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CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting
Relatives and soldiers of the Azov Regiment pay last respect near the coffin of their comrade, Georgian volunteer Mykhailo Kovaliv, during a farewell ceremony on Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Dan Bashakov) KYIV, Ukraine — European nations have rallied behind Ukraine, saying peace in the war-torn nation can't be resolved without Kyiv, ahead of an upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump said next Friday's meeting with his Russian counterpart on U.S. soil would focus on ending the war, now in its fourth year. In response, Zelenskyy thanked European allies in a post on X, writing Sunday: 'The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people.' Trump-Putin meeting spikes worries Saturday's statement by top European leaders came after the White House confirmed the U.S president was willing to grant Putin the one-on-one meeting Russia has long pushed for, and suggestions from Trump that a peace deal could include 'some swapping of territories.' That raised fears that Kyiv may be pressured into giving up land or accepting other curbs on its sovereignty. A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they aren't allowed to speak publicly, told The Associated Press that Trump remained open to a trilateral summit with both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, but for now, he will have a bilateral meeting requested by Putin. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Saturday with top European and Ukrainian officials at the British Foreign Secretary's weekend residence to discuss how to end the war. Trump previously said he would meet with Putin regardless of whether the Russian leader agreed to meet with Zelenskyy. The Trump-Putin meeting may prove pivotal in a war that began when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although there's no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace. Calls for a lasting peace deal Saturday's statement, signed by the president of the European Union and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the UK, stressed the need for a 'just and lasting peace' for Kyiv, including 'robust and credible' security guarantees. 'Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,' the statement said. 'The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force,' the Europeans added. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday that a good deal would mean preventing an emboldened Russia, and aggressors elsewhere, from trying to once again redraw borders by force. A Trump ally and Russia hawk, Graham nevertheless said that 'you can't end a war without talking.' 'I do hope that Zelenskyy can be part of the process. I have every confidence in the world that (President Trump) is going to go to meet Putin from a position of strength, that he's going to look out for Europe and Ukrainian needs to end this war honorably,' he said. He argued that 'Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian' soldier, but said the West should give Kyiv robust security guarantees, keep some of its forces on the ground 'as trip wires,' and keep arming Ukraine 'so that Russia will be deterred by the most lethal army on the continent of Europe.' A fruitless push toward a truce A monthlong U.S.-led push to achieve a truce in Ukraine has so far proved fruitless, with Kyiv agreeing in principle while the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking. Trump also moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement. The deadline was Friday. The White House did not answer questions Saturday about possible sanctions. The Kremlin earlier this week reiterated demands that Ukraine give up territory, abandon its bid to join NATO, and accept limits on its military, in exchange for a withdrawal of Russian troops from the rest of the country. Particularly galling for Kyiv is Moscow's insistence that it cede pockets of eastern and southern Ukraine the Kremlin claims to have annexed, despite lacking full military control. Mark Galeotti, a British expert in Russian politics who heads the Mayak Intelligence consultancy, says Moscow's tactic of encircling towns in eastern Ukraine has brought a string of territorial gains for Russia, and Putin 'does not appear to feel under pressure.' For the Kremlin, 'further delaying any more serious U.S. action and the optics of a meeting with the U.S. president will already be wins,' Galeotti argued in an analysis published Sunday by the UK's Sunday Times newspaper. Zelenskyy rules out giving up territory Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine 'will not give Russia any awards for what it has done' and that 'Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.' Ukrainian officials previously told the AP privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognize Ukraine's inability to regain lost territories militarily. But Zelenskyy on Saturday insisted that formally ceding land was out of the question. Galeotti argued that any deal that involves Ukraine abandoning territory would be 'agonising' and politically dangerous for Zelenskyy. Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, noted on Sunday that Kyiv will strive to boost its position ahead of the planned Trump-Putin meeting. 