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Military operation in Ukraine

US happy Putin wants to negotiate peace, otherwise would face 'big problem' — Trump

"I think he wants to stop fighting", the US leader said

US President Donald Trump AP Photo/Ben Curtis

US President Donald Trump

© AP Photo/Ben Curtis

WASHINGTON, February 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin's unwillingness to negotiate a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis would have been a "big problem" for Washington, but he wants peace, US leader Donald Trump said.

"No, I think he (Putin - TASS) wants to stop, that was my question to him, because if he was going to go on, that would have been a big problem for us, and that would have caused me a big problem," the US president told the White House press pool.

"I think he wants to end it, and they (the Russians - TASS) want to end it fast," Trump added.

"I think he wants to stop fighting. They have a big, powerful [military] machine, you understand that? And they defeated Hitler, and they defeated Napoleon. You know, they've been fighting a long time. They've done it before. But I think he'd like to stop fighting," the US head of state said.

He added that Vladimir Zelensky was also ready for talks on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.

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Vladimir Putin United States Donald Trump Military operation in Ukraine

Pavel Durov's detention

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Press review: Putin backs ceasefire but calls for talks as Russian army shifts Kursk front

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Starmer to urge Kiev’s allies to increase pressure on Russia to achieve ceasefire

The British PM accused Russia of attempts to prolong the negotiations on the conditions of the ceasefire

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Russia sentences at least nine foreign mercenaries for a role in Ukraine’s Kursk incursion

British national James Scott Rhys Anderson, arrested in the Kursk Region, was given 19 years behind bars following a court trial

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According to the Belarussian President, an exchange of wounded is also underway

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The president said the leadership of Belarus would have known about the plans to attack Europe

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According to the acting regional head Alexander Khinshtein, the Ukrainian armed forces continue to shell settlements in the Kursk Region using cluster munitions fired by multiple rocket launchers

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Peaceful settlement in Ukraine going well — Trump

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The statement came as the countries wrapped up negotiations to finalize the text of their peace agreement

Any possible ceasefire in Ukraine must be respected — G7

The foreign ministers also promised "to coordinate economic and humanitarian support" to Kiev, to promote the early recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in Rome on July 10-11, 2025

Iraqi security forces eliminate one of world's most dangerous terrorists — PM

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"On the question of nuclear weapons, obviously our position is that we will do everything we can to prevent any increase in the availability of nuclear weapons," Starmer said

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The Russian president recalled that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump over the phone and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had had first contacts with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Time running out for Ukrainian troops in Kursk area to lay down arms — Kremlin

Putin thus responded to the call of US President Donald Trump, who offered to "spare" the Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region

Civilian death toll in clashes in western Syria reaches 1,500 — TV

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"I think what this [the special military operation in Ukraine] gets done, it’s done. They're going to all want to go home and rest," the US president added

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"We will be dealing with this issue today. We have two reporters on it and they are [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergey Lavrov and [chief of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service] Sergey Naryshkin," the Russian leader said

Ukraine, Russia’s potential concessions yet to be seen — Rubio

According to the top US diplomat, there can be "no military solution" to the hostilities in Ukraine

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EU offers Kiev membership for ongoing conflict with Russia — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban elaborated that Ukraine’s rushed accession to the EU would cause irreparable damage to European countries in areas such as the economy, labor market, healthcare, public security, and border protection

Russian forces hit energy facilities that support Ukraine's military-industrial complex

According to the ministry, Russian air defenses shot down seven JDAM bombs, three HIMARS rockets and 170 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones

Security advisers from Germany, UK and France head to US — report

These consultations will be taking place at a critical time for the talks on a Ukraine ceasefire

US envoy Witkoff already left Moscow, TASS source confirms

Earlier, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Witkoff would take place when everything’s ready for it

Russian, Belarusian citizens to face significant limitations of entry to US — newspaper

According to The New York Times, Washington will not close its borders for Russians and Belarusians completely

Putin invites Maduro to Moscow on May 9

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Putin says aware of Trump's call to spare Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region

