile warheads can be seen. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that up to 150 Ukrainian soldiers, including as many as 30 foreign instructors, were killed in the strike. However, there is no independent confirmation of these figures. Ukrainian military drone specialist Serhii Beskrestnov (also known as “Flash”) commented on the incident in a Telegram post , saying that a Russian Orlan reconnaissance drone, which flew over the training ground before the strike, “did not prompt the responsible officials to take the necessary security measures.” Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation announced that an investigation has been launched “into the deaths and injuries of Ukrainian servicemen as a result of the Russian missile strike on a training ground in Dnipropetrovsk region” under the charge of negligence in military service. Additionally, prosecutors told Suspilne that an investigation is also underway under the charge of encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability.…

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‘My father died. I have to be thankful?’. Ukraine supporters across Europe and the U.S. take to the streets to protest Trump’s treatment of Zelensky

about 15 hours ago

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Protesters took to the streets around the world this weekend after talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ended in a heated confrontation on Friday. What was meant to be the signing of a mineral resources agreement instead turned into a shouting match involving Trump, Zelensky, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance as the two American leaders accused the Ukrainian president of failing to show sufficient gratitude for Washington’s aid to his war-torn country. The deal’s ultimately went unsigned, and Trump reportedly asked Zelensky to leave the White House, casting doubt on the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. Meduza shares photos from demonstrations across Europe and the United States, where thousands gathered to show solidarity with Ukraine. Kraków, Poland. March 1, 2025. Kraków Kraków Kraków Times Square, New York City, United States. March 1, 2025. Times Square Protesters outside an office of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX in Hawthorne, California The Kremlin crushed Meduza’s business model and wiped out our ad revenue. We’ve been blocked and outlawed in Russia, where donating to us or even sharing our posts is a crime. But we’re still here — bringing independent journalism to millions of our readers inside Russia and around the world. Meduza’s survival is under threat — again. Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze has slashed funding for international groups backing press freedom. Meduza was hurt too. It’s yet another blow in our ongoing struggle to survive. You could be our lifeline. Please, help Meduza survive with a small recurring donation. Los Angeles, California, United States. March 1, 2025. Hawthorne, California Hawthorne, California Westfield, Vermont, where hundreds gathered on March 1 to protest against U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who visited the state for a ski trip. The protest had been planned before Zelensky’s visit to Washington, but many participants said they decided to join after the Trump–Zelensky meeting at the White House. Boston. March 1, 2025. Demonstrators gather on London’s Downing Street ahead of a summit of European leaders on March 2 London London. March 2, 2025 Protesters outside the building of the U.S. Mission to the E.U. in Brussels demand that Washington continue providing military and financial aid to Ukraine. March 2, 2025. Members of Russia’s exiled opposition gather in Berlin to protest against Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. March 1, 2025. Berlin, Germany. March 1, 2025. A pro-Ukraine protest in Milan, Italy. March 2, 2025. A protest outside of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, organized by members of the American community in Ukraine Aftermath of the Zelensky–Trump meeting In Fox News interview after Oval Office disaster, Zelensky thanks America repeatedly for support and stresses historical moment for U.S.-Ukrainian partnership…

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Zelensky still open to minerals deal with U.S. but stands firm against Trump’s demands for an apology — BBC

about 19 hours ago

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While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was prepared to meet one of President Donald Trump’s demands by signing a minerals agreement granting the United States access to Ukraine’s resources, he would not apologize to the U.S. president, BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg reported after speaking with Zelensky alongside other British journalists at London’s Stansted Airport on the evening of March 2. “He [said he] would not apologize to Trump or express regret for anything that happened in the Oval Office, which at the moment, the U.S. president’s camp is repeatedly calling for,” Kuenssberg reported. Zelensky told journalists he had traveled a long way to visit the White House, calling the trip a sign of respect. He added that he would never “insult anybody” and said the meeting had ultimately served neither side’s interests. According to Kuenssberg, Zelensky was deliberate in his wording and spoke only in Ukrainian. He was not openly critical of Trump and “suggested tensions would pass.” after the ambush In Fox News interview after Oval Office disaster, Zelensky thanks America repeatedly for support and stresses historical moment for U.S.-Ukrainian partnership…