'Ahead lies an important week of diplomacy,' he said. Pushing for sanctions German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday that European leaders are 'intensively preparing' ahead of the Alaska summit, while they 'hope and expect' that Zelenskyy will be invited. Merz told Germany's public broadcaster ARD that he has for weeks been encouraging Washington to toughen sanctions against Russia, adding that 'Putin only acts under pressure.' Mikhail Kasyanov, Putin's first prime minister and later a political opponent, similarly told the BBC Sunday that the Kremlin would be more willing to negotiate seriously and make some concessions when sanctions have further strained Russia's economy. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday praised Washington for taking steps such as allowing more military equipment to flow to Ukraine and imposing secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil, saying Trump 'clearly is putting pressure on Putin.' 'Next Friday will be important because it will be about testing Putin -- how serious he is -- on bringing this terrible war to an end,' Rutte said in an interview with ABC's 'This Week.' Samya Kullab, The Associated Press Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
Russia Today
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Nazi symbols prevalent in Ukrainian military
Ukrainian soldiers continue to publicly display neo-Nazi symbols – including swastikas, SS tattoos, and Nazi salutes – according to an investigation by French outlet Le Monde. In its report, published on Wednesday, Le Monde identified nearly 350 Ukrainian troops posting neo-Nazi imagery online, including Nazi salutes, swastika tattoos, Black Sun emblems, and Totenkopf insignias. According to the research, at least 200 of those identified serve in Kiev's 3rd Assault Brigade. Russia has repeatedly accused Kiev of fostering neo-Nazi ideology and glorifying WW2-era Hitler collaborators and has demanded the 'denazification' of Ukraine as part of a negotiated peace agreement. Formed in 2023, the 3rd Assault Brigade is a direct successor of the Azov Regiment – originally created in 2014 by far-right figure, Andrei Biletsky. Azov has been accused by multiple human rights groups, as well as the UN, of war crimes and torture and has been widely criticized for its use of symbols tied to the Waffen-SS. According to Le Monde, the 3rd Assault Brigade has received military training from several NATO countries, including France, Spain, Germany, the UK and Canada, who have also poured in billions in military support to Ukraine. The paper noted that some soldiers sent to France in 2023 bore visible SS tattoos. When questioned, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces stated that it was the responsibility of Ukraine to vet the personnel. The report also stated that a number of foreign volunteers who have joined Ukraine's forces, including French nationals, have affiliations with far-right groups. Some were shown posting Nazi tributes and displaying related tattoos online. Le Monde further stated that the 3rd Assault Brigade, now expanded into a full corps under Biletsky's command, has been playing an increasingly central role in Ukraine's military. The outlet reported that its units continue to use Nazi-associated emblems and feature commanders with visible far-right markings. Moscow has long condemned Kiev's elevation of Nazi collaborators to national hero status and has accused Western governments of deliberately ignoring continued neo-Nazi activity in Ukrainian ranks. In April, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stressed that the rebirth of Nazism cannot be allowed and outlined the destruction of the 'Kiev neo-Nazi regime' as a necessary outcome of the Ukraine conflict. He insisted that 'a real de-Nazification is required' and that the ideology 'needs to be rooted out not only in Ukraine, but in all of Europe.'
ITV News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Bomb disposal expert from the Isle of Man dies while volunteering in Ukraine
A bomb disposal expert from the Isle of Man has died, following severe injuries while dismantling an improvised explosive device. Chris Garrett, from Peel, had dedicated years to clearing landmines in Ukraine, and stepped following the Russian invasion in February 2022. Mr Garrett co-founded the charity Prevail Together, which has been disarming and detonating explosive devices placed around Ukraine. Garrett, known by the call sign 'Swampy,' had been involved in mine clearance and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine since 2014. He joined the Azov Regiment as an EOD specialist, providing training and support to Ukrainian forces. Prevail Together Ambassador and board member Shaun Pinner confirmed Mr Garrett had died in the city of Izyum on Tuesday 6 May. Posting on X, Mr Pinner said: 'It has now been confirmed that two of the three critically injured individuals have sadly passed away. I can confirm that Chris was among those who died. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. 