Latest news with #RBC-Ukraine
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Hours after peace talks, Russian strike on passenger van in Ukraine kills nine; Kyiv calls for tougher sanctions
A Russian drone strike on a passenger van in northeastern Ukraine killed nine civilians, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to renew his call for tougher international sanctions on Moscow. The attack, which news agency Reuters said targeted a vehicle in the Sumy region, came just hours after the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks in three years failed to produce a ceasefire. 'All the deceased were civilians. And the Russians could not have failed to understand what kind of vehicle they were targeting. This was a deliberate killing of civilians,' Zelenskyy said on X, condemning the strike as a calculated attack on non-combatants. Ukrainian police released images of the aftermath, showing the mangled remains of a dark blue passenger van with its roof torn off and windows shattered by the blast. The drone strike has reignited criticism of Moscow's negotiating posture after Friday's high-profile talks in Istanbul yielded no breakthroughs. 'Pressure must be exerted on Russia to stop the killings,' Zelenskyy said. 'Without tougher sanctions, without stronger pressure, Russia will not seek real diplomacy.' He accused the Kremlin of sending 'a weak and unprepared' delegation to the talks, suggesting Moscow was not serious about engaging in meaningful peace negotiations. The meeting, held under international pressure and brokered in part by Turkish officials, was the first such direct contact between Kyiv and Moscow since the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia's cynical strike on a bus in the Sumy region kills 8 people – Regional Military Administration#RussiaIsATerroristState #ukrainerussiawar️️️️ — RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 17, 2025 'We are expecting strong sanctions against Russia from the United States, from Europe, and from all our partners. Diplomacy must start working,' Zelenskyy said, urging immediate action in the wake of the civilian deaths. While US President Donald Trump has urged both sides to engage in dialogue, he cast doubt on the effectiveness of the Istanbul meeting, declaring that 'nothing could happen' until he personally meets Russian President Vladimir Putin. (With inputs from Reuters)
Boston Globe
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Europeans demand Russia accept truce; Trump says he might join peace talks
He added: 'Of course, all of us in Ukraine would like President Trump to be there with us — at this meeting in Turkey. This is the right idea.' The Kremlin declined to comment on whether Putin would take Zelensky up on his challenge, issued Sunday, to meet personally Thursday, and did not immediately respond to the suggestion that Trump might attend a summit of the leaders. Advertisement But Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, picked up on Zelensky's proposal, saying, 'Don't underestimate Thursday in Turkey.' He then suggested that he might alter his travel plans, which have him in the Middle East that day, and go to Turkey to take part in the meeting, depending on how the hoped-for talks go. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already announced plans to travel to Turkey this week to attend the informal NATO foreign ministers meeting scheduled there from Wednesday to Friday. Advertisement The statements from Kyiv and Washington were the latest turn in an increasingly frenetic round of diplomatic brinkmanship, as the Trump administration grows frustrated by a lack of progress in its efforts to end the bloodiest conflict in Europe in generations. Earlier Monday, European leaders leaned on Moscow to accept, by the end of the day, an unconditional 30-day truce that was first proposed by the United States in early March and immediately accepted by Ukraine, or face another round of punishing sanctions. 'The clock is ticking — we still have 12 hours until the end of this day,' a German government spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, said at a news conference. The Kremlin spokesperson brushed off the threat. 'The language of ultimatums is unacceptable — you cannot talk to Russia like this,' the spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told Russian news agencies. Putin has so far rejected the cease-fire proposal, and over the weekend, he called instead for renewed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but not by their leaders. Ukrainian officials, their European allies and even, recently, Trump have questioned whether Putin really wants to end the war. The offer to meet face to face was intended to make it clear that the 'the ball is in Moscow's court,' in effect calling Putin's bluff, Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, told Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine. Kyiv, he said, is accustomed to the Kremlin's stalling tactics. 'We won't give Russia reason to accuse us of sabotaging the peace process,' Yermak added. Ukraine, along with its European allies, continued to insist Monday that the fighting needed to stop before serious negotiations could get underway. Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron said Kyiv had shown itself willing time and again to make concessions in order to begin the hard work of brokering a lasting peace. 'Either Russia — Mr. Putin — is serious and wants peace, or it's not serious and we have to impose even more sanctions,' Macron told reporters. Britain's foreign secretary, David Lammy, told reporters in London that it was time for Russia to stop stalling. 'This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a cease-fire, and to get serious about talks,' he said. When the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, and Poland traveled to Kyiv over the weekend to deliver that same message, they were careful to coordinate their efforts with the White House. They made clear that only agreeing to an unconditional cease-fire would spare Moscow additional sanctions targeting oil exports and banking — and said that the United States would also impose sanctions on Russia if Putin did not agree to a truce. However, after Putin made a counteroffer of direct talks without mentioning a cease-fire, Trump urged the Ukrainians to take the meeting. 'Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,' Trump wrote Sunday in a statement on social media. Zelensky responded swiftly, seemingly seeking to flip the script on the Russian leader by saying he agreed to negotiations in any format and that he would travel to Turkey to meet with Putin — personally. This article originally appeared in .
