Use ‘strength of America’ to force Moscow into ceasefire, Trump urged – as it happened

‘Putin is not going to finish this conflict on his personal,’ Zelenskyy warns, as he urges Trump to make use of ‘energy of America’ to drive Russia into ceasefire

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that “we should not let the conflict drag on,” as he urged the US to place strain on Putin to “make sure that Russia is able to finish the conflict.”

He mentioned that “strain should be placed on Russia” to drive Putin into ending the battle, repeating that Ukraine was “able to act shortly and constructively.”

He contrasted Ukraine’s “rapid” settlement to the US proposal for a ceasefire with Putin’s evasive, non-committal solutions, saying: “We don’t need to play video games with conflict.”

In a blistering assault on Putin, he criticised him for “mendacity about the true scenario on the battlefield,” casualties, and the state of the Russian financial system, which he mentioned “has been broken by his silly imperial ambitions.”

“Putin can not exit this conflict as a result of that would go away him with nothing. That’s the reason he’s now doing all the things he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extraordinarily tough and unacceptable situations proper from the beginning, even earlier than a ceasefire,” he warned.

Zelenskyy particularly mentioned that Putin “will attempt to drag everybody into countless discussions … whereas his weapons proceed to kill folks,” as he argued that “each situation Putin places ahead is simply an try to dam any diplomacy.”

“That is how Russia works. We warned about this,” he added.

Repeatedly interesting to US president Donald Trump and the US administration extra broadly, he mentioned that “particularly the USA” can affect Putin and Russia to drive by means of a ceasefire and, in the end, an enduring peace.

“Putin is not going to finish the conflict on his personal. However the energy of America is sufficient to make it occur,” he mentioned.

Listed below are his posts in full:

In the present day, Ukraine marks Army Volunteer Day. Today was established not so way back, however it honors the bravery of those that have been defending Ukraine’s statehood and independence for a very long time.

Greater than three years of Russia’s full-scale conflict towards Ukraine. Over 11 years of a treacherous hybrid conflict that started with the occupation of Crimea and the battles in Donetsk and Luhansk areas.

A whole lot of hundreds of our folks have proven heroism on this conflict. Hundreds of thousands are working to defend our nation. Hundreds, sadly, have died on the entrance traces and from Russian bombs and missiles. The entire world is aware of Ukrainian bravery and is impressed by how our folks defend their houses.

However we wouldn’t want such years and many years of conflict on any nation. In Ukraine, we would like peace. From the very first minutes of this conflict, we’ve wished just one factor – for Russia to go away our folks in peace and for Russian occupiers to get off our land. This can be a pure need for any nation – the need for independence and safety.

That is precisely what we’re preventing for. We battle with weapons and diplomacy. Proper now, we’ve a superb likelihood to finish this conflict shortly and safe peace. We’ve strong safety understandings with our European companions.

There was a productive assembly with our American companions in Saudi Arabia. We are actually near step one in ending any conflict – silence. We proposed beginning with silence within the air and at sea. The American facet urged going additional – an instantaneous and unconditional ceasefire on the bottom.

When our staff in Jeddah heard this proposal, they contacted me, and I instantly agreed. We don’t need to play video games with conflict. Daily of conflict means shedding the lives of our folks – probably the most precious factor we’ve.

In fact, we take into consideration safety ensures. In fact, we take into consideration management the ceasefire. However step one is critical. We assist our American companions and President Trump on this. We need to belief America and its President. Ukraine is able to act shortly and constructively. And we’ve warned that the one facet that can attempt to sabotage all the things is not going to be us.

Yesterday, we heard from Putin, he’s placing ahead some situations that clearly present he doesn’t need any ceasefire. He wants conflict – this has at all times been apparent, and it’s apparent now.

Putin is mendacity about the true scenario on the battlefield, he’s mendacity concerning the casualties, he’s mendacity concerning the true state of his financial system, which has been broken by his silly imperial ambitions, and he’s doing all the things attainable to make sure that diplomacy fails.

Putin can not exit this conflict as a result of that would go away him with nothing. That’s the reason he’s now doing all the things he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extraordinarily tough and unacceptable situations proper from the starteven earlier than a ceasefire.

Putin will attempt to drag everybody into countless discussions, identical to he did with ‘Minsk’ losing days, weeks, and months on meaningless talks whereas his weapons proceed to kill folks. Each situation Putin places ahead is simply an try to dam any diplomacy. That is how Russia works. And we warned about this.

