Markets 
Weather 
US President Donald Trump has issued a rare rebuke to Vladimir Putin, urging the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Russia targeted Kyiv with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones, killing at least 12 people and injuring 90 others.
It was the deadliest attack on the city since July last year.
Trump’s frustration is growing as a US-led effort to reach a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia made little progress.
On Wednesday, Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of prolonging the “killing field” by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula as part of a possible peace deal.
Russia illegally annexed the area from Ukraine in 2014.
Zelenskyy has repeated many times during the war that began when Russia invaded in February 2022 that recognising occupied territory as Russia’s is a red line for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Moscow’s attacks had continued.
Trump’s criticism of Putin is notable because Trump has repeatedly said Russia, the aggressor in the conflict, is more willing than Ukraine to get a deal done.
“I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. “So far it’s been harder, but that’s OK. It’s all right.”
In his dealings with Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump has focused on which leader has leverage. Putin has “the cards” and Zelenskyy does not, Trump has said repeatedly.
At the same time, the new Republican administration has taken steps toward a more cooperative line with Putin, for whom Trump has long shown admiration.
Trump is set to meet later on Thursday with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss the war in Ukraine, US tariffs and other issues.
Norway, a member of NATO and strong supporter of Ukraine, shares a roughly 198-kilometre border with Russia.
Gahr Støre said in a social media post that he would underscore during the talks that “close contact between Norway and the USA is crucial.”
“We must contribute to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine,” he said.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin should “stop lying” when he claims to want peace while continuing to bomb Ukraine.
“There is only one answer we are waiting for: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?” said Macron during a visit to Madagascar.
Macron added that “the Americans’ anger should focus on just one person: President Putin.”
During talks in Paris last week, US officials presented a proposal that included allowing Russia to keep control of occupied Ukrainian territory as part of a deal, according to a European official familiar with the matter.
That was discussed again on Wednesday during talks with US, European and Ukrainian officials.
“The principle of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not something that can be negotiated,” French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said.
Asked whether France agreed with Trump’s comments that Ukraine’s position was to blame for prolonging the war, Lemoine said Ukrainians showed they are open to negotiations while Russia continues its strikes.
“We rather have the impression that it is the Russians who are slowing down the discussions,” he said.
Read the full article here