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Yermak hints only Putin can make real decisions in talks
Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak voiced doubt about leading negotiations with anyone from Russia except President Vladimir Putin, implying only the Russian leader can make real decisions, according to Yermak's interview with RBC-Ukraine published on May 12. Yermak's remarks follow President Volodymyr Zelensky's announcement that he is ready to meet Putin for talks in Turkey on May 15. The Kremlin has sought to position itself as open to talks, while simultaneously rejecting a ceasefire proposal by Kyiv and its Western partners. Moscow has also proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine this week, but did not comment on a potential face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelensky. When asked whether Ukraine would consider negotiating with anyone from Russia other than Putin, Yermak responded: "Do you know who else in Russia makes decisions of this level and is able to ensure their implementation?" "Of course, he (Putin) will delegate the technical and preparatory stages, but we understand who is ultimately in charge," Zelensky's chief of staff added. Yermak said Ukraine is open to peace talks, but not under the Kremlin's current conditions. "Russia will try to escape the sanctions by using the negotiation process as a cover. This format is driven by a clear desire to mislead everyone," he stressed. The Ukrainian official confirmed that Zelensky's administration continues to insist on a monitored 30-day ceasefire as a precondition for starting negotiations. "There is a joint position with our partners: first, a ceasefire, then talks. That's also reflected in all recent statements on both sides of the Atlantic," Yermak noted. Moscow has rejected the May 12 truce and instead suggested resuming talks in Istanbul on May 15. Yermak dismissed this as a stalling tactic: "We've negotiated with... (Russia) for years, and we know how they can stall for time. Above all, Ukraine wants a just and lasting peace. We won't give Russia a chance to blame us for disrupting the peace process." The official said that the next step is entirely up to Moscow. "If Russia agrees, then we move on to the next stage, which is also clear and which our partners are ready for. If not, then please, there should be pressure on Russia through sanctions and other actions, absolutely concrete and clear." Ukraine accused Russia of ignoring the truce proposal as a Russian drone reportedly attacked a freight train in Donetsk Oblast on May 12, injuring a driver. Kyiv has already agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day truce, saying it is prepared to move forward if Moscow reciprocates. So far, the Kremlin has refused, instead proposing talks, which, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Russia wishes to be based on the terms of the 2022 Istanbul discussions and the "current situation on the battlefield." The Istanbul talks refer to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia held in Turkey in late March 2022, which outlined potential terms for a peace deal. In the three years since the failed talks, Russian propaganda networks have frequently promoted the idea that peace was almost achieved in Istanbul before Western leaders, in particular then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, allegedly pressured Zelensky to reject the deal and continue fighting. In reality, leaked documents from 2022 show that Moscow's first peace offer amounted to Ukraine's effective surrender, including massive troop reductions, abandonment of advanced weapons, and recognition of Russian control over occupied territories. Read also: Kyiv, European allies pledge harsher sanctions on Russia's banking, energy sectors if Moscow refuses ceasefire We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Trump Closes In on Ukraine Minerals Deal with Zelensky
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine which President Donald Trump had keenly sought will be agreed imminently, according to Ukraine's prime minister. Denis Shmyhal's comments followed earlier reports that Kyiv was ready to sign the minerals agreement, a focal point of U.S-led negotiations over support for Ukraine against Russia and peace talks. Shmyhal said Wednesday afternoon Kyiv time that an agreement would be struck in the next 24 hours and that Ukraine's parliament would debate ratifying the move, RBC-Ukraine reported. However, Washington has not confirmed this and there are said to be last-minute obstacles to the deal. Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, it matters Kyiv estimates that about five percent of the world's "critical raw materials" are in Ukraine including significant deposits of graphite used to make batteries for electric vehicles, as well as titanium and lithium. As Trump seeks to lessen dependence on China, the world's biggest supplier of minerals, a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals has been discussed for months and was the subject of a heated debated between Zelensky and Trump at their White House meeting on February 28. Trump had wanted access to minerals as a quid pro quo for U.S. military support but a deal could also underscore Washington's commitment to Ukraine as an economic partner and be used as leverage on Putin to negotiate peace. What to know Shmyhal confirmed what had been reported earlier by the Financial Times and The Kyiv Independent that there had been a breakthrough in monthslong negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine over a framework for the minerals agreement. The deal would set up a joint investment fund to create the conditions needed for investment in mining, energy, and related technology in Ukraine, according to the FT and the BBC, which said they had seen the proposed agreement. Shmyhal said Ukraine would retain control over all resources, subsoil and infrastructure and contributions to the fund would be made in cash with U.S. military aid counting as contributions. Kyiv appears to have secured a significant concession from the Trump administration that excludes provisions related to Ukraine's debt for prior U.S. military or financial assistance. Trump had sought to frame the agreement as partial repayment for U.S. military aid, claiming Ukraine owed Washington up to $300 billion although U.S. government figures put the amount at $174 billion. The fund must invest in the development of Ukraine for 10 years such as through investments and the purchase of Ukrainian products, Shmyhal said, and the deal would also call on the U.S. to find other international partners. Ukraine's first deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, has flown to Washington to sign the deal with U.S. treasury secretary Scott Bessent, according to reports. However the FT reported later Wednesday that a last-minute hurdle arose as Svyrydenko was en route to Washington after Bessent's team said she had to sign all the agreements or return home. This would mean Kyiv signing both the framework deal and a detailed fund agreement to complete the full minerals deal on Wednesday. Kyiv has said the fund agreement must be ratified by its parliament first. What people are saying Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's prime minister: "We plan to hold consultations with the heads of factions and groups, the leadership of our parliament on the details of the agreement. We have a preliminary agreement on this." Ukrainian opposition MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak on Telegram: "Based on the draft document I saw in Washington, it's much better than the one from March 23." U.S. Treasury statement, per the FT: "The United States is committed to the quick conclusion of this vital agreement, and to securing a lasting peace in Ukraine." What happens next Shmyhal said there will be consultations with the heads of factions and groups on Thursday and that Ukraine's parliament, the Rada, will discuss the ratification of the deal and only after that can the agreement enter into force. However, if reports of the last-minute obstacles are confirmed, then there could be a further delay to the deal.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian EW systems designer reportedly killed in car bombing in Bryansk
Yevgeny Rytikov, a Russian engineer involved in modernizing electronic warfare (EW) systems used against Ukraine, was killed in a car bombing in western Russia overnight on April 18, Ukrainian and Russian media outlets reported on April 25. Rytikov died when he and his colleague entered a car in the Russian city of Bryansk, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Russia-Ukraine border, RBC-Ukraine wrote, citing undisclosed Ukrainian Defense Forces sources. The engineer headed the design bureau at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant and was responsible for upgrading the Krasukha EW system, which Russian forces use to counter drones and airborne weapons. Rytikov's deputy or assistant was likely also killed in the blast, according to RBC-Ukraine. Russian Telegram channel Mash reported that Rytnikov was killed by an improvised explosive device, which was filled with fragments and strapped to the bottom of the vehicle. It is not immediately clear who was behind the reported bombing. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said they could neither confirm nor deny the reporting. Ukrainian security services have been linked to several assassinations of Russian military officers and other figures involved in Moscow's war against Ukraine. Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the main operations directorate of Russia's army, was reported killed in an explosion in Moscow Oblast on April 25. Read also: High-ranking Russian general killed in car bombing near Moscow, as Witkoff meets with Putin We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
