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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany will help Ukraine produce ‘long-range' weapons, Merz says
Germany will help Ukraine develop new long-range weapons that can hit targets deep inside Russian territory, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has said. 'Our defence ministers will sign a memorandum of understanding today regarding the procurement of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons systems,' Mr Merz told reporters in a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky. 'There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory.' When asked whether Kyiv would be given Germany's long-range Taurus missiles, Mr Merz dodged the question, instead referring to the new weapons agreement. Mr Merz had pointed out in a TV interview this week that there were 'no longer any restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine - neither by the British nor by the French nor by us nor by the Americans'. The comments suggested Kyiv may have been given permission to use Taurus missiles after years of reluctance by Olaf Scholz, the previous German chancellor, though this remains unclear. In a sharp rebuke, the Kremlin accused Germany of taking an 'irresponsible position' by offering to help Kyiv develop long-range missiles, calling it a 'very dangerous trend'. Thank you for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. A Kremlin propagandist has threatened that Russia will strike Berlin if Germany's Taurus missiles are fired from Ukraine into Russia. 'If German soldiers use German weapons to strike Moscow (and permission to use 'Taurus' can only mean that, since Kyiv cannot operate or program them), then we have no option but to hit Berlin,' Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia's state broadcaster RT, wrote on Telegram. Ms Simonyan is sanctioned by the EU, UK and US due to her alleged role in Russian state media's influence operations abroad. Her comments come amid ongoing uncertainty over whether Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor, has agreed to send German-made long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine and whether he has lifted restrictions on them being used to strike targets inside Russia. The Taurus has a range of 310 miles and so could reach deeper into Russian territory than other Western-supplied missiles. Russia's military has committed 'crimes against humanity' and 'war crimes' in its drone attacks on civilians in Ukraine's Kherson region, UN experts concluded in a report published today. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the UN Human Rights Council, said Russian armed forces were 'systematically' hitting civilians. 'Russian armed forces have committed the crimes against humanity of murder and the war crimes of attacking civilians, through a months-long pattern of drone attacks targeting civilians on the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Province,' the report said. 'These acts were committed with the primary purpose to spread terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law.' The categorical nature of that statement is unusual for such an enquiry. The investigation said that since July last year, Russian military drone operators on the left bank of the Dnipro had 'systematically' struck civilians, and had 'targeted ambulances'. Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that Donald Trump was ready to impose new sanctions on Russia after their pivotal meeting at the Vatican last month. In comments released today, the Ukrainian leader said that he had discussed new sanctions with the US president and he left the April meeting understanding the White House had agreed to the plan, if Russia did not commit to a ceasefire. 'President Trump supported that if Russia does not stop, there will be sanctions,' Mr Zelensky said at a briefing on Tuesday. 'Our conversation was positive from the point of view that I perceive our conversation as a confirmation of the US policy of imposing strong sanctions against Russia if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire.' Washington has not imposed further sanctions, despite Mr Trump's growing anger towards Vladimir Putin, who he recently said is 'playing with fire' and has gone 'absolutely crazy' after recent attacks on Ukraine. 'I think America had high hopes and I think that now this feeling has been reduced a little. The feeling that Putin really wants the war to end has been reduced,' Mr Zelensky said. Today, he once again called on the US to impose further sanctions at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Kremlin has accused Germany of escalating the war in Ukraine by offering to help Kyiv develop long-range missiles that can strike targets deep inside Russia. 'This is a very dangerous trend, an irresponsible position that Germany is taking,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the US to impose further sanctions on Russia in order to achieve a peace settlement to end the war. 'I understand that industry in Russia is really feeling these sanctions and army is going to feel it next year from June/July,' he said. That's good,' the Ukrainian president said, but added that 'strong sanctions from the US' were needed. 'Russia is not willing to talk about a ceasefire, so the US Congress needs to approve sanctions. When that happens, the war will end more quickly. There will be a real gap in Russia's military,' he added. Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that he was willing to impose further sanctions on Russia. US media, including CNN and the Wall Street Journal, reported that could occur in the coming days. Ukraine's defence minister had a phone call with the a Russian negotiator, Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed. The contents of the call or how long it lasted remains unclear. Rustem Umerov led Ukraine's delegation during peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month, the first direct negotiations with Russia in three years. He spoke with Vladimir Medinsky. Friedrich Merz has said that Germany and its European allies are working with the US on a new package of sanctions against Russia. Speaking alongside Volodymyr Zelensky, the German chancellor said Donald Trump's support remained 'indispensable'. 