Life is hard and dangerous in Russian-ruled parts of Ukraine, activists and former residents say

Life is hard and dangerous in Russian-ruled parts of Ukraine, activists and former residents say

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Even now, safe in her new home in Estonia, Inna Vnukova says she can’t shake the terrifying memory of living under Russian occupation in eastern Ukraine at the start of the war and her family’s harrowing escape. They hid for days in a damp basement in their village of Kudriashivka after … Read more

Putin meets Trump envoys as Kremlin says Ukraine settlement depends on territory

Putin meets Trump envoys as Kremlin says Ukraine settlement depends on territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine settlement with US President Donald Trump’s envoys during marathon talks overnight, and the Kremlin insisted the territorial issue must be resolved to reach a peace deal. The meeting in the Kremlin, which lasted until 3 a.m. on Friday, came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized his … Read more

Zelenskyi names the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence as his new chief of staff

Zelenskyi names the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence as his new chief of staff

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelensky named Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Friday as his new chief of staff, a move that comes as the U.S. leads a diplomatic effort to end Russia’s nearly 4-year-old invasion. Announcing the appointment of General Kyrylo Budanov, Zelensky said Ukraine must focus on security issues, developing its defense and … Read more

Putin tells his annual press conference that the Kremlin’s military goals in Ukraine will be met

Putin tells his annual press conference that the Kremlin’s military goals in Ukraine will be met

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin stressed Friday that Moscow’s troops are advancing on the battlefield in Ukraine and expressed confidence that the Kremlin will achieve its military goals if Kiev does not agree to Russia’s terms in peace talks. Speaking at the tightly orchestrated annual news conference, which lasted about 4 1/2 hours, Putin … Read more

Putin warns that Russia will try to extend its gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail

Putin warns that Russia will try to extend its gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Moscow would try to extend its gains in Ukraine if Kiev and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in peace talks. US President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping diplomatic effort to end nearly four years of fighting after Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, … Read more

Russian police and the National Guard will remain in Ukraine’s Donbass after the war, a Kremlin official said

Russian police and the National Guard will remain in Ukraine’s Donbass after the war, a Kremlin official said

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A senior Kremlin official said Friday that Russian police and the National Guard will remain in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas and police the industrial-rich region even as a peace deal ends Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine. The remarks by Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov underscore Moscow’s ambition to maintain a presence in … Read more