Ukraine

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard commended President Donald Trump on Friday for his leadership in securing peace deals and said she has “cautious optimism” that he could broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

President Trump is reportedly preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, following a “highly productive” three-hour meeting in Moscow between his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and President Putin.

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark pledged to provide $500 million to an effort aiming to provide U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine.

Multiple high-ranking Ukrainian military and political officials—reportedly including a lawmaker from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s own party—have been arrested in a sweeping anti-corruption probe tied to stolen war funds and bribery. The arrests follow rising public outrage and recent mass protests in Kyiv over weakening anti-corruption oversight.

A Ukrainian drone strike overnight ignited a major fire at an oil depot near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, intensifying the ongoing conflict as both sides continue to exchange strikes across the region. Russian officials confirmed the attack Sunday, marking yet another escalation amid growing international pressure for a ceasefire.

President Trump escalated pressure on Russia by announcing a new 10 to 12-day deadline for President Putin to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire.

President Donald Trump said he was reducing his 50-day deadline on Russia to negotiate a peace agreement to "10 or 12 days."

Russia and Ukraine launched widespread aerial attacks against each other overnight, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides, according to officials from both countries.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced plans to open four new embassies in Latin America by the end of 2025, targeting Panama, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Uruguay. The expansion will also include over ten new consular offices across Europe. This diplomatic push will be partially funded by a reduction in Ukraine’s operations in Cuba.

Russia has signaled openness to peace negotiations with Ukraine, but the Kremlin insists that its core objectives must be met—chief among them, Ukrainian withdrawal from annexed territories and rejection of NATO membership. The statement came just days after President Donald Trump issued a 50-day deadline for Moscow to accept a ceasefire or face intensified economic pressure.