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Wow! this is getting nasty now
-
Contact the PP Team
[VIDEOS] Donald Trump blasts Volodymyr Zelensky as 'disrespectful' in public blow-up at White House
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Stewie
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He won’t answer that in a well known trumpian fashion…. Dodge and pivot like a ballerina because “I know more than anyone in the world about this conflict and let me tell you something …. “ blah blah.
Again , as I said before, this is Zelensky Ukraine thread. Glad to respond in the Israel thread. Why dont you post a query there and we can take up that discussion there ? Did I ever say - I wont answer ?? Dont make stuff that is blatantly not true
Itachi
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To be honest, Israel requires other thread. Otherwise this thread will be derailed, religion will also come in to play.
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PLEASE KEEP YOUR POSTS RELEVANT TO TRUMP VS ZELENSKY... THIS THREAD IS NOT ABOUT ISRAEL
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Zelensky bruised but upbeat after diplomatic whirlwind
"Bruised but motivated," was how one of Volodymyr Zelensky's entourage described how they had been feeling, as a small group of journalists crammed into what felt like an even smaller room at Stansted Airport.
The British state had done its best to give the Ukrainian president "all bells and whistles" when he arrived in the UK for a summit with 18 world leaders after his dressing down by Donald Trump and JD Vance on Friday night, a government source told me.
He shared an embrace with Sir Keir Starmer outside No 10, where he was greeted with spontaneously cheering crowds, and met with King Charles for tea.
But it was telling that in the 90 minutes before his plane's wheels went up as he heads back home, Zelensky wanted to go on the record to make his arguments to the world - this time speaking only in Ukrainian - to make sure he was not misunderstood.
Having been slammed in the White House, then feted in the UK, his mood, in public at least, was not downhearted.
"If we don't keep our spirits up, we're letting everyone down," he said.
He made positive noises about Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to grab hold of the plans for peace before presenting them to the US, for Europe to up its game, developing its own more convincing security guarantees.
Zelensky told me he would be prepared to give Donald Trump one of his demands - to sign the minerals deal that would give the US access to someone of Ukraine's resources.
Beyond that, despite all the pressure of a three-year war, under all the demands from the White House which, fairly or not, has the power to protect or abandon his country, on Sunday night Zelensky stood firm.
He told us it was wrong at this stage to discuss giving up territory Russia has captured, and it was too early to be "talking about lines", which the prime minister had mentioned earlier.
He would not apologise to Trump or express regret for anything that happened in the Oval Office, which at the moment, the US president's camp is repeatedly calling for.
Even the boss of Nato called for Zelensky to find a way to reset his relationship with the US leader.
Yet in the stuffy room at Stansted, there was not much in Zelensky's tone that suggested he was interested in making nice.
He said he had travelled for hours to get to the White House - his visit was a mark of respect. He also said he would never "insult anybody" and the conversation as it erupted had not been a positive for anyone.
Zelensky chose his words very carefully. He tried to an extent to avoid a post-mortem of what went on. He was not rude about Trump - he barely mentioned him by name - and suggested tensions would pass.
If you watched the full horror of what happened in the Oval Office you may well not blame Zelensky for feeling it's simply not for him to say sorry.
If you listen to him talk about what has happened to his country, you can understand why it feels so impossible at this stage for him to acknowledge compromises might have to come to end the war.
Watching him in person talk about the violence and the suffering that has been unleashed, you sense his total disbelief that anyone might not see the world his way, where Russia's aggression means Putin must not be spared punishment, and his people should be protected at all costs.
But the reality? Neither Zelensky nor any Western leader so far has persuaded Trump to adopt that moral clarity on this war. And even if it's painful, without a willingness to compromise, it's hard to see an end to this war.
Zelensky is though, a master communicator - genuine, doubtless, but also a performer by trade.
"Our freedoms and values are not for sale," a message of no surrender Zelensky wanted to communicate, along with a willingness to sign the minerals deal.
He again expressed his thanks for the backing of the US and other countries. But don't forget right now, for all of the encounters we have with the leaders involved in public, there are so many more between them and their teams behind closed doors.
Just when our conversation was coming to an end, a suggestion that Macron and Sir Keir were proposing a month-long truce as part of their plan for peace reached my phone.
Did President Zelensky know and would he agree such a deal, I asked.
"I am aware of everything," he joked, getting a laugh in the room, then offering handshakes and photos on his way out to the plane.
He may wanted to have had the last word at the end of a dramatic and difficult weekend. But the conversation about this conflict has many weeks, if not many months to run.
BBC
"Bruised but motivated," was how one of Volodymyr Zelensky's entourage described how they had been feeling, as a small group of journalists crammed into what felt like an even smaller room at Stansted Airport.
The British state had done its best to give the Ukrainian president "all bells and whistles" when he arrived in the UK for a summit with 18 world leaders after his dressing down by Donald Trump and JD Vance on Friday night, a government source told me.
He shared an embrace with Sir Keir Starmer outside No 10, where he was greeted with spontaneously cheering crowds, and met with King Charles for tea.
But it was telling that in the 90 minutes before his plane's wheels went up as he heads back home, Zelensky wanted to go on the record to make his arguments to the world - this time speaking only in Ukrainian - to make sure he was not misunderstood.
Having been slammed in the White House, then feted in the UK, his mood, in public at least, was not downhearted.
"If we don't keep our spirits up, we're letting everyone down," he said.
He made positive noises about Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to grab hold of the plans for peace before presenting them to the US, for Europe to up its game, developing its own more convincing security guarantees.
