Ukrainian security services have released new video footage showing the bold “Spiderweb” operation, a series of drone strikes aimed at Russian military airfields far inside Russia. The footage demonstrates the use of drones controlled by artificial intelligence in what Ukrainian officials say was a highly effective attack causing major damage to Russia’s air force. President Donald Trump privately praised the operation, describing it as both ‘strong’ and ‘badass.’ 2j2w1m

The SBU, Ukraine’s primary counterintelligence agency, explained that the operation used “modern drone control technology, which mixes self-operating artificial intelligence systems with manual control by human operators.” While flying, the drones relied on AI to guide them to pre-set targets if they lost communication signals, automatically detonating their explosives upon hitting their targets.

The video shows Ukrainian drones successfully damaging engines, antennas, wings, and other key parts of various Russian aircraft at four different airfields located thousands of kilometers inside Russia. According to Politico, the SBU specifically named the damaged aircraft as A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78 planes.

Ukraine’s airstrike was more devastating than first thought 4y1a64

Independent experts and journalists, checking Ukrainian claims with satellite images, have confirmed that at least 11 strategic bombers were destroyed. The SBU calculates that the total cost of the damage to Russia’s air force exceeds $7 billion. According to the SBU, these airfields are often used by Russia to fire ballistic and cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities.

Successfully hitting these targets deals a major blow to Russia’s military strength and its ability to carry out long-range attacks inside Ukraine. The operation has received mixed reactions from both sides. The Russian Ministry of Defense played down the scale of the damage, saying only two locations, in the Irkutsk and Murmansk regions, had bombers damaged.

They also claimed that attacks on airfields in Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions were stopped, with no military or civilian casualties reported. Russian officials are treating the incident as a terrorist act and are investigating. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the operation, saying at a press conference that the “Spiderweb” strikes destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, half of which cannot be fixed, while the rest will need years of repairs if they can ever be fully restored.

He stressed that these were valid military targets and that such operations were necessary to counter Russian aggression. Zelenskyy also connected the operation to ongoing ceasefire talks, saying the attacks would not have happened had Moscow accepted Ukraine’s earlier unconditional ceasefire proposal. He stated, “wanting a ceasefire doesn’t mean we do nothing in the meantime.”

The daring nature of the “Spiderweb” operation has attracted global attention. While some applaud Ukraine for its creative use of technology and for changing modern warfare tactics, others have raised concerns. U.S. Special Envoy on Ukraine Keith Kellogg expressed worry about the strategic risks of such attacks, saying that striking an opponent’s nuclear-capable forces could lead to unpredictable escalation. He pointed out the uncertainty of Russia’s reaction and the possibility of increased tensions because of such bold moves.

A bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia‘s oil and gas revenues has gained significant in the Senate, with 82 senators backing the measure co-sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal. The bill aims to diminish Russia’s ability to fund its ongoing war in Ukraine by targeting countries that continue to purchase Moscow’s energy resources.

According to Politico, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson have expressed their for confronting Russia, creating what appears to be a crucial moment to pressure Vladimir Putin toward peace negotiations. However, President Donald Trump’s reluctance to endorse the measure has created a notable divide between congressional Republicans and the White House.

During an Oval Office meeting on Thursday, Trump made his position clear, stating of GOP lawmakers: “They’re waiting for me to decide on what to do.” This came after he itted he hadn’t yet reviewed the bill, despite having discussed it multiple times with Senator Graham.

Senate Republicans seek alternative path forward 4l1s1o

Despite the White House’s lukewarm response, Senate Republicans are considering moving forward with the bill independently. Senator Kevin Cramer, a Trump ally, suggests ing the measure to provide leverage, arguing that Trump could later decide its fate in the House while allowing the Senate to make its statement.

The White House has reportedly indicated it won’t obstruct the Senate’s efforts to pursue the measure, though it hasn’t offered explicit encouragement. According to Republicans close to the discussions, the istration’s message has been more ive, suggesting they won’t interfere if senators feel compelled to act.

