International

Ukrainian president says defense is at a ‘turning point’

Published

4 years ago

March 31, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

The Ukrainian president said his country’s defense against the Russian invasion is at a “turning point” and again pressed the United States for more help in the hours after the Kremlin’s forces reneged on a pledge to scale back some of their operations.

Russian forces bombarded areas around Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv and intensified attacks in other parts of the country Wednesday, adding to already deep doubts about any progress toward ending the punishing war. Talks between Ukraine and Russia were set to resume Friday by video, according to the head of the Ukrainian delegation, David Arakhamia.

Meanwhile, a delegation of lawmakers from Ukraine’s parliament visited Washington to push the U.S. for increased assistance, saying their nation needs more military equipment, more financial help and tougher sanctions against Russia.

“We need to kick Russian soldiers off our land, and for that we need all, all possible weapons,” Ukrainian parliament member Anastasia Radina said at a news conference at the Ukrainian Embassy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the case directly to U.S. President Joe Biden.

“If we really are fighting for freedom and in defense of democracy together, then we have a right to demand help in this difficult turning point. Tanks, aircraft, artillery systems. Freedom should be armed no worse than tyranny,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address to the nation, which he delivered standing in the dark outside the dimly lit presidential offices in Kyiv. He thanked the U.S. for an additional $500 million in aid that was announced Wednesday.

There seemed to be little faith that a resolution would emerge anytime soon between Russia and Ukraine, particularly after the Russian military’s about-face and its most recent attacks.

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Russia said Tuesday that it would de-escalate operations near Kyiv and Chernihiv in order to “increase mutual trust and create conditions for further negotiations.” The announcement was met with suspicion from Zelenskyy and the West. And soon after, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling hit homes, stores, libraries and other civilian sites in or near those areas.

Russian troops also stepped up their attacks on the Donbas region in the east and around the city of Izyum, which lies on a key route to the Donbas, after redeploying units from other areas, the Ukrainian side said.

Olexander Lomako, secretary of the Chernihiv city council, said the Russian announcement turned out to be “a complete lie.”

“At night they didn’t decrease, but vice versa increased the intensity of military action,” Lomako said.

Five weeks into the invasion that has left thousands dead on both sides, the number of Ukrainians fleeing the country topped a staggering 4 million, half of them children, according to the United Nations.

“I do not know if we can still believe the Russians,” Nikolay Nazarov, a refugee from Ukraine, said as he pushed his father’s wheelchair at a border crossing into Poland. “I think more escalation will occur in eastern Ukraine. That is why we cannot go back to Kharkiv.”

Zelenskyy said the continuing negotiations with Russia were only “words without specifics.”

“We know that this is not a withdrawal but the consequences of being driven out,” Zelenskyy said of Russia’s pledge. “But we also are seeing that Russia is now concentrating its forces for new strikes on Donbas, and we are preparing for this.”

Zelenskyy also said he had recalled Ukraine’s ambassadors to Georgia and Morocco, suggesting they had not done enough to persuade those countries to support Ukraine and punish Russia for the invasion.

“With all due respect, if there won’t be weapons, won’t be sanctions, won’t be restrictions for Russian business, then please look for other work,” he said.

In other developments:

—U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misinformed by his advisers about the poor performance of his military in Ukraine because they are too afraid to tell him the truth.

—The German government said it received assurances from Russia that European companies won’t have to pay for Russian gas in rubles. That prospect had raised fears that Russia could cut them off. Also, Poland announced steps to end all Russian oil imports by the end of the year.

— The U.N. is looking into allegations that some residents of the besieged and shattered southern city of Mariupol have been forcibly taken to areas controlled by Russian forces or to Russia itself.

At a round of talks held Tuesday in Istanbul, the faint outlines of a possible peace agreement seemed to emerge when the Ukrainian delegation offered a framework under which the country would declare itself neutral — dropping its bid to join NATO, as Moscow has long demanded — in return for security guarantees from a group of other nations.

Top Russian officials responded positively, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying Wednesday that Ukraine’s willingness to accept neutrality and look outside NATO for security represents “significant progress,” according to Russian news agencies.

But skepticism of statements from Russia by Zelenskyy and others seemed well-founded.

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Oleksandr Pavliuk, head of the Kyiv region military administration, said Russian shells targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure in the Bucha, Brovary and Vyshhorod regions around the capital.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the military also targeted fuel depots in two towns in central Ukraine with air-launched long-range cruise missiles. And Russian forces hit a Ukrainian special forces headquarters in the southern Mykolaiv region, he said, and two ammunition depots in the Donetsk region, which is part of the Donbas.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian missile destroyed a fuel depot in Dnipro, the country’s fourth-largest city, regional officials said.

The U.S. said that over the last 24 hours, Russia had begun to reposition less than 20% of its troops that had been arrayed around Kyiv.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that troops from there and some other zones have begun moving largely to the north, and some have gone into Belarus. Kirby said it appears Russia intends to resupply them and send them back into Ukraine, but it is not clear where.

The Ukrainian military said some Russian airborne units were recorded in neighboring Belarus and were believed to have withdrawn from Ukraine.

In northern Ukraine, Russian forces took no offensive actions Wednesday, focusing on reconnaissance and logistics, the general staff said in a statement. But Russia is expected to increase attacks soon on Ukrainian forces to protect its own troops as they are repositioned, it said.

The Russians also are expected to try to blockade Chernihiv.

