A covert plan to hand Ukraine over to Russia is taking shape after months of unofficial talks between Russian and American diplomatic and security experts in Switzerland.
President Trump signaled alignment with Russia in a key UN vote on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a historic shift in U.S. foreign policy. Washington opposed a European-backed resolution at the UN General Assembly condemning Russian aggression, siding with Russia, North Korea, and Belarus. The Trump administration abruptly halts crucial USAID funding for humanitarian and civil society initiatives, further destabilizing Ukraine and undermining morale amid uncertain support.
In a push to oust democratically elected President Volodymyr Zelensky, Washington is calling for new elections, despite the fact that such elections cannot be held while Russia occupies parts of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Trump extends an invitation to President Zelensky for a White House meeting, offering a deal on Ukrainian rare earth minerals—without any security guarantees.
Military aid, including intelligence support, is paused for two weeks, tilting the balance in Russia’s favor as its forces push deeper into the Ukrainian-occupied Kursk region.
Despite pressure, Zelensky—backed by European allies, along with Canada, Japan and Australia—agrees to a U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire. Trump issues empty threats of sanctions against Russia, presenting them as a tactic to pressure Putin into compliance.
Yet, among Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, there is no belief that Russia will guarantee a lasting or just peace. Trust in Moscow has long been shattered, as every prior agreement has been violated.
On the battlefield, however, Russia’s momentum stalls as Ukrainian forces regain territory around Pokrovsk.
