Trump quietly pressuring Senate to weaken Russia sanctions, WSJ reports
The White House reportedly asked Sen. Graham to insert waivers into the bill allowing Trump to choose which entities get sanctioned and changing the word "shall" to "may."
United States
Trump offers Germany US gas deals, but no promises on Ukraine aid or Russia sanctions
When asked whether Trump would impose additional sanctions on Russia, the president dodged the question by boasting that he "ended Nord Stream 2" and hinting at future energy deals with Germany in a press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Moscow ready to grant Musk asylum if necessary amid rift with Trump, Russian official says
"I think Musk is playing a completely different game," Dmitry Novikov, deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said.
'Loud night in Kyiv, Dad' — US envoy's daughter appeals to Kellogg during Russian attack
"It might be the explosions and gunfire in the dead of night, but I get the strange feeling the Russians don't want peace," Meaghan Mobbs, daughter of U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, wrote on X.
In show of unity, US nominates next chief of NATO's European command
U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on June 5, reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure.
'Deadline is in my brain' — Trump dismisses timeline to impose Russian sanctions
U.S. President Donald Trump sidestepped questions on June 5 as to when he can be expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as the Kremlin continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Trump privately praises Ukraine's drone strike on Russian bombers as 'badass,' Axios reports
While Trump has remained silent in public about the attack, he reportedly expressed enthusiasm behind closed doors.
Ukraine, US plan to launch minerals investment fund by year's end
"We discussed very concrete steps how to make this fund operational during this year," Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said during a visit to Washington.
Reuters: Ukraine struck fewer Russian bombers during Operation Spiderweb than estimated, US officials claim
Two U.S. officials told Reuters on June 4 that Ukraine struck as many as 20 Russian military aircraft during Operation Spiderweb, destroying around 10 of them. The claims stands in contrast with estimates made by Ukraine's security service (SBU) which claimed more than 40 aircraft were hit in the June 1 attack.
Trump administration redirecting anti-drone tech from Ukraine to US forces in Middle East, WSJ reports
According to the Wall Street Journal, special fuzes used in ground-to-air rocket systems that protect against drone attacks will be redirected towards units in the Middle East, as the U.S. braces for conflict with Iran as well as Houthi militants in Yemen.
Trump urges Senate to postpone vote on Russia sanctions bill, Senator says
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked the Senate to delay voting on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, Republican Senator Roger Wicker said on June 4.
Putin 'will have to respond' to Ukraine's attack on Russian bombers, Trump says after call with Kremlin chief
Trump said he spoke to Putin over the phone for an hour and 15 minutes on June 4 and that it was "a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace."
US hasn't decided yet on new Ukraine aid, focuses on peace, NATO envoy says
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stressed that Washington counts on European leadership in providing Ukraine with the resources needed to achieve a lasting peace, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.
Ukraine passes Budget Code changes to implement US mineral deal
The legislation, supported by 309 members of parliament, enshrines financial provisions critical to executing the U.S.-Ukraine deal signed on April 30 and ratified by Kyiv on May 8.
Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb ranks with 'raid on Bin Laden,' US Senator Blumenthal says
"Just in the skill and audacity of these attacks, it will rank with the United States raid on Osama bin Laden and the Israeli pager operation as one of the great military achievements in recent years," U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal told Politico.
Trump raises steel, aluminum tariffs to 50%, hitting key Ukrainian export
Steel production is one of Ukraine's core industrial sectors and its second-largest source of foreign currency after agriculture.
'Risk level goes up' — Ukraine's strike on Russian bombers could escalate war, US envoy Kellogg says
"I'm telling you the risk levels are going way up," U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said.
For the first time, Pentagon chief to skip Ramstein-format meeting of Ukraine's allies
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not arrive in Brussels until the conference is over and will not participate in the event online either, the AP reported.
Trump didn't know about Ukraine's drone strike on Russia's warplanes, White House confirms
During a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump was informed by Ukraine about Operation Spiderweb in advance of the attack. "He was not," she said.
Putin, Trump, Zelensky trilateral meeting 'unlikely' to happen soon, Kremlin says
The Kremlin's statement comes a day after the White House said that Trump would not rule out participating in this format of talks.
'Rare moment of honesty' — US Senator Graham says Medvedev's comments show Russia not 'interested in peace'
Russian ex-President Dmitry Medvedev's statement that Russia seeks only a "swift victory" and the "complete destruction" of the Ukrainian government at the Istanbul peace talks is a "rare moment of honesty," U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on June 3.
Ukraine invited to NATO summit, Zelensky says
"We were invited to the NATO summit. I think this is important," President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a June 2 online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.
US House Speaker Johnson backs Senate bill to toughen sanctions on Russia
"There's many members of Congress that want us to sanction Russia as strongly as we can," U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said. "And I'm an advocate of that."
Ukrainian delegation arrives in US to discuss defense support, Russia sanctions
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, is traveling to the U.S., a source close to the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent on June 3.
Trump reportedly wasn't informed in advance about Ukraine's drone strike on Russian bombers
The White House was not notified about the plans, which were being prepared for a year and a half, Axios reported, citing a Ukrainian security official. CBS News' sources in the Trump administration also confirmed that the Trump administration was not informed.
Lavrov, Rubio discuss peace settlement ahead of Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul
The State Department confirmed that Russia requested the call and that Rubio reiterated President Trump's call for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve "a lasting peace."
European leaders shift focus to defending Ukraine without US support, the Telegraph reports
According to the Telegraph, senior European diplomats meeting in The Hague agreed to shift their focus from deploying troops to enforce a ceasefire to preparing long-term strategies for supporting Ukraine without American backing.
Easing fears of US pullback, Trump to appoint next chief of NATO's European command, Reuters reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to appoint the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), reaffirming a key American role in NATO's military structure, Reuters reported.
Senate to 'start moving' Russia sanctions bill next week, Graham says
The proposed bill would introduce expansive penalties on Russia and impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian fossil fuels.
Russia ‘testing’ Europe’s capacity to help Ukraine by intensifying air attacks
As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes countrywide, all eyes are on Europe’s capacity to continue supporting Ukraine, with the future of U.S. military aid growing ever more uncertain. Ukraine should have enough air defense missiles despite the persisting shortage to avoid the worst of the
Ukraine ready for 2nd round of Istanbul talks but seeks Russian draft memo in advance, Yermak says
"Ukraine is ready to attend the next meeting, but we want to engage in a constructive discussion. This means it is important to receive Russia’s draft. There is enough time – four days are sufficient for preparing and sending the documents," Presidential Office Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said.
NATO expansion 'fair' concern for Putin, Kellogg says
"And that's one of the issues Russia will bring up... They're also talking about Georgia, they're talking about Moldova, they're talking — obviously — about Ukraine. And we're saying, 'Okay, let's address this comprehensively,'" U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said.
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Despite Russia’s claims, sanctions are working — Ukraine just needs Trump to impose more
'It’s okay, Mom, I’m home' —Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap of the war
‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity
