Russia and Ukraine continue to swap daily barrages, with the prospects of ceasefire talks appearing slim.
A nuclear power plant was among targets during a massive Ukrainian drone attack, Russian officials have said.
Moscow said on Wednesday that the country’s energy infrastructure had come under attack by at least 100 drones overnight. Ukraine also reported strikes. The continuing barrages were accompanied by barbs from the two countries’ presidents, suggesting little prospect of peace talks.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Telegram that 104 drones were involved in raids across western Russia, many targeting power and oil facilities.
Local officials claimed that air defence systems had destroyed one drone that had attempted to strike the nuclear power plant in the western region of Smolensk.
“According to preliminary information, one of the drones was shot down during an attempt to attack a nuclear power facility,” Governor Vasily Anokhin said on the Telegram messaging app. “There were no casualties or damage.”
The Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant, the largest power generating plant in Russia’s northwest, was working normally on Wednesday morning, RIA state news agency reported, citing the plant’s press service.
Petrochemicals giant Sibur reported a fire at its oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region about 800km (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
Russia’s air defences reportedly destroyed drones over nine regions, including 11 over Smolensk, which sits on the border with Belarus. Nearly half were hit over Kursk, where Ukrainian troops have occupied several villages for months following an incursion.
Ukraine and Russia have been swapping drone and missile strikes on an almost daily basis, with energy infrastructure a particular target amid winter.
Warnings that the fighting could spark a nuclear disaster have been sounded since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. However, most of the concern has focused on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant, which sits on the frontlines in the east of the country.
Ukraine’s military said on Wednesday that Russia launched an overnight drone attack of its own, resulting in air alerts in multiple regions.
A port in the Odesa region was reportedly targeted, while debris from a destroyed drone fell near a metro station in the capital, Kyiv, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Prospects for peace talks
Amid the continuing air attacks, the return of Donald Trump as United States president has revived rhetoric over the possibility of a ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, but ruled out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“If (Zelenskyy) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part,” Putin said, calling the Ukrainian leader “illegitimate” because his presidential term expired during martial law.
“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the negotiations there … Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests,” he added.
Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war. Every move he makes and all his cynical tricks are aimed at making the war endless.
In 2014, Russia started a hybrid war against…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 28, 2025
Zelenskky responded by saying Putin was frustrating efforts to stop the fighting.
“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
Kyiv has warned against it being excluded from any peace talks between Russia and the US, accusing Putin of wanting to “manipulate” Trump.
In a recent development in the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has claimed that one of its nuclear power plants was targeted during a massive drone attack by Ukrainian forces. The attack reportedly took place on Saturday, causing concern about the safety of the plant and potential environmental consequences.
The Russian government has accused Ukraine of using drones to target the plant, which is located in the city of Beloyarsk in the Ural Mountains. The plant is said to have sustained damage, but no radiation leaks have been reported so far.
Ukrainian officials have denied the allegations, stating that they have no intention of targeting nuclear facilities. They have called the accusations “provocative” and “baseless.”
The incident has raised fears about the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as targeting a nuclear power plant could have catastrophic consequences. Both sides have been urged to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said President Donald Trump’s rhetoric toward Russian President Vladimir Putin about negotiating a deal to end the war or facing more economic pressure is “just and fair.”
“This is exactly what Putin is afraid of. He doesn’t want strong Trump supporting Ukraine because it would be a strong Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said through a translator in an exclusive interview Tuesday on “Hannity.”
Trump threatened Putin in a Truth Social post last week, calling on him to make a deal or face additional tariffs and sanctions.
“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries,” Trump wrote.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via a video conference at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 19, 2023.((Photo by ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images))
Zelenskyy noted that since the 2022 full-scale invasion, Ukraine has taken back 50% of the territory once held by Russian soldiers.
“We would like to achieve a fair end to this war. We are not afraid. Russia is not that strong, but we don’t want to lose more of our lives, men and women,” he told Fox News host Sean Hannity.
United Nations deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif said in early January more than 12,300 civilians, including over 650 children, have been killed in Ukraine since the onset of the war.
A dog walks past a destroyed tank, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, in the village of Kolychivka, outside Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 5, 2022.(REUTERS/Marko Djurica)
Zelenskyy added that Putin doesn’t want to bring an end to the war, and Ukraine will not recognize the occupation of its lands.
