Latest news with #UKRAINIAN
Economist
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Economist
The West is rethinking how to fight wars
THE UKRAINIAN drones that emerged from lorries deep inside Russia on June 1st, then plunged onto Russian air fields and struck perhaps a dozen bombers will be ranked among the great raiding parties of military history. The operation combined old-fashioned sabotage with the iconic weapon of the war in Ukraine. In doing this it illustrated two things. One is that new technology, deployed inventively, can be disproportionately lethal. The other is that the battlefield now stretches deep behind the front line, overturning the assumptions of the past quarter century.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Russia and Ukraine resume peace talks in Istanbul following major airbase attack
RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN officials will meet in Istanbul today to exchange proposals on how to end the war, just one day after Ukraine struck dozens of Russian strategic bombers at airbases deep inside Russian territory. Prompted by US President Donald Trump, Moscow and Kyiv have resumed direct negotiations for the first time since the early months of Russia's invasion. However, progress toward a peace agreement remains limited. Today's discussions follow one of Ukraine's most audacious and successful attacks on Russian soil. Ukraine said it damaged around 40 long-range bombers worth an estimated $7 billion at airbases located far from the front lines. Ukraine's security services said the 18-month operation involved smuggling drones into Russia, which were launched from inside the country. At last month's initial round of talks in Istanbul, the two sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange and shared outlines of their respective visions for a peace deal. The second round is set to begin at 1pm (10am Irish time) at the historic Ciragan Palace, an Ottoman-era mansion now operating as a luxury hotel on the Bosphorus. Russia says it will present a 'memorandum' outlining its terms but has refused to send its demands in advance, despite pressure from Ukraine. Despite this new round of diplomacy, the two sides remain far apart. Ukraine is demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the return of abducted children, President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday. Advertisement Zelensky also called for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, 'The key issues can only be resolved by the leaders.' The Kremlin has rejected that idea, insisting a summit could only follow progress in lower-level negotiations. Russia continues to question Zelensky's legitimacy and has pushed for sweeping demands, including limits on Ukraine's military, a ban on NATO membership, and large territorial concessions – conditions Kyiv and Western allies have strongly rejected as imperialist. Tens of thousands have died since Russia's 2022 invasion. Large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine have been destroyed, and millions have been displaced. Negotiation figures Russia will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a close Putin ally and nationalist ideologue who led failed negotiations in 2022. Ukraine's delegation is headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, seen as pragmatic but currently facing domestic scrutiny over alleged misconduct. Diplomatic advisors from Germany, France, and the UK will be present in Istanbul to support Ukraine's delegation, a German government spokesperson said. Meanwhile, fighting continues on the ground. Russian forces are advancing in the northeastern Sumy region, where President Putin has ordered the creation of a 'buffer zone' along the border. Russia has demanded that Ukraine cut ties with Western military support and surrender territory. Ukraine, however, insists on holding its ground and says only a full ceasefire will allow space for longer-term peace talks. Though Kyiv acknowledges that some territory may only be regained through diplomacy, not war, it continues to demand strong Western security guarantees – such as NATO protection or foreign troops on the ground – measures Moscow has firmly rejected.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Senate will move forward with Russia sanctions bill, Sen. Lindsey Graham says
WASHINGTON — The Senate will 'start moving' on a bill imposing more sanctions on the Kremlin following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said. 'I would expect next week that the Senate will start moving the sanctions bill,' Graham, an ally of President Trump but also a firm backer of Ukraine's war efforts, said Friday, according to The Kyiv Independent. 'There are House members that are ready to move in the House, and you'll see congressional action,' he added. 'President Trump said that the next two-week period will be outcome-determined.' The bipartisan meeting with Ukraine's leader included Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who like Graham supports the legislation applying a 500% tariff on Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. Neither sits on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee where the bill, which has racked up at least 80 co-sponsors, is currently under consideration. 3 Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Friday the upper chamber will 'start moving' on a bill imposing more sanctions on the Kremlin following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock At least 82 senators are prepared to vote for it if it heads to the Senate floor, Graham told the outlet. 'I've never been more optimistic than I am today,' he added, when asked whether Trump would sign it. 