Latest news with #US-Ukraine
New York Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Douglas Murray: A 50-day deadline is 50 days to kill. Force Putin's hand now
Who would ever have thought that dealing with the Middle East would look easy? But that is what President Trump has shown since he came into office. And though there is still needs to be a hostage-return and cease-fire deal in Gaza, the President's strong and decisive action against the mullahs in Iran helped pacify the world's least pacifist region. By contrast, the other great foreign policy challenge President Trump inherited remains as complicated as hell. The president and vice president's duffing-up of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office in February might have been a low point in US-Ukraine relations. But in the months since then it is Vladimir Putin who has started to annoy President Trump. Because it is Putin who has been so completely unwilling to budge. Every time a cease-fire has looked close, the Russian president has sent even more rocket and drone barrages towards Ukraine. As the months have progressed Trump has admitted to losing patience with his Russian counterpart. That culminated this week in the president's announcement of two new steps in his efforts to stop the war. The first, mentioned alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House, is for America to sell high-quality US weapons to America's European allies, who will in turn pass them on to the Ukrainians. This is a clever move on the president's part — making sure that Ukraine continues to be able to defend itself without committing the financial resources that Trump has repeatedly told his voters he wouldn't send. The second announcement was that America could impose secondary tariffs on Russia. Again, it is a smart idea. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! The allegedly 'stringent' sanctions that the Biden administration placed on Russia since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have failed to work. The Russian economy has not faltered. It has gone onto a wartime footing and a full armaments-producing capability. And while America and other Western allies might not have any dealings with the Russian economy, much of the rest of the world still does. In fact, despite all the tough talk from Europe, there are reports that EU countries bought more Russian natural resources in the past year than they sent in financial aid to Ukraine. Talk about mixed messaging. But for the past three years, Russia has had plenty of other countries it can still sell its oil and natural gas to. These include Turkey, India and South Korea. So Trump suggested this week that he is considering putting secondary tariffs on such countries. That is, if countries want to help fund Putin's war efforts by buying his natural resources then they will have to pay at least 100% tariffs when dealing with the United States. In effect these countries would have to choose which market they'd rather operate in. Would they rather have access to the greatest market in the world — the US — or would they like to continue to barter at Vladimir Putin's decrepit trade stall? It's a smart policy, and we'll see if the president follows through on it. But in the meantime there is one vast, looming problem. The president has given Russia 50 days' notice on the secondary tariffs issue. As President Zelensky said in an exclusive sit-down with The Post this week, this gives Putin 50 days to continue escalating the conflict. As Zelensky said to Caitlin Doornbos, 'Fifty days, for us, is just — every day is scary.' He is right. It is hard to communicate to readers living in the realm of peace just what a 'normal' night is like even in the capital of Kyiv these days. Even a quiet night will include the sound of multiple Russian drones and UAVs flying at the city, plus the bursts of gunfire as under-equipped Ukrainian forces try to shoot the Russian weapons down from the sky. Putin has shown before that he likes to 'outsmart' Trump. In March, the two leaders agreed to an immediate cease-fire against all energy and infrastructure. Within hours, Putin carried out one of his biggest attacks to date on Ukraine's energy facilities. It is almost certain that if Putin thinks he has 50 days before anything happens he will use those 50 days to up his attacks and then stall for more time. Perhaps Trump can do with Putin what he so successfully did with the Iranian mullahs. Which was to offer to count to 10 and then go ahead and surprise them. We'll see. The battle is not just a fight for Ukraine's survival. It is also a battle of nerves between two of the most steel-nerved leaders in the world. How many voters really care about Epstein? Twitter (X) is not the real world. Who knew? If you were on the social media site for the past week you'd have thought that the most important issue to American voters is the dead criminal Jeffrey Epstein. There´s a huge amount we still don't know about the convicted sex offender. And there's plenty about him — the sources of his wealth, high-profile connections, and manner of his death — the public deserve to know about. But outside the Twitter-sphere Epstein isn't the story at the moment. Some MAGA influencers have decided that the release or otherwise of all known information about Epstein is a 'make or break' issue between them and the President. The President has expressed understandable frustration that he should be distracted from matters like, say, the economy, and keep getting asked about Epstein. Online personalities threaten that Trump is going to lose all support from his base unless every file relating to Epstein is released. And yet despite this bragging threat, the polls show otherwise. President Trump's approval rating among Republican voters actually went up this week, according to two separate polls. So whether or not the administration is right in its attitude towards the files, Trump himself is absolutely wise to look at his Twitter critics and say, 'Oh yeah, you and whose online army?'
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Ukraine shakes up cabinet to reinvigorate war effort
Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.