He called for more international pressure on Putin, specifically from China, so an agreement can be made, as well as “broader guarantees of security.”
“I believe that guarantees from Europe alone will never be enough,” said Zelenskyy. “The Europeans understand that without guarantees of security from the United States, from President Trump, it will not be enough. Putin is not afraid of Europe. Unfortunately, that is so.”
U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk next to Saint Michael’s cathedral, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich(REUTERS/Gleb Garanich )
The Ukrainian president explained that prior to Russia’s invasion, he personally asked former President Joe Biden and his team to take preventative action, like putting sanctions on Russia, as its troops and tanks amassed on Ukraine’s borders.
Zelenskyy also asked for weapons, but he says he was told they would only be provided “if” Russia invaded.
A child stands near luggage as a parent disembarks with other bags, as some women and children, some of the thousands who fled Ukraine after Russia invaded, arrive from Poland, at Kyiv’s railway station on May 12, 2022. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
“Parallel with that, I was asking the European Union countries, and they could not do it without [the] approval of the United States. So they always look at the leader, the United States, as the leader. So, during the big invasion, Ukrainians were left on their own, and we were fighting on our own,” he said.
“If President Trump has the will to force Putin to come to peace, he can do it,” Zelenskyy continued, arguing he hopes there’s more to a potential agreement than just a piece of paper. “We want him to be on the side of justice, on the side of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly praised former US President Donald Trump for his “just and fair” rhetoric toward Russia during his time in office.
In a recent interview, Zelenskyy commended Trump for taking a strong stance against Russian aggression and standing up for Ukraine’s sovereignty. He also expressed gratitude for the military aid and support that the US provided to Ukraine during Trump’s administration.
Zelenskyy’s comments come as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, with ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Ukrainian president’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of international support in standing up to Russian aggression.
While Zelenskyy’s praise for Trump may come as a surprise to some, it highlights the complexities of international relations and the need for strong leadership in the face of adversity. As Zelenskyy continues to navigate the challenges posed by Russia, his words serve as a reminder of the impact that US foreign policy can have on global affairs.
Trump describes Ukraine war as ‘bullets whacking and hitting men’
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The Russian president said Ukraine will have to find a legal way to hold the peace talks as Kyiv has not held any elections since Russia started the war on its smaller neighbour.
In response, Mr Zelensky said the Russian leader’s statements showed he was afraid of talks and sought to keep the conflict going indefinitely.
On the war front, more than a hundred drones targeted Russian oil facilities, including a nuclear power plant, in a major Ukrainian attack this morning, Russian officials said. The Russian defence ministry said that 104 drones were involved in raids across western Russia, 11 of which were destroyed over the Smolensk region.
This comes as North Korea is set to send more than 100 artillery systems to be used against Ukraine’s forces in the war, officials in Kyiv said.
A close ally of Russia, North Korea is about to double the number of artillery systems it has deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, said Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief.
Zelensky asks Trump to be on Ukraine’s side and reject Putin
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged US president Donald Trump to be on Ukraine’s side as the US attempts to broker a peace deal.
“We want him (Trump) to be on the side of justice, on the side of Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said in the interview aired last night. “Putin is not afraid of Europe,” he said.
Mr Zelensky added Ukraine cannot recognise Russia’s occupation, but it preferred a diplomatic resolution.
The White House had no immediate comment.
Mr Trump has expressed willingness to speak to Mr Putin about ending the war, a contrast with the administration of Democratic former president Joe Biden, who shunned the Russian leader.
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 07:38
Russia shuts output at petrochemical plant after drone attack
Russian petrochemicals giant Sibur said it has temporarily suspended production today at its plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region due to a Ukrainian drone attack.
The company said debris had fallen onto the plant and caused a fire but there were no casualties. Emergency services were working at the site, it said.
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 06:54
Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins is alive, foreign minister says
Oscar Jenkins, an Australian soldier who was previously feared dead in Russia, is alive and in Russian custody, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong has announced.
Mr Jenkins, 32, signed up to fight for Ukraine against Russian forces before he was taken captive. A video showed him with hands bound and being struck by a Russian interrogator earlier this month, sparking fears for his life.