Thune has publicly stated his willingness to bring Graham’s bill to the floor before the July 4 recess. With over 80 co-sponsors, the bill demonstrates rare bipartisan unity in an otherwise deeply divided Senate, suggesting strong congressional determination to confront Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who maintains with Trump, suggests that even Senate age alone would send a strong message to Moscow. The proposed legislation represents a significant shift in congressional approach to Russian aggression, though its ultimate fate remains uncertain as Trump continues to express reluctance to single out Putin for criticism, suggesting instead that sanctions could potentially target both Russia and Ukraine, noting that “it takes two to tango.”

has announced a military aid package worth 5 billion euros (approximately $5.4 billion) for Ukraine, a decision that has caused strong reactions around the world. Russia responded angrily, warning that this move could lead to a dangerous escalation in the ongoing war. The aid package was revealed after a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia reacted immediately, and Express reported that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had accused of ing the war directly and taking a dangerous risk,” is being directly drawn into this war.”. Lavrov suggested that was repeating past mistakes that had led to disaster. He warned that this decision could push the conflict toward a larger war, possibly even a world war. If Russia declared war on , as it sounds like the country is considering here, things could spiral.

The risk of this situation spiraling out of control is serious. If and Russia were to clash directly, other NATO countries would likely get involved, rapidly expanding the war. Given Russia’s massive military power and nuclear weapons, the consequences could be catastrophic. While the aid package is meant to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, it also raises the possibility of the war growing much larger.

Russia warns that it ed the war with its aid 3o182

It marks a major increase in ’s for Ukraine, going beyond just sending weapons. The package includes direct funding for Ukraine’s defense industry and sets up a partnership for t weapons production between and Ukraine. The aid package includes significant funding to develop and produce long-range weapons inside Ukraine.

Russia’s Foreign Secretary Sergey Lavrov said, “We already have German tanks occasionally driving around our territory. They mostly burn rather than drive… Direct involvement in the war is already obvious. is sliding down the same slippery slope it has already followed a couple of times in the last century – down towards its collapse.”

This includes money for manufacturing BARS and AN-196 drones, as well as Flamingo drone interceptors, all of which are meant to help Ukraine hit targets far behind Russian-controlled areas. The package also s the production of other long-range weapons, with many expected to be ready by late 2025. Additionally, will send four more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine, strengthening its ability to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks.

Russia is pretty vocal about the wars of the past, which seems to make their statues of Stalin make more sense. However, a bigger war could lead to Putin’s fear of being overthrown becoming a reality.

This aid is important not just for the weapons it provides now but also because it helps Ukraine build its own defense industry. By investing in local production, will help Ukraine to rely less on foreign aid in the future. The long-range weapons could also allow Ukraine to strike key Russian supply routes, including the bridge to Crimea, which is vital for Russian military operations. Disrupting these routes could weaken Russia’s ability to fight effectively.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, however, thanked for its strong and for helping Ukraine build a stronger defense industry. He emphasized how crucial ’s assistance is in Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.

Tensions between Russia and the United States have grown worse after a series of sharp exchanges involving former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and current Russian President Vladimir Putin. The heated back-and-forth focuses on the ongoing war in Ukraine and Trump’s increasingly harsh criticism of Putin.

The latest increase in tensions started with Trump’s strong disapproval of Putin’s actions in Ukraine. Trump accused Putin of behaving recklessly, saying that Putin’s decisions could lead to very serious problems for Russia. He suggested that Russia would have been in much worse trouble without his own past involvement. These statements came after a drone strike on Kyiv that killed civilians, leading Trump to call Putin “absolutely crazy.”

Shafaq reported that Medvedev responded to Trump’s remarks on X with a serious warning, referring to Trump’s claim that Putin was “playing with fire” and predicting “really bad things” for Russia. Medvedev said the only truly disastrous outcome would be the start of World War III, directly connecting Trump’s criticisms to the possibility of a global war. This forceful reply emphasized how serious the situation is and how rising tensions in words could lead to dangerous results.

