Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks - Newstrends
Connect with us

International

Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks

Published

on

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks

Russia has intensified its overnight aerial attacks on Ukraine, striking multiple regions just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky described his discussions with Donald Trump’s negotiating team as “very constructive.” The renewed assaults come amid a fresh push for a US-led peace framework aimed at ending the nearly three-year-old war.

The mayor of Kremenchuk, a key industrial city in central Ukraine, confirmed the area suffered a “massive combined strike”, damaging critical infrastructure and leaving residents without water, electricity, and heat. No fatalities have been reported so far.

Russia’s defence ministry claimed it intercepted 77 Ukrainian drones across several locations during the same period, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict despite diplomatic efforts.

Zelensky said he is “determined” to continue working closely with the US after three days of detailed negotiations in Miami involving Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and the former US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Talks focused heavily on ensuring Russia’s compliance with any future peace agreement.

READ ALSO:

The US has been mediating a multi-point peace plan, though progress remains limited as Kyiv, Moscow, and European allies differ on key proposals. European leaders have pushed for additional security guarantees for Ukraine, including the possibility of a multinational peacekeeping force, an idea Russia has rejected.

French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Zelensky are set to meet in London on Monday to coordinate Europe’s position on the evolving peace framework. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to achieving de-escalation and a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the US and Ukraine have jointly urged Moscow to demonstrate “a serious commitment to long-term peace.” The appeal came after Witkoff returned from Kremlin talks with Vladimir Putin, which ended without a breakthrough.

Ukraine’s new chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said he and Witkoff have “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and discussed deterrence measures needed to secure a durable peace.

The latest wave of Russian airstrikes — following a wider barrage a day earlier condemned by European leaders — underscores the gulf between diplomatic negotiations and realities on the ground as the war grinds on.

Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks

 

BBC

International

Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation

Published

on

Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation

Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation

A 37-year-old man was shot and killed by US federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday morning during a sweeping immigration enforcement operation, marking the second fatal shooting by federal authorities in the city in recent weeks.

Officials said the incident occurred near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street, where Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol agents were conducting operations linked to federal immigration enforcement. Authorities claim the man allegedly approached officers with a firearm, prompting agents to fire in self-defense. The victim, a licensed gun owner and U.S. citizen, was pronounced dead at the scene.

READ ALSO:

The shooting has sparked widespread outrage and protests across Minneapolis. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the operation “horrific” and urged the federal government to withdraw agents, warning that the enforcement actions are destabilizing communities.

This incident follows the fatal shooting of Renée Good on January 7 during a previous ICE operation, whose death was later ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. Community leaders and lawmakers have criticised the federal immigration crackdown, calling for increased accountability and oversight of federal agents.

Political figures including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Nikki Budzinski have condemned the operations, demanding transparency and stronger regulations to prevent further loss of life. The shootings have intensified debates over the use of force by federal law enforcement, the role of ICE, and the balance between public safety and civil liberties in the United States.

Second Man Killed by US Federal Agents in Minneapolis Immigration Operation

Continue Reading

International

Brazil’s Lula Accuses US President Trump of Seeking to Create ‘New UN’

Published

on

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and US President Donald Trump

Brazil’s Lula Accuses US President Trump of Seeking to Create ‘New UN’ 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to establish a “new United Nations”, warning that the move could weaken existing multilateral institutions and destabilise the global diplomatic order.

Lula made the remarks while addressing supporters in Brazil, reacting to Trump’s proposal for a new international body reportedly aimed at managing global conflicts outside the traditional United Nations framework. According to the Brazilian leader, such an initiative risks undermining the UN Charter, replacing collective decision-making with unilateral influence dominated by powerful states.

READ ALSO:

The criticism follows Trump’s recent unveiling of a proposed “Board of Peace”, which he has promoted as a more effective alternative to the UN in resolving global crises. Lula argued that instead of creating parallel structures, world powers should focus on reforming the United Nations, particularly by expanding the UN Security Council to better represent Africa, Latin America and the Global South.

Lula warned that the world is entering a “very dangerous moment” where multilateralism is being challenged by selective alliances and power blocs. He stressed that peace and stability can only be sustained through inclusive global dialogue, not through institutions controlled by a few countries.

The comments come amid broader geopolitical shifts, with several Global South leaders expressing concern over growing pressure on international institutions. China has also reaffirmed its support for the central role of the United Nations, aligning with Brazil’s position that global governance must remain balanced and rules-based.

Analysts say Lula’s remarks highlight widening divisions over the future of global governance, as debates intensify around reforming the UN versus creating alternative international platforms championed by major powers.

Brazil’s Lula Accuses US President Trump of Seeking to Create ‘New UN’ 

Continue Reading

International

Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing

Published

on

Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing

Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing

A deadly landslide in West Java, Indonesia has claimed the lives of at least seven people and left more than 80 others missing, authorities confirmed, as search and rescue teams battle treacherous conditions to reach potential survivors.

The disaster struck West Bandung early Saturday following days of heavy rainfall, causing steep slopes to collapse and bury several villages under mud and debris. Homes, roads, and critical infrastructure were severely damaged, with many residents forced to flee for safety.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed hundreds of rescuers, including army personnel and volunteers, to comb through the affected areas. Officials warned that the ongoing torrential rains and unstable terrain heighten the risk of additional slides, making the operation dangerous.

READ ALSO:

Authorities reported that dozens of houses were swallowed by the landslide, and while some residents escaped, many remain trapped under thick layers of mud. Meteorological experts had previously issued warnings of persistent heavy rainfall across West Java, a region prone to landslides and flash floods during the rainy season.

Local governments have ordered evacuations in vulnerable areas and continue to monitor the region’s slope stability. Officials emphasized the urgent need for residents to heed warnings and remain cautious as rescue efforts intensify.

The landslide adds to Indonesia’s ongoing challenges with natural disasters, especially during the rainy season, when floods and landslides frequently strike the archipelago, causing widespread damage and fatalities.

Indonesia Landslide in West Java Kills Seven, Dozens Missing

Continue Reading
HostArmada Affordable Cloud SSD Shared Hosting
HostArmada - Affordable Cloud SSD Web Hosting

Trending