Zelensky talks of peace, Russians make headway

This was something that was waiting to happen. With the United States President Donald Trump pausing aid and sharing of intelligence with Ukraine, its President Volodymyr Zelensky has been forced to talk more ardently about peace than ever before.

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Russian forces were pushing back the Ukrainian army which has occupied the western Russian territory of Kursk since last August in an attempt to gain a bargaining chip at negotiations. Zelensky said, "We will do a lot of work here in Europe, with the US, and in Saudi Arabia (a meeting is scheduled between American and Ukrainian officials)-we are preparing a meeting to accelerate peace and strengthen the foundations of security."

This is a very different Ukrainian president who had pushed back Trump and his Vice President, J.D.Vance, at the Oval Office. "Today (Friday), intense work with President Trump's team has been going on at various levels - numerous calls. The topic is clear - peace as soon as possible, security as reliably as possible. Ukraine is fully committed to a constructive approach." Meanwhile, President Trump speaking to reporters at the White House said that he felt it was easier to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with President Zelensky.