Former Russian president warns of global war after Trump comments 5b2s

This exchange shows a major change in Trump’s attitude toward Russia. In the past, Trump had spoken positively about Putin and Russia, a position that often brought criticism. Now, his sudden shift to strong condemnation marks a big difference from his earlier views and makes the already tense geopolitical situation even more complicated.

Behind this war of words is the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. Recent reports show that the conflict continues, with Russian forces attacking Ukrainian cities and making advances in the northeastern Sumy region. Ukraine and its allies keep demanding an immediate ceasefire, while the Russian government seems unwilling to negotiate unless certain demands are met.

Even though there have been statements suggesting a willingness to talk, the conflict has not calmed down. Reports describe ongoing artillery fire, drone strikes, and military movements. Russia recently held large naval exercises in the Baltic Sea involving many ships, planes, and troops, showing it is prepared for military action. At the same time, Ukraine says it has successfully shot down Russian drones, demonstrating its continued effort to defend itself. This doesn’t sound like a Putin that needs Trump’s approval.

The Russian government dismissed Trump’s comments as coming from “emotional overload,” making the already difficult relationship even more strained. While Putin has said in the past that he is open to discussions about a possible peace agreement and ceasefire, no real steps toward reducing tensions have been taken. The continued fighting and harsh words suggest that diplomatic efforts are stuck while tensions keep rising.

The long-term effects of this renewed hostility are unclear, adding more uncertainty to an already unstable global situation. Putin may be afraid of what may happen if he loses. The direct warning of a worldwide war, though extreme, is a strong reminder of what could happen if aggressive words and military actions keep escalating in the current conflict.

Russia has rejected a peace plan linked to Donald Trump, calling it a failure and saying it is not likely to work. A major Russian newspaper, Moskovskij Komsomolets, published an article arguing that the plan, which was once seen as important because of Trump’s supposed influence with Moscow, is now useless and close to collapsing.

According to Express, the newspaper’s analysis said that while Trump’s involvement at first helped talks between Russia and Ukraine, the current situation makes it unlikely the peace effort will succeed. The article doubted the plan’s future, suggesting even Trump would soon realize it was pointless.

Adding to the doubts about the peace plan, Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Putin and Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council, shared a map on X. The map showed almost all of Ukraine under Russian control, with only a small area near the Polish border still under Ukrainian rule. Medvedev’s post, which included comments about Western military aid to Ukraine, was a clear sign of Russia’s goals and a direct refusal of any Western proposals for a peace deal that would keep Ukraine independent.

Russia is planning to take all of Ukraine 266g43

The background of the proposed peace plan includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s earlier willingness to agree to a one-month ceasefire. However, President Putin has shown almost no interest in direct peace talks, choosing instead to send lower-level officials to negotiations. Western countries, including Britain and , along with a group of about 30 nations, have suggested a different plan involving a buffer zone between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

This buffer zone could be monitored by international troops, possibly including soldiers from Britain and other Western countries. Medvedev’s map directly opposed this idea, showing a situation where Russia controls almost all of the proposed buffer zone. Trump, reacting to the ongoing war and Russia’s continued attacks, said he was unhappy with Putin’s actions, stating he did not the missile strikes hitting Ukrainian cities and civilians.

Trump also posted on social media that Putin’s behavior had become unpredictable and warned that Russia’s ambitions might lead to its own collapse. These comments mark a change from Trump’s past statements when he often spoke more favorably about Putin during his presidency.

Trump posted on Truth Social, “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.”

This comes after Trump said he was disappointed in Putin for earlier strikes, and Russia still getting what it wanted. The Kremlin responded to Trump’s remarks by suggesting his harsh criticism came from an emotional reaction to the difficulties of the war. The Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said Trump’s comments about Putin’s mental state were driven by emotion and the general stress of the conflict. Peskov stressed that Putin’s actions are necessary to protect Russia’s security interests.

