Ukraine-Russia battle newest: Trump accuses Zelensky of attempting to ‘back out’ of minerals deal

The US president called up NBC’s Kristen Welker prior to her Sunday appearance as host of Meet the Press, according to Welker. He told her that he was “p***ed off” after the Russian president called for elections in Ukraine and once again questioned the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelensky’s government — comments the U.S. president said were unhelpful.

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Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking its energy facilities, despite an agreement to stop such strike.

“The continuation of deliberate attacks by the Ukrainian army on Russia’s energy facilities is evidence of the Kyiv regime’s complete lack of commitment to its obligations regarding settling the conflict in Ukraine,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Russia and Ukraine have both accused eachother of attacking energy infrastructure, despite a 30-day moratorium.

Sweden has announced a new military aid package to Ukraine worth 16 billion crowns (£1. 2 billion), the biggest package to date from the Nordic country.

The largest part of the package, 9.2 billion crowns, will consist of equipment that will be purchased in processes led by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, , Defence Minister Pal Jonson said.

The Kremlin has responded to Donald Trump’s threatened sanctions after he said he was “very angry” with Vladimir Putin.

On Sunday, Mr Trump told NBC News he was furious with the Russian leader over his suggestion that a temporary administration should be installed to negotiate an end to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Asked about Trump’s comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin remained open to contacts with Trump and that a call between them could be set up at short notice if necessary though no call was scheduled for this week.

Peskov added that Moscow and Washington were continuing to work on “building up bilateral ties”.

The panel, chaired by world affairs editor Sam Kiley, will feature Alex Younger, former MI6 chief, and Rachel Ellehuus, director-general of RUSI, discussing global security, US foreign policy under Trump, and the future of Ukraine and Nato.

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A Donald Trump-backed pastor has visited Ukraine, Kyiv’s Chief Rabbi said.

Described as Trump’s “special spiritual advisor”, Pastor Mark Burns visited the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka in Ukraine, which have been heavily impacted by the war with Russia.

Chief Rabbi Moshe Azman shared pictures of the visit on social media and said: “What he saw deeply moved him — he did not hide his pain, outrage, and sincere compassion. I am confident that these emotions and testimonies will not remain with him alone.”

Russia said it intercepted 66 Ukrainian drones launched overnight.

Moscow’s defence ministry said 41 of the drones were estroyed over the border Bryansk region, 24 over the territory of the Kaluga region and one over the territory of the Kursk region.

No damage was reported as a result of the attacks.

China’s foreign minister is travelling to Moscow today for talks with his Russian counterpart.

Wang Yi is set to meet Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday, though the visit threatens to be overshadowed by Donald Trumps’ comments on Vladimir Putin.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, emphasised Beijing’s assertions of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

“We always believe that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way out of the crisis. China’s cooperation with Russia does not target a third party and should not be affected by any third party,” Guo told reporters at a daily briefing.