'We count on the support of the USA, whose support remains indispensable for successful negotiations. I want now to express thanks to the American president for his personal engagement in the last few weeks,' he told reporters at a joint press conference. When asked whether Ukraine had been given the green light to use German-made Taurus missiles to hit targets inside Russia, Friedrich Merz said he did not want to 'disclose details publicly'. The German chancellor instead said Berlin wanted to enable to joint production of long-range missiles 'without limits'. 'Our defence ministers will sign a memorandum of understanding today regarding the procurement of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons systems,' Mr Merz said in a press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky. 'There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory.' Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, said Russia's recent massive aerial strikes on Ukraine 'do not speak a language of peace, but speak the language of a war of aggression'. Speaking at a press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky, he added that the attacks were a 'slap in the face of anyone working towards peace in Ukraine, Europe and the United States'. Mr Merz vowed to increase pressure on Moscow and do 'everything necessary' to make sure the Nord Stream 2 pipeline 'will never be used again'. Ukraine has protested to the international atomic energy watchdog about reports that Russia is building power lines to connect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to its own grid. Yuriy Vitrenko, Ukraine's representative to the UN, said today that Kyiv sees any attempt by Russia to connect the occupied plant to its grid as a 'gross violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty'. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe, was captured by Russia in March 2022. Satellite imagery, taken since early February, shows that Russian forces have laid nearly 50 miles of high-voltage lines between occupied Mariupol and Berdyansk, in what appears to be an attempt to connect the new lines to the plant. The new German chancellor Friedrich Merz announced this week that all restrictions on the use of Western supplied weapons to Ukraine have now been lifted. This may be significant in the case of the German Taurus cruise missiles which are probably now bound for Ukraine in numbers. Putin's lair in the Kremlin may soon be in range of some of these sophisticated weapons, which hitherto Russian air defences have struggled to stop. Published specifications on the Taurus suggest it may not have the range to reach Moscow, but it is much the same size and uses much the same technology as the American Tomahawk, which could definitely reach the Russian capital. Russian generals have already been assassinated near the Kremlin: it may become an even unhealthier location soon. Belarus will scale back military drills with Russia planned for September, cutting the number of soldiers taking part and moving them away from the western border, Minsk said this morning. The country, which borders Russia and Ukraine, has been a key ally to Moscow, allowing its territory to be used as a staging post for Vladimir Putin's invasion in 2022. Ukraine, as well as Poland and the Baltic states, have repeatedly expressed alarm about possible military build-ups in the country. 'We have decided to reduce the parameters of the 'Zapad-2025' exercise and to move its main manoeuvres deep into the territory of the Republic of Belarus, away from the western borders,' Viktor Khrenin, the Belarusian defence minister, said in a statement today. 'The number of troops participating in the drills will be cut almost by half,' General Valery Revenko, the head of the ministry's department for international cooperation, said at a security forum in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. Volodymyr Zelensky has met with Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, in Berlin. The two leaders are expected to discuss how Europe can continue supporting Ukraine, even if the US - under Donald Trump - decided to withdraw aid. The Kremlin has rejected Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a three-way peace summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. A spokesman for the Russian president said 'such a meeting should be the result of concrete agreements between the (Ukrainian and Russian) delegations'. Mr Zelensky said earlier that he was ready for 'any format' after Putin failed to show up for direct peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month. 'We are ready for the 'Trump, Putin, and me' format, and we are ready for the Trump-Putin, Trump-Zelensky format, and then the three of us,' the Ukrainian president said. 'If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don't mind. I am ready for any format,' he added. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said the next date for direct peace talks would be announced soon. It came as Reuters reported that one of Putin's key demands in peace negotiations is that Western leaders pledge in writing to stop enlarging Nato eastwards. The Russian president also wants the West to lift a large chunk of sanctions and protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine against what the Kremlin has described as 'discriminatory laws'. Russia has said its army had captured another village in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, where Vladimir Putin is seeking to create a 'buffer zone' inside Ukrainian territory. In a statement on social media, Russia's defence ministry said its troops had captured the village of Kostiantynivka, which sits just inside the Ukrainian side of the border. It comes after Moscow said it had captured four villages in the region on Tuesday. Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia overnight, hitting a key microelectronics plant and forcing multiple Moscow airports to close. Kyiv struck the Mikron factory in Zelenograd, which produces microelectronics and semiconductors used to develop missile, air defence and radar systems. Russia said thirteen regions were targeted, including Moscow, Bryansk, Belgorod, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver and Tula. The Kremlin's defence ministry said it shot down 296 drones, including 40 heading for the capital, affecting air travel for hours. It said: 'During the last night... anti-aircraft defence systems destroyed and intercepted 296 Ukrainian aerial drones.' There were no immediate reports of any casualties. Credit: Telegram Vladimir Putin's conditions for ending the war in Ukraine include a demand that Western leaders pledge in writing to stop enlarging Nato eastwards and lift a chunk of sanctions on Russia, three sources have told Reuters. Doing so would rule out Nato membership for Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other former Soviet republics. Putin also wants Ukraine to be neutral, some Western sanctions lifted, a resolution of the issue of frozen Russian sovereign assets in the West, and protection for Russian speakers against 'discriminatory' law in Ukraine, the three sources said. The first source said that, if Putin realises he is unable to reach a peace deal on his own terms, he would show Ukrainians and the Europeans that 'peace tomorrow will be even more painful'. Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Berlin ahead of talks with Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor. Mr Merz earlier this week backed Ukraine striking deep inside Russia with Western-supplied weapons, saying that any range restrictions had been removed months ago. Donald Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg, has scolded a senior Russian official for stoking fears of WW3 after the US president warned Vladimir Putin was 'playing with fire' over Ukraine. Mr Trump said on Truth Social that Putin was playing with fire and cautioned that 'REALLY BAD' things would have happened already to Russia if it was not for Trump himself. Dmitry Medvedev, a senior security official and Russia's former president, dismissed Mr Trump's criticism. 'Regarding Trump's words about Putin 'playing with fire' and 'really bad things' happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!' Medvedev wrote in English on the social media platform X. General Kellogg quoted Medvedev's post and said it was reckless. 'Stoking fears of WW III is an unfortunate, reckless comment... and unfitting of a world power,' Gen Kellogg said on X. 'President Trump @POTUS is working to stop this war and end the killing. We await receipt of RU Memorandum (Term Sheet) that you promised a week ago. Cease fire now.' Russia will announce the next round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine soon, Sergei Lavrov said this morning. Russia's foreign minister also said that the neutrality of Ukraine - i.e. not joining Nato - remained one of Moscow's key demands. More from Volodymyr Zelensky's interview, which was published this morning. The Ukrainian president said Russia is amassing 'more than 50,000' troops on the front line around the northeastern Sumy border region, where Moscow's army has captured a number of settlements as it seeks to establish a 'buffer zone' inside Ukrainian territory. 'Now they are also amassing troops in the Sumy direction. More than 50,000,' Mr Zelensky told reporters on Tuesday, in remarks published on Wednesday. Russian forces captured four villages in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region after Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to carve out a buffer zone along the border. Read more about Russia's latest incursion here. Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a three-way summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. 'If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don't mind. I am ready for any format,' Mr Zelensky said in comments published this morning. The Ukrainian president also said he would 'very much like' Mr Trump to hit Russia's banking and energy sectors with sanctions in response to a wave of aerial attacks and Moscow's refusal to agree to a ceasefire. One of the most significant strikes during Ukraine's overnight attack was the Mikron microelectronics plant in Zelenograd, a key producer of microelectronics and semiconductors which are used to develop missile, air defence and radar systems. Credit: Telegram/exilenova_plus Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Vladimir Putin is preparing to launch 1,000 drones at Ukraine in a single attack. The Ukrainian president said Moscow was working to significantly expand the volume of drone strikes, aiming to launch 500 Iranian-made Shahed drones per day. 'I don't take the figure of 1,000 drones a day as constant, but I understand they could stockpile and launch a massive attack,' Mr Zelensky said. He added that Ukraine was working on developing new technology to counter the growing drone threat. 'We're already using them. The question now is how fast can we scale,' he told the Kyiv post. Ukraine targeted the Mikron microelectronics plant in Zelenograd during its overnight drone attack, a key producer of microelectronics and semiconductors which are used to produce missiles, air defence and radar. Footage posted on social media shows a cloud of smoke above the plant, located in Zelenograd, a city near Moscow. Credit: Telegram/exilenova_plus Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. We'll bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Miami Herald
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Russian State TV Network Mocks Donald Trump's Attack on Putin