Following these events, Ukraine’s Western allies are getting ready to impose more sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, the US government has said it will keep trying to mediate peace talks but may stop if Russia does not show real interest in a negotiated solution.

Families gathered along roadsides in northern Ukraine on Friday, wrapped in Ukrainian flags and holding photographs of captured soldiers. They are eagerly awaiting the return of prisoners in the largest exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the war began.

The prisoner swap, which is the only concrete outcome from direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul last week, will see both sides release 1,000 prisoners each. The process moved rapidly after the agreement, with families rushing to designated meeting points without knowing if their loved ones would be among those freed.

According to The Washington Post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 390 people would be returned initially, with more expected throughout the weekend. “We are bringing our people home,” he wrote. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the delivery of 390 prisoners to Ukraine, comprising 270 soldiers and 120 civilians.

Former US president advocates for peace talks, but progress remains limited 1z4z5n

Former President Donald Trump, who pushed for the Istanbul talks, hoped they would lead to a ceasefire. However, Russia’s decision to send only a low-level delegation hindered significant progress. Despite this setback, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha considered the talks worthwhile solely for enabling family reunions.

Among those waiting at the reunion point was Mykola Hrytsak, a 39-year-old National Guardsman previously captured at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and later released. Along with two other former POWs, he waited, hoping to see some of their 65 friends still held in Russia.

The scene was emotional for many families, including Lina Marchenko, 46, who came searching for information about her husband, who disappeared in the Zaporizhzhia region in August. Similarly, Anna Pupenko, 29, and her husband Serhii arrived hoping to find news of friends who went missing during Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk region.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the exchange as a significant achievement, stating that the otherwise unsuccessful talks were worthwhile solely for the family reunions they enabled. While Russia and Ukraine have conducted numerous prisoner swaps throughout the war, this marks the largest exchange to date.

President Donald Trump has suggested that Pope Leo XIV could act as a mediator in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. This idea came after a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It underscores the Vatican’s possible role as a neutral party in a highly divided global conflict.

While the Vatican has not officially confirmed any offer to mediate, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at Trump’s request, reached out to Pope Leo and reported that he was open to hosting peace talks. The possibility of Vatican mediation comes from its reputation as a neutral entity, separate from the strategic goals of other potential mediators. Pope Leo himself has stated that the Vatican is ready to help arrange meetings between the warring sides.

According to the Washington Post, Trump had said, “I think it would be great to have it at the Vatican. … I think maybe that could help some of that anger.” This effort marks a major early challenge for the new Pope, who has already taken a more openly pro-Ukraine position than his predecessor, Pope Francis, an insightful man. If he succeeds in mediating a resolution to the war, it could greatly influence the first years of his leadership.

The Pope may mediate the ending to a war 585w35

Achieving peace through Vatican mediation faces many difficulties. A peace deal between Russia and Ukraine has been hard to reach, with Russia favoring drawn-out talks while continuing to fight. This has led to accusations that Russia is delaying talks to try to win militarily before making serious negotiations.

Some European countries and the United States have pushed for a ceasefire before talks. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has outright rejected this idea.

Practical problems also stand in the way. European sanctions and travel bans make it hard for Russian officials to participate, raising concerns about their safety if they travel to Italy, where the Vatican is located. Although the 1929 Lateran Treaty ensures safe age for diplomatic missions to the Vatican, it is not legally clear whether this applies to high-ranking Russian officials, including President Putin.

This means other European countries would need to make logistical exceptions, such as allowing Russian officials to use their airspace. The Vatican has been involved in mediating conflicts before, with mixed results. Past efforts include helping arrange President Obama’s 2016 visit to Cuba and unsuccessful attempts to mediate between the Venezuelan government and its opposition.

