Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Trump on Saturday that Moscow is prepared to resume peace talks with Kyiv after June 22, once prisoner exchanges and body repatriations are complete. This marks the fifth call between the two leaders since Trump assumed office, reflecting his effort to reshape U.S.–Russia relations.
David Betz, a professor of war at King’s College London, has issued a sobering warning that civil war in Western nations—particularly in the United Kingdom—is no longer a remote possibility, but a growing likelihood. Speaking this week, Betz said that based on global civil conflict indicators, the UK and parts of Europe now show signs of being in a “pre-civil war” state.
Russia unleashed a massive overnight attack on Ukraine’s eastern city of Kharkiv early Saturday, killing at least three and injuring 21. The barrage included aerial glide bombs, cruise missiles, and drones—marking the most intense strike on the city since the war began in February 2022. Ukrainian officials confirmed 215 projectiles were launched, of which air defenses intercepted 87 drones and seven missiles.
Russia unleashed a deadly wave of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least two people, including a 9-year-old girl, as uncertainty looms over possible peace talks in Istanbul next week. Ukrainian officials say Russian forces launched 109 drones and five missiles overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses downing three missiles and 42 drones, while another 30 drones failed to reach their targets.
Russian occupation authorities have unveiled a bust of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, marking the first such monument erected in seized territory since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The unveiling took place Thursday as part of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating its role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.
President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States may withdraw from its role in mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine if significant progress is not achieved.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), the only Ukrainian-born member of Congress, defied party advisors last weekend and attended multiple town halls despite organized protests over her vocal support for President Donald Trump and controversial views on the war in Ukraine. Instead of backing down, Spartz faced tough questions from constituents, many frustrated by her changing stance on U.S. support for her native country.
The rapid evolution of drone warfare in the Ukraine war has led to battles where nearly all combat is conducted by autonomous and semi-autonomous machines, both on the ground and in the air. This shift is bringing the world closer to the concept of “hyperwar,” where human commanders may struggle to react quickly enough to control their machines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the deployment of American troops to Ukraine, insisting that a multinational peacekeeping effort without U.S. participation would not be effective in deterring further Russian aggression. Speaking at the Davos World Economic Forum, Zelensky emphasized the need for U.S. involvement alongside European allies to stabilize Ukraine and prevent Russia from rearming during a potential ceasefire.
Legal expert Alan Dershowitz expressed skepticism over the survival of President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship, which was issued Monday shortly after Trump’s inauguration. The order tightens criteria for granting U.S. citizenship to individuals born within the country, a move that has sparked heated debate and immediate legal challenges.