However we’d like peace. Actual peace. And we should not let the conflict drag on. We’ve had constructive discussions with the People. We’ll proceed working with Europeans and different companions. I’m grateful to Saudi Arabia and everybody serving to with mediation and negotiation platforms.

However I strongly urge everybody who can affect Russia, particularly the USA, to take robust steps that may assist. Strain should be utilized to the one who doesn’t need to cease the conflict. Strain should be placed on Russia. Solely decisive actions can finish this conflict, which has already lasted for years.

The U.S. facet proposed beginning with an unconditional ceasefire. Then, throughout the interval of silence, we may put together a dependable peace plan, put it on the desk, focus on the main points, and implement it. We’re prepared.

And we consider it’s our companions’ accountability to make sure that Russia is able to finish the conflict – to not search for the explanation why it ought to proceed for extra weeks, months, or years, however to finish it. Putin is not going to finish the conflict on his personal. However the energy of America is sufficient to make it occur.

Robust steps are wanted. Robust strain should be utilized to the one one who desires to proceed this conflict. That is what ‘peace by means of energy’ means.

Thanks to everybody serving to to carry peace nearer – the USA, Europe, and the entire world. Thanks to all companions whose energy and diplomacy will ultimately succeed.

Key occasions

This liveblog is closing now however you’ll be able to proceed to observe our protection of the conflict in Ukraine here. Thanks for studying.

The day to this point

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that “we should not let the conflict drag on,” as he urged the US to place strain on Putin to “make sure that Russia is able to finish the conflict.” He mentioned that “strain should be placed on Russia” to drive Putin into ending the battle, repeating that Ukraine was “able to act shortly and constructively.”
US state secretary Marco Rubio is the newest senior politician concerned within the US-Russia talks to repeat the road that there are “causes to be cautiously optimistic” on ceasefire talks in Ukraine. Rubio described the talks by particular envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow as “a really optimistic and productive engagement yesterday with a President Putin.”
Russian president Vladimir Putin mentioned on Friday that Russia will assure the security of Ukrainian troops within the Kursk area in the event that they give up. Chatting with the Russian Safety Council, Putin emphasised that Ukrainian authorities must instruct their troops to put down their arms, Reuters reported.
French president Emmanuel Macron mentioned on Friday that Russia should settle for a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal put ahead by the USA and Ukraine. Macron added he had mentioned the scenario on Friday with British prime minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has blamed Vladimir Putin’s Russia for obstructing peace discussions over the ceasefire. In a protracted put up on his dialog with the Vatican’s secretary of state Pietro Parolin, Zelenskyy mentioned that “the world sees how Russia is intentionally placing ahead situations that solely complicate and delay all the things.”
Sources in Ukraine and army analysts carefully monitoring the battle say Donald Trump’s claims of a mass encirclement of Ukrainian troops inside Russia’s Kursk area are usually not correct. Trump claimed on Friday, apparently based mostly on data fed by Putin, that “at this very second, hundreds of Ukrainian troops are fully surrounded by the Russian army” and that he has requested Putin to spare their lives to keep away from what he described as “a horrible bloodbath, one not seen for the reason that second world conflict”.
The White Home has clarified that it was US envoy Steve Witkoff who spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin, and never US president Donald Trump. The confusion was brought on by Trump’s social media put up earlier, through which he praised the discussions with the Russian chief, and mentioned “I’ve strongly requested to President Putin,” making it sound as if he spoke with Putin personally.
The EU government may play a job in joint buy of missiles, drones and different army gear, in accordance with a draft doc on the way forward for European defence. The European Fee may “act as a central buying physique” on behalf of EU member states upon their request, states a leaked white paper. The doc, as a consequence of be launched subsequent Wednesday forward of a summit of EU leaders, reveals how quickly the EU is evolving following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump’s return to the White Home.
Senior EU diplomats have agreed on Friday morning to increase for six months sanctions towards about 2,000 Russians, together with Vladimir Putin and plenty of senior politicians and enterprise folks. The sanctions, which need to be renewed unanimously each six months, stay in place till 15 September 2025.
The three German events concerned in discussions on creating a brand new €500bn euros fund boosting public spending and enjoyable the constitutional debt break have agreed on the ultimate form of the proposal, presumed chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed. The conservative CDU/CSU occasion, which gained final month’s parliamentary elections, have agreed with the social democratic SPD, it’s seemingly subsequent coalition associate, and the Greens, transferring again to the opposition, on the construction of the proposal.
Danish international minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen rejected US president Donald Trump’s newest remarks about annexing Greenland, saying the Danish autonomous island couldn’t be taken over by one other nation, AFP reported. “In the event you have a look at the Nato treaty, the UN constitution or worldwide legislation, Greenland is just not open to annexation,” he informed reporters.
Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has introduced a snap election for 18 Could, the third in three years, after the autumn of Luis Montenegro’s authorities. The president mentioned he wished to maneuver shortly to keep away from extended instability, including in a televised handle that 18 Could was “the popular date for almost all of events”.

