Europe, sidelined by U.S. and Russia, seeks influence in Ukraine talks

Trump’s attack on Zelensky stirs fear of major U.S. shift on Russia

While Trump was sympathetic toward Vladimir Putin during his first term, he now appears to be upending generations of U.S. caution toward the Kremlin....

Echoing Kremlin, Trump calls Zelensky a dictator, angering Ukrainians

Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has low approval ratings and that elections are needed, statements also made in the past week by the Kremlin....

Crossroads of conflict

Russia is expanding its influence in Africa as democracy wanes, with military strongmen carrying out coups and the United States seeing its influence decline....

The Russian mercenary

Soldiers from the Wagner Group have helped Vladimir Putin advance his aim of restoring Russian power in Africa. But on the ground, they’ve learned hard lessons....

Putin raised the anti-woke banner long before it flew over Washington

Vance’s Munich speech matched many of the issues long promoted by Russia including anti-migrant rhetoric, curbing abortion and equating “cancel culture” with free speech infringement....

Australia’s spy chief warns of rising antisemitism, intolerance

Australia’s social cohesion is eroding, according to a sobering intelligence assessment that also warned of growing foreign interference and espionage....

Under Trump, U.S. diplomacy finds its own ‘wolf warriors’

China’s “wolf warrior” approach to geopolitics wasn’t effective diplomacy — a lesson Trump’s representatives on the global stage may relearn the hard way....

U.S., Russia hold first talks on Ukraine without NATO allies, Kyiv

While U.S. officials characterized the talks as the first step in a peace deal, the Russians are portraying them as a way to end Moscow’s isolation....

Gil Won-ok, memory keeper of wartime sex slavery by Japan, dies at 96

Born in Japanese-occupied Korea, she was among the last surviving “comfort women” forced into sexual servitude for Japanese soldiers in World War II....

Who is Steve Witkoff, dealmaker at the heart of Trump’s foreign diplomacy?

Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East and a New York real estate developer, is set to meet with Russian officials to discuss ending the Ukraine war....

What are Ukraine’s rare minerals and why is Trump eyeing them?

The White House floated a proposal to secure U.S. access to half of Ukraine’s mineral resources after the war, reportedly including lithium, graphite and uranium....

Russia frees U.S. citizen ahead of high-stakes talks on Ukraine

Kalob Byers, 28, of West Virginia was arrested this month on drug charges over cannabis gummies found in his luggage, Russian state media reported....

Europeans explore troops for Ukraine ceasefire — and want U.S. support

The prospect of troops in Ukraine gained traction as Europeans seek a role in talks between the Trump team and Moscow that could shape the continent’s security....

Trump team converges on Riyadh ahead of Ukraine talks with Russia

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia to address the two big international crises of the moment, the war in Gaza and the war in Ukraine....

Under Trump, CIA plots bigger role in drug cartel fight

The CIA is developing plans to fulfill President Donald Trump’s campaign pledges to get tough on Mexico’s drug cartels, but critics warn of a backlash....

U.S. and Russian officials to discuss how to end Ukraine war

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to travel to Riyadh for early-stage talks....

On first Mideast tour, Rubio warns Iran, praises Trump’s Gaza plan

After talks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Tehran “the single greatest source of instability in the region,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s “bold vision for Gaza.”...

In Scotland, ‘green lairds’ are buying vast estates for carbon credits

Locals fear the “green rush” will result in even more extreme concentration of land ownership in a warming world....

American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen freed during Israel-Hamas ceasefire

The 36-year-old American Israeli dual national was released with Russian Israeli Alexander Troufanov, 29, and Iair Horn, 46, who was born in Argentina....

Vance meets with leader of far-right German party, exports MAGA message

The vice president delivered a scolding speech advocating that Europe move over to accommodate the rising anti-migration, nationalist voices they have sought to block from power....

Mapped: Russia’s and Ukraine’s competing visions for peace

As Washington seeks to resolve the war in Ukraine with peace negotiations, these maps show what each side in the conflict is pushing for....

Russian drone hits Chernobyl reactor but radiation normal, Ukraine says

Ukraine said a Russian drone crashed into the containment structure, starting a fire, but so far radiation levels have stayed constant....

South Korea’s likely next leader wants warmer ties with China, North Korea

Lee Jae-myung says he would support President Donald Trump’s efforts to restart talks with North Korea — and even consider nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize....

For Trump’s peacemaking, Ukrainians and Palestinians are in the way

President Donald Trump roiled global politics this week, in a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin....

Hegseth softens stance on Ukraine’s NATO goal as Trump doubles down

Their remarks added to the anxiety, in Washington and across Europe, surrounding Trump’s plan to pursue a deal that would end the Russia-Ukraine war....

Trump’s call with Putin alarms Europe and shocks Ukraine

The announcement of the Trump-Putin call made no mention of Europe or of much of a Ukrainian role, playing into fears that their interests will fall by the wayside....

Hegseth team invites far-right activist Jack Posobiec on overseas trip

The offer to invite Posobiec on Pete Hegseth’s trip triggered alarm among Pentagon officials concerned about the military being dragged into partisan warfare....

Trump sparks elation in Moscow, but some caution against overexuberance

Russian officials cheered the phone call between Trump and Putin as a victory for their view that the United States and Russia alone should decide Ukraine’s fate....

Gazans fear return to war amid standoff between Israel and Hamas

Trump has call with Putin, kick-starting bid to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin, breaking a years-long silence between the Oval Office and the Kremlin....