Ukraine ‘shouldn't target' Moscow: Trump
The Financial Times reported that Trump had brought up a potential counteroffensive with Zelensky and even asked his Ukrainian counterpart whether he could hit Moscow, if Washington provided long-range weapons.
Asked by reporters at the White House if Zelensky should target the Russian capital, Trump replied: 'No, he shouldn't target Moscow.'
He was also asked if he was willing to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles and said: 'No, we're not looking to.'
US believes Russia response to Ukraine drone attack not over yet, expects multi-pronged strike
Citing two people familiar with the call, the Times reported that Trump spoke to Zelensky on July 4, a day after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump also reportedly discussed sending Ukraine US-made ATACMS missiles, the Times said.
Trump, who had vowed to end the Ukraine war within a day of returning to the White House, has said he is 'disappointed' in Putin, who has kept attacking Ukraine as if the leaders' telephone conversations 'didn't mean anything.'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt played down the Times report, saying in a statement that the paper was 'notorious for taking words wildly out of context to get clicks.'
'President Trump was merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing,' she said. 'He's working tirelessly to stop the killing and end this war.'
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Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Trump says Thailand and Cambodia agree to hold immediate ceasefire talks
SISAKET: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to meet immediately to quickly work out a ceasefire, as he sought to broker peace after three days of fighting along their border. In a series of social media posts during a visit to Scotland, Trump said he had spoken to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and warned them that he would not make trade deals with either of the Southeast Asian governments if the border conflict continued. 'Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace,' Trump wrote as he gave a blow-by-blow account of his diplomatic efforts. Before Trump spoke to the two leaders, clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border persisted into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides said they had acted in self-defense in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations. More than 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighbouring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia's Pursat Province, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border. China says it is 'deeply concerned' over Thailand-Cambodia clash The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. Following calls for restraint on both sides from Trump's senior aides, he became directly involved on Saturday, speaking to each leader and saying he relayed messages back and forth. 'They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!,' Trump wrote, saying both countries wanted to get back to the 'Trading Table.' He has sought to reach separate deals with dozens of countries in response to his announcement of wide-ranging tariffs on imports to the U.S. 'When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!' Trump said. He offered no details on the ceasefire negotiations he said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to hold. The Thai and Cambodian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying. Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10 km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday. The 51-year-old's husband stayed behind to look after livestock. 'We got so scared with the sound of artillery,' she said. 'But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn't call him. I don't know what is happening back there.' In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed Anwar's plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle. Thailand F-16 jet bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates 'There is still some exchange of fire,' Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama. He said he had asked his foreign minister 'to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting'. Security council meeting Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July - claims Cambodia has strongly denied - and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning. 'Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,' Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media. Cambodia's defense ministry said Thailand had launched 'a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack' and was mobilizing troops and military equipment on the border. 'These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty,' the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Cambodia called for the international community to 'condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms' and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognized the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Trump seeks to broker ceasefire in Thai-Cambodia border conflict
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had spoken to the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand and that both countries want an immediate ceasefire, as he sought to broker peace while fighting along their border extended into a third day. In social media posts during a visit to Scotland, Trump said he wanted an "END to the War, which is currently raging" and warned that he would not make trade deals with either of the Southeast Asian governments if they are still fighting. Clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border continued into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides said they had acted in self-defense in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations. Also Read: Israel kills 25 Palestinians, including 13 aid-seekers, since dawn More than 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighbouring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia's Pursat Province, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border. The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire — Reuters (@Reuters) July 25, 2025 As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. Trump wrote in his initial post: "Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am trying to simplify a complex situation!" Minutes later, he posted: "I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. Read: At least 18 killed in Peru mountain bus crash "After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural," Trump added. The Thai and Cambodian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying. Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10 km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday. The 51-year-old's husband stayed behind to look after livestock. A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple. Photo: Reuters "We got so scared with the sound of artillery," she said. "But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn't call him. I don't know what is happening back there." In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed Anwar's plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle. "There is still some exchange of fire," Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama. He said he had asked his foreign minister "to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting". Security council meeting Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July - claims Cambodia has strongly denied - and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning. "Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith," Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media. Cambodia's defense ministry said Thailand had launched "a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack" and was mobilizing troops and military equipment on the border. Also Read: Courthouse attack in Iran's southeast kills nine "These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Cambodia called for the international community to "condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms" and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. People rest inside a temporary shelter in Srisaket province, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire. Photo: Reuters Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognized the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
President Zardari confers Nishan-e-Imtiaz on USCENTCOM chief Gen Kurilla
President Asif Zardari confers Nishan-e-Imtiaz on US USCENTCOM Commander General Michael E Kurilla in Islamabad on July 26, 2025. Photo: ISPR Listen to article President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) award on General Michael E. Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), in recognition of his contributions to regional security and the strengthening of bilateral military ties, the military's media wing said. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), President Zardari presented the honour during a formal investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday. General Kurilla was recognised for his 'exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing enduring military cooperation' between Pakistan and the United States. 'General Kurilla's visionary leadership has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding, enhancing defence collaboration, and deepening counterterrorism cooperation between the Pakistan Armed Forces and USCENTCOM,' the statement read. The Government of Pakistan has conferred the prestigious award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Michael E. Kurilla, Commander of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), in recognition of his exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing enduring military… — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 26, 2025 The award reflects Pakistan's appreciation of General Kurilla's 'unwavering support' and highlights the growing depth of the military partnership between the two nations. During his visit, General Kurilla met with senior Pakistani leadership, including President Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Discussions focused on regional security, military-to-military engagement, and joint counterterrorism efforts, the statement added. Upon arrival at the Presidency, General Kurilla was presented with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour. The visit and high-level recognition underscore the strategic nature of Pakistan-US defence relations and reaffirm both countries' commitment to regional stability. Pakistan also hosted the Regional Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference, bringing together senior military leaders from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in what is being hailed as a significant step toward strengthening regional security cooperation and military diplomacy. Read More: President Zardari honors Chinese General Li Qiaoming Organised under the theme 'Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace,' the high-profile gathering aimed at reinforcing security collaboration, enhancing joint training initiatives, and sharing best practices in counterterrorism and other defence-related areas, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, formally welcomed the delegations and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to regional stability.
