As tensions simmered between the United States and Europe over President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland, Russian officials, state-backed media and pro-Kremlin bloggers watched with a mixture of glee, gloating and wariness. Some touted Trump's move as historic, while others said it weakens the European Union and NATO — something that Moscow would seem to welcome — and that it pushes Russia's war in Ukraine to the sidelines for the West. Some noted the Arctic island held security and economic concerns for the U.S. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also drew parallels between Trump's bid for Greenland and the annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, which many nations do not recognize as legal.
President Donald Trump could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. A White House official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. News of a potential meeting came after Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow. Trump posted that the meeting was productive and he had updated European allies. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is open to meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The potential meeting was first reported by The New York Times.
President Donald Trump says he's ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. This decision comes after what he calls "highly provocative statements" by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump posted on his social media site that he's taking action in case Medvedev's words are more than just rhetoric. He emphasizes the importance of words and hopes for no unintended consequences. The impact on U.S. nuclear subs, which routinely patrol global hotspots, remains unclear. This move escalates tensions between Washington and Moscow at a delicate time. Trump also mentions sending a special envoy to Russia to push for a ceasefire in its war with Ukraine.
By BARRY HATTON, ILLIA NOVIKOV and DASHA LITVINOVA Associated Press
Updated
Russian officials and state media have taken a triumphant tone after President Donald Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year-long war in Ukraine. Trump's change of tack seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters in ending the fighting. It looked set to sideline Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace negotiations. Zelenskyy says he will not accept any agreements about Ukraine that do not include his country in the talks.
By ELLEN KNICKMEYER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is embracing the support of international allies even as he pushed for the help to arrive faster and restrictions to be lifted on the use of U.S. weapons to attack military targets inside Russia. On Thursday, he thanked allies in the military alliance who have provided substantial new aid and a path to joining NATO. But Zelenskyy added that if Ukraine wants to prevail, all limitations on weapons must be lifted. Earlier in a one-on-one meeting, President Joe Biden announced a new military aid package for Ukraine and pledged to Zelenskyy: "We will stay with you, period."