Zelensky told me he would be prepared to give Donald Trump one of his demands - to sign the minerals deal that would give the US access to someone of Ukraine's resources.
Beyond that, despite all the pressure of a three-year war, under all the demands from the White House which, fairly or not, has the power to protect or abandon his country, on Sunday night Zelensky stood firm.
He told us it was wrong at this stage to discuss giving up territory Russia has captured, and it was too early to be "talking about lines", which the prime minister had mentioned earlier.
He would not apologise to Trump or express regret for anything that happened in the Oval Office, which at the moment, the US president's camp is repeatedly calling for.
Even the boss of Nato called for Zelensky to find a way to reset his relationship with the US leader.
Yet in the stuffy room at Stansted, there was not much in Zelensky's tone that suggested he was interested in making nice.
He said he had travelled for hours to get to the White House - his visit was a mark of respect. He also said he would never "insult anybody" and the conversation as it erupted had not been a positive for anyone.
Zelensky chose his words very carefully. He tried to an extent to avoid a post-mortem of what went on. He was not rude about Trump - he barely mentioned him by name - and suggested tensions would pass.
If you watched the full horror of what happened in the Oval Office you may well not blame Zelensky for feeling it's simply not for him to say sorry.
If you listen to him talk about what has happened to his country, you can understand why it feels so impossible at this stage for him to acknowledge compromises might have to come to end the war.
Watching him in person talk about the violence and the suffering that has been unleashed, you sense his total disbelief that anyone might not see the world his way, where Russia's aggression means Putin must not be spared punishment, and his people should be protected at all costs.
But the reality? Neither Zelensky nor any Western leader so far has persuaded Trump to adopt that moral clarity on this war. And even if it's painful, without a willingness to compromise, it's hard to see an end to this war.
Zelensky is though, a master communicator - genuine, doubtless, but also a performer by trade.
"Our freedoms and values are not for sale," a message of no surrender Zelensky wanted to communicate, along with a willingness to sign the minerals deal.
He again expressed his thanks for the backing of the US and other countries. But don't forget right now, for all of the encounters we have with the leaders involved in public, there are so many more between them and their teams behind closed doors.
Just when our conversation was coming to an end, a suggestion that Macron and Sir Keir were proposing a month-long truce as part of their plan for peace reached my phone.
Did President Zelensky know and would he agree such a deal, I asked.
"I am aware of everything," he joked, getting a laugh in the room, then offering handshakes and photos on his way out to the plane.
He may wanted to have had the last word at the end of a dramatic and difficult weekend. But the conversation about this conflict has many weeks, if not many months to run.
BBC
RexRex
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It's a valid question in the context of this thread .. why support US aid to Israel but not to Ukraine ? I'm just curious, kinda strange that you refuse to answer.
One of things I find funny is how whenever these guys start losing the argument, they often refer to WW2 and Hitler as an example. If we don't stop Putin now, then he'll take over Europe blah blah. "We" stopped Hitler with the help of America. Er, not really, the Soviet Union (Red Army) did almost all of the heavy lifting, they should be given the credit first but no one in the UK or the west even mentions them.
Propaganda here is off the charts.
Propaganda here is off the charts.
If it wasn't clear enough already, we now know who wants this war to continue and why. It certainly isn't the current US administration. But the part that I don't understand is, why Europe thinks Ukraine can push Russia back even slightly without US support. Even a blind bat can see if this war continues the frontline will be shifting in one direction and it won't be towards Moscow for sure.
Just end the war, take the deal, stop sending men to their inevitable death and accept your defeat (however hard it is to swallow).
Just end the war, take the deal, stop sending men to their inevitable death and accept your defeat (however hard it is to swallow).
rpant_gabba
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You quoted an article pointing exactly what I'm saying.
did You think you are actually posting the agreement?
rpant_gabba
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what a load of crap. USSR got all the resources to survive and fight from.. wait for it....
rpant_gabba
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how come that same advice is not being given about palestine?
This thread is about Trump and Zelensky in regards to the Ukraine and Russia situation. It's not to do with Gaza, more than happy to discuss that with you in that thread.
It was USSR who did the heavy lifting. They faught all the big battles and sacrificed the most soldiers by a huge factor. As Churchill famously said "The Soviets tore the guts out of the Germans".
The US handled Japan, the Soviet Union did the job in Europe and the Europeans unsurprisingly were powerless without the Americans stepping in.
Cpt. Rishwat
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Whether you like Trump or not, you can't deny he had Zelensky's **** down in that interview.
Last edited by a moderator:
KingKhanWC
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Depends on how you see it. Trump was cocky, he'll secure some huge mineral , rare earth deal. Zelensky shoved a few grams of cocaine and said NO, this was a huge embarrassment to Trump, hence his outburst. The whole thing is just a circus, neither Zelensky or Trump will decide if the outcome of this war.
KingKhanWC
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This is a 10 year old plus war now, started by the US in 2014. Trump didnt stop the war in 24hrs because the cards are in Putins hands not his. Trump only has 4 years and if/when the Europeans put boots on the ground (officiialy), Yanks will come to their rescue which Trump has admitted already.
There will be no deal, Zelensky, European leaders are Zionists puppets, they will continue to push this until Putin and Orthodox Christian Russia no longer exists, even if it means a nuclear war. A long way to go in this.
Slim
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Wouldnt be the first time that American parents would lose their sons in a war waged to protect the interests of their Jewish overlords. Zelensky is just another, more in your face.