The Vatican also hosted talks between Argentina and Chile in the 1980s, which helped prevent war. This serves as a useful historical example, though neither Ukraine nor Russia are majority-Catholic nations. Ukraine, which had previously asked for Vatican help under Pope Francis, has said it is open to talks hosted by the Vatican.

Some Ukrainian officials were initially unhappy with Pope Francis’s position, but they recognize the Vatican’s behind-the-scenes work in arranging prisoner swaps and bringing back hundreds of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. This was done through the Vatican’s diplomatic channels and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See said Pope Leo is willing to help end the conflict but noted that both sides would need to formally request his involvement.

There has been evidence released that seems to show Russian forces killing Ukrainian soldiers who were surrendering in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. This evidence includes intercepted Russian radio communications and drone footage, which appear to each other.

Warning: Descriptions and video of killing in wartime.

The intercepted radio transmissions, which CNN obtained from a Ukrainian intelligence official, contain repeated orders from a Russian commander to capture the Ukrainian commander and kill the other soldiers. These orders were given at least six times over a period of about 10 minutes. The commander’s call sign and rank have not been verified. The transmissions also include exchanges between the commander and soldiers using the call signs “Arta” and “Beliy,” who seem to be following the orders.

The drone footage, reportedly recorded between 12:27 pm and 12:30 pm local time, appears to show what happened after these orders were given. The footage shows at least six Ukrainian soldiers lying face down on the ground. At least one soldier is seen being shot at very close range. Another soldier, who had been lying still, is then seen standing up, taking off body armor, and being led away. This matches the radio communication about a Ukrainian commander being captured.

Russians breaking rules of law by killing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers 3n1i1q

The timing of the drone footage lines up with when the radio communications were intercepted. A forensic audio expert who examined the radio transmissions found no signs that they had been altered. Satellite images also confirm the location of the incident. The footage states “Take the commander captive and kill everyone else.”

Ukrainian officials are looking into the incident as a possible war crime. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has identified the suspected attackers as of the “Storm unit” from the 394th Motorized Rifle Regiment (127th Motorized Rifle Division) of the 5th Combined Arms Army. The SBU has previously connected this same unit to another suspected killing in the same area, which was the beheading of a captured Ukrainian soldier.

As of May 5, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s office had started 75 criminal investigations into the suspected killings of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war. The number of alleged executions is said to be increasing, with investigations into 8 cases involving 57 soldiers in 2022, 8 cases involving 11 soldiers in 2023, 39 cases with 149 soldiers in 2024, and 20 cases with 51 soldiers so far in 2025. Ukrainian officials suggest this rise may be due to orders from top Russian political and military leaders.

A UN special investigator on unlawful killings and a Western intelligence official said the evidence matches other reported cases of Russian forces executing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers. They called these actions a serious violation of international law. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not responded or commented on any of these accusations.

However, with the lack of pushback from the U.S., it seems like Russia may get away with this. Iit seems like Trump can’t stand up to Putin since he tends to blame Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities think the alleged executions are part of a larger Russian strategy, possibly fueled by cultural hatred toward Ukrainians and a deliberate effort to weaken Ukrainian morale. In response, the Ukrainian government has increased training for its troops on how to properly handle Russian prisoners of war to ensure their safety.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, stepped down from her position last month. She pointed to a White House policy that focused more on pressuring Ukraine than Russia in the ongoing war. Her resignation came after a meeting in the Oval Office where President Trump and Vice President Vance reportedly scolded Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for what they saw as a lack of respect.

Brink described the Trump istration’s strategy as appeasement, saying that such an approach has historically made conflicts worse, not better. Brink’s resignation comes as President Trump gets ready for separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Zelenskyy, hoping to arrange a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

According to Politico, Brink told CBS, “I resigned from Ukraine and also from the Foreign Service, because the policy since the beginning of the istration was to put pressure on the victim Ukraine, rather than on the aggressor, Russia. I fully agree that the war needs to end, but I believe that peace at any price is not peace at all. It’s appeasement and, as we know from history, appeasement only leads to more war.”

