Ukraine war briefing: Don't bomb Moscow, Trump says, after reportedly giving Zelenskyy the idea
Ukraine on Tuesday was waiting for further details of the 'billions of dollars' worth of US military equipment promised by Donald Trump, amid confusion as to how many Patriot air defence systems will be sent. On Monday, Trump said an unnamed country was ready to immediately provide '17 Patriots'. Ukraine is believed so far to possess six functioning Patriot air defence 'batteries' – the truck-based radar and launch systems that fire the missiles. It was unclear if Trump was referring to the launch systems, the interceptor missiles that are their ammunition, or whether he understood the difference.
Several European countries said they were willing to buy US arms for Ukraine as outlined by Trump but did not yet know what was being asked of them. Washington officials have suggested that European countries will give up some of their own stocks of weapons for Ukraine and then buy replacements from the US. It would get weapons to Ukraine more quickly, but leave the donor countries waiting for new systems for their own defence.
Some US lawmakers voiced concern that Trump's latest deadline – 50 days this time – for Putin to make peace gives him time to grab even more Ukrainian territory. Thom Tillis, a Republican senator from North Carolina, said: 'The 50-day delay worries me that Putin would try to use the 50 days to win the war, or to be better positioned to negotiate a peace agreement after having murdered and potentially collected more ground. Tillis and Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, lead a US Senate group that facilitates work between Congress and Nato.
Russian drones and missiles attacked widely separated areas of Ukraine, officials said in the early hours of Wednesday, with at least two people reported killed. National emergency services reported two deaths in drone strikes east of the north-eastern city of Kharkiv near the town of Kupiansk. In Kharkiv itself, the regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, said at least 17 explosions were recorded in a 20-minute drone attack in which three people were injured. The head of the military administration in the south-eastern town of Kryvyi Rih, Oleksander Vilkul, said an extended missile and drones attack knocked out power and water supplies and caused injuries. The Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said air defence units had gone into action in the capital.
Earlier, a Russian attack on Tuesday afternoon killed three people in Kupiansk and Sumy, Ukrainian authorities said. Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone attack on the western city of Voronezh wounded 27 people.
The Institute for the Study of war assessed that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in northern Sumy oblast; while Russian forces recently advanced near Kupiansk, Borova, and Toretsk.
The EU was unable to approve a new package of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday as Slovakia demanded more guarantees that it would not be harmed by a separate EU plan to phase out Russian gas. The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was 'really sad' the sanctions did not get approved, adding that 'the ball is in Slovakia's court' and she hoped a deal could be reached on Wednesday.
Ukrainians celebrated Melania Trump on social media after Donald Trump suggested the first lady played a key role in pointing out to him Vladimir Putin's duplicity, Luke Harding writes. 'I go home, I tell the first lady: I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation. She said: Really? Another city was just hit,' Trump said. One social media user posted a photo of 'Agent Melania Trumpenko' looking surreptitious in a big hat and wearing a blazer with Ukraine's trident insignia. Others depicted her being presented with a Ukrainian military cap and wearing the blue and yellow of Ukraine's flag.
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The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘Let them destroy each other': Democrats planning Epstein-focused town halls in GOP districts
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Reform's bacon and egg offensive to woo business
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Donald Trump's first full day in Scotland as president watched by gun cops during golf
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump teed off at Turnberry today amid a massive security operation — as protests across the country fell below par. The US President hit the fairway flanked by Secret Service agents just before 10am watched by gun cops on the luxury hotel's roof and a helicopter patrolling the skies. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Donald Trump tee'd off at Turnberry this morning Credit: Tom Farmer 6 Hundreds of protestors took to the streets of Edinburgh and Aberdeen Credit: Getty 6 The US President was joined by his son Eric as he waved for the cameras on his famed Ailsa course Credit: Tom Farmer 6 Snipers were positioned on a platform on the edge of the course Credit: Tom Farmer 6 Stop Trump Scotland protest at the Union Terrace Gardens in AberdeenC Credit: PA 6 Soldiers searched the first green at the Trump Turnberry course Credit: Getty The major land, sea and air mission saw soldiers sweep the Ayrshire links for threats as officers guarded the beach, course and perimeter of the five-star resort. But despite the pleas of First Minister John Swinney for protesters to 'do Scotland proud', anti-Trump demonstrations in Edinburgh and Aberdeen drew just a couple of hundred supporters. 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Demonstrators at a cordoned-off US Consulate in Edinburgh waved placards with slogans including 'Scotland hates Trump'. One activist held up a sign emblazoned with 'Janey was right', in reference to late comedian Janey Godley's 'Trump's a c***' demo at Turnberry in 2018. Julie-Ann Laidlaw, 39, said: 'Janey called it right years ago. I know if she was still here, she would have been beside us. 'She's not, so I felt it was important to come here and spread her message. Everybody I know is embarrassed that Trump's mum is from Scotland. He's not welcome.' As dozens of police stood guard, the crowd joined in pro-Palestine chants and also sang: 'Donald Trump we know you, you're racist through and through'. Another campaigner said: 'Trump does not represent the values of Scotland. He is leading a slide to authoritarianism, which threatens a descent into fascism around the world. "He's lobbied against the green agenda in Scotland and even tried to evict people to make way for his developments. 'Who does he think he is? Trump is not going to win. Trump is not welcome here.' New Jersey native Danielle Solof, 41, is in the capital for her one-woman dark comedy Edinburgh Fringe show Freedom Camp which tells how she abandoned her dream of becoming a US diplomat. She said: 'I wanted to spread the message of peace, justice and freedom — the cornerstones of American democracy. 'But learning more about US foreign policy and the situations we put people in made me rethink things. Trump embodies the shadowy side of America. He's a cancer on society, which has metastasised.' Swinney rapped on £180k golf 'aid' By Paul Rodger JOHN Swinney has been accused of hypocrisy after the Scottish Government handed over £180,000 to a tournament at one of Donald Trump's Scottish courses. The US President's five-star Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire is to host the Nexo Championship next month. First Minister Swinney is backing the DP World Tour event at Trump International Golf Links. The Scottish Government said 'advanced negotiations' are underway to secure backing from its tourism organisation, VisitScotland — with £180,000 of public cash. Mr Swinney is expected to meet Mr Trump but previously called for his September state visit to be cancelled. And Scottish Tory Murdo Fraser said: 'John Swinney disgracefully condemned President Trump's State Visit. 'Now his government is giving money to his golf course. Many will see it as a hypocritical. Mr Swinney said: 'I am proud this funding will enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination.' Danielle was joined at the protest by pal Nicole Inportico, 47, who moved from New Jersey to Edinburgh six years ago. Carrying a 'Nae Trump' placard, she said: 'Common decency and humanity are being replaced by individualism and a horrible nationalism under Trump. ' 'When I go home, I think people don't realise what's going on outside the country and how people perceive us. Sometimes I want to slap a Canadian flag on my backpack so nobody knows where I'm from.' In Aberdeen, around 200 protesters gathered. One activist wore a large papier-mâche head of the US President, while placards read: 'Stop Trump, Stop The Far Right', and 'Trump is a Fascist'. Green MSP Maggie Chapman told demonstrators: 'We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for. 'He believes that climate change isn't real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. 'We say no to all of that, not in our name, never in our name.' Some demonstrators held signs featuring the faces of Mr Trump and his ex-pal, the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The President's administration is facing growing calls to publish documents concerning the billionaire sex offender, who died in 2019. Mr Trump is due to meet Mr Swinney and will also hold talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, where the two men will refine a trade deal between the UK and the US agreed earlier this year. The president is also expected to talk trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tomorrow.
