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It is now up to Russians and Ukrainians to end this ‘brutal, brutal war’, Vance says
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The US will no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat” to mediate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a state department official says.
Tammy Bruce said the country was changing “the methodology” of how it contributed to the conflict, saying: “We will not be the mediators.”
While affirming the US remained committed to helping between the two countries, she said it was now “between the two parties” to present concrete ideas about how the conflict would end.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a Fox News interview on Thursday night that either there would need to be a breakthrough towards peace “very soon” or President Trump would have to make a decision about how much time the US would dedicate to the conflict.
“This is not our war,” he added.
Ukraine’s government is due to ratify the “historic” minerals deal signed on Wednesday following months of negotiations. The deal includes no security guarantees but implies America will have a greater interest in protecting its investment in the country.
The ‘Art of the Deal’ may have been Donald Trump’s abiding contribution to literature but it is Volodymyr Zelensky, it now seems, who used his personal diplomacy with the US president during the funeral for Pope Francis to excellent effect.
Here’s the Independent View:
Ukraine’s internal security agency, the SBU, has accused Russian intelligence of orchestrating an attempt to assassinate a prominent Ukrainian blogger, accusing a 45-year-old woman of carrying out the failed hit.
The attempt to kill internet personality Serhii Sternenko, who once led the local chapter of a right-wing group but is now better known in Ukraine for crowdfunding donations for military drones, took place on Thursday.
The SBU said the woman fired several shots with a pistol, one of which hit Sternenko in the leg. The blogger said there was no danger to his life.
The woman’s lawyer said in court that she did not contest the facts of the case.
The lawyer said a contact had told the woman that Sternenko was working for Russia’s spy agency, the FSB.
There would need to be a real breakthrough on the war in Ukraine very soon or US president Donald Trump is going to have to decide how much more time to dedicate to the matter, US secretary of state Marco Rubio told Fox News last night.
“I think we know where Ukraine is, and we know where Russia is right now… They’re closer, but they’re still far apart,” he added during an interview on Fox News’ Hannity show.
Yes, the minerals deal Zelensky agreed with the US is vastly less humiliating than the one he refused to sign after being monstered in the Oval Office. But all Ukraine is really left with is the prospect of more war, writes Mark Almond
The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) has described StormShroud as a groundbreaking first-of-its-kind drone that draws on lessons learned by Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
The drones offer a change in capability by using a high-tech BriteStorm signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges, thereby protecting aircraft and pilots.
Deployed ahead of crewed combat aircraft – like Typhoons or F-35s – it acts as a digital decoy, generating false radar signals to overwhelm enemy systems.
The confusion of enemy radars allows RAF combat aircraft to attack targets unseen.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Investment in our defence is an investment in this country’s future. Putting money behind our Armed Forces and defence industry is safeguarding our economic and national security by putting money back in the pockets of hard-working British people and protecting them for generations to come.
“Together with our allies, this government is taking the bold action needed to stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security, which is vital for us to deliver our Plan for Change and improve lives of working people up and down the country.
“It is a privilege to meet and learn from the young minds driving innovation in defence technology, and we will continue to invest in the industries of the future to deliver security and opportunity for the British people through our Plan for Change.”
The war in Ukraine is not going to end “any time soon,” US vice president JD Vance told Fox News last night.
It is “going to be up to the Russians and Ukrainians now that each side knows what the other’s terms for peace are. It’s going to be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict,” Mr Vance said in the interview on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” show.
“It’s not going anywhere, Bret. It’s not going to end any time soon,” Mr Vance added.
President Volodymyr Zelensky shared an insight into his latest meeting with Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen.
“We discussed how to further strengthen support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace. We understand what steps need to be taken to make our work with partners even more effective and agreed to move forward on this together.”
Zelensky also shared an update of his recent diplomatic efforts with the United States.
“We immediately supported the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Now Moscow must do the same—stop the attacks and killings, and finally show readiness to move toward peace.
“Mette, as always, is ready to support all proposals and to put in maximum effort. And I’m grateful for that.”
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Ukraine-Russia war latest: US steps back from peace talks and ‘won’t fly around world at drop of hat’ to mediate – The Independent
