
Zelenskyy visits frontline area in Kharkiv region
'We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defense of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles,' he wrote on X.
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Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Trump's Deadline for the Kremlin Looms but Putin Shows No Sign of Making Concessions
The coming week could mark a pivotal moment in the war between Russia and Ukraine, as US President Donald Trump's deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal approaches — or it could quietly pass without consequence. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected in Moscow midweek, just before Trump's Friday deadline for the Kremlin to stop the killing or face potentially severe economic penalties from Washington. So far Trump's promises, threats and cajoling have failed to shift the Kremlin's position, and the stubborn diplomatic stalemate remains in place. Meanwhile, Ukraine is losing more territory on the front line, although there is no sign of a looming collapse of its defenses. Trump's envoy is expected in Moscow Witkoff is expected to land in the Russian capital on Wednesday or Thursday, according to Trump, following his trip to Israel and Gaza. 'They would like to see (Witkoff),' Trump said Sunday of the Russians. 'They've asked that he meet so we'll see what happens.' Trump, exasperated that Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't heeded his calls to stop bombing Ukrainian cities, a week ago moved up his ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia as well as introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil, including China and India. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that officials are happy to meet with Trump's envoy. 'We are always glad to see Mr. Witkoff in Moscow,' he said. 'We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful.' Trump is not sure sanctions will work Trump said Sunday that Russia has proven to be 'pretty good at avoiding sanctions.' 'They're wily characters,' he said of the Russians. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbor have had a limited impact. Ukraine insists the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscow's war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday urged the United States, Europe and other nations to impose stronger secondary sanctions on Moscow's energy, trade and banking sectors. Trump's comments appeared to signal he doesn't have much hope that sanctions will force Putin's hand. The secondary sanctions also complicate Washington's relations with China and India, who stand accused of helping finance Russia's war effort by buying its oil. Since returning to office in January, Trump has found that stopping the war is harder than he perhaps imagined. Senior American officials have warned that the US could walk away from the conflict if peace efforts make no progress. Putin shows no signs of making concessions The diplomatic atmosphere has become more heated as Trump's deadline approaches. Putin announced last Friday that Russia's new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, has entered service. The Russian leader has hailed its capabilities, saying its multiple warheads that plunge to a target at speeds of up to Mach 10 cannot be intercepted. He claimed that they are so powerful that the use of several of them in one conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Separately, one of Putin's top lieutenants warned that the Ukraine war could nudge Russia and the US into armed conflict. Trump responded to what he called the 'highly provocative statements' by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev by ordering the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines. Putin has repeated the same message throughout the war: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they're met. The war is killing thousands of troops and civilians Russia's relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations. It has pushed on with that tactic despite Trump's public calls for it to stop over the past three months. On the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, Russia's bigger army has made slow and costly progress. It is carrying out a sustained operation to take the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub whose fall could open the way for a deeper drive into Ukraine. Ukraine has developed technology that has allowed it to launch long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia. In its latest strike it hit an oil depot near Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, starting a major fire.


Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Zelensky says ‘mercenaries' from China, Pakistan and other countries fighting for Russia
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting foreign 'mercenaries' from various countries including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response. Zelensky has previously accused Moscow of recruiting Chinese fighters for its war effort against Ukraine, charges Beijing denied, while North Korea has also provided thousands of its own troops in Russia's Kursk region. 'We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defense of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles,' Zelensky wrote on X after visiting a frontline area in the northeastern Kharkiv region. 'Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond.' Reuters contacted the embassies of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan in Kyiv to request comment. Russia did not immediately comment publicly on Zelensky's comments.

Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Netherlands to start NATO's new Ukraine weapons finance scheme with $578 mln payment
The Netherlands will be the first contributor to NATO's new 'Priority Ukraine Requirements List' (PURL) financing mechanism for Ukraine weapons with a 500 million euros ($578 million) payment, the Dutch defense minister said on Monday. 'Ukraine needs more air defense and ammunition now. As the first NATO ally, the Netherlands will deliver a 500 million package of US weapon systems (including Patriot parts and missiles),' Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said in a statement on X. 'This helps Ukraine to defend itself and the rest of Europe against Russian aggression,' he added. In a statement posted on the Dutch defense ministry website, the ministry said that other countries have also pledged financing under the new mechanism. The defense ministry said that under the new scheme, Ukraine can draw on US military equipment stocks if these are funded by NATO allies. The United States is releasing military aid in packages worth approximately $500 million, it said, adding that the packages consist of air defense equipment, ammunition and other essential supplies tailored to Ukraine's needs. US President Donald Trump said last month the US would supply weapons to Ukraine, paid for by European allies, but did not provide details on how this would work. Reuters reported on Friday that NATO countries, Ukraine, and the US were developing a new Ukraine weapons financing mechanism.