VOA Russian: Putin tries to punt decision on Ukraine back to Trump

After U.S. President Donald Trump urged Moscow to accept the ceasefire deal agreed to by the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the ball is in Russias court, experts polled by VOA Russian said Vladimir Putins first reaction was to try to swing matters back to Trump.

Click here for the full story in Russian.

Putin orders army to push last Ukrainian troops from Russian territory

President Vladimir Putin donned military fatigues for a surprise visit to troops in Russias western Kursk region on Wednesday, where he ordered them to press their lightning advance and swiftly retake the rest of the area from Ukrainian forces.

Putin made his visit after Washington asked him to consider a 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by Ukraine, and after Russian forces retook a swath of territory in Ku...

US lawmakers welcome Ukraine's agreement to 30-day ceasefire

U.S. lawmakers welcomed Tuesdays announcement that Ukraine had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire as a step toward peace in Europe.

Im very encouraged the parties have reached an agreement. I think the president now has decided to lift the freeze on intelligence and weapons — very significant, Republican Representative Michael McCaul, former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told VOA.

The ...

 Russian missile attack kills 4 in Odesa, Ukrainian officials say

Ukrainian officials said Wednesday a Russian missile attack hit the southern port city of Odesa overnight, killing four Syrians and injuring several other people.

Oleksiy Kuleba, vice prime minister for reconstruction, said on Telegram that the missile struck a cargo ship that was being loaded with wheat set to be exported to Algeria.

Russia is attacking Ukraines infrastructure, including ports that ...

G7 foreign ministers to discuss Ukraine conflict amid ceasefire push

LA MALBAIE, Canada — The Russia-Ukraine war is on the agenda Thursday as foreign ministers from the G7 group of leading industrial nations meet in Canada amid a push to secure a ceasefire in the conflict.

The talks in Quebec follow U.S.-Ukraine talks that included a U.S. proposal for an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which Ukrainian leaders said they were ready to accept.

We must move toward...

Europe holds high-level talks on rearming continent, boosting Ukraine aid

Paris — European military and political heads are holding high-level talks this week after calls for massively rearming Europe — and boosting aid for Kyiv — amid fears of a less engaged United States. Lisa Bryant has more from Paris.

Speaking to top NATO and European Union military brass gathered in Paris Tuesday, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stressed the urgency of boosting Europes defens...

US resumes intelligence sharing, security aid to Ukraine

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA  — U.S. President Donald Trumps administration will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine following Tuesdays talks between senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials are expected to speak with Russian officials in the coming days. Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly set...

Ukrainian drone attacks target 10 Russian regions, kill 2 people in Moscow

Russian officials said Tuesday that Ukrainian attacks involving more than 90 drones killed at least two people and injured 18 others in the Moscow region.  

The assault was part of an overall attack overnight that included more than 300 Ukrainian drones targeting 10 Russian regions stretching from border areas to the Russian capital.

Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, said on Telegram...

Rubio in Saudi Arabia for US-Ukraine talks, hopes to resolve Ukraine aid pause

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday the United States hopes to resolve the pause in aid to Ukraine during talks Tuesday with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Rubio said the U.S. is in a listening mode and aims to understand what concessions Ukraine might be willing to make.

The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as...

Ukrainian wheelchair basketball tournament back from nearly 10-year hiatus

The Titans Cup, an all-Ukrainian wheelchair basketball tournament, was held last month in western Ukraine for the first time in nearly 10 years, bringing together teams from across the country. Holding such an event during wartime is a milestone for Ukrainian adaptive sports. Omelyan Oshchudlyak has the story. VOA footage and video editing by Yuriy Dankevych.

Russia, Ukraine report clashes in Sumy

Russian and Ukrainian officials reported fighting in Ukraines Sumy region, with Russian advances in the area creating the potential for cutting off supply lines to Ukraines military.

The officials said clashes were taking place in the Novenke area.

Sumy is located across the border from Russias Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops launched an offensive in August.

Russian forces occupied parts ...

After Poland spat, Musk vows Ukraine can keep Starlink

Billionaire industrialist and senior White House adviser Elon Musk vowed Sunday to maintain Ukraines access to his Starlink satellite network, after a fierce online clash with Polands outspoken foreign minister.

The United States has suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a disastrous Feb. 28 meeting between President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy...