Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump sets Putin ‘two week' deadline after fresh peace talks offer from Moscow
Donald Trump appears to have set a two-week deadline for Russian president Vladimir Putin to prove he is serious about wanting to end the war in Ukraine.
On being asked in the Oval Office yesterday if he thought Mr Putin wanted to end the war, Mr Trump said: "I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks."Within two weeks. We're gonna find out whether or not (Putin is) tapping us along or not,' he told the reporters. "And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently."
Mr Trump's remarks come a day after he warned Mr Putin was "playing with fire" by resisting ceasefire talks while escalating drone and missile attacks.
Putin aide Dmitry Medvedev responded to that by threatening the US with World War Three, but the Kremlin later said it was open to a fresh round of talks with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul.
Aerial bombardments have continued to escalate on both sides this week, with Russia saying it had downed 296 Ukrainian drones over 13 regions overnight yesterday, and Ukraine 's military said it had struck several Russian weapon production sites.
Former Russian president threatens Trump with World War 3 after Putin criticism
A former Russian president has threatened 'World War III' after Donald Trump criticised Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.
The US branded the comments by the often-inflammatory Dmitry Medvedev 'reckless', as the war of the words between the two global powers continues to ramp up.
However, diplomatic efforts appear to be ongoing despite the public clashes and in a rare move US embassy officials were seen attending a security meeting in Moscow on Wednesday.
Former Russian president threatens Trump with World War 3 after Putin criticism
Trump's special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has hit back at 'reckless' comments by security official Dmitry Medvedev
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 06:35
Rubio tells Lavrov 'good faith dialogue' with Ukraine will end war
US secretary of state Marco Rubio doubled down on president Donald Trump's calls for "good faith dialogue" between Ukraine and Russia as the only path to ending the war when he spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov yesterday, the department said.
'Secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Secretary Rubio welcomed Russia and Ukraine's exchange of '1,000-for-1,000' prisoners over the weekend,' a statement by the State department said.
It added: 'The Secretary reiterated president Trump's calls for constructive, good faith dialogue with Ukraine as the only path to ending this war.'
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 06:34
Germany's Merz says air strikes on Kyiv 'not the language of peace'
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said continued Russian drone strikes on Ukraine, including on the capital Kyiv, 'are not the language of peace' as he vowed continued support for the invaded country.
Mr Merz said yesterday that Germany would continue to pressure Russia with sanctions while bolstering assistance for Kyiv.
His comments came during the announcement of a £4bn military support package for Ukraine, and followed another night of Ukraine and Russia trading drone strikes, with Moscow claiming to have downed nearly 300 drones across 13 regions of Russia, while Kyiv said it had fended off dozens of attacks.
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 06:21
Moscow suggests return to Istanbul for next round of talks
The Kremlin has said the next direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials could again be held in Istanbul, where negotiations were staged on earlier this month.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Turkish city was 'absolutely' being considered as the venue following the previous round of talks, which resulted in an exchange of 1,000 prisoners but no outcome on a ceasefire.
Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow had suggested Russian ally Belarus as the next location for peace talks, which he said would be impossible for Ukraine to agree to.
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 05:51
Moscow air defence units repel three drones
Russian air defence units downed three Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, the city's mayor said early this morning.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said one of the drones hit a dwelling on a major thoroughfare in the south of the city, but caused no casualties or serious damage.
It comes after Russia's military said it downed nearly 300 drones in several Russian regions on Tuesday night. Mr Sobyanin noted more than two dozen drones were repelled on their way to Moscow during that bombardment.
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 05:43
Former Russian president threatens Trump with World War III after Putin criticism
A former Russian president has threatened 'World War III' after Donald Trump criticised Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.
The US branded the comments by the often-inflammatory Dmitry Medvedev 'reckless', as the war of the words between the two global powers continues to ramp up. However, diplomatic efforts appear to be ongoing despite the public clashes and in a rare move US embassy officials were seen attending a security meeting in Moscow on Wednesday.
The latest tit-for-tat began at the weekend when Trump called the Russian leader 'crazy' following an airstrike on Kyiv. He doubled down on the criticism on Tuesday, in a post on Truth Social: 'What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!'
Former Russian president threatens Trump with World War III after Putin criticism
Trump's special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has hit back at 'reckless' comments by security official Dmitry Medvedev
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 05:15
Germany to fund long-range weapons in Ukraine, says Merz
Germany has pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on range and target options, as the government in Kyiv fights to repel Russia's invasion.
Some of the advanced weapons systems that Ukraine's Western partners have supplied during the more than three-year war were subject to range and target restrictions.
The limits have been a fraught political issue, stemming from fears that if the weapons struck Russia, the Kremlin might retaliate against the country that provided them and suck Nato into Europe's bloodiest conflict since the Second World War.
Germany to fund long-range weapons in Ukraine, says Merz
Russia proposes new round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul as pressure grows to end conflict
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 05:13
Zelensky says he is ready for meeting between 'Trump, Putin and me'
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready for a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, according to a report by Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.
