Russia agrees to suspend Ukrainian energy strikes
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday agreed to a call with President Trump to halt Ukraine’s 30-day energy infrastructure strikes as long as Ukraine is doing the same, the Kremlin said. For now, Putin has refused to agree to a wider ceasefire proposed by the US and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks on energy infrastructure are open to a ceasefire.
Paul Sonne, a colleague targeting Russia, told Trump that Putin “took the “important condition” for resolving the conflict is the end of the West’s military and intelligence reporting aid to Ukraine.” Paul added that the path would “ensure Ukraine is essentially permanently vulnerable to Russia.”
The White House called the suspension a first step towards peace, but the outcome seemed well below what Trump could have suggested before the two leaders spoke.
A partial ceasefire will benefit both countries. Ukraine struggles with repeated attacks on the Russian energy grid. The suspension will give Russia a break from strikes at Ukraine’s oil and gas facilities, putting important revenue streams at risk.
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The US is seeking access to Ukrainian minerals, which require extensive energy to process. The Zaporidia power plant, managed by Russia in southern Ukraine, can support its goals, Kiev says.
Russia has significantly strengthened its sabotage campaign as Europe and the US tried to pressure it to curb support for Ukraine.
Israel bombed Gaza when the ceasefire broke
Israeli forces launched a fierce air attack across the Gaza Strip yesterday, ending a temporary ceasefire with Hamas that began in January, increasing the prospect of a return to all-out war.
More than 400 people, including children, have been killed, Gazan officials said. It was one of the most deadly daily tolls of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Bureau said it ordered a military operation to free the remaining hostages after “repeated refusals” by Hamas. “This is just the beginning,” Netanyahu said.
Hamas accused Israel of overturning the ceasefire and “exposes Gaza prisoners to unknown fate.”
Context: Consultations about extending the ceasefire stalled as Hamas refused to release a significant number of hostages until Israel promised to end the war forever. Now, it appears that Israel has returned to war in an attempt to crush Hamas’ hopes to maintain control of its territory.
“For over two centuries, it has been established that ammo each is not an appropriate response to differences in opinion over judicial decisions.”
Context: Deportation cases emerge as a flashpoint amid a larger debate about the role of courts in considering presidential forces and how their power is applied.
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