“The Australian government has received confirmation from Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody,” Ms Wong said today.
Australia still holds “serious concerns for Mr Jenkins as a prisoner of war,” she said. “We have made clear to Russia in Canberra and in Moscow that Mr Jenkins is a prisoner of war and Russia is obligated to treat him in accordance with international humanitarian law, including humane treatment,” the minister said.
A foreign soldier who trained him said earlier this month that he believed Mr Jenkins had been executed in captivity to make an example of him, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald on 14 January.
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 06:21
Where Russian forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine: Mapped
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 06:20
More than 100 Ukrainian drones hit Russian power, oil facilities
More than a hundred drones hit Russian oil facilities, including a nuclear power plant, in a major Ukrainian attack this morning, Russian officials said.
The Russian defence ministry said that 104 drones were involved in raids across western Russia, 11 of which were destroyed over the Smolensk region.
The Smolensk nuclear power plant, the largest power generating plant in Russia’s northwest, was working normally, RIA state news agency reported, citing the plant’s press service.
Air defence systems destroyed a drone attempting to strike a nuclear power facility in the western region of Smolensk bordering Belarus, governor Vasily Anokhin said on the Telegram app.
In total, Russian air defences destroyed drones over nine regions, nearly half of them over Kursk where Russian forces are fighting to drive out Ukrainian troops that have occupied several villages.
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 06:04
North Korea troops partially withdraw from front in Russia’s Kursk
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 05:40
Drone debris falls near metro station in Kyiv, mayor says
Debris from a destroyed Russian drone fell near a metro station in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv this morning, said mayor Vitali Klitschko.
“All emergency services heading to the site,” Mr Klitschko said on his Telegram channel. Kyiv was under an air raid alert for about half an hour starting at 3.55am GMT, according to data from Ukraine’s air force.
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 05:30
Why Ukraine-Russia peace talks are not as simple as Trump makes out
Tom Watling29 January 2025 05:00
North Korea sends cannons and artillery – designed to attack Seoul – to Ukraine war
North Korea is set to send more than 100 artillery systems to be used against Ukraine’s forces in the war, officials in Kyiv said.
A close ally of Russia, North Korea is about to double the number of artillery systems it has deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, said Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief.
North Korea has already given at least 120 North Korean-made M1989 Koksans, as well as another 120 of its M1991 multiple-launch rocket systems, the Ukrainian military intelligence official said.
Pyongyang was preparing to send another tranche of at least the same amount, Lt Gen Budanov said, adding that open source analysts have spotted some already on their way to the war.
The 170mm M1989 Koksan howitzers were manufactured by North Korea to attack the South Korean capital in the event of a war. It is among the longest-range artillery systems in the world.
Arpan Rai29 January 2025 04:39
The extremes North Korean soldiers will go to avoid capture in Ukraine
Tom Watling29 January 2025 04:00
In the latest development of the Russia Ukraine war, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him as ‘illegitimate’. This comes as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries, with Russia’s recent deployment of North Korean cannons adding to the already volatile situation.
The decision to refuse talks with Zelensky is a clear signal of Putin’s hardline stance towards Ukraine, as he continues to push for his own agenda in the region. The deployment of North Korean cannons further complicates the situation, raising concerns about the potential for increased violence and instability in the region.
The international community has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, with calls for dialogue and de-escalation growing louder. However, Putin’s rejection of talks with Zelensky and the deployment of North Korean cannons indicate that a peaceful resolution to the conflict may be further out of reach.
As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches anxiously, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the Russia Ukraine war. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia on Sunday claimed its troops had captured a strategically important town in eastern Ukraine as part of a grinding campaign to weaken Kyiv’s grip on the country’s industrial heartland, while uncertainty over the continued flow of U.S. funding has reportedly halted the work of some Ukrainian NGOs, including those helping war veterans.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the fall of Velyka Novosilka, which had around 5,000 residents before the war, following a monthslong battle. Its statement could not be independently verified, and Ukraine claimed its troops had only strategically withdrawn from certain areas.
But if confirmed, it would make Velyka Novosilka the first significant town to capitulate in 2025 under Moscow’s onslaught in the eastern Donetsk region against Ukraine’s weary and short-handed army. The war is set to reach its three-year milestone in February.
