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.
United States
'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.
Officials from US, UK, France, Germany to attend Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Kellogg says
Security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany will attend planned peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on June 2, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said
Trump hopes next Russia-Ukraine talks will 'move ball forward,' White House says as Moscow further delays peace memo
Trump previously said it would take him "about two weeks" to know whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about a peace deal.
Europe's 'Trump shock' is opportunity to forge 'new West,' Timothy Garton Ash says
A so-called "Trump shock" has plunged Europe into its deepest crisis since 1945, but also presents an opportunity for the continent to forge a "new West," British historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash has said in an interview with the Kyiv Independent. The first months of Trump's presidency dispelled any
US filmmaker injured by fallen balcony in Kyiv
"While missiles and drones are flying, we are being injured by balconies due to someone's irresponsibility!" Christopher Walters, the injured U.S. filmmaker, said on social media.
Next Ramstein summit to take place on June 4 in Brussels
The Ramstein summit will take place as Washington is trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to end Moscow's full-scale war. In the meantime, Russia is amassing forces for a new offensive against Ukraine while continuing its attacks on civilians across the country.
US court blocks most of Trump's tariffs, rules he exceeded authority
The court struck down the 10% tariffs applied to all U.S. trading partners to address the trade deficit. This means that the court would also block tariffs on trade with Ukraine.
Elon Musk announces exit from US government role
"The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Elon Musk wrote on his social platform X.
Remaining Voice of America employees expected to receive termination notice this week, Politico reports
A senior VOA employee told Politico that USAGM-led layoffs would likely affect all staff, effectively shuttering operations. Earlier this month on May 15, about 600 contractors working for VOA received termination notices.
'We'll know in two weeks' if Putin serious about ending war, Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump said he disapproved of Russia's recent missile attacks on Ukrainian cities during ongoing diplomatic efforts. "That's no good. We're not going to allow it," he said.
US won't support Russia's demand for Ukraine's withdrawal from 4 regions, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 27 that he does not believe the U.S. would support a full Ukrainian withdrawal from four of its partially occupied regions, a demand repeatedly raised by Russia, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
Zelensky ready for trilateral meeting with Trump, Putin
"We are ready for the 'Trump, Putin, and me' format, and we are ready for the Trump-Putin, Trump-Zelensky format, and then the three of us," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Kellogg criticizes Medvedev's 'reckless' threats, demands Russian peace memorandum
"President (Donald) Trump... is working to stop this war and end the killing. We await receipt of (the Russian) Memorandum... that you promised a week ago. Cease fire now," U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said.
Ukraine war latest: Trump admits to protecting Russia from 'really bad things'
Key developments on May 27: * Trump admits to protecting Russia from 'really bad things' during Ukraine peace talks * Russia builds power lines to connect occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to its grid, NYT reports * US blocks G7 push to tighten Russian oil price cap, Financial Times reports * Decision on lifting range
Trump admits to protecting Russia from 'really bad things' during Ukraine peace talks
Trump's comments come amid growing pressure on the U.S. administration to respond to escalating Russian attacks.
Despite Russia’s claims, sanctions are working — Ukraine just needs Trump to impose more
Ukraine’s allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia and its supporters over the full-scale war, but experts say there’s room for more.
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Arrests, raids, beaten and bloodied suspects — how Russia-Azerbaijan relations have unravelled
'Major casualties among civilians' — US freeze on air defense missiles is terrible news for Ukraine
Investigation: How Russia prepares its strategic missile plant for ‘eternal war’
