President Trump has reportedly demanded that Ukraine give access to its earth minerals to the United States as payment for war aid. This demand comes amid discussions of ending the war in Ukraine between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview on Air Force One, Trump mentioned a phone conversation with Putin about stopping the conflict in Ukraine. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov neither confirmed nor denied the conversation.
Next week, Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the ongoing war against Russian invaders. Meanwhile, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has expressed support for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, pledging the North Korean army’s assistance.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, individuals with disabilities in Russian-occupied territory are facing dire conditions, being used as human shields and subjected to starvation and violence. A man with only the use of one arm shared his story of returning to Kyiv and later dying due to the inhumane treatment he faced.
In another development, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have successfully synchronized their electricity systems with the European continental power grid, ending decades-old energy ties with Russia and Belarus. This move is aimed at boosting the region’s energy security and integrating more closely with the European Union. The region is on high alert due to suspected sabotage of power cable, telecom links, and gas pipelines, believed to be related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Analysts warn of potential energy price increases in the region if further damage occurs to critical infrastructure.
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