Breaking News: Former US President Trump asserts Putin is ready for a deal to end the conflict, amid continued fighting and threats from Moscow.
Donald Trump has stated his belief that Vladimir Putin is prepared to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. This claim arrives as Moscow warns that Western troops deployed to enforce a potential peace deal will be considered legitimate military targets. The pronouncements were made as intense fighting continues across Ukraine, with both sides adapting to a rapidly evolving battlefield.
The former US President told Fox News he had communicated to Putin that “it’s time for this war to end”. Simultaneously, the Russian Foreign Ministry, via spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, declared any multinational force deployed post-ceasefire would be viewed as a valid target. This stance was reported by Reuters. Western allies have already discussed deploying such a force to reassure Ukraine and aid its military reconstruction following a meeting in Paris this week.
Footage obtained by East2West reveals Russian soldiers repurposing Soviet-era weaponry, specifically a YakB-12.7 machine gun, to counter Ukrainian drones. The video depicts a soldier being thrown from the weapon as it spins out of control during a test firing, though no injuries were reported. This demonstrates the strain on Russian forces to adapt to the changing nature of the conflict, utilising older technology in new ways. Ukrainian forces, for their part, struck the Balaklava thermal power station in Crimea, damaging a key energy source.
Reaction & Context
Trump’s commentary is at odds with assessments from many Western governments, which view Putin as unwilling to negotiate on terms acceptable to Ukraine. Zakharova’s warning underscores the Kremlin’s continued hostility and challenges to NATO’s involvement, laying bare the difficulties in achieving a lasting peace. The evolving tactics, like the deployment of repurposed weaponry, indicate a stalemate and increasingly desperate measures on the Russian side.
What Happens Next
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced Ukraine aims to manufacture Patriot missile components domestically by the end of 2026, signalling a push for self-reliance. Further drone and missile attacks are expected, with both sides preparing for continued, intense conflict.
Sources: Fox News, The Jerusalem Post, The Daily Mail.