Slim
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Its clear that Zelensky and his buddies do not want peace. I watched the 40+ minute video in which the professional comedian kept on baiting Trump and Vance. Trump kept his cool for most part, but Vance jumped the gun. There was no media trial but Zelensky forced this show down which led to things falling apart.
I am sick of this war, i want peace and i want Ukranians to go back to their home. Canada has already taken 1 million of them unchecked, and so much criminals and riff raff from Slavic Europe has arrived on our shores.
I am sick of this war, i want peace and i want Ukranians to go back to their home. Canada has already taken 1 million of them unchecked, and so much criminals and riff raff from Slavic Europe has arrived on our shores.
Can you not read the moderator's post above # 325 ? Discuss palestine in the palestine thread or go start a new one and folks and me as well will reply there. No need to derail every thread with palestine gaza israel etc etc .
pakistani pride
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Still funny or sad how people still think people they see on TV decide what happens...
And now this.. Zelensky has no intention whatsoever of trying to end the war.
News : Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’
apnews.com
News : Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’
Ukraine's Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is 'very, very far away'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “is still very, very far away."
apnews.com
IMMY69
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I found the entire press conference cringeworthy... how can the president of a superpower, the biggest superpower, behave like this?
His ego, narcissism is on a completely different level...
It seems that Instead of being sincere about the people of Ukraine instead Trump was only out for revenge against Zelenskyy.
Trump kept going on about the Javelin Anti tank missiles he sanctioned in 2019 but didn't mention his phone call to Zelenskyy when he told him to investigate Hunter Biden before more Javelins were supplied...
Also Vance reminding Zelenskyy that he supported the Democrats in the run up to the elections... so?
The world became a dangerous place in 2022 but since January 2024 it's just gone up a few more notches
His ego, narcissism is on a completely different level...
It seems that Instead of being sincere about the people of Ukraine instead Trump was only out for revenge against Zelenskyy.
Trump kept going on about the Javelin Anti tank missiles he sanctioned in 2019 but didn't mention his phone call to Zelenskyy when he told him to investigate Hunter Biden before more Javelins were supplied...
Also Vance reminding Zelenskyy that he supported the Democrats in the run up to the elections... so?
The world became a dangerous place in 2022 but since January 2024 it's just gone up a few more notches
Cpt. Rishwat
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That's because idiots like Keir Starmer and his clueless MPs keep pledging £££millions of UK funds to keep this proxy war limping on.
cricketjoshila
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Atleast UK and other war supporters should atleast listen to what the Trump-Putin peace proposal has to say.
Demand a ceasefire till negotiations are ongoing. Then decide.
How long can UK keep funding this war?
Did you watch all 50 minutes or just click bait videos?
ads101
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Looks like there will be no peace deal. I think what we will see is us reducing their aid and Europe either continuing or increasing theirs. Trump is already acting out and going wild with his statements.
You can’t just stop Russia from bombing even if Ukraine had the sufficient aid as they are forbidden to push up into Russia. Russia face no threat to their own country while fighting in Ukraine making it a battleground. It is a horrible situation for Ukraine.
It’s a no win situation for Zelensky. End the war give up concessions to Russia and minerals and Ukraine will be upset at him. Continue the war and even more Ukrainians will die. We already know military aid to ensure Ukrainian victory is off the table due to nuclear war fears. Both US and Russia can come off well in a deal but Ukraine can not. They’re stuck in a hard place. I believe making the deal is the right choice even if you give up concessions. However if I were in his boots not sure I would think that either. It’s very difficult to give up which is what is rightfully yours and your people’s.
You can’t just stop Russia from bombing even if Ukraine had the sufficient aid as they are forbidden to push up into Russia. Russia face no threat to their own country while fighting in Ukraine making it a battleground. It is a horrible situation for Ukraine.
It’s a no win situation for Zelensky. End the war give up concessions to Russia and minerals and Ukraine will be upset at him. Continue the war and even more Ukrainians will die. We already know military aid to ensure Ukrainian victory is off the table due to nuclear war fears. Both US and Russia can come off well in a deal but Ukraine can not. They’re stuck in a hard place. I believe making the deal is the right choice even if you give up concessions. However if I were in his boots not sure I would think that either. It’s very difficult to give up which is what is rightfully yours and your people’s.
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US pauses military aid to Ukraine, says White House
The United States is pausing military aid to Ukraine days after U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Oval Office, a White House official confirmed on Monday.
The official said the U.S. is pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it is contributing to a solution.
The pause will last until Trump determines the country's leaders demonstrate a good-faith commitment to peace, according to Bloomberg and Fox News reports.
"This is not permanent termination of aid, it's a pause," Fox News quoted a Trump administration official as saying.
Bloomberg reported that all U.S. military equipment not currently in Ukraine would be paused, including weapons in transit on aircraft and ships or waiting in transit areas in Poland.
It added that Trump ordered Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to execute the pause.
The reports come hours after Trump told reporters at the White House that he had not discussed suspending military aid to Ukraine, but added that Zelenskiy "should be more appreciative" of Washington's support.
The United States is pausing military aid to Ukraine days after U.S. President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the Oval Office, a White House official confirmed on Monday.
The official said the U.S. is pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it is contributing to a solution.
The pause will last until Trump determines the country's leaders demonstrate a good-faith commitment to peace, according to Bloomberg and Fox News reports.
"This is not permanent termination of aid, it's a pause," Fox News quoted a Trump administration official as saying.
Bloomberg reported that all U.S. military equipment not currently in Ukraine would be paused, including weapons in transit on aircraft and ships or waiting in transit areas in Poland.
It added that Trump ordered Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to execute the pause.
