Page 53 - Latest Updates on Ukraine peace talks

European leaders regroup in Paris after Trump's push to end Ukraine war

French President Emmanuel Macron called leaders from key European Union nations and the United Kingdom to his ornate Elysee Palace on Monday for an emergency meeting on how to deal with the US, a once rock-solid partner. The move follows a weeklong diplomatic blitz on Ukraine by the Trump administration that seemed to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies. Despite belligerent warnings for months ahead of Donald Trump's reelection as US president, EU leaders publicly ignored the ominous forebodings and somehow hoped Trump would stand side by side with Europe, as it would finally start to act on beefing up its defences and become less reliant on the firepower of Washington. But a flurry of speeches by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during their initial visits to Europe last week questioned both Europe's security commitments and its fundamental democratic principles. Macron said their stinging rebukes and threats of

Ukraine's Prez Zelenskyy travels to UAE as momentum grows for peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to the United Arab Emirates late Sunday as momentum grows for potential peace talks ending Moscow's war on the country. US President Donald Trump last week suggested he would be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia. The UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, long has been floated as a possible site for peace talks as well given the large population of Russian and Ukrainian expatriates who have flooded the country since the war began, and due to the Emirates' work on prisoner exchanges in the past. Zelenskyy arrived in Abu Dhabi after attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Footage released by his office showed him and his wife, Olena Zelenska, being greeted by an Emirati official and honor guard at the airport late Sunday night. Zelenska has travelled to the UAE since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, but this trip is Zelenskyy's first to the UAE since the war began. "Our top priority is bringing eve

Ukraine, Europe will be part of 'real' peace talks to end war, says Rubio

Rubio said a negotiation process had not yet begun in earnest, and if talks advanced, the Ukrainians and other Europeans would be brought into the fold.

Ukraine, Europe fear being sidelined as Trump pushes talks with Russia

President Donald Trump's approach to ending Russia's war against Ukraine has left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried they are being largely sidelined by the new US administration as Washington and Moscow plan direct negotiations. With the three-year war grinding on, Trump is sending Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security advisor Mike Waltz and special envoy Steve Witkoff to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian counterparts, according to a US official who was not authorised to publicly discuss the upcoming diplomatic efforts and spoke on condition of anonymity. The outreach comes after comments by top Trump advisors this past week, including Vice-President JD Vance, raised new concerns in Kyiv and other European capitals that the Republican administration is intent on quick resolution to the conflict with minimum input from Europe. "Decades of the old relationship between Europe and America are ending," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an address at t

US, Russia to hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia to end Ukraine war

The US has asked its European allies what they would need from Washington to participate in Ukraine security arrangements and to outline how they see lasting guarantees

In Ukraine, potential arms-for-minerals deal inspires hope, scepticism

The mineral ilmenite is extracted from mounds of sand deep in the earth and refined using a method that summons the force of gravity, resulting in a substance that glimmers like a moonlit sky. Ukraine boasts vast reserves of ilmenite a key element used to produce titanium in the heavy mineral sands that stretch for miles along the country's embattled east. Much of it, as with all of Ukraine's critical minerals industry, is underdeveloped because of war as well as onerous state policies. That is poised to change if US President Donald Trump's administration agrees to a deal with Ukraine to exchange critical minerals for continued American military aid. In the central region of Kirovohrad, the ilmenite open-pit mine is a canyon of precious deposits that its owner is keen to develop with US companies. But many unknowns stand in the way of turning these riches into profit: cost, licensing terms and whether such a deal will be underpinned by security guarantees. Ukrainian President .

Trump committed to ending Ukraine war, says Rubio to Russia's Lavrov

According to a statement released by the US State Department spokesperson's office, the two leaders also discussed the opportunity to potentially work together on other bilateral issues

Russian forces claim capturing another village in eastern Ukraine

Russia said Saturday its forces had captured the village of Berezivka in their latest breakthrough in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, where Ukrainian defences are creaking. Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment. Russia's much larger army has conducted a sustained yearlong campaign along the eastern front, gradually loosening the short-handed and weary Ukrainian forces' grip on its strongholds as the war approaches its fourth year later this month. Though only a small settlement, the capture of Berezivka would advance Russia's sweep across the Donetsk region, which has cost Moscow heavily in troops and equipment but has paid dividends for the Kremlin. In the offensive, Russian forces crush settlements with the brute force of 3,000-pound (1,300-kilo) glide bombs, artillery, missiles and drones, then send in infantry units to attack the exposed defenders. Russia seeks to take control of all parts of Donetsk and neighbouring Luhansk, which together make up Ukraine's Donbas

Highlighting war with Russia, Zelenskyy pitches for 'Europe's armed forces'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday the time has come for the creation of an armed forces of Europe and says his country's fight against Russia has proved that a foundation for it already exists. The Ukrainian leader said Europe cannot rule out the possibility that American might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it, and noted that many leaders have long spoken about how Europe needs its own military. I really believe that time has come, Zelenskyy told the Munich Security Conference. The armed forces of Europe must be created.

