Russia Agrees To ‘Article 5-like' Security Guarantees For Ukraine, Claims Envoy Steve Witkoff
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First Post
5 minutes ago
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European leaders unite behind Zelenskyy as Trump presses for deal 'favouring' Moscow
Leaders from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and Nato gathered in Washington in a coordinated effort to show solidarity with Zelenskyy ahead of his potentially contentious meeting with President Trump US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she arrives at the White House amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., US, 0n Monday. Reuters In a rare and pointed display of transatlantic unity, top European leaders arrived at the White House on Monday to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his potentially contentious meeting with US President Donald Trump — where Zelenskyy is expected to face pressure to agree to a ceasefire deal that could favour Moscow. Leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO gathered in Washington in a coordinated effort to show solidarity with Kyiv and to advocate for strong, enforceable security guarantees as part of any eventual post-war agreement, reported Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump, who hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska just days ago with a warm reception, has made clear he wants a rapid resolution to what has become Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. But Kyiv and its allies remain deeply concerned that Trump may push for a deal aligned with Russian interests. Zelenskyy is set to meet with Trump at 1:15 pm EDT (1715 GMT) in the Oval Office — their first face-to-face since a tense and highly publicised meeting in February. Following that, Trump is scheduled to meet the assembled European leaders in the East Room at 3:00 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT). The high-level gathering, arranged at short notice, is being described as unprecedented in recent White House history. 'Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength,' Zelenskyy wrote on social media after an earlier meeting with the US special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. Trump has rejected accusations that the Alaska summit had been a win for Putin, who has been indicted as a war criminal by the International Criminal Court and diplomatically isolated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 'I know exactly what I'm doing, and I don't need the advice of people who have been working on all of these conflicts for years, and were never able to do a thing to stop them," Trump wrote on social media. Trump's team has said there will have to be compromises on both sides to end the conflict. But the president himself has put the burden on Zelenskiy to end the war, saying Ukraine should give up hopes of getting back Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, or of joining the NATO military alliance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zelenskiy 'can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,' Trump said on social media. Putin's proposals Zelenskyy has already all but rejected the outline of Putin's proposals from the Alaska meeting. Those include handing over the remaining quarter of its eastern Donetsk region, which is largely controlled by Russia. Ukrainian forces are deeply dug into the region, whose towns and hills serve as a crucial defensive zone to stymie Russian attacks. Any changes to Ukraine's territory would have to be approved by a referendum. Zelenskiy is also seeking an immediate ceasefire to conduct deeper peace talks. Trump previously backed that idea but reversed course after the summit with Putin and indicated support for Russia's favoured approach of negotiating a comprehensive deal while fighting rumbles on. Ukraine and its allies have taken heart from some developments, including Trump's apparent willingness to provide post-settlement security guarantees for Ukraine. A German government spokesperson said on Monday that European leaders would seek more details on that in the talks in Washington. The war, which began with a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, has killed or wounded more than a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts, and destroyed wide swaths of the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the battlefield, Russia has been slowly grinding forward, pressing its advantages in men and firepower. Putin says he is ready to continue fighting until his military objectives are achieved. Officials in Ukraine said a drone attack on a residential complex in the northern city of Kharkiv killed at least seven people, including a toddler and her 16-year-old brother. Strikes also hit the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing three people, they said. Russia says it does not deliberately target civilians, and the Defense Ministry's daily report did not refer to any strike on Kharkiv. Local resident Olena Yakusheva said the strike hit an apartment block that was home to many families. 'There are no offices here or anything else, we lived here peacefully in our homes,' she said. Firefighters battled a blaze in the building and rescue workers dug in the rubble. Ukraine's military said on Monday that its drones had struck an oil pumping station in Russia's Tambov region, leading to the suspension of supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Mint
5 minutes ago
- Mint
Zelensky ditches suit again, meets Donald Trump at White House in black jacket
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again made headlines in Washington, this time for his choice of outfit during a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday. Arriving at the White House in a plain black jacket, the Ukrainian leader sidestepped requests from American officials who had earlier inquired if he would wear a formal suit for the Oval Office meeting. This week's meeting carried far greater stakes than fashion choices. Zelensky, accompanied by several European leaders, came to Washington seeking to align positions with the Trump administration on a potential peace framework with Russia. The Ukrainian president urged Trump to adopt a stance of 'peace through strength' and pressed for binding US security guarantees. The talks followed Trump's high-profile summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the US leader appeared sympathetic to Moscow's demands — including recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and Kyiv abandoning its NATO ambitions. Both points remain red lines for Ukraine.
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Business Standard
5 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Suit looks good, says Trump as Zelenskyy ditches sweatshirt at White House
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared at the White House on Monday dressed in a black suit and tie, a break from his signature military-style sweatshirt that has defined his wartime image. The same image that may have fuelled the clash with US President Donald Trump earlier this year. Trump appeared to greet the Ukrainian leader warmly, pointing at him as they shook hands before placing an arm around his shoulder for photographers. The exchange carried an air of cordiality, a stark contrast to the pair's meeting in February. A reporter was quick to comment, "President Zelenskyy, your suit looks good." At which point, Trump jumped in with, "I said the same thing." Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelensky has avoided suits, choosing instead olive and black military-inspired clothing as a show of solidarity with soldiers on the front lines. But in February, that uniform became the flashpoint of a now infamous Oval Office encounter. Back then, Trump had greeted Zelensky with a jab. 'You're all dressed up today,' he remarked, noting the Ukrainian leader's black sweatshirt adorned with the national trident. The exchange soured further when Vice President JD Vance suggested Zelensky's refusal to wear a suit was 'disrespectful'. That meeting, broadcast live, quickly descended ended after Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of not showing sufficient gratitude for US aid. Vance pressed the Ukrainian leader to issue a public expression of thanks, asking, 'Have you said 'thank you' once?' When Zelensky tried to answer, Trump cut him off. The clash ended with Zelensky leaving Washington empty-handed, having failed to secure a mineral rights deal that was central to his visit. On Monday, however, Zelenskyy began the meeting by thanking Trump and allies, including European leaders for their ongoing support, a gesture that seemed aimed at avoiding a repeat of February's confrontation.