The reports come hours after Trump told reporters at the White House that he had not discussed suspending military aid to Ukraine, but added that Zelenskiy "should be more appreciative" of Washington's support.
Good. Hopefully the EU steps up and provides the aid to Ukraine. And Zelensky is not bound by any US constraints now. He can do whatever he wants, prolong the war as long as he wants and gain a massive victory over Russia. Wishing him all the luck !
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WAR is never the solution to any conflict. It only brings the suffering for years.
Without us aid and weapons , Ukraine will only suffer more with this continous war.
As for EU they have gone into mass deindustrialisation, high inflation low growth economies rising poverty and hordes of third world chancers riff raff whose numbers are led by nodding Indians have swamped Europe causing huge social issues.
FearlessRoar
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Trump faces pushback in Washington over Ukraine aid freeze
Donald Trump's decision to pause shipments of military equipment to Ukraine following a heated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shocked many in Washington.
Ukraine has relied heavily on the US for military aid since Russia invaded the country in 2022. Such a pause could have significant effect on the war.
The aid pause was decried by Democrats and split Republicans - some of whom broke with the president to criticise the aid cuts.
"I do not think we should be pausing our efforts," Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said. "It's the Ukrainians who are shedding blood."
Rep Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, noted that Russia would continue to get support from its backers as the US ceased its aid.
"Too bad Iran, North Korea and China are not pausing their military aid and economic support," he told Politico.
In an Oval Office meeting last week, Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War Three" after the Ukrainian leader expressed scepticism that diplomacy alone could deter Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting turned led at least one of the Ukrainian leader's Republican supporters, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, to openly criticise him.
"What I saw in the Oval office was disrespectful and I don't know if we can ever do business with Zelensky again," Graham told reporters outside the White House last week immediately after the meeting.
After Trump announced the aid pause Monday night, Graham posted on X that he has "tried very hard to maintain support for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to repel the Russian invasion and have expressed admiration for President Zelensky's leadership during the most difficult times".
He then added, "I, like so many others, can only give advice. It's up to President Zelensky to determine whether or not to take it".
Trump's decision comes amid an escalating White House pressure campaign on Zelensky to negotiate a ceasefire deal with Russia, and to sign a related deal with the US involving its rare mineral resources.
HR McMaster, Trump's former national security adviser who has since criticised the president, said that Putin "couldn't be happier" as a result of the tensions between the US and Ukraine.
"What he sees is all of the pressure on Zelenskyy, all of the pressure on Ukraine and no pressure on him," the retired general told CBS News, BBC's US partner.
Trump's current national security adviser, Mike Waltz, had a different view when he appeared on CNN on Monday. He said that Zelensky simply needed to show he was "ready to go to peace".
Meanwhile, Democrats, who have been more unified in their support for Ukraine, expressed outrage over the pause. They argued it would damage US national security.
"It is a critical strategic mistake for Donald Trump to unilaterally disarm against Putin," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X.
On X, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts accused Trump of "siding with Putin over US allies in Europe".
The effect is being felt far beyond Washington, as it has sent the US's allies in UK and Europe scrambling to address the potential fallout.
Ukrainians expressed widespread shock and dismay at the US military aid pause.
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told BBC Breakfast it could have "dangerous consequences".
Trump faces pushback in Washington over Ukraine aid freeze
Democrats were largely outraged by the decision, but even some Republicans voiced concerns that the move would only aid Russia.
www.bbc.com
ads101
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I feared this would happen. Zelensky has overplayed his hand. As someone who lives in UK it’s not great that Europe will end up picking up the tab for lack of US aid. Trump was just looking for a way to save money and bring money back to US. Whether he does it via getting minerals in US or just stopping aid to Ukraine, it will still more or less result in the same outcome, saving USA money. Trump severely dislikes being involved in a war which has little effect on USA. I’m sure he’d pull out of NATO if he could, and he wanted to pull out from Afghanistan too. Europe we’re not separated by an ocean unfortunately, it actually effects us.
Trump was always going to get something from these talks. Even if Russia goes ahead and invades the whole of Ukraine successfully and win the war, Trump’s got his excuse to not intervene.
I actually respect Zelensky but time to move on from him I think and get a new leader in. It’s not going to work anymore with him in charge. I don’t believe Zelensky is corrupt and think he had admirably led his country through this war and respect his desire to not give up concessions to Russia and other countries even though I think it is required to achieve peace sadly. Otherwise we wait around 4 years and hope the next US president can achieve a peace deal etc. With no guarantee, given that he might have views similar to Trump and the same thing happens again. Best thing Zelensky can do is honourably step down, and at least he won’t have to make the hard choice personally to create peace which may be tough with all these years of fighting. Maybe someone new coming in can see things a bit in the big picture and realise what is needed to create peace and stop this war.
Trump was always going to get something from these talks. Even if Russia goes ahead and invades the whole of Ukraine successfully and win the war, Trump’s got his excuse to not intervene.
I actually respect Zelensky but time to move on from him I think and get a new leader in. It’s not going to work anymore with him in charge. I don’t believe Zelensky is corrupt and think he had admirably led his country through this war and respect his desire to not give up concessions to Russia and other countries even though I think it is required to achieve peace sadly. Otherwise we wait around 4 years and hope the next US president can achieve a peace deal etc. With no guarantee, given that he might have views similar to Trump and the same thing happens again. Best thing Zelensky can do is honourably step down, and at least he won’t have to make the hard choice personally to create peace which may be tough with all these years of fighting. Maybe someone new coming in can see things a bit in the big picture and realise what is needed to create peace and stop this war.
