Trump Claims Putin Ready for Deal as Russia Warns West

President Donald Trump stated in an interview that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. This claim coincided with a meeting of Western coalition members in Paris, who reaffirmed their intention to deploy a multinational force to assist Kyiv after hostilities cease.

The Russian Foreign Ministry responded to these plans by warning that any Western forces deployed to enforce a peace deal would be considered legitimate military targets. On the ground, conflict intensified as Ukrainian forces struck the Balaklava thermal power station in occupied Crimea, and Russia launched a five-day series of drone and missile attacks on the Odesa region, resulting in three deaths.

Amidst the diplomatic tension, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine expects to develop the capability to manufacture missiles for U.S.-made Patriot air-defense systems by the end of 2026.