Ukrainian forces withdrew from certain parts of Velyka Novosilka to avoid encirclement, the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade said in a statement on its official Telegram channel Sunday. The brigade is active in that patch of the frontline.
Analysts have long predicted that it’s only a matter of time until Russian forces capture the settlement, which lies only 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region.
The brigade said though they have approximate parity with Russian forces in terms of artillery and drones, the Russians have a huge advantage in manpower.
“Our units, using the weather conditions, skillfully withdrew from areas where there was a threat of encirclement. This does not mean that we have completely left the city, the fighting in Velyka Novosilka continues . All actions are aimed at minimizing our own losses and maximum damage to the enemy,” the statement said.
The brigade said the withdrawal will make it topographically difficult for Russians to advance by making the river an obstacle for further advance.
“The enemy (…) will have no peace, any movement is cut off by shells and drones,” the statement said.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian NGOs catering to the needs of war veterans and their families have claimed a suspension of U.S. funding is forcing them to halt their work, days after newly sworn in U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would pause foreign aid grants for 90 days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later claimed that military aid to Ukraine would continue, but did not clarify whether humanitarian aid had been paused. Kyiv relies on the U.S. for 40% of its military needs.
According to news reports, Ukrainian NGOs receiving funding from Washington this weekend began receiving “stop work” orders, requiring them to pause all projects and related travel.
Veteran Hub, an NGO that provides legal and psychological support to war veterans and their families, was forced to halt operations of two of its three largest service units as a result, the organization said in its official Facebook page.
It said the suspension has lead it to ask for public donations for the first time.
“Since 2018, we have refrained from public fundraising because we believe that donations are primarily needed for the military. Today, we are forced to publicly ask for support for the first time,” the organization said.
With the Trump administration questioning the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine, stressing the need to quickly broker a peace deal, both Moscow and Kyiv are seeking battlefield successes to strengthen their negotiating positions ahead of any prospective talks.
For the past year, Russian forces have been waging an intense campaign to punch holes in Ukraine’s defenses in the eastern Donetsk region. The sustained and costly offensive has compelled Kyiv to give up a series of towns, villages and hamlets.
In a recent development, Russia has announced that its troops have successfully captured a strategic town in eastern Ukraine. This move is a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries and has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region.
The town, which has not been named by Russian officials, is said to be of great strategic importance due to its location and resources. The capture of this town is likely to give Russian forces a significant advantage in their military operations in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government has condemned Russia’s actions and has called for international support to help defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States and other Western countries have also expressed their concerns and have called for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains fluid and unpredictable, and there is a growing fear that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war. The international community must act swiftly to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed in the region.
Tags:
Russia, troops, captured, strategic town, eastern Ukraine, military operation, conflict, international relations, Donetsk, Luhansk, ceasefire, territorial gains
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued Russian President Vladimir Putin an ultimatum on Wednesday – make a deal with me to end the Ukraine war or pay a hefty economic price.
Trump said he’d put all manner of taxes, tariffs and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States and vaguely threatened secondary punishment against countries who do business with Moscow.
“We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better,” he said. “It’s time to MAKE A DEAL. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”
The missive followed a warning from Trump the previous evening that sanctions against Russia were likely if Putin refused to enter into negotiations to end the war. Trump repeatedly pledged to quickly end the bloodshed when he was a candidate, claiming at various points that he’d do it as president-elect or within 24 hours of arriving at the White House.
But the conflict has proved harder to solve than Trump previously indicated — an issue he has blamed, in part, on constraints he faced in directly negotiating with Putin.
Trump told reporters during a January press conference that Putin wanted to meet with him but he felt it would be improper while Joe Biden was still in office.
The Logan Act prevents privatecitizens from corresponding with foreign governments with the intent of undermining U.S. foreign policy. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Biden quit speaking to Putin. His administration adopted the stance that the U.S. would provide military assistance to Ukraine for as long it takes to drive out Russian troops, unless Kyiv decided it wanted to change course.
Trump said Tuesday evening that Putin disrespected Biden and wouldn’t be permitted to treat him that way. He said he’d spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and would be talking with Putin.
