Ukraine

President Donald Trump on Thursday offered rare criticism of Vladimir Putin, urging the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. … Trump’s frustration is growing as a U.S.-led effort to get a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has not made progress.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at Ukraine's president, saying Volodymyr Zelensky is prolonging the “killing field” after refusing to recognise Crimea as part of Russia. The proposal was part of a peace plan by the US, but Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out ceding territory to Russia in any deal.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Monday bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time since the early days of the war, and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv was eager to discuss a halt to attacks on civilian targets.

U.S. President Donald Trump's top envoys met with European powers and Ukraine in Paris on Thursday to push efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a U.S. peace framework received an "encouraging reception." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office called the talks constructive and positive, while Trump said Ukraine and the U.S. could sign a minerals and economic cooperation deal he has cast as repayment for military aid as soon as next week.

Far away from the battlefronts in Ukraine, Russia has been busy charming African capitals to support its invasion. Ukraine is facing a harsh geopolitical awakening.

The United Nations has condemned the Russian attack on the city of Sumy, Ukraine, on Sunday which reportedly killed at least 34 people, including two children, and injured more than 100 others.

China sternly warned parties in the Ukraine war on Thursday not to make “irresponsible remarks” after Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Beijing knew its citizens were fighting alongside Russia in the conflict. Zelensky said on Wednesday that Kyiv had information on 155 Chinese nationals recruited by Russia. 

France and Britain are leading efforts to build a multinational security force that could deploy to Ukraine as part of any future peace deal with Russia. Around 30 countries will discuss the plan at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. … The United States will not be at the meeting.

Russia cannot accept U.S. proposals to end the war in Ukraine in their current form because they do not address problems Moscow regards as having caused the conflict, a senior Russian diplomat said, suggesting U.S.-Russia talks on the subject had stalled.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested Ukraine could be placed under a form of temporary international administration to allow for elections and the signing of key accords.