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‘The president of Ukraine will not be chosen in Lindsey Graham’s house’: Zelensky responds to U.S. senator’s call for him to resign after Trump meeting

about 19 hours ago

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U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime advocate for continued aid from Washington to Ukraine, called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s February 28 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House “an utter disaster” and urged Zelensky to resign. Speaking to Fox News immediately after the talks, Graham said he was “proud” of Trump and questioned whether Americans would be able to “do business” with Zelensky again. “He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change,” Graham said. The call was echoed by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who told NBC News on Sunday that Zelensky “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country [Ukraine] to do that.” Trump’s national security adviser Mark Waltz told CNN that the U.S. needs a Ukrainian leader “who can deal with us, ultimately deal with the Russians, and end this war.” Commenting on calls for his resignation, Zelensky responded : “I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country. And then his voice will start to gain weight. […] The president of Ukraine will not be chosen in Lindsey Graham’s house but in Ukraine.” “To change me, it will not be easy because it is not enough to simply hold elections. You would need to prevent me from participating. And it will be a bit more difficult,” Zelensky added. He also reiterated his recent statement that he is ready to step down as president if Ukraine is admitted to NATO. Read more about Zelensky’s White House visit ‘You’re gambling with World War III!’ Trump and Vance ambush Zelensky in shouting Oval Office meeting…

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Preparations for a Putin-Trump meeting may be expedited — CNN

about 20 hours ago

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Moscow expects that talks on restoring U.S.-Russia relations will continue and even accelerate in the coming weeks. According to CNN, private discussions are also underway to expedite preparations for a meeting between the two countries’ presidents. The first round of negotiations between Moscow and Washington took place on February 18 in Saudi Arabia. CNN reports that another round is already being organized and is also expected to be held in a Gulf state. Russian officials believe that as tensions grow between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, negotiations to end the war in Ukraine will be overshadowed by discussions of potential economic agreements between Washington and Moscow, CNN reports. Trump spoke by phone with President Vladimir Putin on February 12, marking the first direct conversation between the presidents of the United States and Russia since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Trump later said they had agreed to “work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations.” An ambush ‘You’re gambling with World War III!’ Trump and Vance ambush Zelensky in shouting Oval Office meeting…

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U.K. and France propose Ukraine peace plan including one-month partial ceasefire and eventual peacekeeping forces

about 20 hours ago

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French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled details of a peace plan developed jointly by France and the U.K. for resolving the war in Ukraine. In an interview with Le Figaro published Sunday, Macron outlined the plan, which proposes a one-month partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine that would exclude ground combat operations. “In the event of a ceasefire, it would be very difficult to monitor whether hostilities along the front line are actually being observed,” Macron explained. He said the partial ceasefire would apply to air and naval attacks, including strikes on energy infrastructure. The second part of the plan envisions European countries sending a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine, but only at a later stage. “There will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks. The question is how we use this time to try to achieve a ceasefire and negotiations, which will take several weeks, and then, once peace is signed, deployment [of troops],” Macron said. During a visit to London this weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked by journalists whether he was aware of the plan. “I’m aware of everything,” he replied. In the same interview, Macron also stressed the need for France and other European countries to increase their defense spending. “Over the past three years, the Russians have been spending 10 percent of their GDP on defense. Therefore, we need to prepare for the future by setting a target of 3 percent or 3.5 percent of GDP. This is far from the two percent that France barely managed to reach, and which many European countries have yet to approach,” he said. A rocky road to peace Trump and Zelensky exchange social media posts after Oval Office shouting match. Trump bars Ukrainian president from White House until he’s ‘ready for peace,’ while Zelensky thanks POTUS for visit. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says Trump and Vance not ‘smacking this bastard Zelensky’ was a ‘miracle of restraint’ in heated Oval Office meeting ‘You’re gambling with World War III!’ Trump and Vance ambush Zelensky in shouting Oval Office meeting Trump’s ‘illegal’ ceasefire plan Both Moscow and Kyiv insist that their constitutions prohibit the concessions needed for the imminent peace promised by Washington…

