Ukraine Efforts Amidst Lack Of Intel and Aid

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has demanded clearly that any step towards peace should involve no Russian attacks in the sky and sea, and is willing to propose a ceasefire as US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia draw near. Although Zelensky said an exchange of prisoners of war could be a step towards peace, the Russian ministry rejected proposals for a truce and will continue to capture Ukrainian territory.

US officials revealed that the US has paused lethal intelligence sharing with Ukraine, after Trump blames Ukraine for starting the war and undermined Zelensky's legitimacy. Ukrainian soldiers cautioned that Russians were going to regroup and intensify offensive efforts to take advantage of the sudden intelligence suspension, which greatly undermines the war effort. Reports prove that the loss of intelligence and aid from the United States is hurting Ukraine's capability of striking Russian troops. Russia is launching many ballistic missile attacks and surrounding thousands of Ukrainian troops that had a seven-month foothold in Kursk.

Trump had been very intent on signing a minerals accord with Zelensky which would give the US access to certain mineral resources, before Zelensky's White House visit and requests for US security led to a major argument between the world leaders. He sought to force Zelensky to agree to a deal to end the war with Russia, adding pressure by cutting off military assistance. Zelensky is flying to Saudi Arabia for talks with the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who played a role mediating between Ukraine and Russia, before the meetings with Trump. 

However, Trump has claimed he will expect good results of the upcoming talks with Ukrainian officials and is "just about" to lift the suspension very optimistically. Zelensky will not attend the talks himself, but his foreign and defence ministers will, and are expected to propose a peace plan featuring suspension of military activity in the Black Sea and a halt to drone and missile strikes. 

Read More Here:

• RBC-Ukraine

• Matt Spivey, BBC

• Luke Harding, The Guardian

• Julian E. Barnes, Michael Schwirtz, Eric Schmitt and Adam Entous, New York Times

• Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt, Marc Santora and Julian E. Barnes, New York Times

• Erica L. Green, Eric Schmitt, David E. Sanger and Julian E. Barnes, New York Times

• David Brennan, ABC news

• Margaret Brennan, CBS news

• Reuters

• Oliver Holmes, The Guardian

• Andrew Roth and Oliver Holmes, The Guardian