Zelenskyy Open to Direct Talks with Putin Amid Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to engage in direct talks with russian president Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war, now in its third year. In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy stated, “If that is the onyl set-up in which we can bring peace to the citizens of Ukraine and not lose people, definitely we will go for this set-up.” However, he emphasized the need for broader participation, adding, “If people believe we must move to the diplomatic track, and I believe we are ready to move to the diplomatic track, there must be the US, Europe, Ukraine and Russia [at the talks].”
The conflict has exacted a devastating toll. Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine’s war dead stand at 45,100, with 390,000 injured. He estimated Russian losses at 350,000 dead and between 600,000 and 700,000 injured, with “many” Russian forces missing in action.These staggering figures underscore the human cost of the war, which continues to escalate.
Recent attacks have further highlighted the brutality of the conflict. On Tuesday, a russian strike killed five civilians, including a pregnant teenager, and wounded 55 in the town of Izium in Ukraine’s north-eastern Kharkiv region. The attack partially destroyed the city council building, with three children among the injured. Governor Oleh Syniehubov described the scene as a stark reminder of the war’s impact on civilians.
Elsewhere, Russian shelling killed two civilians in southern Ukraine. one victim was in the Dnipropetrovsk region, east of the major city of Dnipro, while another died in the Kherson region, north of the city of Kherson. These incidents underscore the widespread violence affecting communities across Ukraine.
In a retaliatory move, a Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region, according to Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. This marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s efforts to target Russian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, international efforts to hold Russia accountable are gaining momentum. International lawyers have “laid the foundations” for a special tribunal to try Russia for the crime of aggression, as reported by Jennifer Rankin from Brussels. EU foreign policy chief kaja Kallas stated, “There is there’s no doubt whatsoever that Putin has committed the crime of aggression, which is deciding to attack another country.”
The war’s toll on Russian forces is also evident.Ukraine has reported a surge in queries from Russian families seeking facts on missing soldiers, indicating “huge losses” for Moscow. Since launching a hotline in January 2024,Ukraine has received over 60,000 requests,with 1,790 Russian soldiers found in Ukrainian captivity and 408 exchanged.
| Key Statistics | Figures |
|—————————————-|—————————|
| Ukrainian war dead | 45,100 |
| Ukrainian injured | 390,000 |
| Russian war dead | 350,000 |
| russian injured | 600,000–700,000 |
| Russian soldiers missing | Likely 120,000–180,000 |
| Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity| 1,790 |
As the conflict rages on, Zelenskyy’s openness to diplomacy offers a glimmer of hope. Though, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, as both sides grapple with immense losses and escalating violence. The international community’s role in facilitating dialog and ensuring accountability will be crucial in shaping the war’s outcome.For more updates on the evolving situation, follow our coverage and share your thoughts on the potential for diplomatic resolution.
European and US Shipowners Fuel Russia’s Shadow Fleet Amid Sanctions
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An international examination led by the Dutch investigative outlet Follow the Money (FTM) has revealed that European and US shipowners have sold at least 230 ageing tankers into the so-called “shadow fleet” used by Russia to evade oil sanctions. The owners reportedly made more than $6bn (£4.8bn) by selling their vessels to countries that have not sanctioned Moscow, such as India, hong Kong, Vietnam, and Seychelles.
Many of the sellers were from countries with sanctions in place against Russia. Greek owners led the way, selling 127 tankers, while UK companies sold 22, and German and Norwegian owners sold 11 and 8, respectively. Most of these tankers would otherwise have been sold for scrap at a fraction of the price, as reported by Jon Henley.
Russia’s Economic Challenges: Inflation and Sanctions
The Russian central bank reported on Tuesday that new Western sanctions, a weaker rouble, and a lower harvest were to blame for Russia’s high inflation rate in December 2024 and January 2025. Inflation, which reached 9.5% in 2024, has emerged as the biggest economic challenge for Russian authorities as the country approaches the fourth year of what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Former Tory MP Joins Ukraine’s International Legion
In a surprising turn of events,a former Conservative MP,Jack Lopresti,has reportedly joined the International Legion in Ukraine in a non-combat role. Lopresti, 55, a former Tory deputy chair and ex-serviceman, described the move as a “huge honor and an immense privilege”. While the UK Foreign Office warns British citizens that it may be illegal for them to fight in Ukraine, there are no examples of UK prosecutions, and it remains legal in Ukraine itself.