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In Fox News interview after Oval Office disaster, Zelensky thanks America repeatedly for support and stresses historical moment for U.S.-Ukrainian partnership

3 days ago

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In an interview with Bret Baier of Fox News on Friday evening, President Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly thanked the American people and the White House leadership for the nation’s strong partnership with Ukraine. Zelensky stayed on message throughout the conversation in an apparent effort to repair his administration’s relationship with President Trump, who ambushed the Ukrainian leader hours earlier in the Oval Office, ridiculing Zelensky for supposedly pursuing war against Russia. . @BretBaier "Do you think your relationship with President Trump can be salvaged." Zelenskyy: "Yes, of course." pic.twitter.com/ArX0Hilx1M — Ryan Schmelz (@RyanSchmelzFOX) February 28, 2025 “Nobody wants to finish [this war] more than [Ukrainians]. […] We have to be on the same side. I hope the president is on the same side as us,” Zelensky told Baier. When asked if he thinks he owes Trump an apology, Zelensky said, “I respect the president and the American people,” and argued that some matters should be discussed “outside the media” in private. When asked if he was told to limit his Oval Office remarks to a U.S.-Ukrainian minerals deal that was supposed to be signed after Friday’s meeting, Zelensky said he felt compelled to share his thoughts with Trump about Vladimir Putin’s lack of trustworthiness when the subject of a ceasefire came up. “[My people] just want to hear that Americans will remain on our side.” Zelensky said he cannot change his constituents’ attitudes about Russians after three years of war and countless atrocities. Asked if he’ll ever accept a peace deal with Russia, Zelensky said, “It’s about a just and lasting peace.” The Ukrainian president also raised Kyiv’s request for security guarantees, saying, “We are ready for peace, but we have to be in a strong position. […] We want peace. That’s why I’m in the United States.” He argued that the minerals deal contains “infrastructure” for security guarantees. Zelensky also cautioned that he cannot end the war with a wave of his hand: “Nobody [in Ukraine] will stop. Because everyone is afraid that Putin will come back tomorrow” if the settlement isn’t lasting. Background ‘You’re gambling with World War III!’ Trump and Vance ambush Zelensky in shouting Oval Office meeting When asked if he believes Ukraine could hold off Russia without continued U.S. support, Zelensky told Baier: “It will be difficult without your support. But we can’t lose our values, our people, our freedom. […] Russians came to our houses, they killed so many people. [We’re] just going to forget it? No.” At several moments throughout the interview, Zelensky mentioned Ukraine’s European allies, saying that Kyiv seeks better coordination between European and American policies. Baier cited comments earlier on Friday by Senator Lindsey Graham, who suggested that Zelensky’s resignation might be necessary to repair Washington’s relationship with Kyiv. Zelensky said he appreciates his relationship with Graham but does not intend to step down as Ukraine’s president: “This decision can only be made by the people of Ukraine.” Near the end of the interview, President Zelensky appeared to tear up when discussing Ukrainian struggles throughout the war. He consulted an off-screen interpreter twice for clarifications on questions: one about whether he regrets Friday’s argument happening in public (“Yes, I think it was not good”) and another about his hopes for salvaging his relationship with Donald Trump (“Yes, of course, because it’s a relationship or more than two presidents but of two people”). “I want him to be more at our side,” Zelensky explained, after describing Trump’s negotiating philosophy as seeking to be “in the middle” between Ukraine and Russia.…

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In latest White House bid to ‘normalize’ ties with Moscow, Defense Secretary Hegseth halts U.S. Cyber Command’s Russia planning — The Record

3 days ago