Diplomacy, politics, peace talks and other news at the national and international levels/
The unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine would be a key condition for any changes to sanctions, the European Commission told Reuters "The end of the Russian unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine would
The US said on Tuesday it has reached agreements with Russia and Ukraine for a ceasefire in the Black Sea as well as for the two countries to halt attacks on energy infrastructures. The White House said the US and Russia, as well as separately the US and Ukraine, "
A bipartisan group of US senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the administration to transfer, and push allies to transfer, more than $300 billion of seized Russian assets to help Ukraine. The senators, including Republicans Todd Young and Lindsey Graham, and Democrats Richard Blumenthal and
US and Russian officials began talks on Monday in Riyadh to discuss a broad ceasefire in Ukraine, with the US looking at a separate Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal as an initial step, Reuters reported. The US delegation is led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House
The US envoys and Ukraine's representatives held talks on Sunday in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh to discuss proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure in the war with Russia, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. The negotiations took place a day before
The European Commission (EC) is considering cutting Ukrainian sugar imports following complaints from EU producers that shipments from Ukraine have driven down prices and hurt sales, three unnamed sources told Reuters. EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen signaled plans to reduce sugar imports "well below" current levels during a
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed during a phone call on Wednesday that their countries will work together to end the war and achieve a lasting peace, the White House and Zelensky's office said. Trump shared the details of his conversation with Russian President
China has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine and stands ready to help rebuild the country after the war, said Li Ming, spokesperson for China International Development Cooperation Agency. "We are ready to continue to provide assistance within our capacity according to the wishes of parties involved, which of course
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to a 30-day pause in attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure facilities, the White House and the Kremlin said. The two leaders also agreed that the technical negotiations on the implementation of
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a telephone conversation on Monday to discuss South Korea's support for Ukraine, end-of-war negotiations, and the handling of North Korean prisoners of war. Cho reaffirmed South Korea'
US President Donald Trump said he plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. "I'll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday. A lot of work's been done over the weekend. We want to see if
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow agrees with the US ceasefire proposal for Ukraine but that a number of details need to be clarified before the fighting stops, as quoted by Reuters. "We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities. The idea itself is correct, and
Steve Witkoff, the US envoy assigned to the Ukraine-Russia war, landed in Moscow on Thursday to press talks for a ceasefire, after securing Ukraine's agreement, the Russian news agency Interfax reported, citing "aviation services." The reported arrival comes after Witkoff joined a delegation in Jeddah
US President Donald Trump has made it clear to his aides that he wants President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to show willingness to make concessions in peace negotiations, such as giving up territory to Russia, unnamed US officials told NBC. Signing of the proposed minerals deal alone won't
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is prepared to stretch EU rules to the "breaking point" to guarantee Ukraine's access to the Single Market, The Telegraph reported, citing a senior EU official. While the EU would decide which sectors to open and which to restrict,
