Zelensky-Trump meeting set for Wednesday Ukraine presidency.

Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump are planning to meet on Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, a senior source in the Ukrainian presidency told AFP

The wartime leader has been a central figure at recent summits, but given his fractious relationship with Trump, Zelensky has not been invited to the main working session with NATO members.

“The teams are finalising the details” of the meeting, the source told AFP, adding that the talks were scheduled for the “early afternoon” in the Netherlands.
The source added that the discussion would focus on Ukraine’s “purchase of a defence package, a large part of which consists of air defence systems”.

The leaders would also discuss more “sanctions against Russia, and a price cap on oil”, the source added.
Ukraine and its allies have sought to lower an existing oil cap imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine more than three years ago, from $60 to $45, to dent the Kremlin’s war chest.

Trump so far has frustrated Western allies by refusing to impose new sanctions on Russia despite President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump that Moscow is ready for a new round of peace talks with Ukraine after June 22, following prisoner and body exchanges. While Putin and Trump discussed improving ties, Ukraine's President Zelensky criticized the U.S. for taking a soft stance on Russia and warned against a reduction in aid, especially with growing U.S. focus on the Israel-Iran conflict. Ukraine and Russia conducted their fourth prisoner swap this week, returning wounded soldiers and bodies. Despite ongoing exchanges, Russia continues its offensive, especially near Sumy, while demanding Kyiv cede land and end Western military cooperation.

Ukraine And Russia Conduct Another Prisoner Of War Swap

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv receives bodies of 1,212 dead soldiers in ongoing prisoner exchange

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Trump Warns Putin Is ‘Playing With Fire’ Amid Stalled Peace Talks


U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of “playing with fire” as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine struggle to gain traction.

Trump’s comments came Tuesday via his Truth Social platform, where he expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace negotiations. The warning follows his earlier remarks describing Putin as “absolutely CRAZY” after a large-scale drone attack in Ukraine left multiple civilians dead.

"Putin doesn’t realize that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would’ve already happened to Russia. And I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!" Trump posted, without specifying what those consequences might have been.

Moscow maintains that its military actions are in response to increasing Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians and accuses Kyiv of deliberately undermining peace efforts. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and despite a phone conversation eight days ago where Trump claimed Putin agreed to resume talks, no progress has been reported.

Diplomatic pressure has grown in recent weeks, with Washington reportedly considering a new wave of sanctions. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNN, Trump is weighing additional economic measures against Russia, which could be announced as early as this week. Speaking on Sunday, Trump confirmed he was “absolutely” considering sanctions.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said all options remain on the table. “President Trump has been clear in his call for a negotiated peace deal and is prepared to act decisively. This war is Joe Biden’s fault,” she told AFP.

Trump has so far resisted harsh sanctions on Russian banks, arguing they could have devastating effects. However, his recent comments reflect a shift from his previously cordial tone toward Putin, with whom he often claimed to have a good relationship.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its drone campaign. Between May 20 and 27, Russian forces claimed to have intercepted over 2,300 Ukrainian drones. On Tuesday night alone, nearly 150 drones were reportedly downed, including 33 targeting Moscow.

The Russian defense ministry accused Ukraine—and its European allies—of attempting to sabotage peace efforts. In contrast, Ukrainian officials say it is Russia that is deliberately targeting civilians. “We need to end this eternal waiting — Russia needs more sanctions,” wrote Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Telegram.

Calls for action are also growing in the U.S. Congress. Senator Chuck Grassley urged strong measures, while bipartisan voices, including Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, pushed for secondary sanctions on countries continuing to do business with Russia.

Former Trump national security adviser and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg told Fox News that Geneva may serve as the next venue for peace talks after Russia rejected the Vatican as a host. He expressed hope that Trump, Putin, and Zelensky could come together for direct negotiations.

The Swiss foreign ministry declined to confirm Geneva as a host but reiterated Switzerland’s readiness to facilitate dialogue.

Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in over three years in Istanbul. #TrumpWarning, #PutinUkraineWar, #ECOWAS50Celebration

According to Peter Obi on X:

“I spoke at the National Political Consultative Northern Group Meeting about the North’s untapped potential and urgent need for inclusive development. Our vast northern land is underutilized, especially in agriculture. For example, Niger and Borno states combined have nearly the same land size as Bangladesh but produce far less rice. Taraba State has great potential for tea and coffee, comparable to Sri Lanka’s exports. Northern Nigeria, despite its size, imports grain from Ukraine, a smaller country. Education is also a challenge, with many out-of-school children eager to learn. With proper investment in education, healthcare, and agriculture, we can transform the North and Nigeria.”