Latest news with #Ukraine-U.S.
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Friday Briefing: A White House Shake-Up
Trump removed his national security adviser President Trump announced yesterday that he was removing his national security adviser, Michael Waltz, naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his interim replacement. It was the first major personnel overhaul of top White House aides, and the kind of move he had wanted to avoid in his second term. Waltz had been on thin ice since he organized a group chat on the app Signal to discuss a sensitive military operation in Yemen and accidentally included a journalist. Trump has nominated Waltz to be U.S. ambassador to the U.N. But even before the group chat leak, most of Trump's advisers viewed Waltz as too hawkish to work for a president who was eager to reach a nuclear deal with Iran and normalize relations with Russia. Rubio will hold both positions for now, something that no other official has done simultaneously since Henry Kissinger held the titles under the Nixon and Ford administrations. What's next: The selection of the next national security adviser will be a critical one, at a moment when the president's top aides have differed sharply on how to handle China, Russia and Iran. More on Trump Here's what's in the Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal The U.S. and Ukraine signed a deal late Wednesday allowing the U.S. to receive future revenue from Ukraine's natural resources. Ukraine hopes it will clear the way for continued U.S. support. The agreement, the text of which was made public yesterday, did not mention security guarantees, which Kyiv had wanted. Under this bargain, U.S. military aid in the future would have to be matched with Ukraine's resource wealth. The deal also appears to keep the door open for Ukraine to eventually join the E.U. Here's what we know. What's next: Ukraine's parliament still has to ratify the agreement, which will probably happen in the next two weeks, lawmakers said yesterday. Analysis: It's not clear how the deal will work in practice. It could bring untold money into a joint investment fund, but the resources will take years to extract and yield profits. Working to calm India-Pakistan tensions Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday spoke separately with Pakistan's prime minister and India's foreign minister as tensions soared after a terrorist attack last week in Kashmir left 26 people dead. Rubio said the U.S. was committed to 'cooperation with India against terrorism,' but urged the two countries, which are both nuclear powers, to work together. The U.N. offered to mediate. Pakistan has claimed it has 'credible intelligence' that India is planning to attack, and promised a forceful response. India has not commented on any such plans. Kashmir: A tourist on a zip-line filmed the attack. See the video and read more about the territory. Earlier this year, a diver found the 2,000-pound carcass of a baby gray whale in the waters off San Diego. Just a few weeks later, it had vanished. Where did it go? Lives lived: Ted Kotcheff, a Canadian director whose films included 'First Blood' with Sylvester Stallone and 'Weekend at Bernie's,' died at 94. Screen stars are up for Broadway's highest honor Tony Award nominations were announced yesterday, as Broadway celebrated an unusually starry season. George Clooney, Mia Farrow, Sarah Snook and Sadie Sink all picked up nominations. But many A-listers didn't get in the game — among them Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, who both got shut out for 'Othello.' The winners will be announced June 8. Read about the picks, and the snubs and surprises. Cook: These classic sesame noodles are better than takeout. Read: Our critics preview 24 new books coming out this month. Watch: The alien-invasion series 'The Eternaut' gives new life to a 1950s comic strip from Argentina. Move: Sitting all day is hard on your hips. Try this simple routine for better mobility. Travel: These tips will help you save time and money at the airport. Game: Despelote revisits Ecuador's 2001 soccer frenzy from a child's perspective. Play: Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find all our games here. That's it for today. Have a good weekend. — Emmett P.S. On Day 4 of our poetry challenge, use the verse to greet the day. We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at briefing@
CNBC
01-05-2025
- Politics
- CNBC
Russian military is weaker than we think, says former British ambassador to the U.S., France and Turkey
Peter Westmacott, the former British ambassador to the U.S., France and Turkey, discusses the Ukraine-U.S. mineral deal, and the war in Ukraine.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US-Ukraine technical consultations on minerals deal to start on April 11, deputy PM says
Ukraine will begin technical consultations with the U.S. on the minerals agreement on April 11, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna said, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine on April 10. "I am not in a position to go into any details because the meeting is only tomorrow (April 11), but I will be able to comment tomorrow," Stefanishyna said at a press conference in Brussels. Kyiv previously announced that a team of Ukrainian negotiators would be dispatched to the U.S. to discuss the agreement this week. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is open to signing the agreement as long as it ensures equal partnership and respects Ukrainian sovereignty. The latest version of the Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal reportedly grants the United States extensive control over Ukraine's natural resources through a joint investment fund. The agreement has been framed by the Trump administration as vital to Ukraine's path to peace, yet it offers no specific security commitments in return for access to strategic resources. A framework version of the agreement was scheduled to be signed during Zelensky's visit to Washington on February 28. The Ukrainian government approved the draft and designated either First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko or Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as signatories. The plan collapsed after a tense Oval Office dispute involving Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Zelensky left the White House without signing the agreement. Read also: Trump didn't impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zelensky: Ukraine ready for minerals deal with US, but only on equal terms
Ukraine is open to signing a minerals deal with the United States, but only if it ensures equal partnership and respects Ukrainian sovereignty, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on April 9. Zelensky said the Ukrainian government welcomes investment and cooperation in the country's mineral sector, but not at any cost. 'If this is about true partnership, then we need to talk about parity. It must be 50/50,' Zelenskyy said, emphasizing this is one of the conditions that will be presented by the Ukrainian technical team during negotiations. According to Zelensky, a prospective agreement could help modernize Ukraine's economy, rebuild the country after the war, and create jobs through joint ventures involving high-tech American companies. The president stressed that Ukraine is ready to contribute its land and resources, but expects the U.S. to bring in technologies and capital. Zelensky also described an exchange with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had allegedly urged Kyiv to sign a preliminary deal immediately. 'I told him to stop tapping his finger on the contract and to speak concretely,' Zelenskyy said, adding that the proposal was not ready and some provisions contradicted Ukrainian law. 'We need to create a successful story with our relations with the United States. We want to achieve success and security.' Speaking at the EU-Ukraine Association Council press conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine is now in formal negotiations with the U.S. Shmyhal highlighted that Ukraine has 'clear red lines' that cannot be crossed. The first is adherence to the Ukrainian constitution, and second, the deal must align with Ukraine's eurointegration and relevant obligations, as well as fully comply with international law. 'Ukraine is forming a special delegation on the technical level. We also cooperate with international law companies and will send our delegation to the United States at the end of this week,' the Prime Minister said. The latest version of the Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal reportedly grants the United States extensive control over Ukraine's natural resources through a joint investment fund. The agreement has been framed by the Trump administration as vital to Ukraine's path to peace, yet it offers no specific security commitments in return for access to strategic resources. A framework version of the agreement was scheduled to be signed during Zelensky's visit to Washington on February 28. Ukraine's Cabinet approved the draft and designated either First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko or Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha as signatories. However, the plan collapsed after a tense Oval Office dispute involving Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Zelensky left the White House without signing the agreement. Read also: 'It's a trap' — Trump's US minerals deal threatens Ukraine's EU membership We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More Patriot systems for Ukraine the 'best support' from US right now, Zelensky says
New Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine could be the strongest sign of U.S. support, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 8, just days after Russia's deadly missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih. A Russian missile strike on Zelensky's hometown in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 4 killed 20 people, including nine children, and injured over 70. Asked how this attack affected the Ukraine-U.S. ceasefire talks, Zelensky said that Western partners had been asked once again to bolster Ukraine's air defense, including with additional Patriot systems. "I thank our partners for supporting Ukraine and condemning it (Russia's attack on Kryvyi Rih). But condemnation is not enough," Zelensky said during a press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever in Kyiv. "The Russians should be put in their place. They must end this war. The United States can transfer Patriot systems, they have a lot of them available. This is the best support for Ukraine today from the United States — to hand over Patriot systems." Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia. Moscow has shown signs it is unwilling to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine. Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S. Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused. Following Russian recent strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 7 he was "not happy" with Moscow's intensified attacks on Ukraine. Read also: 'Putin believes he has the upper hand' — Ukraine braces for a new Russian spring offensive We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