The Russian leader said that the Ukrainian army had committed crimes against the civilian population in the Kursk Region, which "are classified by the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation as terrorism"

Russia’s S-500 missile defense system seen as top-notch by US analysts — media

The S-500, produced by the Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer, was designed to destroy all existing and future aerospace attack weapons of a potential enemy across the entire range of altitudes and speeds

Kinzhal missile wipes out Patriot air defense system in Kiev — Russian Defense Ministry

On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces hit a US-made Patriot system in Kiev with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile

US cautiously optimistic about cooperation with Russia on Ukraine — Rubio

"Suffice it to say, I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic," the US Secretary of State said

Five Russians were onboard ship that collided with tanker off UK coast — embassy

"They did not sustain any injuries in the accident and their health is out of danger," the statement reads

Russia’s retaking of Sudzha deals blow to Kiev’s reputation, expert says

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Kursk Region’s border buffer zone should be at least 20-30 km wide — expert

Oleg Ivanov also highlighted that the Russian military had already made significant progress in establishing a security zone by liberating populated areas in the Sumy Region from enemy control

Crew Dragon ship with Russian cosmonaut Peskov on board on its way to ISS

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Ukrainian troops suffering heavy losses near Sudzha in attempt to evacuate NATO equipment

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Kursk operation turns into a ticking time bomb for Kiev, Russian official says

Igor Kimakovsky explained that the deployment of Ukrainian forces to the Kursk Region had made it possible for Russian troops to advance in the most tactically crucial areas

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Rasmus Jarlov referred to the meeting US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the White House on March 13

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Rusal negotiates buying up to 50% in alumina refinery in India

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Over the past day, the enemy lost more than 260 military personnel, five armored personnel carriers, two armored combat vehicles, five automobiles, four artillery pieces, two mortars, as well as three unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control sites

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Belarusian leader stressed that Moscow and Minsk "seamlessly complement each other" in industry despite differences in resources

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Earlier, Rogov told TASS that the Russian armed forces had advanced in the Zaporozhye Region, approaching the settlements of Shcherbaki and Malye Shcherbaki from the south

Kiev tried to pass off Ukrainian army’s panic escape from Sudzha as regrouping — expert

"And, naturally, after such slaughter, they would hardly want to continue their service under the direction of the Ukrainian military command and Zelensky," Andrey Marochko said

Kiev should order military near Kursk to surrender — Putin

"In order to effectively implement the call of the US president, an appropriate order is needed from the leadership of Ukraine to its military units to lay down their weapons and surrender," the Russian leader said

Europe at risk of ‘engaging in civilizational suicide’ — US vice president

According to JD Vance, the policy of open borders and the limitations of citizens’ rights are becoming a serious issue for European countries

Kursk Region has transformed into a Kursk fortress — acting governor

According to Alexander Khinshtein, both the Russian military, who are liberating the region, and volunteers, who are assisting residents of border areas, are part of such a fortress

Belarus ready to put into service 2 Oreshnik launchers by end of year — Lukashenko

According to the president, it has not yet been decided where in Belarus to deploy the systems

Britain does not want peace in Ukraine because of its interest in Odessa seaports — expert

Vladimir Karasev further elaborated that the British authorities were also interested in Ukraine's resources, which have been handed over to them by Vladimir Zelensky under a 100-year agreement

It is becoming impossible for Kiev troops to break out of encirclement near Kursk — Putin

"They are leaving their military equipment behind, because there is no way to evacuate it," the president added

Kursk situation under Russia’s control, Ukrainian battlegroup blocked — Putin

"This is full isolation and full gunfire control," the Russian leader stressed

US restarting trade relations with all foreign partners — Rubio

Washington is not aiming at waging trade wars, said Secretary of State

South Africa wants mutually beneficial relations with US despite expulsion of ambassador

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South African Ambassador to Washington Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata, calling him "a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates the US president."

