JD Vance joins talks to end Ukraine war
The US Vice President joined from the UK, where he has been visiting an RAAF airbase.
Mr Vance met with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, stating that they worked on a plan to end the war in Ukraine.
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7NEWS
9 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Vladimir Putin praises Donald Trump's ‘energetic and sincere' peace efforts ahead of Alaska summit
Russia's Vladimir Putin sounded positive Thursday on the eve of his talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, saying he believed the American leader was making 'quite energetic and sincere efforts' toward peace in Ukraine. A day ahead of their summit, Putin convened a meeting of advisers 'to inform you about how the negotiation process on the Ukrainian crisis is going,' the Kremlin said in a readout translated by NBC News. The Russian leader said the Trump administration 'is making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the fighting, stop the crisis and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict.' Those efforts are intended 'to create long-term conditions of peace between our countries and in Europe, and in the world as a whole,' he added, particularly if the negotiations extended to cover strategic offensive weapons treaties. This suggests that a deal on nuclear arms control could be part of the talks. Russia suspended its participation in the New START 'reduction in strategic offensive arms' agreement in 2023. Earlier Thursday, Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said the summit would start with head-to-head talks between Trump, Putin and their translators at 11.30am local time (5.30am Saturday AEST) and would be followed by a joint news conference. The White House later confirmed this. Trump 'wants to exhaust all options to try to bring this war to a peaceful resolution,' Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News. The top-level Russian delegation will include Putin, Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Putin's longtime friend and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Ushakov said on a call with journalists in Moscow. The primary topic of the meeting will be Ukraine, he said, but he added that he expected the 'huge, and unfortunately hitherto untapped, potential' of economic ties between the US and Russia would also be discussed. As well as Putin's openly stated goal of subjugating Ukraine, he also wants to end Russia's exile from the Western financial system following economic sanctions imposed by Washington, the European Union and others. Trump has not yet lifted these punishments but has expressed a desire to end Russia's economic pariah status. The Trump-Putin summit has prompted howls of dismay and anxiety across Ukraine and Europe, which have not been invited to the talks and fear what the American president may agree to with his Russian counterpart about the conflict raging on their continent. They have been confined to their own diplomatic scrambling, including dozens of calls between Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other leaders, culminating in a video call between these parties and Trump himself Wednesday. Zelenskyy said that Putin 'is bluffing' in saying he wants peace. On Thursday, the Ukrainian leader flew to London and met his British counterpart, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, for what both called a 'productive meeting.' As well as the prospect of Britain financing the small drones that have become central to Ukraine's battlefield defense, the pair discussed the Alaska talks, 'which present a viable chance to make progress as long as Putin takes action to prove he is serious about peace,' a spokesperson from Starmer's office, No.10 Downing St, said in a statement. After Wednesday's call with Zelenskyy, Starmer and others, Trump said he had assured them that there would be 'very severe consequences' — without elaborating what those might be — if Putin did not agree to end the war during their sit-down discussion. Two European officials and three other people briefed on the call told NBC News that he told them he would not discuss possible divisions of territory with the man flying in from the Kremlin.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Territory the ‘key question' in upcoming Trump-Putin talks
The Australian's Washington Correspondent Joe Kelly says negotiations over territory is the 'key question' regarding a permanent settlement to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. European leaders met with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address concerns before the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised the need for Ukraine to be involved in negotiations, warning that Russia is not seeking peace.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Zelenskiy in UK as Ukraine braces for Trump-Putin meet
With just one day to go until a US-Russian summit on ending the war in Ukraine, its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has visited London to shore up European support for efforts to prevent any agreement that would carve up Ukrainian land. Friday's Alaska summit comes at one of the toughest moments for Ukraine in a war, the largest in Europe since World War II, that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. On the back foot on the battlefield against Russian forces, Zelenskiy and his allies are keen to avoid any deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that leaves Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian attacks. Zelenskiy met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to build on momentum from virtual talks on Wednesday with European leaders and Trump to try to set red lines for the talks between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Zelenskiy and Starmer embraced on Thursday before heading in to their meeting in Downing Street. On Wednesday, Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine and while he did not specify what the consequences could be, he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting on Friday proves fruitless. "Yesterday was a pivotal moment for reinforcing European and transatlantic unity," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X. "We need peace through strength as a foundation for the future of global security and stability." Zelenskiy said he warned Trump that Putin was "bluffing" about his desire to end the war, and that Trump had supported the idea of security guarantees in a postwar settlement. Politico cited people familiar with the situation as saying that Trump had said the US could provide guarantees with some conditions. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters security guarantees were discussed on the call. Zelenskiy confirmed this week that Russian forces had advanced by about 10km near the town of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. Ukraine, suffering manpower challenges, was forced to move in reserves to stabilise the situation. Trump's comments and the outcome of the virtual conference on Wednesday could provide encouragement for Kyiv. Trump described the aim of his talks with Putin in Alaska as "setting the table" for a quick follow-up that would include Zelenskiy. However, Russia is likely to resist Ukraine and Europe's demands strongly and previously has said its stance had not changed since it was first detailed by Putin in June 2024. Trump has said a deal could include what he called a land swap. Russia controls around a fifth of Ukraine and a land swap within Ukraine could cement Moscow's gains. Zelenskiy and the Europeans worry that would reward Putin for nearly 11 years of efforts to seize Ukrainian land and embolden him to expand further west in Europe. A source familiar with the matter said Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will take part in Friday's summit. Dmitriev, who heads Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, has previously held talks with Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, and has spoken of possible business co-operation between Moscow and Washington. Trump's agreement last week to the summit was an abrupt shift after weeks of voicing frustration with Putin for resisting the US peace initiative. As conditions for a ceasefire and the start of talks, Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from four regions that Russia has claimed as its own but does not fully control, and formally renounce plans to join NATO. Kyiv swiftly rejected the conditions as tantamount to surrender. With just one day to go until a US-Russian summit on ending the war in Ukraine, its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has visited London to shore up European support for efforts to prevent any agreement that would carve up Ukrainian land. Friday's Alaska summit comes at one of the toughest moments for Ukraine in a war, the largest in Europe since World War II, that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. On the back foot on the battlefield against Russian forces, Zelenskiy and his allies are keen to avoid any deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that leaves Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian attacks. Zelenskiy met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to build on momentum from virtual talks on Wednesday with European leaders and Trump to try to set red lines for the talks between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Zelenskiy and Starmer embraced on Thursday before heading in to their meeting in Downing Street. On Wednesday, Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine and while he did not specify what the consequences could be, he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting on Friday proves fruitless. "Yesterday was a pivotal moment for reinforcing European and transatlantic unity," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X. "We need peace through strength as a foundation for the future of global security and stability." Zelenskiy said he warned Trump that Putin was "bluffing" about his desire to end the war, and that Trump had supported the idea of security guarantees in a postwar settlement. Politico cited people familiar with the situation as saying that Trump had said the US could provide guarantees with some conditions. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters security guarantees were discussed on the call. Zelenskiy confirmed this week that Russian forces had advanced by about 10km near the town of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. Ukraine, suffering manpower challenges, was forced to move in reserves to stabilise the situation. Trump's comments and the outcome of the virtual conference on Wednesday could provide encouragement for Kyiv. Trump described the aim of his talks with Putin in Alaska as "setting the table" for a quick follow-up that would include Zelenskiy. However, Russia is likely to resist Ukraine and Europe's demands strongly and previously has said its stance had not changed since it was first detailed by Putin in June 2024. Trump has said a deal could include what he called a land swap. Russia controls around a fifth of Ukraine and a land swap within Ukraine could cement Moscow's gains. Zelenskiy and the Europeans worry that would reward Putin for nearly 11 years of efforts to seize Ukrainian land and embolden him to expand further west in Europe. A source familiar with the matter said Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will take part in Friday's summit. Dmitriev, who heads Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, has previously held talks with Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, and has spoken of possible business co-operation between Moscow and Washington. Trump's agreement last week to the summit was an abrupt shift after weeks of voicing frustration with Putin for resisting the US peace initiative. As conditions for a ceasefire and the start of talks, Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from four regions that Russia has claimed as its own but does not fully control, and formally renounce plans to join NATO. Kyiv swiftly rejected the conditions as tantamount to surrender. With just one day to go until a US-Russian summit on ending the war in Ukraine, its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has visited London to shore up European support for efforts to prevent any agreement that would carve up Ukrainian land. Friday's Alaska summit comes at one of the toughest moments for Ukraine in a war, the largest in Europe since World War II, that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. On the back foot on the battlefield against Russian forces, Zelenskiy and his allies are keen to avoid any deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that leaves Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian attacks. Zelenskiy met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to build on momentum from virtual talks on Wednesday with European leaders and Trump to try to set red lines for the talks between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Zelenskiy and Starmer embraced on Thursday before heading in to their meeting in Downing Street. On Wednesday, Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine and while he did not specify what the consequences could be, he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting on Friday proves fruitless. "Yesterday was a pivotal moment for reinforcing European and transatlantic unity," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X. "We need peace through strength as a foundation for the future of global security and stability." Zelenskiy said he warned Trump that Putin was "bluffing" about his desire to end the war, and that Trump had supported the idea of security guarantees in a postwar settlement. Politico cited people familiar with the situation as saying that Trump had said the US could provide guarantees with some conditions. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters security guarantees were discussed on the call. Zelenskiy confirmed this week that Russian forces had advanced by about 10km near the town of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. Ukraine, suffering manpower challenges, was forced to move in reserves to stabilise the situation. Trump's comments and the outcome of the virtual conference on Wednesday could provide encouragement for Kyiv. Trump described the aim of his talks with Putin in Alaska as "setting the table" for a quick follow-up that would include Zelenskiy. However, Russia is likely to resist Ukraine and Europe's demands strongly and previously has said its stance had not changed since it was first detailed by Putin in June 2024. Trump has said a deal could include what he called a land swap. Russia controls around a fifth of Ukraine and a land swap within Ukraine could cement Moscow's gains. Zelenskiy and the Europeans worry that would reward Putin for nearly 11 years of efforts to seize Ukrainian land and embolden him to expand further west in Europe. A source familiar with the matter said Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will take part in Friday's summit. Dmitriev, who heads Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, has previously held talks with Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, and has spoken of possible business co-operation between Moscow and Washington. Trump's agreement last week to the summit was an abrupt shift after weeks of voicing frustration with Putin for resisting the US peace initiative. As conditions for a ceasefire and the start of talks, Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from four regions that Russia has claimed as its own but does not fully control, and formally renounce plans to join NATO. Kyiv swiftly rejected the conditions as tantamount to surrender. With just one day to go until a US-Russian summit on ending the war in Ukraine, its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has visited London to shore up European support for efforts to prevent any agreement that would carve up Ukrainian land. Friday's Alaska summit comes at one of the toughest moments for Ukraine in a war, the largest in Europe since World War II, that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. On the back foot on the battlefield against Russian forces, Zelenskiy and his allies are keen to avoid any deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that leaves Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian attacks. Zelenskiy met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to build on momentum from virtual talks on Wednesday with European leaders and Trump to try to set red lines for the talks between Trump and Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Zelenskiy and Starmer embraced on Thursday before heading in to their meeting in Downing Street. On Wednesday, Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine and while he did not specify what the consequences could be, he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting on Friday proves fruitless. "Yesterday was a pivotal moment for reinforcing European and transatlantic unity," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X. "We need peace through strength as a foundation for the future of global security and stability." Zelenskiy said he warned Trump that Putin was "bluffing" about his desire to end the war, and that Trump had supported the idea of security guarantees in a postwar settlement. Politico cited people familiar with the situation as saying that Trump had said the US could provide guarantees with some conditions. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters security guarantees were discussed on the call. Zelenskiy confirmed this week that Russian forces had advanced by about 10km near the town of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. Ukraine, suffering manpower challenges, was forced to move in reserves to stabilise the situation. Trump's comments and the outcome of the virtual conference on Wednesday could provide encouragement for Kyiv. Trump described the aim of his talks with Putin in Alaska as "setting the table" for a quick follow-up that would include Zelenskiy. However, Russia is likely to resist Ukraine and Europe's demands strongly and previously has said its stance had not changed since it was first detailed by Putin in June 2024. Trump has said a deal could include what he called a land swap. Russia controls around a fifth of Ukraine and a land swap within Ukraine could cement Moscow's gains. Zelenskiy and the Europeans worry that would reward Putin for nearly 11 years of efforts to seize Ukrainian land and embolden him to expand further west in Europe. A source familiar with the matter said Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will take part in Friday's summit. Dmitriev, who heads Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, has previously held talks with Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, and has spoken of possible business co-operation between Moscow and Washington. Trump's agreement last week to the summit was an abrupt shift after weeks of voicing frustration with Putin for resisting the US peace initiative. As conditions for a ceasefire and the start of talks, Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw its forces from four regions that Russia has claimed as its own but does not fully control, and formally renounce plans to join NATO. Kyiv swiftly rejected the conditions as tantamount to surrender.