President Donald Trump's social media attacks on Vladimir Putin have prompted derision and a warning from Russian state media. Trump took to Truth Social to condemn Putin following last weekend's Russian missile and drone barrage on Ukraine which he followed up with a post that said the Russian leader is "playing with fire." But the state-run propaganda outlet RT said Trump changes his opinion frequently, while a Russian state television anchor warned that the U.S. president should keep in mind that Moscow can "destroy the world several times over." Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment. Russian state media have a complicated relationship with Trump. Kremlin propagandists were initially uncertain whether he would be good for Moscow, but since he returned to the Oval Office, they have welcomed his rhetoric against Kyiv and reluctance to impose sanctions as evidence he could serve the Kremlin's interests. Independent Russian outlet Agentstvo reported how Russian state media ignored Trump's jibe that Putin was "crazy" following Russia's weekend bombardment of Ukraine. Now Kremlin propagandists seem happy to condemn him. Given the tightly controlled nature of Russian state TV, this suggests that they have been given the go ahead by Russian authorities to go after Trump as he grows impatient with Putin's stalling over peace talks. Trump posted on Truth Social that Putin was "playing with fire" and that if it were not for him "lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia," without specifying further. The broadside came only two days after Trump called the Kremlin leader "absolutely CRAZY" following a combined missile and drone attack launched by Russia on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine over the weekend. The Kremlin responded to the first jibe as being down to "emotional overload" and while Russian state channels appeared to sidestep Trump's comments, Kremlin propagandists reacted strongly to the U.S. leader's second criticism. RT posted on X about Trump's claim Russia had avoided bad consequences thanks to him that it was a message which "leaves little room for misinterpretation, until he posts the opposite tomorrow morning." Putin ally and anchor on the Russia 1 channel, Vladimir Solovyov, said on Tuesday that Trump lives inside an "information bubble" and "does not even ask basic questions." Moscow has been preparing for a conflict with NATO Solovyov said and so when Trump suggests that something bad can happen to Russia, "let me remind you, we can destroy the world several times over" adding there would be "no meekness" from Moscow. It is unclear what Trump's Truth Social posts mean for his intentions towards Putin, especially after his absence from Russian talks with Ukraine in Istanbul this month, which failed to move the dial in peace negotiations and the U.S. president's warning he would walk away from the process if there is no progress. Retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, told Newsweek there is little if any evidence that Moscow is interested in terminating its military offensive against Ukraine, or is willing to retreat from its maximalist demands. This includes full control of five Ukrainian territories, no significant security guarantees or future NATO membership for Kyiv, and the removal of Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine's president. Elina Beketova, fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told Newsweek that she did not believe the U.S. will simply step back and that strategic pressure is being applied to both parties, "with a constant juggling of carrot-and-stick tactics." U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "If it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to I mean REALLY BAD. [Putin's] playing with fire!" Russian broadcaster RT on X: "President Trump warns Moscow, claiming Russia avoided 'REALLY BAD' consequences only thanks to him. Putin doesn't realize... he's playing with fire!' — Trump's message leaves little room for misinterpretation. Until he posts the opposite tomorrow morning." Russian TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov: "Let me remind you of something. We can destroy the world several times over." The Wall Street Journal has reported that Trump is considering imposing sanctions against Russia this week, although no final decision has been made and his social media posts, and Russia's reaction to them, will add to anticipation. Related Articles Ukraine Sounds Warning Over Russian Troops Massing at Front LineZelensky Makes Trump, Putin ProposalThe Sanctions Era Is Quietly Ending. The West Isn't Ready | OpinionPutin Ally Warns Donald Trump of World War III 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia's state-run media mocks Trump over his weakness toward Putin
In recent days, Russia has launched large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian targets, and according to officials in Kyiv, the latest offensive is the largest aerial assault on the country since the war began. The developments come almost exactly a month after Donald Trump published an item to his social media platform that read, 'Vladimir, STOP!' — a directive that Russian President Vladimir Putin obviously ignored. As a result, a growing number of U.S. senators, including some Republicans, are pressing the White House to impose new economic sanctions on Moscow. In theory, that wouldn't just be the obvious move, it would also be in keeping with the American president's months' worth of threats. In practice, for reasons the administration hasn't explained, it's a step Trump has been highly reluctant to take. With pressure mounting, the American president published a new item to his social media platform Tuesday morning that read, 'What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!' Trump has yet to elaborate on what exactly this was supposed to mean, but at face value, it was a curious message to share with the world. The Republican apparently wants the public to know that he's quietly taking steps to prevent Russia from facing 'really bad' consequences, which necessarily leads to a great many follow-up questions, such as, 'Why is the American president protecting Russia from 'really bad things'?' While we're at it, it's also worth asking, 'What exactly is Trump doing to protect Russia from 'really bad things'?' 'How is Trump protecting Russia from 'really bad things'?' 