Cpt. Rishwat
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I don't see why the UK should be picking up the tab for a war in Europe when we are not even EU members any more. This war is not affecting us, we are meddling in it for no reason and throwing money at it which we can't afford.
I am not a Trump fan, but from an American POV what he is doing makes absolute sense. The whole world would have been better off if we hadn't encouraged a Ukraine secession from Russia. Let them fight it on their own terms like all the other aspiring Russian states like Chechnya or Siberia.
ads101
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We’re doing this on the grounds of NATO, to safeguard against Russian expansion and protect Europe security. It does make sense we would be involved given we are part of Europe. USA is part of NATO but it is always a strange situation as they are expected to protect Europe without being part of Europe. Which is why much easier for USA to walk away. Can’t even say it’s done due to EU as Ukraine aren’t EU either. Honestly in the modern world, I’m not sure it’s even makes sense for USA to be a part of NATO. Europe is enough by themselves these days against a faded power in Russia. The whole reason USA was involved in the first place was because the Soviet Union were a power that Europe would struggle to fight themselves.
If USA stop aid, nothing much will happen to it. If UK did, I imagine it would cause strain on Europe relations, the potential blowback would be huge. Security and trade particularly. Even now EU is still UK’s biggest trading partner. So we might end up losing more than the aid that UK would provide to Ukraine anyway.
The Soviet Union themselves recognised Ukraine as independent. Yes many think it’s because they were falling apart at the time and had little choice. But they didn’t fight it then. Now fighting to take back a democratic country feels wrong. Even before you could argue Ukraine deserved their independence but at least it would be done under one house. It’s it separate entity now. Yes their are Russian people, including Putin who think they never should have given up countries in the Soviet Union particularly Ukraine. But it doesn’t change the fact that the Russian leaders in power at the time allowed it to happen.
Part of me thinks if this Ukraine invasion was truly done as an act of preserving Russia’s security, had USA withdrew from NATO maybe it wouldn’t have been a problem. I’m sure Putin doesn’t really fear attacks from UK, Germany, France etc. It is more the thought of US troops somehow coming into Russia through NATO or working in conjunction with Europe. So USA is the real threat to them. However most likely I think this defense reason has been used as an excuse, I think it’s simply the case that Putin believes Ukraine should belong to Russia and is upset it has been let go by previous Russian leaders. Putin has repeatedly criticised the dissolution of USSR and Yeltsin.
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Zelensky vows to 'make things right' with Trump and negotiate peace
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to work under Donald Trump's "strong leadership" to achieve a lasting peace days after their explosive Oval Office meeting.
The Ukrainian president described the White House showdown as "regrettable" in a lengthy social media post in the wake of the US announcing a pause in military aid to Kyiv.
Zelensky said "it was time to make things right", after Trump had accused him of not being ready to come to the negotiating table.
The Ukrainian leader also outlined the first stages of how the war could be ended.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky – ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure – and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same," he wrote.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
In his social media post, Zelensky said Friday's meeting "did not go the way it was supposed to be", adding: "It is regrettable that it happened this way," he wrote. "It is time to make things right. We would like future co-operation and communication to be constructive."
He also reiterated that Ukraine was ready to sign a minerals deal with the US, after the failure to do so at the Washington meeting.
Ukraine woke to the news on Tuesday that the US was "pausing and reviewing" its military aid to the country after a breakdown in diplomacy last week.
In his post, Zelensky offered an overt declaration of gratitude for the help the US has so far given to his country.
"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence," he wrote.
"And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this," he added, referring to the US anti-tank missile system sold to Ukraine during Trump's first administration.
During Friday's meeting in the Oval Office, Vice-President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military support the US had provided.
"Have you said 'thank you' once this entire meeting?" Vance said, before Trump told Zelensky he was not being "very thankful".
Zelensky defended himself in the meeting, and began an interview with Fox News in the hours afterwards, saying: "I'm very thankful to Americans for all your support."
The Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and US officials last week was due to conclude with the two parties signing a deal that would grant the US access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine.
After the clash, which saw Trump accuse Zelensky of "gambling with World War III", the Ukrainian delegation left without signing the deal – Trump told Zelensky "come back when you're ready for peace".
Trump is due to deliver an address to Congress later on Tuesday, during which the Reuters news agency reports he plans to announce a minerals deal between US and Ukraine has been signed.
A number of Ukraine's allies have commented on the latest from the Ukrainian president, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who welcomed Zelensky's "steadfast commitment to securing peace".
It is "vital that all parties worked towards a lasting and secure peace for Ukraine as soon as possible", a statement from No 10 said.
Likewise, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelensky's willingness to "re-engage in dialogue" with Trump, the Elysee Palace said.
Days before his meeting with Zelensky, the US President had met with Macron, who travelled to Washington with a warning to Trump: "You can't be weak in the face of Putin."
While European leaders rallied behind Zelensky following the clash, Nato's secretary general advised the Ukrainian leader to "find a way" to restore his relationship with Trump.
Speaking to the BBC the following day, Mark Rutte said he had told him "we have to respect" what Trump has done for Ukraine so far.
Zelensky's statement falls short of an apology to Trump, which those in the US president's camp had called for.
In Moscow, Vladimir Putin's team earlier welcomed the US's pause to military aid as likely to be the "best" contribution to peace.
"If the US stops, or pauses these supplies, this will probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the BBC's Steve Rosenberg.
Trump himself has not commented on the pause to aid, nor Zelensky's response, however he did earlier berate the Ukrainian leader following his meetings with European allies at the weekend.