Europeans to respond to US at Munich conference as Trump admin upends norms

European leaders trying to make sense of a tough new line from Washington on issues including democracy and Ukraine's future were set to express their reactions on Saturday, as the Trump administration continues to upend trans-Atlantic conventions that have been in place since after World War II. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were to speak on the second day of the Munich Security Conference, a day after US Vice President JD Vance all but scolded European allies over democracy and raised questions about the US commitment to help Ukraine's defence against Russian forces. US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in which he said the two leaders would likely meet soon to negotiate a peace deal. Trump later assured Zelenskyy that he, too, would have a seat at the table. The war was sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Already Friday, the Ukrainian leader said that his countr

If Trump can make Putin stop Ukraine aggression, it's great news: Macron

Macron on Friday further emphasised that if this happens, then Ukrainians alone can lead the discussions for 'solid and lasting peace'

Europe quietly plans to send troops to Ukraine for post-war security

Increasingly alarmed that US security priorities lie elsewhere, a group of European countries has been quietly working on a plan to send troops into Ukraine to help enforce any future peace settlement with Russia. Britain and France are at the forefront of the effort, though details remain scarce. The countries involved in the discussions are reluctant to tip their hand and give Russian President Vladimir Putin an edge should he agree to negotiate an end to the war he launched three years ago. What is clear is that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs a guarantee that his country's security will be assured until peace takes hold. The best protection would be the NATO membership that Ukraine has long been promised, but the US has taken that option off the table. I won't get into the particular capabilities, but I do accept that if there is peace then there needs to be some sort of security guarantee for Ukraine and the UK will play its part in that, British Prime Minister Ke

Ukraine needs security guarantees as Trump eyes war end: Zelenskyy to Vance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country wants security guarantees before any talks to end the Ukraine-Russia war. Zelenskyy made his remarks Friday during a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance. The two met at the Munich Security Conference. Many observers, particularly in Europe, are hoping Vance will shed at least some light on US President Donald Trump's ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war.

US, including Biden's admin, never saw Ukraine as Nato member: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the United States, including the Biden administration, never saw Ukraine as a NATO member. Zelenskyy spoke Friday to the Munich Security Conference. He is expected to meet with US Vice President JD Vance later. Many observers, particularly in Europe, hope Vance will shed at least some light on US President Donald Trump's ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war following a phone call between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week.

Will meet Putin only after a common plan with Trump is set: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will only agree to meet in-person with Russian leader Vladimir Putin after a common plan is negotiated with US President Trump. Zelenskyy believes Trump is the key to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelenskyy spoke Friday to the Munich Security Conference. Trump this week upended years of steadfast US support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy is expected to meet with US Vice President JD Vance later. Many observers, particularly in Europe, hope Vance will shed at least some light on Trump's ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war following a phone call between Trump and Putin this week.

In Europe, Russians struggle as wary banks shunned them after 2022 attack

Thousands of Russians living in the European Union have struggled to open a bank account or had one closed since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Russian drone strikes Chernobyl reactor, radiation levels normal: Zelenskyy

A Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the protective confinement shell of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Kyiv region during the night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday. Radiation levels have not increased, Zelenskyy and the U.N. atomic agency said. The drone strike damaged the structure and started a fire, which has been put out, Zelenskyy said.

US VP Vance to meet Zelenskyy amid worries over Trump-Putin war talks

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday discussed the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin and separately with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Modi-Trump meeting: Trade, security, immigration discussed; key takeaways

Modi-Trump meeting: The discussions between the two leaders extended beyond trade, touching on collaborations in global security, Russia-Ukraine conflict, and more

Trump says US, Russian officials to meet in Munich today, Ukraine invited

Not sure exactly who's going to be there from any country, but high-level people from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States, Trump told reporters