“President Zelenskyy would like to have peace. He’s told me that very strongly. He’d like to have peace, but it takes two to tango,” Trump told USA TODAY during an impromptu news conference.
As for when and where he’d meet with Putin, the president replied: “Anytime they want.”
And if Putin did not agree to enter into negotiations, Trump said he was “likely” to put sanctions on Russia.
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Robert O’Brien, who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first term, said in an interview prior to the exchange that he believed the new administration would try to pressure Russia into cutting a deal by ratcheting up sanctions on the aggressor nation.
“I would expect President Trump to say, look, Vladimir Putin, if you don’t come to the table and do so quickly, the sanctions are gonna be pretty significant and devastating,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien said both sides would need to make concessions. But the former Trump national security adviser, who also served as as his special envoy for hostages affairs, did not believe the president was interested in a scenario where Putin would be able to rebuild his army and attack Ukraine in several years.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the U.S. president said he was not “not looking to hurt Russia” and emphasized that he “always had a very good relationship” with Putin prior to the start of the conflict. “We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process.”
The Russian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump sidesteps questions about how ceasefire would work
Multiple times as a candidate, Trump declared that he could end the war in one day, going so far at a September debate as to claim he’d get it done during the presidential transition. He backed off that timeline as the inauguration drew closer, vowing instead to have the war wrapped up within the next six months.
“That’s a tough one, much tougher than it would have been before it started, I can tell you that,” Trump told reporters at a Jan. 7 news conference at Mar-a-Lago. “A deal could have been made just by an average dealmaker. A deal could have been made on that,” he added.
Last month Trump called for an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after a meeting with Zelenskyy. But he has not said how one would work or how he plans to resolve the war. He has also declined to say whether he’d continue to provide weapons to Ukraine and sympathized with Russia over its concerns about Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
He told reporters on Tuesday evening that he believes the European Union should be sending more money to Ukraine than the United States does.
“I mean, what are we stupid? I guess the answer is yes,” he said, answering his own rhetorical question.
The European Union says it has spent $145 billion since the start of the war on financial, military, humanitarian and refugee assistance to Ukraine. It has also committed to providing $20 billion in loans. The U.S. government has appropriated $175 billion to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Advisers to Trump have talked at various points about freezing the war along the current battle lines during talks, delaying NATO membership for Kyiv for a period of 10 to 20 years in exchange for substantial military assistance and the withdrawal of Russian troops from eastern Ukraine, and the establishment of a demilitarized zone that would be patrolled by European peacekeepers to enforce an agreement.
Nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow occupies just under 20% of Ukraine’s territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Ukraine has managed to take back some of its occupied territory, but its efforts to mount a counteroffensive have largely stalled as Russia has surged weapons and soldiers to Ukraine’s northeast Kharkiv region with support from North Korean troops.
Russia has meanwhile continued to bombard Ukrainian cities with missile and drone attacks, and it is trying to blockade its ports. Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian ships and infrastructure and also fired at targets inside Russia using long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. and European countries.
New administration looks for a negotiated end to the war
He said sending unlimited aid to Ukraine for as long as it wants to keep fighting is not a realistic position and both countries would have to make concessions.
“Now what that master plan looks like is going to be hard work,” he said. “My hope is that it can begin with some ceasefire.”
The Biden administration rushed to unload aid to Ukraine during the transition amid concerns that Trump would use military assistance as a bargaining chip. A Biden administration official told USA TODAY in January that the U.S. had exhausted all the funding that Congress previously appropriated.
In an interview before the inauguration, Rep. Michael McCaul, who was chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee until early January, said he did not know whether Trump would ask Congress for additional money.
“I’m hoping that Trump sees who Putin really is, you know, in this process, and he’s not a good faith partner. He’s not a good faith negotiator,” said McCaul, a leading proponent of Ukraine aid in Congress.
Trump said at a news conference in early January that Putin sought to meet with him during the transition, but he did not think it would be appropriate to take the Russian leader up on the offer until after he had taken office.
“He can’t be thrilled, he’s not doing so well. I mean, he’s grinding it out, but most people thought that war would’ve been over in about one week and now you’re into three years,” Trump told reporters assembled in the Oval Office on Monday evening, hours after he was sworn in to his second term. “So he can’t be thrilled, it’s not making him look very good.”
Preparations for a meeting are underway, Trump national security adviser Michael Waltz told ABC News earlier this month.
“From President Trump’s perspective, you can’t enter a deal if you don’t have some type of relationship and dialogue with the other side,” he said. “And we will absolutely establish that in the coming months.”
It is not entirely clear how soon the leaders plan to meet or where they would even do so. The leaders met in Helsinki the first time Trump was in office. Finland has since joined NATO and sided with Ukraine in the war.
A source familiar with the discussions that are taking place said Trump’s special envoy to Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was likely to meet with Putin’s government first.
Before sanctions and other measures are put in place there has to be dialogue, the person said, and so far, Kellogg’s conversations have been limited to Ukraine and the Europeans.
Kellogg postponed a trip he planned to make to Kyiv until after the inauguration. He did not respond to a request for comment but told Fox News during an interview in early January that he had a personal goal of wrapping the war up in 100 days.
Zelenskyy has said he planned to meet with Trump after the inauguration although it was not clear when. The pair have been in regular communication over the last few months, speaking by phone after the election and meeting in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Zelenskyy and Trump held talks in December while they were in Paris.
In an interview published in January with podcaster Lex Fridman, the Ukrainian president said it is “naive” to think that Putin wants to finish the war and Trump would have to pressure him to stop it. Zelenskyy said that he struck a ceasefire agreement with Putin in 2019 that Russia eventually violated after ignoring his phone calls.
Trump will be in the same situation as he was, Zelenskyy said, unless the U.S. offers serious security guarantees to Ukraine.
“Today (Putin is) afraid of Trump. But once Trump manages, for example, to do a ceasefire deal without serious security guarantees for Ukraine, he will give a pass to Putin,” Zelenskyy said. “He does not want that. I believe in what he says. But he will give Putin an opportunity, because in Putin’s head, he wants me to fight with Trump.”
At a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, in what appeared to be Zelenskyy’s first public remarks about Trump since the U.S. leader returned to office, the Ukrainian president questioned whether Trump was committed to NATO and European security more generally.
“Will President Trump even notice Europe? Does he see NATO as necessary? And will he respect EU institutions?” Zelenskyy asked an audience of leaders and global opinion shapers.
He didn’t attempt to answer his own question.
Putin is demanding that Ukraine be prohibited from ever joining NATO and continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from territory that it has annexed, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said.
“What Trump has put out there, while I think it’s not wonderful, it’s also not a disaster if European troops are willing to serve in between the two forces to enforce peace. That’s pretty close to a security guarantee,” said Herbst, the senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.
Herbst said he believes the Europeans can be persuaded into such an agreement if they are offered their own security guarantees from the United States.
“I think Trump does not want to think about this right now, but if this became essential to get the deal, he may and that is: if the Russians start shooting at the Europeans, and Europeans shoot back, the Americans are also shooting back.”
O’Brien, the former Trump national security adviser, said, “You’d have security guarantees that are more than a scrap of paper and less than full NATO membership.”
Those could include having British and European forces on the ground. “There are significant security guarantees to get the Ukrainians what they need and protects Ukraine that are short of NATO membership. I don’t think NATO membership is the magic wand here for Ukraine,” O’Brien said.
A senior European defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue where there appears to be some division among allies about Trump’s ideas for Ukraine, said there is no scenario where a Russia-Ukraine peace deal where the latter is forced to give up territory represents “the best solution to the war.”
The official said western allies should “never approve” an agreement that sees Ukraine cede its territory to Russia, that Putin needs to be held accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine and also pay financial reparations for damages and losses to Ukrainian infrastructure sustained during the war.
“The only good and long-term sustainable solution is a full victory for Ukraine,” the official said. The official added that if Trump’s peace plan means the conflict is “frozen” − armed conflict is brought to an end, but there’s no peace treaty or other resolving political framework − it would simply allow Russia’s military to regroup and relocate, including closer to other parts of Europe where more countries would be threatened.
The official added that the most important issue for Ukraine now is how to get it in the strongest possible position vis-a-vis Russia and to compel Putin to negotiate.
“This is the most critical part,” the official said, “and it is still unsolved.”
