Ukraine War Briefing: Zelenskyy Calls for Faster Action as Trump Hails 'Very Good' Peace Talks
In a bid to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and address the country's crippling energy crisis, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged faster action from Kyiv and its international partners. The Ukrainian leader stated that personnel changes would be made in areas where air defences had less than satisfactory results, amidst reports of significant damage to electricity grids and heating systems.
Zelenskyy's comments came as Russian air attacks continued to pummel the country, leaving over 1,110 apartment blocks without heat following a recent assault on Kyiv. The Ukrainian president warned that time was of the essence in addressing these critical issues, emphasizing the need for swift decision-making and implementation.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has hailed "very good talks" as ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that something could be brewing. Trump's comments were echoed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who described the latest round of talks as "constructive" but noted that significant work remained to be done.
The Russian military was also rocked on Friday when a top official, Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot and hospitalized in Moscow. While no party has claimed responsibility for the shooting, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha denied any involvement, while Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of being behind the attack.
In response to Russia's seaborne crude oil exports, the European Commission has proposed a sweeping ban on services that support these exports. The move aims to cripple Moscow's key source of income and limit its ability to finance its war efforts. The package would include bans on maintenance and other services for Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers, as well as new import restrictions on metals, chemicals, and critical minerals.
Finally, the US state department has approved a potential sale of spare parts for military equipment and related items to Ukraine, estimated at $185m.
In a bid to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and address the country's crippling energy crisis, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged faster action from Kyiv and its international partners. The Ukrainian leader stated that personnel changes would be made in areas where air defences had less than satisfactory results, amidst reports of significant damage to electricity grids and heating systems.
Zelenskyy's comments came as Russian air attacks continued to pummel the country, leaving over 1,110 apartment blocks without heat following a recent assault on Kyiv. The Ukrainian president warned that time was of the essence in addressing these critical issues, emphasizing the need for swift decision-making and implementation.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has hailed "very good talks" as ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that something could be brewing. Trump's comments were echoed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who described the latest round of talks as "constructive" but noted that significant work remained to be done.
The Russian military was also rocked on Friday when a top official, Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot and hospitalized in Moscow. While no party has claimed responsibility for the shooting, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha denied any involvement, while Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of being behind the attack.
In response to Russia's seaborne crude oil exports, the European Commission has proposed a sweeping ban on services that support these exports. The move aims to cripple Moscow's key source of income and limit its ability to finance its war efforts. The package would include bans on maintenance and other services for Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers, as well as new import restrictions on metals, chemicals, and critical minerals.
Finally, the US state department has approved a potential sale of spare parts for military equipment and related items to Ukraine, estimated at $185m.