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There are suggestions that Ukraine might face a division reminiscent of Berlin during the Cold War, according to a statement from General Keith Kellogg, a former envoy from the Trump administration to Kyiv. As tensions with Russia show no signs of easing, Kellogg indicated that the country could potentially be partitioned into various zones of influence, with proposed deployments of British and French troops in a western zone and Russian forces in the east. A demilitarized zone would likely separate these areas, while U.S. ground troops would not be part of the arrangement, he mentioned. “It could bear similarities to the divisions seen in Berlin after World War II, where there were established zones for different powers,” he remarked in an interview with the Times newspaper. The government in Kyiv has not yet responded to these comments.
Donald Trump recently issued a stark ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin as discussions began regarding U.S.-Russia negotiations. On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed urgency, stating, “Russia has to get moving. Too many people are dying, thousands a week, in this senseless war – a conflict that should have been avoided and wouldn’t have occurred if I were in charge.” The meeting began in St. Petersburg, where Putin was seen greeting U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff before the two engaged in talks, which reportedly lasted over four hours. The Kremlin highlighted that the central theme of the discussions revolved around a potential settlement regarding Ukraine.
Ukraine’s allies committed to an unprecedented military aid package valued at €21 billion ($24 billion), while accusing Putin of stalling negotiations for a ceasefire, as reported by Luke Harding. During a recent meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group in Brussels, British Defence Secretary John Healey stated that despite Putin’s claims of desiring peace, he had refused to endorse a comprehensive ceasefire. Ukrainian targets—both military and civilian—continue to face aggression from Russian forces, Healey noted. The meeting in Ramstein was jointly hosted by the UK and Germany, with attendance from over 40 nations, though the U.S. was represented only via video by Trump’s former Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on allied nations to prioritize air defense, urging them to provide an additional ten Patriot missile systems. Speaking via video link at the Ramstein meeting, he conveyed that the ongoing Russian offensives demonstrate a lack of sincerity from Moscow regarding any genuine peace overtures. He also mentioned discussions with Trump about purchasing more air defense systems and emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to acquire what is necessary to enhance its defenses. Additional funds will be allocated to bolster electronic warfare capabilities, he outlined.
A meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials recently focused on accessing Ukraine’s abundant mineral resources, though progress was reportedly hindered by a tense atmosphere. A source familiar with the discussions described the situation as “antagonistic,” as U.S. proposals from the Trump administration have become increasingly demanding. The current proposal is viewed as significantly broader than previous drafts. The U.S. Treasury Department later confirmed the technical nature of these discussions.
Russia’s defense ministry reported the interception of 13 Ukrainian drones in rapid succession, claiming the destruction occurred within a half-hour time frame. The ministry detailed that nine drones were shot down in the Rostov region on Ukraine’s eastern border, with an additional four eliminated in the Kursk region to the north. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force countered that it successfully downed 24 drones, and 13 more had likely been thwarted by electronic warfare measures. Russia reportedly launched 39 drones and one ballistic missile in its recent offensive.
U.S. intelligence indicates that over a hundred Chinese citizens have engaged as mercenaries fighting for Russia in Ukraine, with no direct linkage to the Chinese government. However, it has been reported that Chinese military officers have been present in the conflict behind Russian lines, observing and learning tactics with the approval of Beijing. The U.S. confirmed the capture of two Chinese nationals by Ukrainian forces in the eastern region, corroborating statements made by Zelenskyy about an estimated 155 Chinese individuals involved in the conflict on behalf of Russia.
Ukrainian lawmakers are expected to extend the current martial law before its expiration on May 9, according to the parliamentary speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk. He emphasized the challenges of conducting free elections in a country facing partial occupation and ongoing attacks, while reiterating Ukraine’s commitment to upholding democratic processes in due course.
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www.theguardian.com