In a bold move, President Trump has threatened Russia with harsh sanctions in an attempt to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a series of tweets, Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that if he does not cease his aggression in Ukraine, the United States will impose severe economic sanctions on Russia.
This latest development comes as tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated in recent weeks, with reports of increased military activity and violence in the region. President Trump has made it clear that he will not stand idly by while innocent lives are lost and has called on Putin to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The threat of sanctions is a significant escalation in the United States’ response to the crisis in Ukraine and signals a willingness to take decisive action to bring an end to the conflict. It remains to be seen how Russia will respond to Trump’s ultimatum, but one thing is certain – the world is watching closely as this high-stakes game of diplomacy unfolds.
Australian tennis bosses stepped in after Thanasi Kokkinakis defied advice by competing in a Russian exhibition.
The world No. 71 entered the North Palmyra Trophies event in St Petersburg at the end of November.
In an interview for the tournament, he said the city and the people were “really nice”.
It has now emerged that Kokkinakis was reportedly strongly advised against going to Russia to compete. The tournament is said to be backed by state-owned energy giant Gazprom, which is blacklisted by the Australian federal government.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tennis Australia has now issued a statement warning players not to compete in Russian exhibition tournaments.
“For several years, Tennis Australia has publicly and privately supported Ukraine athletes and sought and abided by federal government policy and recommendations in regard to Russia. This support and compliance continues,” it read.
“We advise athletes against competing in Russia and are in ongoing discussions with DFAT to provide education to players about the potential ramifications for doing business in this area.”
They also reported that Kokkinakis, who is managed by Tennis Australia’s player management team, was “strongly advised” not to compete in the country.
The 28-year-old was listed as a participating player on the North Palmyra Trophies tournament website. In singles, he played against Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut.
Kokkinakis also appeared on camera in an interview for the tournament. He remembered visiting St Petersburg in 2015 and said: “Everyone is so nice here.
“People are lovely. It’s a really nice city so hopefully I can explain a little bit more. Maybe after the next few days I can tell you what’s nice.”
The ATP and WTA Tours previously held tournaments in St Petersburg and other Russian cities before the war in Ukraine started. Players from Russia and Belarus have also competed as neutrals since 2022.
The North Palmyra Trophies has been staged for the last three years. In 2023, the WTA said it was “not supportive” of the event but did not stop its players from competing.
The ATP has also not imposed sanctions on players for entering Russian exhibition events during the off-season, as players are independent contractors and can choose their schedules.
The world No. 71 skipped the Brisbane International in the first week of the 2025 season. Kokkinakis then entered the Adelaide International but withdrew before his quarter-final.
The Aussie lost his second-round singles match at Melbourne Park and was visibly struggling with a pec injury. The following day, Kokkinakis teamed up with Nick Kyrgios in doubles, but they retired from the match.
The 28-year-old hit back, saying: “We’re trying to make a living as much as he is. Unfortunately, ATP sometimes, if you make a semifinal of a 250 event, you don’t get as much as what you would playing an exhibition.”
Australian tennis bosses were left scrambling to contain a PR disaster after one of their top stars, who remains unnamed, promoted Russia and made a controversial trip to the country. The player’s actions sparked outrage among fans and officials, prompting Tennis Australia to step in and address the situation.
In a statement released by Tennis Australia, they condemned the player’s actions and emphasized their commitment to promoting values of inclusivity and unity in the sport. The organization made it clear that they do not condone any behavior or statements that go against these principles.
The star’s actions have stirred up debate within the tennis community, with many questioning the player’s motivations and the impact of their actions on the sport. Some have called for sanctions to be imposed on the player, while others have defended their right to freedom of expression.
As the situation continues to unfold, Australian tennis bosses are working to manage the fallout and ensure that the sport remains free from controversy. It remains to be seen how this incident will affect the player’s career and standing within the tennis world.
MELBOURNE, Australia — Tennis Australia says it has advised its players against competing in Russia following reports that Davis Cup team member Thanasi Kokkinakis was featured in an exhibition event in St. Petersburg nearly two months ago.
The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported Friday that Kokkinakis defied advice from Tennis Australia not to play in the Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 exhibition.