The US Ambassador to Ukraine does not agree with Trump’s interpretation of things 3y5j5d

Trump’s plan relies on using his personal connection with Putin to break the deadlock. His representative, Steve Witkoff, said he was hopeful that the calls could help end the conflict. However, Brink’s description of the Oval Office meeting paints a different picture of the istration’s tactics.

Brink said the meeting turned into a heated exchange, with Trump and Vance accusing Zelenskyy of not being grateful enough before sending him away. To Brink, this showed that the Trump istration was more focused on pressuring Ukraine, the victim, rather than Russia, the aggressor.

Brink said, “It has to be a peace that does things that advance our own interests, and those are really simple. It’s how to keep Ukraine free, how to deter Russia, and how to send the right signal to China. And this is what we should be doing.”

The different strategies for achieving peace are clear in contrasting statements. While Trump wants to stop what he calls the “bloodbath” and may use trade deals to reach an agreement, Brink insists that “peace at any price is not peace at all.”

Trump’s calls follow recent talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian officials. While these discussions led to an agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners of war from each side, they did not result in a ceasefire. President Putin also turned down a suggestion from President Zelenskyy to meet in person in Turkey to discuss a 30-day pause in fighting.

Russia recently carried out its biggest drone attack since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, hitting Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk. This attack highlights the urgent need for a ceasefire. These calls also follow talks in Rome between Zelenskyy and Trump’s vice president and secretary of state, where Zelenskyy stressed the importance of tougher sanctions against Russia.

As violence grows worse and peace talks continue between Ukraine and Russia, a recent statement by President Donald Trump about the Crimean Peninsula has caused major disagreement. Trump claimed that Crimea will stay under Russian control, a position that could mark a shift from long-standing U.S. policy and has sparked strong reactions from different groups involved in the conflict.

Trump’s statement is part of a larger peace proposal that was reportedly shared in London. According to reports from American and European officials, this proposal would involve the U.S. officially accepting Crimea as part of Russia, as reported by the U.S. Military and Fox.

This part of the plan has faced heavy criticism, especially from former diplomat Daniel Fried (per NY Times), who called it the most troubling aspect of the proposal. Fried argued that while it might make strategic sense to accept the reality of Russian occupation in some parts of Ukraine, officially recognizing a border change that was achieved by force would create a risky precedent. This view matches a previous “Crimea Declaration” made in 2018, which restated the principle that no country should be allowed to change another country’s borders by military means.

US still wants Ukraine to give up Crimea to Russia 1g2s6f

Ukraine strongly rejects the idea of recognizing Russia’s claim over Crimea. President Zelenskyy has made it clear that this is unacceptable and goes against Ukrainian law. Although Trump later tried to clarify his position, saying that his proposal did not force Ukraine to accept Russian control over Crimea, the Ukrainian government has not changed its stance.

Samuel Charap of the RAND Corporation doubt whether this kind of concession would be useful. Charap pointed to the Welles Declaration, which refused to recognize the Soviet Union’s occupation of the Baltic States, as an example. He noted that this did not stop later cooperation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union or the eventual end of the Cold War. Whether this strategy would work in the long run is still being debated.

Meanwhile, violence in the region has sharply increased. A recent drone strike in Pavlohrad killed civilians, including a child and an elderly woman. This attack came after heavy shelling in Kyiv that caused many casualties and even led to a rare criticism of President Putin by President Trump. The ongoing fighting shows how difficult it will be to reach a peaceful agreement.

The Trump istration’s current approach is also facing pressure from within. Senior officials have reportedly warned that if no agreement is reached, U.S. military aid to Ukraine could be cut off. This possibility makes the situation even more complicated and adds pressure on all sides to find a solution.