French president Emmanuel Macron mentioned on Friday that Russia should settle for a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal put ahead by the USA and Ukraine.

Macron added he had mentioned the scenario on Friday with British prime minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian president Vladimir Putin mentioned on Friday that Russia will assure the security of Ukrainian troops within the Kursk area in the event that they give up.

Chatting with the Russian Safety Council, Putin emphasised that Ukrainian authorities must instruct their troops to put down their arms, Reuters reported.

US president Donald Trump urged Putin on Friday to spare Ukrainian troops being pushed again out of Russia’s Kursk area and mentioned there was a “superb likelihood” the conflict may finish.

Jakub Krupa

That’s all from Rubio, talking from the G7 ministerial summit in Canada.

And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, as I hand over to Tom Ambrose, who will information you thru the night.

Rubio bought requested on particulars on the concessions he would count on from Ukraine and Russia, and his definition of territorial integrity on this context.

He began by saying that Russia will, too, need to make concessions.

However then returned to his earlier level that it’s too early to invest, as step one is to get each side to affix negotiations.

I’m simply stating the apparent.

When folks sit down and negotiate and finish the wars, there’s normally a give and take.

What that give and take is depends upon the events which might be on the desk.

We’re not going to predetermine something, however that’s what’s going to take to finish the conflict.

‘Negotiations … contain each side making concessions,’ Rubio says

Rubio was additionally requested concerning the G7’s assertion declaring assist for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Rubio mentioned that’s “not a change in public coverage” for the US, as “I’ve by no means heard president Trump say Russia has a proper to take all of Ukraine and do no matter they need there.”

However he then confused that each side should make concessions in the middle of negotiations.

There’s a conflict happening that has no army resolution to it.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine can obtain its maximalist army goals.

The one solution to finish this conflict is thru a technique of negotiations, and negotiations – be it in enterprise, in commerce, or in geopolitics – contain each side giving one thing, each side making concessions.

…

What these concessions are stays to be seen.

That’ll need to be a part of the negotiation, however it’s not going to be, it’s not going to be useful to enter into these negotiations making blanket statements which will give an excuse for one facet or the opposite to not take part in it.

Rubio additionally requested reporters to obviously differentiate between a ceasefire and a ultimate peace deal.

He mentioned that in final peace talks there should be discussions about Ukraine’s safety ensures as he acknowledged that “each nation on this planet has a proper to safety, to defend itself, to guard its territory.”

This should contain not simply the US, but in addition the EU, which “imposed vital sanctions” on Russia.

However he warned towards “placing all the things forward of itself,” as the primary stage is to briefly cease hostilities to create area for negotiations.

Rubio then was challenged by reporters, saying that Putin appeared so as to add new situations to the US proposal.

He repeated there have been “causes for cautious optimism,” however added “there’s quite a lot of work,” as he “by no means informed anyone that that is going to be straightforward, quick, easy, slam dunk.”

“We’re in a greater place right this moment … I consider, … than we had been every week in the past, however we nonetheless have a protracted solution to go. It may come collectively fairly shortly if everybody aligns, however I don’t understand how aligned we’re but. That’s what we’re going about to seek out out,” he mentioned.

He was requested about recommendations that Putin was deploying “delay ways,” saying:

I’m not going to reply that, as a result of I can’t characterise that for you … proper now.

I believe we’ll know sooner moderately than later, and quite a lot of that shall be based mostly on the dialog Ambassador Witkoff had yesterday and different elements which might be in play.

However we’re not there but.

Rubio was additionally pushed on the main points of Witkoff’s conversations with Putin and the Russian president’s public feedback on the proposal.

