Hopes for a quick meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest may be delayed. Despite Trump’s earlier announcement of a summit following a phone call with Putin, a preliminary meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been postponed. Sources indicate the postponement stems from differing expectations regarding ending the war in Ukraine, with Russia’s position seemingly unchanged. After a recent call between Rubio and Lavrov, officials are now hesitant to recommend a meeting between the two leaders next week.
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Romanian MEP Diana Șoșoacă, known for her far-right and pro-Kremlin views, has threatened to physically harm Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a Moscow meeting organized by a pro-Russian group, Șoșoacă stated she would “break his legs” if Zelensky addressed the Romanian parliament, due to her opposition and false claims of oppression against Romanians in Ukraine. She has a history of anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, including demanding border revisions and criticizing aid to Ukraine, leading to her ban from entering Ukraine. Her political actions and statements consistently align with Russian propaganda and aims.
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The European Union’s energy ministers have agreed to ban Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028, in response to Moscow’s “weaponization” of gas supplies, despite the EU still being a major importer of Russian LNG. The bill, which has exceptions, will initially target existing contracts and is set to be approved by the European Parliament. Hungary and Slovakia opposed the bill, citing difficulties in securing alternative gas sources due to their landlocked status. The new regulation includes additional scrutiny for Russian gas, transition plans, and prior authorization regimes to ensure compliance.
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Russia’s 100,000-strong offensive crumbles before Pokrovsk, and it’s a significant moment in this ongoing conflict. The narrative of a swift Russian victory, often amplified by propaganda, seems to be collapsing under the weight of Ukrainian resistance and the realities of modern warfare. We’re seeing a clear shift in momentum, with the once-feared offensive stalling, and the Ukrainian forces seizing the initiative in a defensive maneuver that is proving remarkably effective. This isn’t just about territory; it’s about breaking the enemy’s will and demonstrating the resilience of the Ukrainian military.
This offensive, the supposed centerpiece of Russia’s summer campaign, has met a fierce response around Pokrovsk.… Continue reading
Amid concerns over Ukraine’s exclusion from a potential summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Hungary, Volodmyr Zelenskyy will meet with the “coalition of the willing” in London. The aim of the London visit is to secure security guarantees for Kyiv, following a meeting with Trump where Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk cruise missiles was denied. European leaders, including the EU’s chief diplomat, stress the importance of Ukraine’s and Europe’s involvement in any discussions to end the war, with the EU exploring a €140bn loan for Ukraine funded by frozen Russian assets. Reports indicate that Trump may be pushing Zelenskyy to concede the Donbas region, while Russia’s state news reports a meeting between the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, may be on the horizon.
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Sources report a heated White House meeting between former President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, where Trump allegedly pressured Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms for a ceasefire, including surrendering the Donbas region. The meeting reportedly involved a “shouting match” and Trump echoed Putin’s talking points, warning of Ukraine’s destruction if they refused. This tense encounter followed Trump’s phone conversation with Putin, where he congratulated him and hinted at upcoming peace negotiations with high-level advisors. These negotiations are scheduled to take place in Budapest, a location with historical significance to both countries.
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President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine would concede nothing to Russia, prioritizing strengthening defense and energy partnerships. He announced expanded cooperation with European allies and the US, including increased weapons purchases, particularly air defense systems. Negotiations are ongoing regarding weapons, defense technologies, and securing energy supplies for winter. Zelenskyy expressed support for a ceasefire and talks, emphasizing the importance of discussing territorial control and growing US support for European energy independence.
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A Ukrainian man, identified as Volodymyr Z, is suspected by German prosecutors of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline attack. The man was seen leaving a courtroom in Warsaw, Poland. The photo suggests a legal proceeding related to the ongoing investigation. Further details about the charges or the specifics of Volodymyr Z’s alleged role have yet to be released publicly.
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Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms or be ‘destroyed’ by Russia. That sentence itself is a chilling summary of a situation that seems almost too outrageous to be true. Imagine a former US President, someone who once held the highest office in the land, reportedly pressuring a foreign leader, the President of a nation under siege, to surrender to an aggressor. The implications are staggering, and they certainly warrant careful consideration. The alleged directive, essentially “capitulate or be crushed,” paints a picture of a profound lack of regard for Ukrainian sovereignty, for the lives of its citizens, and for the principles of international law.… Continue reading
During a White House meeting, former US President Donald Trump reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Russia’s terms for ending the war, even warning that Vladimir Putin threatened to destroy Ukraine if it refused. This tense encounter included Trump echoing Putin’s talking points, pushing aside battlefield maps, and repeatedly lecturing Zelenskyy, disappointing European allies hoping for stronger support. Trump allegedly relayed Putin’s offer involving the surrender of Donbas regions in exchange for small areas elsewhere. Zelenskyy, however, reportedly rejected the possibility of transferring any additional non-occupied territories to Russia.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood