US, Israel lost despite pinpoint strikes on Iran nuclear facilities? Tom Cooper explains
Did the US bunker-buster bombs really 'obliterate' Iranian nuclear sites? Does Iran have another secret nuclear facility? Is Donald Trump's true motive really 'peace' or there's more to the US President's plans? And will the US-brokered 'ceasefire' between Iran and Israel really last? Hindustan Times is joined by military historian and aviation expert Tom Cooper, who answers these questions and dives deeper into the 12-day war between Iran and Israel. Mr. Cooper gives insights about Iran and Israel's defence capabilities, discusses the geopolitical implications of the war and talks about the future of Iran's nuclear program. Watch his full interview here.
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India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
What is the treasure in Donetsk that Russia and Ukraine are fighting for? Russia doesn't want to leave Donetsk because...
Russia-Ukraine war (File) Russia-Ukraine war: In a significant development for global security and peace, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a historic meeting in Alaska which was although positive on several fronts but is being considered a failure by experts because no actual deal was concluded on the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the war that has been raging for more than three years. As per multiple media reports, US President Trump had pushed for a ceasefire and later told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia wanted full control of Donetsk in exchange for peace, arguing that 'Russia is a great power, and Ukraine is not.' Why is Donetsk the most important region for Russia and Ukraine? For readers who are not accustomed to the geography of Ukraine, Donetsk remains Ukraine's largest industrial hub with coal, steel, and energy resources. Known as the backbone of Ukraine's economy, the region remains a central battlefield of the Russia-Ukraine war. What Russian President Vladimir Putin said on ending war in Ukraine? As per a report carried by news agency IANS, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would like an early cessation of hostilities in Ukraine by peaceful means. In addition to this, President Putin also said that Russia respects the position of the US administration, which is in favour of an early cessation of hostilities at a meeting on the results of his talks with US President Donald Trump on the 15th of August in Alaska this week. What Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said on ceasefire? 'I think we are very close to a deal, but Ukraine has to agree. Maybe they will say 'no'. But they have to deal. Look, Russia is a very big power and Ukraine is not', Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said to Fox news. (With inputs from agencies)
Mint
an hour ago
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Zelensky-Trump meeting: European leaders to join Ukraine President in Washington for talks
Securing a ceasefire in the continent has taken centre stage among European leaders, as they are set to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his visit to Washington on August 17, seeking to push talks with United States President Donald Trump on the matter, according to an AFP report. This comes after Donald Trump ruled out any immediate breakthrough on a ceasefire in Ukraine, after holding a summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that did not include Ukraine or other European countries, it added. The peace deal had been a core issue before the summit. The AFP report added that Ukraine and its European allies have criticised the pause on ceasefire talks as a way to buy time and allow for Russia's battlefield advances. Among those who have expressed their displeasure include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and others. Posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), von der Leyen said she would welcome Zelensky for a meeting in Brussels on August 16. The meet will also see participation from other European leaders, who will then join the Ukrainian leader on his trip to the US, at his 'request'. This was confirmed by the German government, which stated that Merz is among the European contingent bound to Washington, who will try to emphasise 'interest in a swift peace agreement in Ukraine'. Further, the government of Finland also confirmed that its president, Alexander Stubb, would be among the crew. In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump wrote that ceasefire agreements 'often times do not hold up'. The report added that after meeting with Putin, Donald Trump briefed Zelensky and other European leaders that 'it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement which would end the war'. However, Zelensky appeared unconvinced, posting on X that this development 'complicates the situation' and that if Moscow lacks 'the will to carry out a simple order to stop the strikes, it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater — peaceful coexistence with its neighbours for decades'. An official told AFP that Donald Trump extended support for Putin's proposal to Zelensky and the other European leaders on call. The demand includes: Full control of two largely Russian-held Ukrainian regions in exchange for freezing the frontline in two others. Putin 'de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas', an area consisting of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine, the source added. In exchange, Russian forces would halt their offensive in the Black Sea port region of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, where the main cities are still under Ukrainian control. The main diplomatic focus now switches to Zelensky's talks at the White House on August 17. The last time when he was in the Oval Office in February, the meeting ended in an extraordinary shouting match, with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berating Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for US aid. In an interview with broadcaster Fox News after his sit-down with Putin, the US president suggested that the onus was now on Zelensky to secure a peace deal as they work towards an eventual trilateral summit with Putin. 'It's really up to President Zelensky to get it done,' Donald Trump said. In an earlier statement, European leaders welcomed the plan for a Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit but added that they would maintain pressure on Russia in the absence of a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine raged on, with both Kyiv and Moscow launching attack drones at each other August 16. Back in Moscow, Putin said his summit talks with Trump had been 'timely' and 'very useful'. In his post-summit statement in Alaska, Putin had warned Ukraine and European countries not to engage in any 'behind-the-scenes intrigues' that could disrupt what he called 'this emerging progress'.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Russia-Ukraine war: Trump backs plan for Kyiv to give up Donbas to Russia; European leaders insist 'borders must not be changed by force'
US President Donald Trump (Image credits: AP) In a move that could reshape the course of the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has backed a proposal for Kyiv to give up the Donbas region to Russia in return for a peace settlement. The plan, discussed with European leaders, departs sharply from the position of Ukraine and its Western allies, who insist no territory should be ceded by force. Zelenskyy is expected in Washington on Monday for talks with Trump. Ahead of that meeting, European leaders including Macron, Merz and Starmer are due to speak with him by video call on Sunday. Trump told leaders he believed a peace deal could be reached if Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to cede Donbas. The region, made up of Donetsk and Luhansk, has been the focus of fighting for more than three years, reported The Guardian citing the New York Times . Russian president Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw from Donbas as a condition for ending the war. In return, he offered to freeze the frontline in the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces occupy large areas. Luhansk is almost entirely under Russian control, but Ukraine continues to defend key parts of Donetsk, including the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. These strongholds, along with heavily fortified positions, have cost tens of thousands of lives to hold. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Donbas is also rich in coal and iron ore. Trump has argued that it is better to move directly to a peace agreement rather than negotiate a ceasefire. 'Often times [ceasefires] do not hold up,' he wrote on social media Saturday. He has also threatened economic penalties on countries buying Russian oil if Moscow refuses a deal and ordered US bombers to fly over Putin as he arrived in Alaska. The plan represents a sharp break with Ukraine and European allies, who reject ceding territory. European leaders warned that skipping a ceasefire would hand Moscow an advantage in talks. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the US was prepared to take part in security guarantees for Ukraine, reported The Guardian. A joint statement by European leaders said, 'It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.' The declaration, signed by Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer, Alexander Stubb, Donald Tusk and António Costa, added that they 'welcomed President Trump's efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia's war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace. ' Zelenskyy responded that any peace deal must be 'lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.' He called for the release of Ukrainian prisoners and civilians, as well as the return of children taken by Russia. In a post later on X, he warned that bypassing a ceasefire 'complicates the situation,' adding, 'If Moscow lacks the will to carry out a simple order to stop the strikes, it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater – peaceful coexistence with its neighbors for decades.'