A Sunday summit - hosted by the UK prime minister - was intended as a show of support for Ukraine.
After the meeting, Zelensky said a deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia was "still very, very far away".
Trump described this as the "worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky", in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"It is what I was saying, this guy doesn't want there to be peace as long as he has America's backing," the president wrote.
BBC
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to work under Donald Trump's "strong leadership" to achieve a lasting peace days after their explosive Oval Office meeting.
The Ukrainian president described the White House showdown as "regrettable" in a lengthy social media post in the wake of the US announcing a pause in military aid to Kyiv.
Zelensky said "it was time to make things right", after Trump had accused him of not being ready to come to the negotiating table.
The Ukrainian leader also outlined the first stages of how the war could be ended.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky – ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure – and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same," he wrote.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
In his social media post, Zelensky said Friday's meeting "did not go the way it was supposed to be", adding: "It is regrettable that it happened this way," he wrote. "It is time to make things right. We would like future co-operation and communication to be constructive."
He also reiterated that Ukraine was ready to sign a minerals deal with the US, after the failure to do so at the Washington meeting.
Ukraine woke to the news on Tuesday that the US was "pausing and reviewing" its military aid to the country after a breakdown in diplomacy last week.
In his post, Zelensky offered an overt declaration of gratitude for the help the US has so far given to his country.
"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence," he wrote.
"And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this," he added, referring to the US anti-tank missile system sold to Ukraine during Trump's first administration.
During Friday's meeting in the Oval Office, Vice-President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military support the US had provided.
"Have you said 'thank you' once this entire meeting?" Vance said, before Trump told Zelensky he was not being "very thankful".
Zelensky defended himself in the meeting, and began an interview with Fox News in the hours afterwards, saying: "I'm very thankful to Americans for all your support."
The Oval Office meeting between Zelensky and US officials last week was due to conclude with the two parties signing a deal that would grant the US access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine.
After the clash, which saw Trump accuse Zelensky of "gambling with World War III", the Ukrainian delegation left without signing the deal – Trump told Zelensky "come back when you're ready for peace".
Trump is due to deliver an address to Congress later on Tuesday, during which the Reuters news agency reports he plans to announce a minerals deal between US and Ukraine has been signed.
A number of Ukraine's allies have commented on the latest from the Ukrainian president, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who welcomed Zelensky's "steadfast commitment to securing peace".
It is "vital that all parties worked towards a lasting and secure peace for Ukraine as soon as possible", a statement from No 10 said.
Likewise, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelensky's willingness to "re-engage in dialogue" with Trump, the Elysee Palace said.
Days before his meeting with Zelensky, the US President had met with Macron, who travelled to Washington with a warning to Trump: "You can't be weak in the face of Putin."
While European leaders rallied behind Zelensky following the clash, Nato's secretary general advised the Ukrainian leader to "find a way" to restore his relationship with Trump.
Speaking to the BBC the following day, Mark Rutte said he had told him "we have to respect" what Trump has done for Ukraine so far.
Zelensky's statement falls short of an apology to Trump, which those in the US president's camp had called for.
In Moscow, Vladimir Putin's team earlier welcomed the US's pause to military aid as likely to be the "best" contribution to peace.
"If the US stops, or pauses these supplies, this will probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the BBC's Steve Rosenberg.
Trump himself has not commented on the pause to aid, nor Zelensky's response, however he did earlier berate the Ukrainian leader following his meetings with European allies at the weekend.
A Sunday summit - hosted by the UK prime minister - was intended as a show of support for Ukraine.
After the meeting, Zelensky said a deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia was "still very, very far away".
Trump described this as the "worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky", in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"It is what I was saying, this guy doesn't want there to be peace as long as he has America's backing," the president wrote.
BBC
Cpt. Rishwat
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So UK should be responsible for funding war efforts on behalf of Europe, while getting none of the benefits of being a EU member? This just sounds to me like the worst of both worlds. I really don't see the point. Russian military is badly degraded and they can't afford to upgrade it. They probably want a war less than we do. Our efforts would be better directed at working towards getting back into the EU if we really believe Europe should share common goals.
FearlessRoar
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Zelenskyy is 'untrustworthy crook and punk', says ex-Trump aide
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been called a "crook" and a "punk" by a former top aide to Donald Trump.
Steve Bannon also told Sky's Ali Fortescue he thinks the US president should pull out of a planned minerals deal with Ukraine.
In a wide-ranging interview on the Politics Hub, the ex-chief strategist said Mr Trump's efforts to improve relations with Russia is a "brilliant" move.
Mr Bannon said the UK and Europe need to "wake up" and realise they do not have to be worried about Russia invading the rest of Europe, as they do not have the army to do it.
"The rapprochement of the United States with Russia breaks the control of the Chinese Community Party... it's a brilliant stroke."
He added the EU "will come along with it" and insisted Mr Trump is "going out of his way to be a peacemaker".
But he was clear about whether the leader should agree to sign a deal with Ukraine's president for rare minerals, which was supposed to happen on Friday until the pair had a heated row in the Oval Office.
"Absolutely not. He [Zelenskyy] had his shot. Zelenskyy is untrustworthy. He's a crook and a punk. And he showed what a punk he was in the Oval Office the other day," said Mr Bannon.
He suggested the row was prompted by Mr Zelenskyy trying to get security guarantees from the US, something the American public would not accept.
"They told him, time and time and time again, do not bring up security guarantees. A security guarantee means... American troops and that will never happen," said Mr Bannon.
