Ukraine-Russia conflict newest: Kyiv to disclose new peace plan immediately after Zelensky guidelines out giving up territory
Ukraine will present a revised peace plan to the Trump administration on Tuesday, as Volodymyr Zelensky pushes back against US demands to cede territory to Russia.
The Ukrainian president insisted he had “no right” to surrender land under Ukrainian or international law following a busy day of diplomacy, which included meetings with European leaders in Downing Street and Brussels.
His comments underline the growing rift between Washington and Kyiv over the issue of territory as Trump continues to pile pressure on Ukraine to accept a US-drafted peace deal.
The question of what to do with the eastern Donbas region has remained a sticking point in talks. Kyiv’s allies insist that Ukraine must not give up land as part of a deal as it would reward Putin’s aggression.
But the Trump administration has signalled that Kyiv will need to cede land it currently controls to secure a deal – a move Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out.
On Monday, Trump made his impatience with Zelensky clear, saying he “isn’t ready” for peace and claiming the Ukrainian leader had not read his peace deal.
Kremlin says claims that Putin plans to attack Nato are ‘complete nonsense’
Russia has denied European claims that President Vladimir Putin is hostile and plans to attack Nato countries, dismissing them as “complete nonsense” on Tuesday.
It added that Putin does not want to restore the USSR.
The denial comes after several countries reported drone incursions into their airspace accusing Russia of “hybrid warfare”, which it has vehemently denied.
Comment: It’s no secret we are already at war with Russia – Putin must be hit with every trick in Britain’s book
et again this week, President Trump set Europe’s strategic challenge. Despite reaffirming US commitment to Euro-Atlantic defence once allies pledged to invest more ourselves, his new national security strategy pivots to the Pacific while his Ukraine peace plan negotiates European security without European input. Europe might not be on our own, but we need the capability to be self-reliant. And fast.
The Royal Navy announced this week its goal to be war-fighting ready by the end of the decade. The army and RAF have similar ambitions. But the leisurely timeline for reaching 3.5 per cent GDP by 2035 will not deliver the resources necessary nor impress Vladimir Putin, determined to keep his war machine and economy rolling even with a Ukraine ceasefire.
Mark Sedwill reports:
Putin must be hit with every trick in Britain’s book
Trump says European leaders are ‘weak’ in extraordinary attack on US allies
Donald Trump has said that European leaders are “weak” in an extraordinary attack on some of Washington’s closest allies.
Speaking to Politico, the US president claimed that “decaying” European countries such as France and Germany had failed to control migration or take action to end the war in Ukraine.
“I think they’re weak,” he said of European leaders. “But I also think that they want to be so politically correct”.
He added: “I think they don’t know what to do. Europe doesn’t know what to do.”
James C Reynolds reports:
Zelensky ‘deeply appreciates’ support of Pope Leo
President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed appreciation for Pope Leo XIV and his support of Ukraine after a meeting at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo.
“I informed the Pope about diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. We discussed further actions and the Vatican’s mediation aimed at returning our children abducted by Russia,” he wrote on X on Tuesday.
Trump says he is ‘disappointed’ that Zelensky ‘hasn’t read’ US peace plan for Ukraine
“We’ve been speaking to President Putin, and we’ve been speaking to Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelensky. And I have to say I’m a little disappointed Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal. That was as of a few hours ago,” he said.
“Russia’s fine with it. You know, Russia would rather have the whole country.”
In pictures: Zelensky meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
Ukraine prepares to present alternative peace plan to Trump
Ukraine is preparing to present an alternative peace plan to Donald Trump and could do so as soon as today, Volodymyr Zelensky told a news conference yesterday.
An initial 28-point plan proposed by the US, widely viewed as being too favourable to Russia, has since been cut down to 20 points following talks between Ukrainian and US officials.
But sticking points still remain, most notably over the matter of occupied territories in eastern Ukraine and security guarantees to prevent another Russian invasion in future.
The original leaked version of the US-backed plan proposed that Ukraine hand over total control of the Donbas to Russia, even though Kremlin forces have not yet captured it in full.
According to the draft plan, energy produced at Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, would be split between the two countries.
Zelensky said yesterday that his government has no right to agree to forfeit its land. “Russia is insisting that we give up territories, but we don’t want to cede anything,” he said.
“We have no legal right to do so, under Ukrainian law, our constitution and international law. And we don’t have any moral right either.”
Russian military plane crashes near Moscow with seven on board
A Russian military transport plane has crashed in the Ivanovo region northeast of Moscow with seven crew members on board, according to the Vesti state television channel who reported the news on Tuesday.
Deal to release ‘£100bn of Russian assets’ for Ukraine expected imminently
The prime minister said talks about the future of Ukraine have reached a “critical stage”, while European leaders agreed that pressure on Vladimir Putin must be ramped up.
Sir Keir met with French president Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and German chancellor Friedrich Merz at No 10 Downing Street on Monday as Mr Zelensky warned that Kyiv “can’t manage” without European and American backing.
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Porsches across Russia suddenly stop working
Hundreds of Porsche cars have stopped working in Russia due to an issue with a satellite-based security system, according to local reports.
Owners reported various issues with their vehicles, including not being able to start the engine, or it shutting down soon after ignition. Others said that they had been locked out of their cars.
The root cause of the issue is not yet known, though a representative for Russia’s largest dealership group told local media that it could be an act of sabotage.
“It’s possible this was done deliberately,” the Rolf spokesperson told the RBC news website, without providing any evidence.
Source: independent.co.uk