However he batted it away saying “that’s going to play out in press conferences.”

That is going to play out the best way issues of this nature and calibre have historically and usually play out, and that’s with the leaders of particular person of the international locations concerned talking, not in entrance of the cameras, not in entrance of the media, however in these negotiations that occur, in these talks that occur.

So I don’t need to, I’m not going to touch upon what President Putin mentioned, aside from he mentioned he agreed with it in idea.

‘Irrelevant’ if I can belief Putin, Rubio says

Rubio was additionally requested about whether or not he trusted Putin.

He mentioned it was “an irrelevant query,” as “it isn’t about trusting, it’s about motion – about belongings you do.”

“You may’t simply say you need peace. You need to do peace, and that’s true for each side in any battle, so in any conflict and in any engagement,” he mentioned.

Rubio informed reporters that international coverage labored otherwise to home politics as you usually need to work with folks you don’t like, however equally have disagreements with folks you do like.

“Typically you’ll have to determine work along with nations that aren’t aligned with you on most points, and in another instances, chances are you’ll end up unaligned on a problem with the nation that you just work with very carefully on a bunch of different issues,” he defined.

Rubio ‘cautiously optimistic’ about US-Russia talks

US state secretary Marco Rubio is the newest senior politician concerned within the US-Russia talks to repeat the road that there are “causes to be cautiously optimistic” on ceasefire talks in Ukraine.

Rubio described the talks by particular envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow as “a really optimistic and productive engagement yesterday with a President Putin.”

“We’ll look at the Russian place extra carefully and the president will then decide what the subsequent steps are. Suffice it to say, I believe there’s cause to be cautiously optimistic,” he mentioned.

Rubio added that “we proceed to recognise it is a tough and complicated scenario,” and he confused “it is not going to be straightforward, it is not going to be easy, however we definitely really feel like we’re a minimum of some steps nearer to ending this conflict and bringing peace.”

“Clearly, we are going to see what Russia and others are prepared to do. It’s not simply Russia, clearly, it must be acceptable to Ukraine,” he says.

“We’ll know extra as soon as particular envoy Witkoff returns and we’ve an opportunity to all convene and speak about it and clearly the president is the last word decider on subsequent steps,” he mentioned.

Russia dedicated crimes towards humanity in Ukraine, UN investigation says

Folks go to a memorial for victims of conflict crimes, in Bucha, Kyiv Area, Ukraine, in 2023. The memorial with the names of 501 recognized folks in Bucha, reportedly victims of executions and assaults on civilians by Russian troops, is positioned on the place of mass grave. {Photograph}: Oleg Petrasyuk/EPA

Individually, a United Nations investigation concluded that Russia has dedicated the crimes towards humanity of enforced disappearances and torture in its conflict in Ukraine, AFP reported.

The crimes had been perpetrated as a part of a scientific, widespread assault towards civilians, the UN’s Impartial Worldwide Fee of Inquiry on Ukraine mentioned in a brand new report back to be formally introduced subsequent Tuesday.

The Russian authorities “dedicated extra violations and crimes throughout these extended detentions. Many victims have been lacking for months and years, and a few died in captivity,” it mentioned.

The UN Human Rights Council established its highest degree of inquiry in March 2022 to probe violations and abuses dedicated throughout the battle.

‘Putin is not going to finish this conflict on his personal,’ Zelenskyy warns, as he urges Trump to make use of ‘energy of America’ to drive Russia into ceasefire

He mentioned that “strain should be placed on Russia” to drive Putin into ending the battle, repeating that Ukraine was “able to act shortly and constructively.”

“That is how Russia works. We warned about this,” he added.

“Putin is not going to finish the conflict on his personal. However the energy of America is sufficient to make it occur,” he mentioned.

Listed below are his posts in full:

In the present day, Ukraine marks Army Volunteer Day. Today was established not so way back, however it honors the bravery of those that have been defending Ukraine’s statehood and independence for a very long time.

Greater than three years of Russia’s full-scale conflict towards Ukraine. Over 11 years of a treacherous hybrid conflict that started with the occupation of Crimea and the battles in Donetsk and Luhansk areas.

A whole lot of hundreds of our folks have proven heroism on this conflict. Hundreds of thousands are working to defend our nation. Hundreds, sadly, have died on the entrance traces and from Russian bombs and missiles. The entire world is aware of Ukrainian bravery and is impressed by how our folks defend their houses.