He also said the deal was unnecessary and only a "very general framework" anyway, which risked tying the US to the "future reconstruction of the country".
"We don't need a rare earth deal. The United States doesn't need rare earths from Ukraine. That was a total gift to him and the Ukrainian people."
However, sources have told the Reuters news agency that Mr Trump is planning to announce the US and Ukraine's minerals agreement during his address to Congress on Tuesday.
Zelenskyy is 'untrustworthy crook and punk', says ex-Trump aide
Steve Bannon insisted the US president is "going out of his way to be a peacemaker" and Volodymyr Zelenskyy "had his shot" but pushed the US too far for security guarantees.
Zelensky now getting to his senses. When the fund tap dries up, all his political theater stopped . All EU nations talk big but now they are like, we have to re-enage Trump ! Words are easier than actions as they say...
Why not ?? UK talks big supporting Zelensky's war. So let UK go ahead and fund. US will have no issue whatsoever if UK takes over all the funding to Zelensky. Everyone wants US money with no strings attached, not happening now with Trump
ads101
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We’re not doing it because of EU connection which Ukraine is also not part of. We’re doing it for NATO which we are very much a part of. And it also because of NATO France, Germany etc are funding Ukraine. It has nothing to do with EU. If we didn’t want to do this we should pull out of NATO too. If we don’t fill our NATO obligations it looks bad for UK and hampers trade and security with other European countries including EU which we are still very reliant on. EU is more or less an economic union where countries can negotiate trade deals collectively. We don’t do that anymore but it still doesn’t mean that we don’t trade with other European countries and the EU in general.
Really USA has the same NATO obligations. But rely far less on Europe for trade, security. If European nations for example implemented trade tariffs in retaliation, the trade tariffs USA would impose would hurt Europe far more. They are also the only nation protecting something they aren’t even part of, Europe.
It is far harder for UK to pull out of funding. Only way maybe is for UK to convince France and Germany to pull out too. Which I’m sure would cause the other smaller European countries to follow suit too. Which would basically leave Ukraine defenceless and they would lose the war almost instantly.
Trump is absolutely using his position as USA to his advantage here. While Starmer simply can’t.
Maybe the solution is to get rid of NATO in general. If Russia is to be truly believed which I don’t, they claim they only invaded Ukraine because of NATO. So if NATO didn’t exist they would have left Ukraine alone. But then if Russia goes ahead and starts expanding and trying to recapture countries or a European country starts a world war again, we’ll be screaming why did we get rid of NATO.
But either way, you could probably argue USA shouldn’t be part of NATO as long as Europe collectively are strong enough to defeat Russia. Which right now I believe they are.
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Zelensky hopes US-Ukraine talks next week will be 'meaningful'
US-Ukraine talks will be held in Saudi Arabia next week, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, expressing hopes that it will be "a meaningful meeting".
The Ukrainian leader, who will be in the Gulf kingdom but not take part in the talks, said Kyiv was working to reach a "fast and lasting" peace.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the American team wanted to discuss a "framework" for peace to try to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Last Friday, Zelensky and Trump were involved in a public clash at the White House - during which Trump said Zelensky was not ready to end the fighting. The US proceeded to pause military aid to Ukraine and stop sharing intelligence.
The Ukrainian president has expressed regret about the incident and tried to repair relations with the US - the country's biggest military supplier.
On Thursday, Witkoff said Trump had received a letter from Zelensky that included an "apology" and "sense of gratitude".
"Hopefully, we get things back on track with the Ukrainians, and everything resumes," Witkoff said.
Zelensky has been under strong US pressure to make concessions ahead of any peace talks, while the Ukrainian president has been pushing for firm security guarantees for Kyiv.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The fighting continues, with Ukraine on Thursday night reporting a "massive missile and drone" attack on its energy infrastructure.
The Polish military also said it was forced to scramble fighter jets and activate ground-based air defence systems amid the attack, which threatened regions as far as western Ukraine.
Zelensky announced the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia in a series of posts on social media, after attending Thursday's crisis summit in Brussels where European Union leaders endorsed plans for a boost in defence spending.
"Ukrainian and American teams have resumed work, and we hope that next week we will have a meaningful meeting," he wrote on X.
"Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first moment of the war, and we have always stated that the war continues solely because of Russia."
Zelensky urged the global community to put more pressure on Moscow so it "accepts the need to end" the war.
He also made an apparent reference to a truce plan outlined earlier this week by French President Emmanuel Macron, which proposed a ceasefire in the air and at sea, and an end to attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure.
Russia has not publicly commented on the French proposals.
On Thursday, Putin said Moscow was seeking a peace "that would ensure calmness for our country in the long-term perspective.
"We don't need anything that belongs to others, but we won't give up anything that belongs to us either," the Kremlin leader added.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he hopes a "fair, lasting, binding peace agreement that every side can accept" could be struck.
Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in 2014, and claims another four Ukrainian regions in the south-east as its own - although Moscow doesn't fully control them.
Ukraine and its European allies have in recent weeks expressed alarm over what many on the continent see as Donald Trump's overtures to Russia.
Trump vowed during the US election campaign to bring the war to an end quickly, and preliminary US-Russian talks were held in Saudi Arabia last month - without European or Ukrainian representatives present.
The US's decision to halt its military aid Ukraine has been cast by Trump administration officials as a means of getting Kyiv to co-operate with the US-led peace talks.
Any corresponding pressure the US has been putting on Moscow to make concessions has not been made public.
BBC
US-Ukraine talks will be held in Saudi Arabia next week, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, expressing hopes that it will be "a meaningful meeting".
