After conversation with Putin on the phone: No imminent resolution expected
Take a seat and let's unpack this ol' dance between the US President, Trump, and Russia's leader, Putin. Recently, they had a heart-to-heart over the phone regarding the Ukraine conflict, and guess what? Trump doesn't foresee a quick resolution.
He took to his TRUTH social platform, saying, "Ah, a good yak with Putin, but nah, not one that'll lead to a hasty peace." The conversation lasted about an hour and a half, covering the dust kicked up by Ukraine's attacks on Russian aircraft and the ongoing clashes between both parties. Putin claimed he'd need to respond to Ukraine's aggression.
Politics: A Hard Hit for Russia – Key Planes Grounded
Ukrainian intelligence services have pulled off a bombastic strike on multiple Russian military airfields. Bye-bye to over 40 machines worth a cool seven billion dollars, including one in Siberia's Irkutsk. Russia has now lost 34% of its fleet capable of launching cruise missiles. But don't believe everything you hear; these figures aren't independently verified.
Kremlin Downplays Drone Attacks
The Russian military acknowledged the "terrorist attacks," referring to some damaged aircraft in Murmansk and Irkutsk. Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, celebrated the covert attack by his intelligence agency as the most audacious achievement of the war so far.
Politics: US Proposals Fade Away – Kremlin Uninterested in Three-Way Summit... For Now
Reps from Ukraine and Russia had a chinwag under American mediation in Turkey, discussing a potential way out of this quagmire. But Trump's pleas for an instant end to the fighting have so far gone unheeded. Trump and Putin last caught up in mid-May. Regardless, Trump has been pushin' for a face-to-face meet between Putin and Zelenskyy, with Trump graciously offering to tag along. However, this tête-à-tête hasn't materialized yet.
Senators Eye Tougher Sanctions Against Russia
Some US senators are whippin' up a legislative package to slap additional sanctions on Russia. If it passes, countries importin' Russian oil, gas, or energy goods may face hefty tariffs. The Senate seems to be on board, but no vote has been set just yet. The Republicans are holdin' their horses for a nod from the White House. Trump seems to have been havin' a tough time makin' up his mind about new restrictions on Russia, but he's been rampin' up the pressure. If the Senate signs off, the new penalties would need the approval of the House of Representatives too, before Trump can ink 'em.
Trump also chatters on about Iran and its controversial nuclear program with Putin. "I suggested to President Putin that Iran can't have atomic weapons, and I reckon we agreed on that," Trump wrote. Iran ain't got long to decide on its nuclear ambitions, explained Trump, and this choice needs to be made pronto. Putin indicated he'd like to chat about Iran's nuclear program and could potentially play a helpful role in winding things down, according to Trump's statements.
The European Union has a responsibility to ensure that its foreign policy, as EU members and world leaders, actively participates in resolving the war-and-conflicts like the ongoing Ukraine issue, as the US President, Trump, and Russia's leader, Putin, continue to struggle for a peaceful resolution. This situation, with potential geopolitical repercussions, falls under the category of general-news and requires ongoing attention from international politics.