However we wouldn’t want such years and many years of conflict on any nation. In Ukraine, we would like peace. From the very first minutes of this conflict, we’ve wished just one factor – for Russia to go away our folks in peace and for Russian occupiers to get off our land. This can be a pure need for any nation – the need for independence and safety.

That is precisely what we’re preventing for. We battle with weapons and diplomacy. Proper now, we’ve a superb likelihood to finish this conflict shortly and safe peace. We’ve strong safety understandings with our European companions.

There was a productive assembly with our American companions in Saudi Arabia. We are actually near step one in ending any conflict – silence. We proposed beginning with silence within the air and at sea. The American facet urged going additional – an instantaneous and unconditional ceasefire on the bottom.

When our staff in Jeddah heard this proposal, they contacted me, and I instantly agreed. We don’t need to play video games with conflict. Daily of conflict means shedding the lives of our folks – probably the most precious factor we’ve.

In fact, we take into consideration safety ensures. In fact, we take into consideration management the ceasefire. However step one is critical. We assist our American companions and President Trump on this. We need to belief America and its President. Ukraine is able to act shortly and constructively. And we’ve warned that the one facet that can attempt to sabotage all the things is not going to be us.

Yesterday, we heard from Putin, he’s placing ahead some situations that clearly present he doesn’t need any ceasefire. He wants conflict – this has at all times been apparent, and it’s apparent now.

Putin is mendacity about the true scenario on the battlefield, he’s mendacity concerning the casualties, he’s mendacity concerning the true state of his financial system, which has been broken by his silly imperial ambitions, and he’s doing all the things attainable to make sure that diplomacy fails.

Putin can not exit this conflict as a result of that would go away him with nothing. That’s the reason he’s now doing all the things he can to sabotage diplomacy by setting extraordinarily tough and unacceptable situations proper from the starteven earlier than a ceasefire.

Putin will attempt to drag everybody into countless discussions, identical to he did with ‘Minsk’ losing days, weeks, and months on meaningless talks whereas his weapons proceed to kill folks. Each situation Putin places ahead is simply an try to dam any diplomacy. That is how Russia works. And we warned about this.

However we’d like peace. Actual peace. And we should not let the conflict drag on. We’ve had constructive discussions with the People. We’ll proceed working with Europeans and different companions. I’m grateful to Saudi Arabia and everybody serving to with mediation and negotiation platforms.

However I strongly urge everybody who can affect Russia, particularly the USA, to take robust steps that may assist. Strain should be utilized to the one who doesn’t need to cease the conflict. Strain should be placed on Russia. Solely decisive actions can finish this conflict, which has already lasted for years.

The U.S. facet proposed beginning with an unconditional ceasefire. Then, throughout the interval of silence, we may put together a dependable peace plan, put it on the desk, focus on the main points, and implement it. We’re prepared.

And we consider it’s our companions’ accountability to make sure that Russia is able to finish the conflict – to not search for the explanation why it ought to proceed for extra weeks, months, or years, however to finish it. Putin is not going to finish the conflict on his personal. However the energy of America is sufficient to make it occur.

Robust steps are wanted. Robust strain should be utilized to the one one who desires to proceed this conflict. That is what ‘peace by means of energy’ means.

Thanks to everybody serving to to carry peace nearer – the USA, Europe, and the entire world. Thanks to all companions whose energy and diplomacy will ultimately succeed.

German constitutional courtroom clears path for Merz’s spending, debt reform plans

Friedrich Merz, CDU/CSU parliamentary group chief within the Bundestag and CDU federal chair, makes an announcement after the parliamentary group assembly within the Bundestag, Berlin. {Photograph}: Michael Kappeler/AP

Over in Germany, I reported earlier about the breakthrough in political discussions concerning the proposed spending increase and adjustments to the constitutional debt break.

This Friday is barely getting higher for presumed subsequent chancellor Friedrich Merz as Germany’s constitutional courtroom threw out a number of challenges by opposition events towards the plan.

Here is the decision in full (in German).

The choice paves the best way for parliament to convene on Tuesday to additional contemplate and approve the proposals to reform constitutional debt guidelines and arrange a €500bn infrastructure fund.

Earlier right this moment, Merz’s CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats have secured the assist of the Greens to approve the plans within the outdated Bundestag.

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