The Ukrainian leader, who will be in the Gulf kingdom but not take part in the talks, said Kyiv was working to reach a "fast and lasting" peace.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the American team wanted to discuss a "framework" for peace to try to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Last Friday, Zelensky and Trump were involved in a public clash at the White House - during which Trump said Zelensky was not ready to end the fighting. The US proceeded to pause military aid to Ukraine and stop sharing intelligence.
The Ukrainian president has expressed regret about the incident and tried to repair relations with the US - the country's biggest military supplier.
On Thursday, Witkoff said Trump had received a letter from Zelensky that included an "apology" and "sense of gratitude".
"Hopefully, we get things back on track with the Ukrainians, and everything resumes," Witkoff said.
Zelensky has been under strong US pressure to make concessions ahead of any peace talks, while the Ukrainian president has been pushing for firm security guarantees for Kyiv.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
The fighting continues, with Ukraine on Thursday night reporting a "massive missile and drone" attack on its energy infrastructure.
The Polish military also said it was forced to scramble fighter jets and activate ground-based air defence systems amid the attack, which threatened regions as far as western Ukraine.
Zelensky announced the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia in a series of posts on social media, after attending Thursday's crisis summit in Brussels where European Union leaders endorsed plans for a boost in defence spending.
"Ukrainian and American teams have resumed work, and we hope that next week we will have a meaningful meeting," he wrote on X.
"Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first moment of the war, and we have always stated that the war continues solely because of Russia."
Zelensky urged the global community to put more pressure on Moscow so it "accepts the need to end" the war.
He also made an apparent reference to a truce plan outlined earlier this week by French President Emmanuel Macron, which proposed a ceasefire in the air and at sea, and an end to attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure.
Russia has not publicly commented on the French proposals.
On Thursday, Putin said Moscow was seeking a peace "that would ensure calmness for our country in the long-term perspective.
"We don't need anything that belongs to others, but we won't give up anything that belongs to us either," the Kremlin leader added.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he hopes a "fair, lasting, binding peace agreement that every side can accept" could be struck.
Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in 2014, and claims another four Ukrainian regions in the south-east as its own - although Moscow doesn't fully control them.
Ukraine and its European allies have in recent weeks expressed alarm over what many on the continent see as Donald Trump's overtures to Russia.
Trump vowed during the US election campaign to bring the war to an end quickly, and preliminary US-Russian talks were held in Saudi Arabia last month - without European or Ukrainian representatives present.
The US's decision to halt its military aid Ukraine has been cast by Trump administration officials as a means of getting Kyiv to co-operate with the US-led peace talks.
Any corresponding pressure the US has been putting on Moscow to make concessions has not been made public.
BBC
FearlessRoar
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 'Ukraine most interested in peace' as he confirms US talks next week
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is "most interested in peace" and confirmed officials will hold talks with US partners in Saudi Arabia next week about ending the war with Russia.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is due to hold talks with European leaders on Friday about Ukraine.
The prime minister and French President Emmanuel Macron are seeking countries willing to supply troops for a peacekeeping force to defend a potential deal. The suggested agreement has already been rejected by Russia.
In his nightly address on Thursday, the Ukrainian president said his country was "most interested in peace".
He also appeared to signal relations between the US and Ukraine were getting back on track after his disastrous White House visit - saying talks will take place in Saudi Arabia, but suggested he would not be part of those discussions.
The Ukrainian president said: "I am scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to meet with the crown prince.
"After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace."
He added: "As we told President Trump, Ukraine is working and will work exclusively constructively for a quick and reliable peace."
It comes around a week after the public row between the two men in the Oval Office. It has been followed this week by America freezing military aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in an exchange with reporters on Thursday, the US president said his administration had made "a lot of progress" in recent days with both Ukraine and Russia, but did not specify further.
"I think what's going to happen is Ukraine wants to make a deal, because I don't think they have a choice," Mr Trump said.
"I also think that Russia wants to make a deal because in a certain different way - a different way that only I know, only I know - they have no choice either."
Earlier on Thursday, Steve Witkoff, a senior US official, praised a letter sent from Mr Zelenskyy to Mr Trump as a "positive first step" following their unsuccessful meeting.
"We are now in discussions to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah," he said. "The city is moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia."
Mr Witkoff said Washington was trying to agree on a framework for a possible peace agreement in Ukraine.
It has also been pushing for the signing of a critical minerals deal with Ukraine - but it is unclear if that will be part of the talks next week.
Defence Secretary John Healey said Mr Trump has "asked Europe to step up, and we are" as he started talks in Washington with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth on Thursday.
Mr Hegseth said it was "very encouraging" to see France and the UK say they are prepared to take a leading role.
Sir Keir has been seeking to support Ukraine and show Mr Trump the UK is committed to stepping up its defence efforts - while mooting plans for a peacekeeping force.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the move would amount to the "direct, official and unveiled involvement of NATO members in the war against Russia".
While Andrei Kelin, Russian ambassador to the UK, said in an interview with Sky News' The World With Yalda Hakim, that Russia wanted "quick peace" in Ukraine and the UK was at the "head of those resisting" it.
European leaders meanwhile backed new defence spending plans aimed at freeing billions for the continent's security.
The 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their spending.
On Thursday evening, Russia launched a mass drone attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa, damaging energy infrastructure and starting fires, according to a local governor.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 'Ukraine most interested in peace' as he confirms US talks next week
Efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine appeared to take a major blow last week following Volodymyr Zelenskyy's disastrous visit to the White House.
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