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Vladimir Putin said he is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines.
However, the Russian president said he is ready to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond, four Russian sources told Reuters.
Three of the sources, familiar with discussions in Putin’s entourage, said Putin had expressed frustration to a small group of advisers about what he views as Western-backed attempts to impede negotiations and Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to rule out talks.
“Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire to freeze the war,” said another of the four, a senior Russian source who has worked with Putin and has knowledge of top level conversations in the Kremlin.
It comes as Zelensky said on Friday that Ukrainian forces had secured “combat control” of areas where Russian troops staged an incursion this month in northern parts of Kharkiv region.
However, the claim is at odds with comments by Russian officials as Viktor Vodolatskiy, a member of Russia’s State Duma lower house of parliament, was quoted by Tass news agency as saying Russian forces controlled more than half the territory of Kharkiv’s town of Vovchansk, 5 km (three miles) inside the border.
Key Points
- Putin is ready to freeze war along current battlelines
- Zelensky says Ukrainian forces now control area where Russia pushed into Kharkiv region
- Ukraine forces say 10 Russian attacks repelled in area around Kharkiv
- Putin says Zelensky has no legitimacy after expiry of presidential term
- Allies should 'lift restrictions' to let Ukraine strike inside Russia, says Nato chief
Putin arrives in neighboring Belarus for a two-day visit with a key ally
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Thursday in Belarus for a two-day visit as part of several foreign tours to kick off his fifth term in office, underscoring close ties with a neighboring ally that has been instrumental in Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Putin traveled to China earlier this month, and is expected in Uzbekistan on Sunday. Earlier on Thursday, the Russian president hosted Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Kremlin.
In Belarus, Putin is to hold talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko greeted him on the tarmac, and then the two sat down for a “short conversation” at the airport, the Kremlin reported. Lukashenko promised to discuss “security issues at the forefront, and tomorrow we will discuss economic issues together with our colleagues from the governments.”
Putin arrives in neighboring Belarus for a two-day visit with a key ally
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening arrived in Belarus for a two-day visit
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 May 2024 00:00 1716674404They escaped Russia’s deadly assault on Kharkiv – now these Ukrainians face another catastrophe
People from villages and towns around the region have been forced by their homes by fierce fighting, reports Tom Watling:
They escaped Russia’s deadly assault on Kharkiv – now they face another catastrophe
People from villages and towns around the region have been forced by their homes by fierce fighting, reports Tom Watling
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 23:00 1716670804Zelenskyy says Ukraine has taken back control in areas of Kharkiv region, aerial attacks continue
Ukrainian forces have secured “combat control” of areas where Russian troops entered the northeastern Kharkiv region earlier this month, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Meanwhile, two people were killed Saturday in an aerial attack on the city of Kharkiv, which is the region’s capital, according to local officials.
Kharkiv is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Russian border. Moscow’s troops have in recent weeks captured villages in the area as part of a broad push, and analysts say they may be trying to get within artillery range of the city. Ukrainian authorities have evacuated more than 11,000 people from the region since the start of the offensive on May 10.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine has taken back control in areas of Kharkiv region, aerial attacks continue
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces have secured “combat control” of areas where Russian troops entered Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region earlier this month
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 22:00 1716667204Russia begins nuclear drills in response to ‘provocative statements’
Russia’s Defense Ministry has said it began a round of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons.
The exercises were announced by Russian authorities this month in response to remarks by senior Western officials about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.
It was the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, although its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.
Russia begins nuclear drills in response to ‘provocative statements’
It was the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 21:00 1716663604Why are top Russian military officials being arrested
It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied.
The arrests began after President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term and shuffled his ally, longtime Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, into a new post.
Why are top Russian military officials being arrested
The arrests began last month when a Russian deputy defense minister was detained
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 20:00 1716660004Putin’s military purge ramps up as another Russian general arrested
The deputy head of the Russian army’s General Staff has been accused of taking bribes and arrested, investigators have said – the latest in a slew of high-profile cases of alleged corruption to shake Vladimir Putin’s top brass.
The arrest of Lieutenant-General Vadim Shamarin is the fourth detention of a high-ranking defence figure within a month, starting on 23 April when Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov was placed in pre-trial detention for suspected bribe-taking.
Since then, Lieutenant-General Yuri Kuznetsov, head of personnel at the defence ministry, and Major-General Ivan Popov, former commander of Russia‘s 58th army, have also been arrested.
Putin’s military purge ramps up as another Russian general arrested
It is the fourth arrest of a high-ranking defence figure in the space of a month
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 19:00 1716656404Norway further tightens its restrictions on the entry of Russians
Norway on Thursday said it will further tighten its restrictions on the entry of people from Russia, saying those with tourist visas issued by Norway before regulations were tightened in 2022 or issued by another European country will be barred from entering the Scandinavian country as of next week.
Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said the tightening was a response to “Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Norway has a 198-kilometer (123-mile) -long border with Russia in the Arctic.
Norway further tightens its restrictions on the entry of Russians
Norway says it will further tighten its restrictions on the entry of people from Russia, saying those with tourist visas issued by Norway before regulations were tightened in 2022 or issued by another European country will be barred from entering the Scandinavian country as of next week
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 18:00 1716654604Witnesses described panicked scenes at the shopping centre after Russian strikes targeted a crowded DIY hardware store in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
“I was at my workplace. I heard the first hit and ... with my colleague, we fell to the ground. There was the second hit and we were covered with debris. Then we started to crawl to the higher ground,” said Dmytro Syrotenko, who had a large gash to his face.
The 26-year-old told Reuters he was taken to safety by a rescue worker who helped him, several colleagues, and shoppers.
Immediately after the strike, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a fresh plea for more air defence to be able to protect the city of about 1.3 million people.
Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians, but thousands have been killed and injured during its 27-month full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian strikes on Ukrainian city of Kharkiv kill at least two
Russian strikes on a crowded DIY hardware store in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday killed at least two people, wounded many more, and triggered a huge blaze that fire crews were battling to contain, regional officials said.
Oleh Syniehubov, Kharkiv regional governor, said via the Telegram messaging app that two guided bombs had hit the DIY hypermarket in a residential area of the city. He said 24 people were injured along with the two confirmed deaths.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said many people were unaccounted for but gave no immediate figures. Officials said up to 200 people could have been in the hypermarket at the time of the strikes.
“The attack targeted the shopping centre, where there were many people - this is clearly terrorism,” Terekhov said.
Reuters video footage showed huge clouds of dark smoke rising into the sky from the site with firefighters’ vehicles and rescuers heading to the scene.
Rescuers, medics and journalists rushed away from the building and lay flat on their stomachs, fearing the possibility of a second strike - a common feature of Russia‘s recent attacks.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 16:58 1716650870
Putin arrives in neighboring Belarus for a two-day visit with a key ally
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Thursday in Belarus for a two-day visit as part of several foreign tours to kick off his fifth term in office, underscoring close ties with a neighboring ally that has been instrumental in Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
Putin traveled to China earlier this month, and is expected in Uzbekistan on Sunday. Earlier on Thursday, the Russian president hosted Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Kremlin.
Putin arrives in neighboring Belarus for a two-day visit with a key ally
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening arrived in Belarus for a two-day visit
Maryam Zakir-Hussain25 May 2024 16:27 Newer1 / 7OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
