Melania Trump said that “for the past 3 months, both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls, all in good faith.”
The MEA, through its mission in Kyiv, is continuing efforts to confirm the facts surrounding the incident, it is reported.
US President Donald Trump will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, the White House confirmed, as global diplomatic efforts to end the war intensify. Trump hinted at new sanctions if Russia fails to agree to a peace deal, warning “you’ll see things happen” if he is dissatisfied with President Vladimir Putin’s response. Putin, however, vowed to keep fighting, boasting of Russian advances and claiming Ukraine’s army is crippled. Overnight, Russian forces launched more than 500 drones and missiles, killing nine. Zelensky heads to Paris for talks with European leaders on security guarantees and possible peacekeeping forces.
While Zelensky seemed to have agreed to Trump’s criticism and donned what the internet called a ‘half suit’ minus a tie, the bigger question remains – will he yield to Putin’s demand and cede the key region of Donbas?
Putin and Trump praised the meeting, with the Russian leader branding it as 'constructive' and held in 'mutually respectful atmosphere'
Fiery blasts rocked the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv during a Russian attack late on Wednesday (July 30) night and into the early hours of Thursday (July 31). Reuters video showed explosions over the city skyline at night as residential buildings were hit during the attack. Sirens and gunfire were also heard as thick plumes of smoke filled the skies. Russia invaded its neighbour three and a half years ago. Its repeated night-time air attacks, sometimes involving hundreds of drones, are often accompanied by a handful of missiles to try to overwhelm air defences.
Gudkov is one of the most senior Russian military officers killed since the Ukraine war began in 2022.
China has never made lethal weapons available to any party to the Ukraine crisis, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news conference.
Ukrainian artillerymen, returning from a five-day rotation on the Pokrovsk front, expressed doubts on Tuesday (April 1) about the likelihood of a sustained ceasefire with Russia. The soldiers, part of the 59th Assault Brigade, have been operating at an undisclosed location on the Pokrovsk front, where they have been safeguarding the flanks of the embattled city. The soldiers spoke of past experiences with Russia-backed separatists who have repeatedly violated ceasefires since the conflict began in 2014 in eastern Ukraine and conveyed a general distrust towards the Russian leadership. For months, Ukrainian troops have been repelling Russian assaults around the city. Moscow's forces have been slowly advancing, with the aim of capturing the entire region. Watch here for more -
Here’s what to know about the role of energy infrastructure in the war
Tharoor had criticised India's stance when Russia attacked Ukraine and called for condemnation of the aggression.
President Trump expressed optimism for a Ukraine ceasefire, urging Russia to halt hostilities unconditionally. Zelensky showed willingness for a deal, while the US warned of sanctions if Russia rejects the accord.
Overnight shelling in Donetsk wounded three people, with the city's Russian-installed mayor blaming Ukraine. As tensions persist, locals express skepticism about a ceasefire. Donetsk, under Russian control since 2014, remains a conflict zone with ongoing artillery fire. Watch for the latest updates on the war in Ukraine.
On March 4, the Kremlin commented on the pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine, suggesting it could contribute to peace, but emphasized that more details were needed regarding President Trump’s decision. This follows a clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, deepening the rift between the U.S. and Ukraine. Trump, who aims to be remembered as a "peace maker," altered U.S. policy, citing fears of World War Three and claiming that Ukraine had no remaining leverage. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautiously welcomed the possibility of the pause, arguing that halting U.S. arms supplies could prompt Ukraine to seek peace. Russia has controlled parts of Ukraine since 2014, with its invasion escalating in 2022. Additionally, Russia stated that any potential normalization of relations with the U.S. would require the lifting of sanctions, a move that could be considered as Trump seeks to restore ties and end the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing to end the war through separate talks with Russia and Ukraine, telling reporters during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron that a deal could be reached in weeks.
The EU has approved new sanctions on Russia, reaffirming support for Ukraine while widening the transatlantic rift as Trump pushes for a swift peace deal, according to the Financial Times.
"It is very clear to me that there must be no solution that does not also involve the U.S.," Scholz said.
Putin last spoke to a sitting U.S. president in February 2022 when he had a call with Joe Biden shortly before ordering thousands of troops into Ukraine.
Trump said in a social media post that he and Putin held a lengthy phone call during which they committed to “work together, very closely” to bring the conflict to an end and would meet in person, including perhaps in each other's countries.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, in an interview with Olena Zelenska, highlighted the pivotal role Trump could play in ending the 34-month war with Russia. He stressed the need for strong security guarantees, EU membership, and NATO invitations, while hoping Trump’s administration can swiftly engage with Russia amidst Putin's territorial gains.
Ukrainian President Zelensky , in a New Year message, emphasized that peace would not be handed to Ukraine, but expressed confidence that the U.S. would continue supporting Kyiv in its battle against Russia's 34-month invasion. He stressed the importance of a strong Ukraine for securing peace and global respect. Zelensky mentioned conversations with U.S. Presidents Biden and Trump, expressing hope that the incoming president would further Ukraine's cause. He also warned that Russia could not be trusted in either combat or negotiations. Despite territorial losses in the east, Zelensky remained optimistic about ongoing U.S. support amid Ukraine's challenging year.
The package nearly halves the available $2.21 billion remaining in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative as the Biden administration works to commit to buying weapons from industry, rather than pulling from U.S. weapons stocks.
In Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown, also in the southeast, a missile strike on an administrative building killed two people.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security advisor, urged negotiations to end the Ukraine-Russia war, emphasising the need for deterrence and peace. In an interview to Fox News, Waltz emphasised the need to restore deterrence, peace, and pre-empt further escalation. Tensions escalated after Washington approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied missiles and landmines, prompting Russia to deploy experimental missiles. Aligning with Trump, Waltz opposed additional U.S. aid for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of a negotiation framework. Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected territorial concessions, warning of defeat without U.S. funding. Biden’s administration is ensuring a smooth transition to Trump, with Waltz cautioning adversaries against exploiting the period. Trump’s administration aims to prioritise diplomacy and resolve the conflict responsibly.
On November 19, 2024, Ukraine used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russian territory for the first time, targeting an arms depot in the Bryansk region. While Russia claimed to intercept five of six missiles, one missile caused a fire at a military facility, though no casualties or significant damage were reported. The attack followed a recent approval from President Biden, allowing Ukraine to use these long-range missiles to target Russian territory. Military experts believe the missiles will help Ukraine defend captured territories but unlikely change the overall course of the war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the missile strikes, viewing them as a sign of Western escalation, while President Putin’s recent nuclear doctrine lowers the threshold for potential nuclear retaliation. Ukraine’s President Zelensky emphasized that decisive moments in the conflict are expected in the coming year, as tensions with Russia continue to escalate.