Top Russian military officials have said in recent days that their main goal now is the “liberation” of Donbas, the predominantly Russian-speaking industrial heartland where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Some analysts have suggested that the focus on the Donbas and the pledge to de-escalate may merely be an effort to put a positive spin on reality: Moscow’s ground forces have been thwarted — and have taken heavy losses — in their bid to seize the capital and other cities.

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International

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

Published

14 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

Israel has announced the killing of a senior Iranian military commander, Asghar Bagheri, in a targeted airstrike in Tehran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

According to the Israeli military, the strike—carried out by its air force—eliminated Bagheri, who led the Quds Force special operations unit (Unit 840) since 2019. The military described him as a key figure involved in coordinating attacks against Israeli and American targets worldwide.

The Quds Force, a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), oversees the country’s overseas military and intelligence operations, including support for allied armed groups across the Middle East. Israeli officials said Bagheri had held several influential roles within the unit and was considered a high-value target.

Iran has yet to officially confirm the killing but has issued strong warnings of retaliation. A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters cautioned that further escalation could have catastrophic consequences.

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The spokesperson warned that if hostilities continue to expand, the “entire region will turn into hell,” adding that attempts to defeat Iran have “turned into a swamp” that would ultimately trap its adversaries.

The development comes amid heightened tensions involving US President Donald Trump, who recently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to either strike a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route. Trump warned that failure to comply would result in severe consequences, further intensifying fears of a wider regional conflict.

The crisis follows the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in a missile strike earlier this year—an event that triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israeli and US positions.

Since then, the conflict has escalated into a broader confrontation, disrupting global trade after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a route responsible for transporting about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

Security analysts warn that Israel’s continued targeting of senior Iranian commanders, combined with escalating rhetoric from Tehran and Washington, could push the Middle East toward a full-scale war with serious global economic and security implications.

In summary, Israel’s killing of a top Quds Force commander in Tehran has intensified the already volatile Middle East crisis, raising concerns about further retaliation and a possible wider war.

Iran Threatens Severe Retaliation After Israel Kills Quds Force Commander

International

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

Published

14 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

US President Donald Trump has revealed that the United States attempted to secretly supply weapons to Iranian protesters, but the operation failed after the arms were allegedly diverted before reaching their intended recipients.

Speaking at a White House Easter event, Trump said the weapons were meant to support Iranian anti-government protesters in defending themselves against authorities amid ongoing unrest. According to him, the US sent “a lot of guns” intended to empower citizens resisting government forces.

However, the plan did not succeed. Trump disclosed that the weapons never reached the protesters, claiming that those entrusted with delivering them withheld the arms. He expressed strong frustration over the outcome, warning that the individuals or group responsible would “pay a big price.”

Although Trump did not publicly name those involved during his remarks, he had earlier indicated that Kurdish intermediaries were responsible for diverting the weapons. He alleged that the arms were routed through Kurdish channels into Iran but were never passed on to the protesters as planned.

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The accusation has been strongly denied by Kurdish groups, who have rejected claims that they intercepted or kept any US-supplied weapons. The conflicting accounts have added a layer of controversy to an already sensitive geopolitical situation.

The disclosure is being widely interpreted as a rare acknowledgment of a covert US effort to influence internal developments in Iran. Analysts warn that such statements could heighten tensions between Washington and Tehran, especially at a time of escalating rhetoric and threats.

The development also lends weight to longstanding claims by Iranian authorities that foreign powers have played a role in fueling domestic protests. With tensions already high, Trump’s remarks could further complicate diplomatic dynamics and deepen mistrust between the two countries.

In summary, Trump’s claim that the US attempted to arm Iranian protesters—but failed due to alleged diversion—has sparked fresh debate over foreign involvement in Iran’s unrest and raised concerns about its broader geopolitical implications.

Trump Claims US Sent Weapons to Iranian Protesters but Diverted

International

Trump threatens ‘hell’ for Iran over Hormuz Strait as deadline approaches

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei and United States President Donald Trump

Trump threatens ‘hell’ for Iran over Hormuz Strait as deadline approaches

US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by issuing a profane ultimatum, warning of attacks on Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping by a Tuesday deadline. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage for nearly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports, and its closure has contributed to rising global energy prices.

Trump’s threat followed the successful rescue of a US fighter pilot shot down over Iran, after an intense search in southwestern Iran. Despite the rescue, Trump reaffirmed his ultimatum in posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. Open the f‑in’ Strait… or you’ll be living in Hell.” He also indicated that there was a “good chance” a deal could be reached with Tehran, but warned of potential broader military action if diplomacy fails.

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Iran dismissed Trump’s ultimatum as “helpless, nervous, unbalanced, and stupid,” with officials warning that any aggressive action could provoke serious retaliation. Tehran has indicated it will only reopen the Strait once a portion of transit fees compensates for war-related damages. Iranian military officials reiterated that threats to civilian infrastructure would escalate tensions across the region.

The latest warnings extend an ongoing series of US-Iran confrontations. Since the start of the conflict, Iran has fired missiles and drones at Israel and US-allied Gulf nations, while US and Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes on Iranian facilities, including petrochemical plants and the Qasem Soleimani international airport. Civilian infrastructure in the region has sustained significant damage, with injuries reported in Israel and fires at facilities in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait caused by Iranian drone attacks.

Trump has repeatedly extended deadlines for reopening the strait, reflecting both escalating tensions and ongoing negotiations. Analysts warn that further aggression could destabilize the Middle East, disrupt global energy markets, and intensify the humanitarian crisis across affected regions.

The situation remains fluid, with global attention focused on Tehran’s response, US military positioning, and the broader implications for international security and oil markets.