Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy says 3 Patriot systems secured – DW – 07/25/2025
Ukraine has been pushing for a meeting between the two leaders and has expressed hope that US President Donald Trump could also take part. Trump has been pressing the warring parties to strike a deal.
Putin has said he would only meet Zelenskyy during a "final phase" of negotiations on ending the war.
"We need an end to the war, which probably begins with a meeting of leaders," Zelenskyy told journalists. "In talks with us, they have begun to discuss it. This is already progress toward some kind of meeting format."
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At a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov proposed to hold the talks before the end of August which would roughly align with a deadline set by US President Trump, who earlier this month gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine or face sweeping sanctions.
However, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky downplayed the likelihood of an imminent meeting.
"The meeting must be properly prepared. Only then will it make sense," Medinsky was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency TASS.
Talks to end the conflict have so far yielded few results as the two sides have radically different positions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is working to secure funding for 10 Patriot air defence systems, following a deal that allows European states to buy US weaponry and give it to Kyiv.
"The President of the United States will be transferring, selling these systems to us," Zelenskyy said in comments that were released to journalists on Friday. "Our task is to find funding for all 10 systems."
He added that Ukraine had already secured funds for three systems — two from Germany and one from Norway, but is seeking funding for seven more.
"I have officially received confirmation from Germany for two systems, and from Norway for one. We are currently working with Dutch partners," he told reporters.
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Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump criticized the tens of billions of dollars in aid provided to Kyiv under the Biden administration, and instead has approved the sale of weapons for Ukraine via NATO member states.
Zelenskyy said that Washington and Kyiv had agreed to a deal worth between $10 billion and $30 billion, under which Ukraine would provide the United States with drones.
"With America and President Trump, we agreed that they will purchase drones from us. This agreement is in place," Zelensky said.
Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in the Russian war on Ukraine.
As the weekend approaches, we'll keep you updated on stories, including Ukraine's planned purchase of Patriot air defense systems through European countries.
Stay tuned for the latest news and analysis from the ongoing war.
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Cameroon: What keeps Biya in power? – DW – 07/28/2025
At 92, Paul Biya is already the oldest head of state in the world. He wants to be re-elected in October. The power apparatus is kept stable through harshness and fear of losing privileges. "The best is yet to come." That is the promise Paul Biya makes as he runs for an eighth term as Cameroon's head of state. The 92-year-old has had over 40 years to shape his country's destiny: he has been in power since 1982, and if he is re-elected on October 12, the world's oldest head of state could remain in office until shortly before his 100th birthday. Many inhabitants of the central African country no longer believe in a better Cameroon under Biya. Young people in particular — more than 36% of the population is under the age of 18 — lack prospects: unemployment, education, and health care are among their concerns. One in four Cameroonians lives below the poverty line. 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Fact check: Viral Durban video misrepresents South Africa – DW – 07/28/2025
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