"We are ready to meet at the level of leaders. The American side knows this, and the Russian side knows this. We are ready for the 'Trump, Putin, and me' format, and we are ready for the Trump-Putin, Trump-Zelensky format, and then the three of us," Mr Zelensky said.
The report comes after Mr Zelensky challenged the Russian president to meet him in Istanbul for direct talks earlier this month, a dare shunned by Mr Putin, who instead sent a junior delegation to negotiate with Ukrainian officials.
The Kremlin later said a personal meeting between the two leaders was possible but it should be 'the outcome of negotiations between Moscow and Kiev on various issues'.
Arpan Rai
Zelensky says Russia gathering 50,000 troops near Sumy region
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia has gathered 50,000 troops near Ukraine's northern Sumy region, but added that Kyiv had taken steps to prevent Moscow from conducting a large-scale offensive there.
His warning comes after he flagged Kyiv had 'ample evidence' Moscow was planning a summer offensive on Ukraine rather than pursuing peace, as he continues to accuse Russian president Vladimir Putin of manipulating the west.
Sumy lies across the border from Russia's Kursk region where Ukraine previously seized and held a pocket of land for months, before being almost fully pushed out last month, although it says it still holds some areas there.
"Their largest, strongest forces are currently on the Kursk front," Mr Zelensky told reporters yesterday.
He said Moscow's aim was to 'push our troops out of the Kursk region and to prepare offensive actions against the Sumy region."
Arpan Rai29 May 2025 04:47
Trump sets 'two weeks' deadline to see if Putin is serious about ending war
US president Donald Trump has suggested he is giving Vladimir Putin a two-week deadline to decide if the Russian leader is serious about ending the war in Ukraine.
On being asked in the Oval Office yesterday if he thought Mr Putin wanted to end the war, Mr Trump said: "I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks'.
"Within two weeks. We're gonna find out whether or not (Putin is) tapping us along or not,' he told the reporters. "And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently."
Mr Trump also said that he was not yet prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia because he did not want the penalties to scuttle a potential peace deal.
29 May 2025 04:16
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
EU woke green rules are blocking Europe's rearmament
By the time the environmental permits are signed off for a new TNT plant in Sweden at the end of this year, Russia will already be producing explosives at a new facility. Swedish Ballistics (SweBal) is aiming to tap into Europe's rush to rearm itself by opening what will be the EU's second factory producing military-grade TNT, used in the production of artillery shells, landmines and grenades. The firm hopes to produce 4,500 metric tonnes annually by the end of 2027, which will be enough for Europe to produce roughly 450,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition. But for now, Joakim Sjöblom, its chief executive, is busy navigating Brussels' red tape and filling in forms to secure the necessary environmental permits to build the plant. Almost every new building in the EU requires paperwork covering everything from its habitats directive to nitrogen emissions and water quality. 'It's borderline ridiculous,' Mr Sjöblom tells The Telegraph. 'I can respect it, but the processes are really adapted for an eternal peace. When the world changes, the processes need to change.' Mr Sjöblom, who by no means presents himself as an opponent to environmental rules, adds: 'But hey, we are living in democracies, we have things we need to cater for.' The same can't be said for Vladimir Putin's Russia, which has recently opened a new explosives factory in remote Siberia without a care for any Arctic tundra it disturbs. Moscow's ability to build and muster enough shells has been pivotal in its battlefield gains since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources continue to claim Russia's armed forces largely rely on donations from North Korea. But the emergence of new facilities to produce ordnance at home is a cause for concern. Annual production of artillery rounds in Russia is believed to be roughly five million shells, outstripping Europe's annual output of 700,000 by around seven to one. At current rates, it would take European militaries a decade to replenish their stockpiles after any ceasefire in Ukraine. European artillery manufacturers would need to find 50,000 metric tonnes of TNT to match Russia. The continent is currently reliant on Poland for the domestically produced explosives needed to build Nato-standard artillery rounds. But Nitro-Chem, the Polish manufacturer, which doesn't comment on its output, still doesn't produce enough TNT to satisfy demand. Boosting manufacturing 'could placate Trump' This means European arms manufacturers have been forced to turn to suppliers in Brazil and India, two founding members of Russia's Brics group, potentially giving the Kremlin the ability to halt artillery shipments to Europe. For Mr Sjöblom, this reliance on foreign suppliers in an attempt to keep peace with Russia is detrimental to Nato's whole philosophy of military deterrence. But he also says boosting manufacturing on the continent would be the perfect way to address Donald Trump's concerns that Europe doesn't do enough to defend itself. 'It's a little ironic that 500 million Europeans are begging 300 million Americans for help to defend against an enemy of 140 million people in Russia, who have struggled against a country with 40 million people in Ukraine,' Mr Sjöblom said. The tech entrepreneur does believe there is hope that the EU is waking up to the need to ignore some of its environmental regulations if it is to deliver a continent-wide rearmament. The bloc's ASAP (Act in Support of Ammunition Production) aims to boost production of artillery rounds and missiles, and promises to push member states to adopt easier administrative processes. 'So there are movements from Brussels that impact how permits are given out,' Mr Sjöblom explained. The European Commission did not respond to The Telegraph's requests to comment on the issue of environmental blockages to rearmament. 