'Russia faces a stark choice: peace or crippling sanctions,' Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said in a Senate floor speech on May 20. 'President Trump has spoken forcefully of swift, severe consequences if Russia fails to honor a ceasefire.' On June 2, delegations from Russia and Ukraine had been expected to meet for talks in Istanbul — but Graham said he doesn't have 'any hope at all that Russia is interested in peace' given drone strikes in Ukraine that killed more than a dozen civilians on May 25. 3 President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky clashed in the Oval Office last month after Ukraine's leader protested that the US wasn't providing it with enough security guarantees to ward off Russia. AFP via Getty Images It was the largest aerial bombardment in the war to date, with 355 drones and nine cruise missiles being unleashed. Trump — who promised to end the war 'on day one' of his second presidential term — slammed Putin as 'absolutely crazy' following the strikes, but stopped short of announcing tougher sanctions on the regime despite having threatened them earlier this month. 'Russia is playing a game at the expense of the world, not just the United States,' Graham said, noting how oil from Moscow is prolonging the war by being sold to China and India. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that curtailing NATO expansion from the West, relaxing sanctions and official recognition of Ukraine's neutral status are redlines for him in peace talks. 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that curtailing NATO expansion from the West, relaxing sanctions and official recognition of Ukraine's neutral status are redlines for him in the discussions. AP The Kremlin was not targeted with 10% baseline global tariffs as part of Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement in April, though the White House indicated previous sanctions made it irrelevant. European leaders have already slapped sanctions on Russia over Putin's refusal to accept a US-backed cease-fire deal. 'It's clear to almost anyone — Putin is not remotely interested in anything that would lead to peace,' Graham added. 'So there's a card game going on this summer. The first cards are going to be played by the United States Senate and the House.' Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) backs stricter sanctions, and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) also suggested last week that the US should also send 'more lethal weapons' to Ukraine. 'If Ukraine falls, it will always be known in the history books that it happened with Trump doing little to help Ukraine defend themselves with the means we have available,' Bacon said.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov shot dead in Madrid ‘while taking his children to school'
The shooting was described as a 'professional hit' GUNNED DOWN Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov shot dead in Madrid 'while taking his children to school' A UKRAINIAN politician has been shot dead in Madrid while taking his daughter to school, according to reports. Andriy Portnov, 51, was gunned down on Wednesday morning outside the gates of the American School in Madrid's affluent neighbourhood of Pozuelo. Advertisement 1 Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov has been shot dead in Madrid Credit: Wikipedia Police received the call about the shooting at 9.15 am local time. Portnov was a senior aide to Ukraine's disgraced pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovich, who led the country from 2010 to 2014 before being ousted. He played a key role in the former president's election team before the 2010 victory - but fled Ukraine after 2014. Portnov's body was still at the scene almost two hours after the shooting, and will be only be removed following authorisation from a judge. Advertisement He is understood to have been shot five times as he dropped his daughter off at the school. It was reported in July 2022 Portnov had left Ukraine despite a travel ban for military-age males. It was not immediately clear how long he had been living in Spain. President Viktor Yanukovich, who also served as the country's prime minister several times, was ousted from power in 2014 following months of protests and the so-called Revolution of Dignity. Advertisement Since then, Yanukovich has lived in exile in Russia. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov shot dead in Madrid ‘while taking his children to school'
A UKRAINIAN politician has been shot dead in Madrid while taking his children to school, according to reports. Andriy Portnov, 51, was gunned down on Wednesday morning outside the gates of the American School in Madrid's affluent neighbourhood of Pozuelo. Advertisement 1 Ukrainian politician Andriy Portnov has been shot dead in Madrid Credit: Wikipedia Police received the call about the shooting at 9.15 am local time. Portnov was a senior aide to Ukraine's disgraced pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovich, who led the country from 2010 to 2014 before being ousted. He played a key role in the former president's election team, heading up the legal department in the five years before the 2010 victory - but fled Ukraine after 2014. President Viktor Yanukovich, who also served as the country's prime minister several times, was ousted from power in 2014 following months of protests and the so-called Revolution of Dignity. Advertisement Since then, Yanukovich has lived in exile in Russia. Portnov's body was still at the scene almost two hours after the shooting, and will be only be removed following authorisation from a judge. He is understood to have been shot five times as he dropped his daughter off at the school. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive Like us on Facebook at