The Advertiser
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Ukraine shakes up cabinet to reinvigorate war effort
Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement. Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement. Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement. Ukraine's economy minister and the key negotiator in the mineral deal with the US has been appointed as its new prime minister, becoming the country's first new head of government since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Yuliia Svyrydenko is one of a group of officials taking on new roles in Ukraine's government as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reshuffles the cabinet in a bid to energise a war-weary nation and boost domestic weapons production in the face of Russia's grinding invasion. At home, however, the cabinet recalibration has not been seen as a major shift as the Ukrainian leader continues to rely on officials who have proven their effectiveness and loyalty during the war, now in its fourth year. Zelenskiy submitted nominations on Thursday to shuffle top government positions, including the replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. Shmyhal moves to become defence minister, according to the parliamentary website. Other changes are expected in the cabinet, but Svyrydenko's appointment as prime minister is taking centre stage. She played a key role in negotiating a US-Ukraine mineral agreement, ensuring the terms were acceptable to Kyiv. Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defence co-operation, economic recovery and reconstruction. MPs and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy posted a photo with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, writing that the focus for the next six months would be increasing domestic weapons production, fully contracting all types of drones for Ukraine's defence forces, easing regulations to unlock economic potential, and ensuring delivery of social support programs. Shmyhal announced his resignation as prime minister on Tuesday. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed in March 2020. Ukrainian analysts and local media have rarely portrayed Shmyhal as an independent political figure or a counterweight to Zelenskiy. Like Svyrydenko, he is seen as loyal to the president and his team. His new post as defence minister means he is not leaving government entirely, but instead remains in the cabinet in a powerful role. The defence ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defence procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.
RTÉ News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ukraine appoints Yulia Svyrydenko as new prime minister
Ukraine's parliament has voted in favour of a motion to appoint Yulia Svyrydenko as the country's new prime minister. The 39-year-old economist was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's only nominee for the role. A photograph of the parliament's electronic voting screen, posted on Telegram by member of parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak, showed that 262 deputies voted in favour of Ms Svyrydenko's nomination, with 22 votes against and 26 abstentions. Ms Svyrydenko has served as the country's first deputy prime minister and minister of economy since 2021 and oversaw the terms of a crucial minerals deal with the United States in May. That agreement, which established a joint fund between Kyiv and Washington to extract key Ukrainian minerals, went a long way to securing continued US support for Ukraine. Only two months previously, US-Ukraine relations had soured after a disastrous Oval Office meeting between Mr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The minerals deal signed by Ms Svyrydenko was widely viewed as being more favourable to Ukraine than the original format proposed by the Trump administration, with Ukraine maintaining ownership over its natural resources and infrastructure. "War leaves no room for delay. We must act swiftly and decisively," Ms Svyrydenko posted this morning on X after the vote. "Our priorities for the first six months are clear: reliable supply for the army, expansion of domestic weapons production, and boosting the technological strength of our defense forces". Outgoing prime minister Denys Shmyhal ended his five-year tenure yesterday when parliament voted to accept his resignation, part of Mr Zelensky's largest cabinet reshuffle of the war. Mr Zelensky has proposed Mr Shmyhal for the role of defence minister, while serving defence minister Rustem Umerov has been tipped to become Ukraine's new ambassador to the US. Ukraine's parliament is expected to vote on new ministerial appointments later today. This week's cabinet reshuffle has been viewed by many political analysts in Ukraine as an attempt by Mr Zelensky to give the government fresh momentum three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion. Ms Svyrydenko becomes Ukraine's second female prime minister after Yulia Tymoshenko, who led two Ukrainian governments in the 2000s.
Russia Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky not dependable partner for US
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and his chief of staff Andrey Yermak are not 'dependable' partners for the US, former Trump adviser Steve Cortes has said, pointing to transparency and corruption issues in Kiev. Cortes made the statement in a reply on X to Ukrainian journalist Diana Panchenko, who had stressed the importance of knowing 'the difference between helping Ukraine and helping Zelensky.' She claimed that 'Ukrainians want peace' while 'Zelensky wants money and to stay in power.' 'Exactly,' Cortes responded, stating that in order for the US-Ukraine partnership to work, Kiev 'must become transparent and corruption-free.' 'Yermak and Zelensky are not dependable, believable partners for the United States,' he said. Cortes, who previously served as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, has long been critical of the Ukrainian government's internal practices. Earlier this month, he published a commentary warning of waning trust in Kiev's leadership, singling out Yermak as a central figure in what he described as systemic corruption, calling him Ukraine's 'co-president' and accusing him of shielding officials under criminal investigation. Cortes argued that Yermak has become a nuisance in UK-Ukraine relations, noting bipartisan frustration with the aide. He specifically cited Yermak's role in the dismissal of General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, a popular and respected military leader, while officials like Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov—who has faced corruption allegations—remained in office. Chernyshov, however, was ultimately sacked earlier this week amid an ongoing cabinet reshuffle. The former adviser's remarks echo longstanding concerns expressed by Donald Trump, who has also described Zelensky as the 'primary obstacle' to peace and has repeatedly criticized the scale of US support for Ukraine and the lack of accountability for the billions of dollars sent to Kiev. In March, Trump adviser David Sacks also called for a full audit of US aid to Ukraine, claiming there had been 'tons of stories' about corruption and the misuse of American weapons. He said the only remaining question was 'how much' had been stolen, calling Kiev's leadership massively corrupt.