Trump’s representative, Steve Witkoff, met with President Putin in Moscow as part of ongoing talks to negotiate a peace deal. While these meetings show that discussions are still happening, no major progress has been made yet. Accusations that Russia is deliberately delaying talks and seizing more land continue, making it harder to trust the peace process. Ukraine had already accepted a U.S. ceasefire proposal weeks earlier, but Russian attacks kept happening, showing how deep the distrust between the two sides runs

Donald Trump gave his first speech to the American people this week, and as expected, he packed it to the brim with self-congratulations and petty remarks toward the Democrats. It’s nearly impossible to keep track of the mind-boggling number of lies and half-truths, but we’ve done our absolute best to track the bonkers words that came out of the president’s mouth.

The week is tainted by Trump and JD Vance’s Friday afternoon verbal beatdown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Begrudging Zelenskyy for his frustration with Vladimir Putin and his unwillingness to lay down for the Russian bully and grovel for peace, Trump displayed perhaps the worst side of him we’ve seen to date. But what can you expect when Zelenskyy would say anything nice about Trump’s BFF Putin?

The only thing stranger than Trump’s open crush on Putin is his relatively new and incredibly bizarre obsession with Elon Musk. The tech bro and the septuagenarian are definitely in their honeymoon phase, but if the istration gets its way, they’ll never nab that sweet marriage certif. Yes, the istration is eyeballing the end of gay marriage, but there’s no point protesting in Trump’s America.

The president proclaimed his complete disregard for American values by announcing his intent to cut federal funding for colleges that host “illegal protests,” whatever that means. His shenanigans aren’t making America look any better on the world stage, and combined with his terrible tariffs, we’re losing friends left and right. Daily reminder that we have three years and nine more months of this nightmare. At least we have a fun survey for you to take!

National embarrassment Donald Trump may now hold the record for longest sustained lie-fest in history 4i2hl

There’s far too much to say, and your attention span is far too short (it it) to detail every lie, embarrassing exaggeration, and straight-up mistake Donald Trump made in his excruciatingly long address to Congress this week. His wild speech hit all of the president’s favorite notes, from his attack on the transgender community to the border, tariffs, and Ukraine. He patted himself on the back over a few dozen imagined accomplishments, blasted his Democratic opponents, and overall reveled in the zealous iration of the frothing GOP.

It may truly be impossible to count all the lies that spouted from those nightmarishly puckered lips, particularly when some of them are so utterly bombastic. The president veered into true lunacy with his threat to acquire Greenland “one way or the other,” but it’s his claims about trans mice that really took the cake. Democratic figures, from Bernie Sanders to View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, quickly ed the pushback against assertions made across the speech, and they didn’t mince words. While the former was busy delivering a meaningful message about parsing Trump’s carefully-crafted speech, the latter savaged Trump for the “ridiculous and not effective” leader he is. It’s hard to say which message was more needed after that dumpster fire of a speech.

While Zelenskyy advocates for peace, Trump just wants a piece ⏤ of Ukraine’s pie h5g1z

In the early morning hours of Thursday, March 6, Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X describing the aftermath of yet another Russian missile strike that hit an ordinary hotel, killing four people and injuring 30 others. One thing people — like Donald “I will end the war in 24 hours” Trump — who needn’t have warfare constantly on the brain seem to ignore is that Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, escalating tensions and hostilities to a full-scale war when the larger country invaded again eight years later.

Since 2014 — no, not “2015” Mr. President, even JD had to correct you on that —  Russia has broken ceasefire agreements over two dozen times, and Ukrainians have been suffering unspeakable daily devastation and hardships. But still, how could President Zelenskyy have such “hatred” “for Putin”? Can’t he see that he’s making it “very tough for [Trump] to make a deal with that kind of hate?”

On Saturday, the POTUS and his overly eager side-kick, JD Vance — acting like your mother’s sleazy boyfriend who thinks he can scold you a mere month into the relationship — treated Zelenskyy like a metaphorical piñata for the world to see and recoil in disapproval as two clowns with sticks beat a dying horse. And not just any horse; for the sake of the analogy, think of Spirit the Stallion of the Cimarron, Joey from War Horse, or Ellie Williams’ Shimmer.