'We deeply appreciate all the support during this difficult time. Prevail will share further updates as soon as we coordinate with the investigation teams over the next 48hours. We can't and will not comment during an ongoing investigation.' Another man, thought to be an Australian national, also died as a result of the incident. Mr Garrett spoke to ITV at the beginning of April, after he was sentenced to 14 ½ years in jail by a Russian proxy court. Speaking then, he said: "I don't really know what to say about it, the charges are ridiculous. I mean, charged for terrorism by volunteering, or at times, being under contract by the Ukrainian armed forces. "I've not once stepped foot out of Ukraine towards, Belarus. I've never been to Russia, I've never been involved in any actions directly on the border." The 42-year-old had been using his skills as a bomb disposal expert to blow up artillery shells and live ammunition dumped by Vladimir Putin's retreating troops. He said: "There's a lot of IEDs going in the ground. And now with the drone munitions as well, the FPB drones, this has created a whole new sphere where it used to just be a case that we had landmines and IEDs. "Now we have flying IEDs as well, which can end up in places you'd never expect them."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian man gets 10-year sentence in Russia for alleged US$120 donation to Azov Regiment
Russia's Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Zaporizhzhia Oblast resident Stanislav Rudenko to 10 years in prison for "promoting terrorism", supposedly by transferring money to purchase drones for the Azov Regiment of the Ukrainian defence forces. Source: Nastoyashchee Vremya TV channel, citing the court's press service Quote: "The investigators reported that Rudenko, 'sharing the ideology' of the Azov Regiment, decided to assist its members by financing their activities. On 13 November 2023, he saw an announcement and transferred money for purchasing drones." Details: Nastoyashchee Vremya states that Russian prosecutors claimed Rudenko transferred approximately UAH 5,000 (US$120) to the soldiers. For this, the Russian court sentenced Rudenko to 10 years in prison. Background: On 18 October 2024, Ukrainian human rights activist and serviceman Maksym Butkevych was released from Russian captivity. Butkevych, who fought in Ukraine's east as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was captured by Russian troops in the summer of 2022. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in March 2023 by a "court" in the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic", a Russian-backed terrorist organisation. On 14 January, the 2nd Western Military District Court in Moscow sentenced seven Ukrainian prisoners of war who took part in the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in Kursk Oblast. The soldiers were sentenced to 15-16 years of imprisonment. On 26 March, it was reported that a military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced 23 Ukrainian prisoners of war who served in the Azov Regiment to imprisonment in a maximum-security colony. Twelve of them received real sentences ranging from 13 to 23 years, while the rest were given sentences in absentia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian court hands long jail terms to Ukrainian fighters who defended Mariupol
A Russian military court has handed down long prison sentences to several members of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, which led the defense of the key city of Mariupol during the early months of the war. The defendants were convicted on Wednesday of charges including violent seizure of power and participation in a terrorist organization and given prison terms ranging from 13 to 23 years, according to the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia. Russia has sought to paint the Azov Regiment as made up of Nazis and nationalists, allegations the group denies, and the US last year lifted a ban on supplying them weapons. The city of Mariupol became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance, after Ukrainian soldiers, including members of the Azov unit, and residents sheltered for weeks underground in 2022 at the city's massive Azovstal steelworks plant refusing to surrender to Russian forces. The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don announced the verdict in absentia for 11 individuals, while 12 appeared in person. One member reportedly died in Russian detention, while others have since been exchanged. The case involved members of the Azov regiment — now part of Ukraine's National Guard — captured during the siege of Mariupol. According to the prosecution, the court established the individuals took 'actions aimed at the violent change of the constitutional order of Russia.' Russian authorities designated the Azov unit a terrorist group in 2022, after it started the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The trial, initially dubbed 'the case of 24,' involved Ukrainian prisoner of war Oleksandr Ishchenko, who died in a Russian pretrial detention center as a result of a closed chest injury due to 'contact with a blunt object,' according to Azov commander Svyatoslav Palamar citing a Ukrainian forensic expert. Russian human rights organization Memorial designated the defendants political prisoners and said there was evidence of violations, including 'cruel treatment, excruciating conditions of detention, lack of normal food and medical care, insults, bullying, beatings and torture.' The sentencing coincided with Ukraine's National Guard Day, which President Volodymyr Zelensky marked by praising the bravery of National Guard units and reaffirming Kyiv's diplomatic efforts to free all Ukrainian prisoners of war, including Azov fighters. Zelensky said Kyiv remembers 'all Ukrainian warriors – in particular, National Guard warriors, defenders of Mariupol, and Azov fighters, who, unfortunately, remain in Russian captivity.' 'We are working at all levels of diplomacy to free them and bring them home,' he said.