'A nature reserve sign won't deter Putin' But similar complaints have sprung up across the bloc since Putin's invasion of Ukraine. One of the most prominent critics is Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch defence minister, who told a Paris defence event earlier this year: 'In the Netherlands, certain EU environmental legislation prevents the military from conducting exercises and from expanding our bases. 'And of course the environment is important and should be protected, but Putin won't be deterred by a sign warning him that he's about to enter a nature reserve.' Nitrogen emission rules mean that many military sites cannot be built, or farms – the major emitter of the gas – have to be sacrificed as countries try to hit quotas. This has prevented the Dutch government from signing off on permits to build the barracks necessary to grow its armed forces to increase from 74,000 to 200,000. Meanwhile, a judge recently ruled that tanks and fighter jets could not be used in certain areas of the Netherlands without breaching the rules. Still, the Commission is trying to ease the problem for its members' militaries by giving defence ministries more flexibility. This includes a promise to 'enable the rapid renewal of building and environmental permits for defence-industrial projects by designating them as a matter of public interest'. And Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission president, recently said: 'There could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ukraine drone attack hits more than 40 Russian bomber planes, claims Ukrainian security service
Update: Date: 14:04 BST Title: Strikes come ahead of further peace talks in Istanbul Content: The latest wave of drone strikes on the Kremlin's military assets comes hours before Russia and Ukraine are set for the next round of peace talks in Istanbul. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said this morning that a delegation will be going to Turkey with the main aim of reaching a "complete and unconditional ceasefire". Meanwhile, Russian media is reporting that a Russian delegation has departed for the talks in Turkey. Update: Date: 13:56 BST Title: What we know so far about the drone attacks Content: We're still getting information about Ukraine's massive drone attack on Russian bomber planes. Here's a quick look at what we know so far: Update: Date: 13:35 BST Title: More than 40 Russian bomber aircraft hit in drone attack, Ukraine security service says Content: Paul AdamsDiplomatic correspondent Ukraine claims to have hit more than 40 Russian bombers, in what appears to be one of the most audacious attacks so far on Russian aviation. According to a statement from Ukraine's security service, the SBU, 'enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia'. It says Ukraine is conducting 'a large scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.' It says more than 40 aircraft have been hit. It has released dramatic video which it says shows a drone attack at the Belaya airbase in Irkutsk oblast, in Siberia. Bombers are under attack, with explosions visible and smoke rising. Reports suggest other aircraft have been attacked at the Olenya airbase, near Murmansk. Russian media is reporting the attack in Murmansk but says air defences are working. The attack in Irkutsk is also being reported. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian authorities say that 472 drones and seven ballistic and cruise missiles were involved in last night's wave of attacks on Ukraine. This would appear to be one largest single Russian drone attacks so far. Ukraine says it neutralised 385 aerial targets.
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Ukraine will send delegation to Istanbul for talks with Russia on Monday
Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, even as Russia pounded Ukraine with a missile strike that killed 12 soldiers and the biggest drone assault of the three-year war. In a statement on Telegram, Mr Zelensky said that defence minister Rustem Umerov will lead the Ukrainian delegation. Advertisement 'We are doing everything to protect our independence, our state and our people,' Mr Zelensky said. Ukrainian officials had previously called on the Kremlin to provide a promised memorandum setting out its position on ending the war before the meeting takes place. I heard reports from the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the General Staff, our intelligence agencies, and the Security Service of Ukraine. Our defense, our active actions, and our diplomacy. We are doing everything to protect our independence,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025 Moscow had said it would share its memorandum during the talks. Russia launched the biggest number of drones on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion three years ago, Ukraine's air force said on Sunday. Advertisement The air force said 472 drones were launched over Ukraine. Russian forces also launched seven missiles alongside the barrage of drones, said Yuriy Ignat, head of communications for the Ukrainian air force. Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine's army said at least 12 Ukrainian service members were killed and more than 60 were injured in a Russian missile strike on an army training unit. The strike happened at 12.50pm, the statement said, emphasising that no formations or mass gatherings of personnel were being held at the time. Advertisement An investigative commission was created to uncover the circumstances around the attack that led to such a loss in personnel, the statement said. The training unit is located to the rear of the 620-mile active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. Ukraine's forces suffer from manpower shortages and take extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings as the skies across the front line are saturated with Russian drones looking for targets. 'If it is established that the actions or inaction of officials led to the death or injury of servicemen, those responsible will be held strictly accountable,' the Ukrainian Ground Forces' statement said. Advertisement Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes were reported deep in Russian territory on Sunday, including in the Siberian region of Irkutsk, more than 2,800 miles east of Moscow. It is the first time that a Ukrainian drone has been seen in the region, governor Igor Kobzeva said, stressing that it did not present a threat to civilians. Other drone strikes were also reported in Russia's Ryazan region and the Arctic Murmansk region. No casualties were reported.