While putting up the pretense that he’s a man of “strength,” Trump showed both allies and Russia, whose state media was somehow present, that his istration’s vision aligns far more with Vladimir Putin’s Russia than with any other “free world” country. Even for individuals, like one The Telegraph editor, who fully the “global conservative counter-revolution,” and believe Trump is “saving America” with his policies “on women’s rights,” “dismantling the woke madness,” and “building a colour-blind meritocracy” — yes, the author is a white dude — they are all the same ramming face-first into the wall of cognitive dissonance that Trump’s “victim-blaming narrative on Ukraine” triggers in their pro-MAGA brains.

To get the rest of the tea, which this week includes Trump’s terrible tariff war, the rise of the Russian asset, and a certain relationship with Elon, be sure to sign up for WGTC’s They Said What?! Newsletter.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is undoubtedly one of the most complex geopolitical quagmires of our time. But Adam Kinzinger seems to have cracked the code with a single tweet.

Back in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, claiming it was protecting ethnic Russians and preventing NATO expansion. The international community largely condemned the move, with the U.S. and its allies imposing sanctions on Russia and providing military aid to Ukraine. Yet all that progress, all that painstaking unity built over the months, faces an utterly unnecessary complication: Donald Trump’s return to the global stage. 

Trump’s improbable 2024 comeback has brought along a bizarre entourage of pro-Russian cheerleaders and tech billionaires who seem disturbingly eager to please Putin. Meanwhile, Trump’s lackeys, like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, are out here trying to convince us that the Russians aren’t the bad guys we’ve seen in countless Hollywood movies. I’m sorry, but I think I’ll trust Tom Clancy over MTG on this one.

Against this absurd backdrop, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, recently dropped an alarming truth bomb at a Chatham House event, pointing out that it isn’t just Russia disrupting the global order — it’s now, shockingly, the United States itself.

Recent talks between Washington and Moscow suggest that the U.S. is trying to “meet Russia halfway,” a move that has alarmed allies and emboldened adversaries. Meanwhile, Europe is stepping up in ways that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. At a recent EU summit, leaders backed an 800 billion euro “ReArm Europe” plan to boost defense spending. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called this a “watershed moment” for Europe and Ukraine.

While Europe is rallying, the U.S. seems to be sending mixed signals. On February 28, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy met with Trump in what can only be described as a diplomatic disaster. Trump tried to pressure Zelenskyy into handing over Ukraine’s mineral assets in exchange for vague promises of U.S. .

When Zelenskyy refused, Trump attempted to strong-arm him into submission. Zelenskyy, who has refused to abandon Kyiv when bombs were falling around him, wasn’t about to be bullied. But the incident revealed just how far Trump is willing to go to appease Putin — and how little regard he has for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Amid all this chaos, Adam Kinzinger’s tweet feels like a dose of common sense.

Just a quick reminder, if Russia ceased firing there would be a cease fire

— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) March 6, 2025

It’s so obvious it’s almost laughable, and yet it cuts through the noise in a way that Trump’s convoluted posturing never could. The reality is, Russia is the aggressor here. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea. Russia is bombing Ukrainian cities and targeting civilians. No amount of gaslighting, spin, or Trumpian diplomacy can reverse the basic truth of who invaded whom.

History is filled with aggressors who tried desperately to rewrite the narrative: from Nazi ’s claims of victimhood in Poland, to the Soviet Union’s justifications for invading Hungary and Czechoslovakia, to Saddam Hussein’s absurd pretenses for invading Kuwait. Aggression, no matter how skillfully disguised, remains aggression. 

Thankfully, amidst this whirlwind of geopolitical nonsense, we have people like Kinzinger who aren’t afraid to call out Trump’s dangerous absurdities. Maybe next time Trump tries to solve world peace in 24 hours, someone should gently remind him: aggressive wars don’t end by rewarding aggressors — they end when aggressors stop fighting. Revolutionary, indeed.