ECHR finds Ukraine guilty of failing to take steps to prevent 2014 tragedy in Odessa

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US discussing with Ukraine what territories it will concede — Trump

In the US President's words, "phase one [in the reconciliation process] is the ceasefire"

China successfully launches Siwei Gaojing remote sensing satellite

The Changzheng-2D carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northern China at 12:11 a.m. local time

Putin guarantees life to Ukrainian troops if they lay down arms

The Russian president made the statement as he opened a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council

Ukrainian troops failed to retreat from Sudzha — commando group’s chief

"These groups are currently being exposed, pursued, and eliminated," he said

Russian troops liberate 33 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,585 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 19 enemy artillery guns and 15 electronic warfare stations in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

US contacts Russia on possible cooperation with Gazprom — Bloomberg

It is reported that negotiations between the American and Russian sides on this issue are at an early stage

Trump says sure that Putin will agree to ceasefire in Ukraine

US President says he knows Russian Leader "pretty well"

Putin’s response to Ukraine ceasefire proposal puts the ball back into US court — expert

Michael Desch, a professor of international relations at the University of Notre Dame expects 'a long diplomatic rally before the match is over'

Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region will be destroyed, if refuse to surrender — Medvedev

The politician noted that the coming hours will show whether the Kiev regime will use the chance to save its soldiers

Ukrainian forces destroy 48 churches, architectural monuments in Russia’s Kursk region

According to Alexander Khinshtein, not a single war criminal who committed atrocities on the Kursk land should escape deserved punishment

Trade war between US, China may adversely affect Sino-Russian trade — expert

US duties in respect of Canada, Mexico, China and the EU may lead to GDP growth deceleration in these countries and across the globe in general, CEO of US-based Navigator Principal Investors Kyle Shostak said

Trump concedes NATO at war against Russia in Ukraine

US president made the statement at a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin

Biden administration guilty of worsening US-Russian relations, Trump says

On March 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to media inquiries by expressing gratitude to former President Trump for his involvement in the peace negotiations and endorsing the idea of a ceasefire

Trump signs decree on cuts to structure in charge of foreign policy outreach

Trump, jointly with the Department of Government Efficiency, has been carrying out massive layoffs of federal employees

Chechen leader says Operation Pipeline near Sudzha was daring, incredibly effective

Kadyrov also shared a video featuring the Akhmat units’ commandos moving through the gas pipeline as they advanced into enemy territory

Belarus’s Lukashenko mentions clandestine foreign phone calls to Putin

"As long as Vladimir Vladimirovich chooses to remain silent, I do not have the authority to speculate," Alexander Lukashenko said

Italy’s top diplomat says he summoned Russian envoy after statements by MFA spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova earlier said at a briefing that Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s statements that Moscow allegedly threatens Europe with nuclear weapons are false

Macron's intention to protect everyone with France's '3-4 nuclear bombs' is funny — Lavrov

The minister also noted that Macron is now trying to present the situation as if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not want to implement the 2015 Minsk agreements

Ukraine's long-term security can only be discussed in future — Rubio

He believes that the negotiations should take into account "not simply the views of the United States, but other countries that are involved," including Europe

White House says peace in Ukraine closer than ever before

US President Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social network on March 14 that a "very good and productive" conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin took place on March 13

Russian strikes on logistics, not US, behind halt in Ukrainian ATACMS attacks — politician

Belarus will not join Russia in the near future — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader believes that the unification of the two states could have occurred back during Boris Yeltsin's presidency

Man shot dead in Odessa helped set fire to Trade Union building in 2014 — report

Ganul is a neo-Nazi and the former security chief of the Odessa cell of Right Sector (designated extremist and banned in Russia), and also the leader of the Street Front grassroots initiative

Russian forces start demining border areas of Kursk Region

The ministry also said that the sappers have a lot of work to do

Ukraine to eventually come back to Russia, Belarus — Lukashenko

"They will take both black soil and rare earth materials, and God willing, they will not take away everything else," the Belarusian leader emphasized

Russia understands Trump's call to "spare" Ukrainian troops near Kursk — Putin

"We understand President Trump's call to be guided by humanitarian considerations in relation to these servicemen," the Russian leader said