Putin: The U.S. president supports a truce, and I emphasized Russia's commitment to peaceful solutions in Ukraine. We must find the most effective path to peace. 1/
Putin: Trump and I agreed that Russia is ready to work with Ukraine on a peace memorandum outlining principles, timelines, and a possible temporary ceasefire. 2/
Putin: I am grateful to Trump for restoring direct talks between Russia and Ukraine on a possible peace agreement that were cut off in 2022. 3/
Putin: I found the conversation with Trump very constructive. Ultimately, it’s up to both the Russian and Ukrainian sides to show a strong commitment to peace and to seek compromises acceptable to all sides.
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A key mastermind of Ukraine’s pro-Russian part of the deep state - the one who controlled judges, corrupted courts, and protected the system’s worst - was assassinated today
The evil tried to break Ukraine from within. There is justice in the world
Andriy Portnov was killed 1/
Portonov, 51, was a senior aide to Ukraine's pro-Russian former President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted in a 2014 popular uprising, and was killed this morning in Madrid.
He was also sanctioned by the U.S. in 2021 for undermining democratic processes in Ukraine
2/
The U.S. Treasury Department put Portnov on its sanctions list in 2021, saying that he had
"cultivated extensive connections to Ukraine's judicial and law enforcement apparatus through bribery".
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Europe: We saw no evidence of Trump putting pressure on Russia.
Belgium: We are ready to deploy troops to Ukraine.
NATO: It is good Trump is talking to Putin, establishes communication. 0/
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Kallas: Brussels saw no evidence of U.S. pressure on Russia during the Ukraine negotiations. 1/
Minister of Defence of Belgium Francken: Belgium is ready to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a coalition of the willing led by France and the UK, immediately after a ceasefire agreement. 2/
Putin and Trump agreed to continue to negotiate but not much else. Zelensky says Ukraine will not withdraw troops and surrender territory to Russia
Zelensky: No one will be withdrawing our troops from our territory.
1/
Zelensky: If Russia demands that we pull back from our own land, it clearly does not seek peace and does not want this war to end—because it knows that won’t happen.
2/
Zelensky: Trump believes Russia is ready for negotiations and compromise.
Ukraine is considering a high-level meeting involving all sides—the U.S., Ukraine, Russia, EU countries, and the UK. Such talks could take place in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
The Kremlin is preparing for an Arctic race against NATO, specifically, Finland — once the Ukraine war is over or freezes.
NYT: Russia is expanding military infrastructure near Finland.
Satellite imagery shows dozens of tents and vehicle depots — just 40 miles from NATO
1/
Near Kamenka, 100+ Russian army tents appeared in 2024. At Olenya air base, <100 miles from Finland, dozens of warplanes are now stationed. Helicopters returned to Murmansk—first time in 20 years.
Russia is moving its air force north to evade Ukrainian drone strikes.
2/
Finnish defense expects Russian troop levels at the 830-mile border to triple after the war in Ukraine ends. Brigades are being expanded into divisions.
Vehicle warehouses are under construction at Petrozavodsk and Alakurtti.
3/