Russian invasion

Negotiations
Trump: Hope Xi can help me with Russia

Donald Trump hopes that Xi Jinping will help him influence Russia to end the Ukraine war, writes the BBC.

– I would like China to help us. I have a very good relationship with President Xi, he said aboard Air Force One on his way to his Asia tour on Saturday.

The hopes are likely to be disappointed, since China is Russia's most important ally and has never openly criticized them for the war. However, Trump claims that Xi is keen to end it.

Trump's almost week-long visit to Asia begins in Malaysia, continues to Japan and ends in South Korea, where he is to meet Xi. The talks are expected to focus mostly on trade and tariffs, but Trump announces that he intends to discuss "everything" with the Chinese president. 

Sanctions
US oil sanctions against Russia begin to take effect

When the US imposed new sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil this week, it was described as a blow to Moscow's war chest. Now the effects are starting to be felt, reports Bloomberg.

India's Reliance has stopped its purchases of Russian oil and several Chinese companies are acting more cautiously. At the same time, Washington is warning foreign banks involved in Russian oil deals that they could be excluded from the American financial system.

According to analysts, the measures mark a shift towards a more balanced strategy – to make it more difficult for Moscow without driving up oil prices globally.

The fighting
Drones from the West are condemned as "unnecessary BMWs"

Drones that the West is selling and giving to Ukraine are too expensive and are of no use in the war against Russia, Ukrainian military officials tell The Economist.

For example, Ukraine had high hopes for the American Switchblade 300 drones. But they were expensive, outclassed by Russian technology, and caused minimal damage.

“When it hit the rear window of a minibus, the front window barely shook,” Ukrainian arms manufacturer Valery Borovykh told the newspaper.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on its own arms industry, which can deliver more drones at a lower price. A Ukrainian ground drone costs around 100,000–200,000 to manufacture, while a Western-made one costs millions.

“It’s like choosing between a BMW and a Skoda. The BMW is faster and more comfortable, but that’s not much help when you need to give cars to everyone,” says Eduard Lysenko of the Ukrainian state arms cooperation Brave-1.

Important Ukrainian city close to falling: “There are battles on every street – losses every day”

Intense battles are currently underway in the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, writes Ukrainian Pravda. According to the newspaper, Russia has established several important positions around the city and is also said to have gained control of the airspace.

The newspaper also writes that 250 Russian soldiers are inside the city, which has so far been controlled by Ukraine.

“There are battles on almost every street, we have losses every day,” says an officer the newspaper has spoken to.

The remaining Ukrainian units risk being locked in without the possibility of replenishing their stocks of weapons and provisions.

Gripen agreement
Zelenskyj thanks Sweden: “A historic agreement”

Ukraine expects 150 Jas Gripen after the agreement with Sweden, and the first ones are expected to be delivered next year, writes Volodymyr Zelenskyj on X.

The fighter jets are part of the security guarantees for Ukraine and will contribute to an air force that can fully protect Ukraine's skies, he continues.

“This is Ukraine's largest fighter jet agreement ever. It is a historic achievement. [...] Thank you Sweden!”

Ulf Kristersson has previously said that a possible first delivery could take place within three years, writes TT.

Zelenskyj thanks Sweden: “A historic agreement”

Ukraine expects 150 Jas Gripen after the agreement with Sweden, and the first ones are expected to be delivered next year, writes Volodymyr Zelenskyj on X.

The fighter jets are part of the security guarantees for Ukraine and will contribute to an air force that can fully protect Ukraine's skies, he continues.

“This is Ukraine's largest fighter jet agreement ever. It is a historic achievement. [...] Thank you Sweden!”

Ulf Kristersson has previously said that a possible first delivery could take place within three years, writes TT.