'For how long has Trump been protecting Russia from 'really bad things'?' and, perhaps most importantly, 'Why has Trump kept secret the actions he's apparently taken to protect Russia from 'really bad things'?' But while those questions linger, let's not overlook how Russia responded to the American president's online missive. Just eight minutes after Trump published his item, RT used its social media account to highlight the Republican's message. In case this isn't obvious, RT isn't just a media outlet in Russia: It's the Russian state television network. In other words, there is little difference between RT publicly ridiculing the American president and the Putin regime doing the same thing. It's possible that Trump will be outraged by such mockery — there's little that seems to bother him more than being laughed at — and that RT will spur the White House to take fresh action against Russia. But it's probably a safer bet that Trump will instead continue to show weakness toward Putin. On Capitol Hill, however, some of Trump's allies appear to be growing weary of the status quo. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said last week that 'nobody likes to see somebody try to play the president.' Nobody except Trump, that is, who doesn't seem to mind. This article was originally published on
Russia Today
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia could target Berlin if German missiles hit Moscow – RT editor-in-chief
Russia would not rule out a direct strike on Berlin if German personnel help Ukraine target Moscow with German-supplied Taurus missiles, RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, has warned. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russian State TV Network Mocks Donald Trump's Attack on Putin
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. President Donald Trump's social media attacks on Vladimir Putin have prompted derision and a warning from Russian state media. Trump took to Truth Social to condemn Putin following last weekend's Russian missile and drone barrage on Ukraine which he followed up with a post that said the Russian leader is "playing with fire." But the state-run propaganda outlet RT said Trump changes his opinion frequently, while a Russian state television anchor warned that the U.S. president should keep in mind that Moscow can "destroy the world several times over." Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are seen in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2028. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are seen in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, It Matters Russian state media have a complicated relationship with Trump. Kremlin propagandists were initially uncertain whether he would be good for Moscow, but since he returned to the Oval Office, they have welcomed his rhetoric against Kyiv and reluctance to impose sanctions as evidence he could serve the Kremlin's interests. Independent Russian outlet Agentstvo reported how Russian state media ignored Trump's jibe that Putin was "crazy" following Russia's weekend bombardment of Ukraine. Now Kremlin propagandists seem happy to condemn him. Given the tightly controlled nature of Russian state TV, this suggests that they have been given the go ahead by Russian authorities to go after Trump as he grows impatient with Putin's stalling over peace talks. What To Know Trump posted on Truth Social that Putin was "playing with fire" and that if it were not for him "lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia," without specifying further. The broadside came only two days after Trump called the Kremlin leader "absolutely CRAZY" following a combined missile and drone attack launched by Russia on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine over the weekend. The Kremlin responded to the first jibe as being down to "emotional overload" and while Russian state channels appeared to sidestep Trump's comments, Kremlin propagandists reacted strongly to the U.S. leader's second criticism. RT posted on X about Trump's claim Russia had avoided bad consequences thanks to him that it was a message which "leaves little room for misinterpretation, until he posts the opposite tomorrow morning." Putin ally and anchor on the Russia 1 channel, Vladimir Solovyov, said on Tuesday that Trump lives inside an "information bubble" and "does not even ask basic questions." Moscow has been preparing for a conflict with NATO Solovyov said and so when Trump suggests that something bad can happen to Russia, "let me remind you, we can destroy the world several times over" adding there would be "no meekness" from Moscow. It is unclear what Trump's Truth Social posts mean for his intentions towards Putin, especially after his absence from Russian talks with Ukraine in Istanbul this month, which failed to move the dial in peace negotiations and the U.S. president's warning he would walk away from the process if there is no progress. Retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, told Newsweek there is little if any evidence that Moscow is interested in terminating its military offensive against Ukraine, or is willing to retreat from its maximalist demands. This includes full control of five Ukrainian territories, no significant security guarantees or future NATO membership for Kyiv, and the removal of Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine's president. Elina Beketova, fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told Newsweek that she did not believe the U.S. will simply step back and that strategic pressure is being applied to both parties, "with a constant juggling of carrot-and-stick tactics." What People Are Saying U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "If it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to I mean REALLY BAD. [Putin's] playing with fire!" Russian broadcaster RT on X: "President Trump warns Moscow, claiming Russia avoided 'REALLY BAD' consequences only thanks to him. Putin doesn't realize... he's playing with fire!' — Trump's message leaves little room for misinterpretation. Until he posts the opposite tomorrow morning." Russian TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov: "Let me remind you of something. We can destroy the world several times over." What Happens Next The Wall Street Journal has reported that Trump is considering imposing sanctions against Russia this week, although no final decision has been made and his social media posts, and Russia's reaction to them, will add to anticipation.