MH17 Families Sue Russia’s Sberbank
In a landmark ruling, a US court has allowed the family of Quinn Schansman, an American killed when flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, to sue Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank. The bank is accused of providing money transfers to the Russia-backed separatist group donetsk People’s Republic (DPR),which is blamed for downing the airliner. Schansman, 18, was one of 298 people on board the Malaysia Airlines flight, all of whom were killed when it was shot down over DPR-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile.
Key Insights at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Shadow Fleet Sales | 230 ageing tankers sold for $6bn to evade sanctions.|
| Top Sellers | Greece (127), UK (22), Germany (11), Norway (8). |
| Russia’s Inflation | 9.5% in 2024, driven by sanctions, a weaker rouble, and lower harvests. |
| Jack Lopresti | Former Tory MP joins Ukraine’s International Legion in a non-combat role. |
| MH17 Lawsuit | Family of Quinn Schansman sues Sberbank for alleged funding of DPR. |
The revelations underscore the complex interplay of global politics, economics, and justice as Russia continues to navigate the fallout from its actions in Ukraine. For more in-depth analysis,explore the full investigation by Follow the Money and stay updated on the latest developments.
European and US Shipowners Fuel Russia’s Shadow Fleet Amid Sanctions
An international examination led by the Dutch investigative outlet Follow the Money (FTM) has revealed that european and US shipowners have sold at least 230 ageing tankers into the so-called “shadow fleet” used by Russia to evade oil sanctions. The owners reportedly made more than $6bn (£4.8bn) by selling their vessels to countries that have not sanctioned Moscow,such as India,Hong Kong,Vietnam,and seychelles.
Manny of the sellers were from countries with sanctions in place against Russia. Greek owners led the way,selling 127 tankers,while UK companies sold 22,and German and Norwegian owners sold 11 and 8,respectively. Most of these tankers would otherwise have been sold for scrap at a fraction of the price, as reported by Jon Henley.
Russia’s Economic Challenges: Inflation and Sanctions
The Russian central bank reported on Tuesday that new Western sanctions, a weaker rouble, and a lower harvest were to blame for Russia’s high inflation rate in December 2024 and January 2025. Inflation,which reached 9.5% in 2024, has emerged as the biggest economic challenge for Russian authorities as the country approaches the fourth year of what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Former Tory MP Joins Ukraine’s international Legion
In a surprising turn of events, a former Conservative MP, Jack Lopresti, has reportedly joined the International Legion in Ukraine in a non-combat role. Lopresti,55,a former Tory deputy chair and ex-serviceman,described the move as a “huge honor and an immense privilege”. While the UK foreign Office warns British citizens that it may be illegal for them to fight in Ukraine, there are no examples of UK prosecutions, and it remains legal in Ukraine itself.
MH17 Families Sue Russia’s Sberbank
in a landmark ruling, a US court has allowed the family of Quinn Schansman, an American killed when flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, to sue Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank. The bank is accused of providing money transfers to the Russia-backed separatist group donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), which is blamed for downing the airliner. Schansman, 18, was one of 298 people on board the Malaysia Airlines flight, all of whom were killed when it was shot down over DPR-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile.
Key Insights at a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Shadow Fleet Sales | 230 ageing tankers sold for $6bn to evade sanctions. |
| Top Sellers | Greece (127), UK (22), germany (11), norway (8). |
| Russia’s Inflation | 9.5% in 2024, driven by sanctions, a weaker rouble, and lower harvests. |
| Jack Lopresti | Former Tory MP joins Ukraine’s International Legion in a non-combat role. |
| MH17 Lawsuit | Family of Quinn Schansman sues Sberbank for alleged funding of DPR. |
the revelations underscore the complex interplay of global politics, economics, and justice as Russia continues to navigate the fallout from its actions in Ukraine. For more in-depth analysis, explore the full investigation by Follow the Money and stay updated on the latest developments.