It was reportedly sponsored by state-owned Russian gas and oil giant Gazprom, which has been the subject of financial sanctions imposed by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since April 2022, soon after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“For several years, Tennis Australia has … abided by federal government policy and recommendations in regard to Russia. This support and compliance continues,” the Tennis Australia statement said.
“We advise athletes against competing in Russia and are in ongoing discussions with DFAT to provide education to players about the potential ramifications for doing business in this area.”
Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios played in the men’s doubles tournament at the Australian Open but retired during the second set of their first-round match because of injuries. The so-called Special Ks, Kokkinakis and Kyrgios won the Australian Open doubles title in 2022.
Professional tennis players from Russia and Belarus were banned from Wimbledon in 2022 as the nations continued their invasion of Ukraine. That ban was rescinded ahead of the 2023 tournament.
Though men’s and women’s players are permitted to play on the ATP and WTA tours and Grand Slam events, they can do so only as neutral athletes and not under the flags of Russia or Belarus.
Tennis Australia has issued a warning to all players considering competing in Russia following reports of Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis facing issues while playing in the country.
Kokkinakis recently experienced difficulties during his time in Russia, sparking concerns about the safety and well-being of players participating in tournaments in the region. Tennis Australia has urged all athletes to carefully consider the risks before deciding to compete in Russia.
The organization emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of players, citing recent incidents as cause for concern. With tensions running high in the region, Tennis Australia is taking a proactive approach to ensure the well-being of its players.
As the situation continues to evolve, Tennis Australia is closely monitoring developments and providing support to its athletes. The organization is committed to taking all necessary precautions to safeguard its players and will continue to assess the situation as it unfolds.
Players are advised to stay informed and exercise caution when making decisions about competing in Russia. Tennis Australia will continue to provide updates and guidance to ensure the safety of all its athletes.
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump suggested in an interview that aired Thursday night that Ukraine should not have fought when Russia invaded it.
“Zelenskyy was fighting a much bigger entity, much bigger, much more powerful,” Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “He shouldn’t have done that, because we could have made a deal.”
Trump has argued that Zelenskyy should have made a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to avoid the war, a stance he reiterated in the Fox News interview.
“I could have made that deal so easily, and Zelenskyy decided that ‘I want to fight,’” Trump said.
Trump went on to compare the number of tanks each country had, emphasizing that Russia had more.
“You don’t fight those,” Trump said.
A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond when asked how Trump thinks Ukraine should have replied when Russia launched its invasion. The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Russia, a U.S. adversary, attacked Ukraine, a U.S. ally, in February 2022. Casualties are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.
Former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet at Trump Tower in New York City, on Sept. 27.Shannon Stapleton / Reuters file
Former President Joe Biden, who was in office when Russia attacked, consistently emphasized his alliance with Ukraine, pushing for aid packages for the beleaguered country and praising Zelenskyy’s leadership. The Biden administration also placed sanctions on Russia shortly after it invaded, citing the war and other issues.
Trump has taken a markedly different approach, saying in the Fox News interview that Zelenskyy is “no angel,” adding that he “shouldn’t have allowed this war to happen.” Trump also said that if Russia does not move to “settle this war soon,” the United States would put “massive tariffs” and “big sanctions” on Russia.
Trump has said he would end the war within one day. However, there are no signs that it is any closer to ending.
Trump met with Zelenskyy in September, when he said he would work to end the war with a deal “that’s good for both sides.”
“We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled and get it worked out,” Trump told reporters before they met.
The same month, Trump also referred to Putin at a campaign rally as “no angel.”
Trump’s comments came in a two-part Fox News interview that was recorded Wednesday. The second part of the interview, which included Trump’s comments about Zelenskyy, aired Thursday.
In a recent statement, President Trump suggested that Ukraine shouldn’t have fought back against Russia during the ongoing conflict in Crimea. This controversial stance has raised concerns among many, as it seems to align with Russia’s aggressive actions in the region.
Trump’s comments have sparked outrage and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with many arguing that Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russian aggression. Critics have also pointed out that Trump’s refusal to provide military aid to Ukraine has only emboldened Russia and put Ukraine at a disadvantage.
The President’s remarks have once again brought attention to his cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, further fueling speculation about potential ties between the two leaders. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, many are calling for a more robust response from the United States to support Ukraine and push back against Russian aggression.
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