Symbolic imageMelania Trump hosts Russians and Ukrainians as Europe seeks a voice
Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House on Thursday and urged a lasting truce before Abu Dhabi talks.
Russia sent ombudsman Yana Lantratova and envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Ukraine ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and lawmaker Davyd Arakhamia, Meduza reports. The event followed the evacuation of several hundred people from Oleshky under a ceasefire that held for several days, the first such pause of the full-scale war. Donald Trump said he met Dmitriev but not the Ukrainians and predicted a "very big" deal that "could cover all of Europe", per Le Monde. The South China Morning Post says this feeds fears of a pivot toward the Kremlin.
Meloni wants one EU envoy
In a letter seen by AFP, Giorgia Meloni called Europe's approach "disjointed" and demanded leaders decide who negotiates for the EU. Council president António Costa replied that EU institutions must represent its interests and will table it at the next summit.
Erdoğan offers Putin talks
After hosting Zelensky in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdoğan said he wants to speak with Putin, Daily Sabah reports.
Zelensky eyes Democrats
Zelensky told ZDF he hopes a Democratic Congress brings more US support. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it an internal US matter.
Diesel deal falters
The Trump-Putin diesel deal falters as tankers divert.