Trump wants deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine by Aug 8, US tells UN
'Both Russia and Ukraine must negotiate a ceasefire and durable peace. It is time to make a deal. President Trump has made clear this must be done by Aug 8. The United States is prepared to implement additional measures to secure peace,' senior US diplomat John Kelley told the 15-member council.
Trump said on Tuesday that the United States would start imposing tariffs and other measures on Russia "10 days from today" if Moscow showed no progress toward ending its war in Ukraine.
Kyiv and Moscow have held three rounds of talks in Istanbul this year that yielded exchanges of prisoners and bodies, but no breakthrough to defuse the more than three-year conflict.
"We intend to continue the negotiations in Istanbul," Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the council, but he added: 'Despite the meetings in Istanbul, in the West, the war party did not go away ... We continue hearing voices of those who think that diplomacy is just a way of criticizing Russia and exerting pressure on it."
Ukraine's deputy UN Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said Russia must be confronted with "unity, resolve and action."
"We seek a comprehensive, just and lasting peace grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and nothing less. We repeat - a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire is essential. It is the first step to halting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," she told the council.
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Straits Times
34 minutes ago
- Straits Times
India reels from the shock of Trump's onslaught
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The breakdown of trust between Mr Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, whom Mr Trump called his 'true friend,' the US president is likely to make it harder to complete any deal, analysts say. Indian news outlets have reported that Mr Trump wanted to iron out some outstanding issues, after four rounds of direct talks between the two sides, in a phone call with Mr Modi. The Indian government was anxious to avoid any of his last-minute surprises. The US commerce secretary accused India of 'slow-rolling' its trade negotiations. Indian officials and analysts say the friction is caused by a fundamental difference of approach. Mr Trump has a penchant for quick, top-down dealmaking. India's bureaucracy moves at a methodical pace, especially when it comes to opening up the agriculture market, which is politically sensitive. India's recently concluded trade deal with Britain took three years of talks, under two British prime ministers. 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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
World economies reel from Trump's tariffs punch
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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump administration refers Harvard to Justice Department to address anti-Semitism allegations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Harvard University has been embroiled in a legal fight with the Trump administration, seeking the restoration of billions of dollars of frozen federal funds. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's administration has sent a letter to Harvard University saying it has referred the university to the US Justice Department to address allegations of 'Harvard's anti-Semitic discrimination'. In late June, the Trump administration said an investigation had concluded Harvard violated federal civil rights law for failing to address harassment of Jewish and Israeli students. Critics, rights experts and some faculty said such probes are a pretext to assert federal control over schools, and threaten academic freedom and free speech. Harvard has been embroiled in talks and a legal fight with the Trump administration, seeking the restoration of billions of dollars of frozen federal funds for medical research and other programmes. It sued the Trump administration earlier in 2025. 'The parties' several months' engagement has been fruitless,' said the letter dated July 31 from the US Department of Health and Human Services to Harvard's leadership. 'OCR (Office for Civil Rights) therefore has no choice but to refer the matter to DOJ to initiate appropriate proceedings to address Harvard's anti-Semitic discrimination.' Mr Trump has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel's war in Gaza. The government alleges universities allowed anti-Semitism during 2024's pro-Palestinian protests. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia World 'Optimistic' Bessent says US has makings of a deal with China Asia Asia-Pacific economies welcome new US tariff rates, but concerns over extent of full impact remain Singapore Man in SAF custody after allegedly vaping on bus while in army uniform Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city Singapore Man arrested for allegedly shoplifting twice at Changi Airport Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump administration wrongly equates their criticism of Israel's military assault in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with anti-Semitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. Campus protesters demanded an end to US backing for Israel and a commitment that their universities will cease investing in weapons makers and companies that support Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Harvard had no immediate comment on the July 31 letter. The university has said it aims to combat discrimination. Reports released in April by Harvard's anti-Semitism and Islamophobia task forces found fear and bigotry faced by Jewish, Muslim and Arab students. The Trump administration has not announced equivalent probes into Islamophobia. Last week, Columbia University agreed to pay more than US$220 million (S$286 million) to resolve federal probes. The New York Times has reported Harvard was open to spending up to US$500 million to end its dispute with the US government. REUTERS
