Former general accuses Donald Trump of taking Russian side on Ukraine

Retired United States Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges accused President Donald Trump of deliberately undermining Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia, Euronews reported. Hodges stated that Washington's current approach is weakening Ukrainian defences, adding that he did not trust the administration to be honest about its actions regarding Russia. [1]

In separate comments reported by Al Jazeera and PBS NewsHour, President Donald Trump stated that it is time for Ukraine to agree to a deal with Russia. Al Jazeera reported that the American president defended waivers on Russian sanctions and accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prolonging the war, while PBS NewsHour reported that Trump claimed the United States has gotten nothing from Ukraine other than high diesel. [4][5][7]

Meanwhile, talks aimed at resolving the war took place in Saint Petersburg between United States envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Irish Times. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian news agency Interfax that the conflict in Ukraine was the main focus of the discussions. The Irish Times noted that Witkoff also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway on Tuesday. [3]

During the diplomatic talks, Russian state media reported that Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old American citizen who was arrested in 2024 on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, according to the Irish Times. The Washington Post separately reported that the United States was seeking the return of a retired teacher held in Russia. [3][6]

Former United States ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker urged Europe to prepare for a future with reduced American support, Euronews reported. The European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas previously stated that Europe will continue backing Ukraine regardless of negotiations between Washington and Moscow, as FTMQ News reported earlier. [1][13]