L to R: French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the funeral of Pope Francis, The Vatican, April 26, 2025 (ANSA)

EA on RTE: Why Ukraine Will Survive Trump-Putin Meeting

Thursday’s Coverage: Trump — I’ll Meet Putin, Then Putin and Zelensky

UPDATE 1156 GMT:

After speaking with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said:

There are certain signals, I also have an intuition – that perhaps a freezing of the conflict – I don’t want to say the end of the war, but a freezing of the conflict – could happen sooner rather than later.

He continued, “There is hope for this. Today is the deadline for [Donald Trump’s] ultimatum [to Russia]. President Zelenskyy is very cautious, but still optimistic.”

The Ukrainian side is very keen for Europe, including Poland, to take part in shaping this future ceasefire and, later, peace. We are also very keen on this, so that peace can prevail in our region, because that would also have a very positive impact on our security.

Zelensky posted about discussion of “the available diplomatic opportunities”; joint defense production; support for Ukrainians living in Poland; and Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

Donald and I agreed that the first negotiation cluster for Ukraine and Moldova should be opened simultaneously. Ukraine and Moldova began this path together and must continue along it together.

UPDATE 0914 GMT:

Russia’s Government budget deficit rose sharply to 4.9 trillion rubles ($61.4 billion) in July.

The total is 30% higher than the Government’s target of 3.8 trillion rubles ($47.6 billion) deficit for all of 2025.

The deficit jumped by 1.2 trillion rubles ($15 billion) last month, “mainly due to a decline in the average price of oil”, said the Finance Ministry. Oil and gas revenues, accounting for around one-third of federal income, fell 18.5% over the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Revenues grew just 2.8% year-on-year in nominal terms, while expenditures jumped 20.8%.

Oil and gas revenues, still responsible for roughly one-third of federal income, fell 18.5% over the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The decline accelerated from the 16.9% year-on-year drop reported for the first half of the year.

UPDATE 0733 GMT:

Despite Donald Trump’s vague “deadline” on Friday to halt attacks on Ukraine’s civilians, Russia attacked overnight.

At least three civilians were murdered and 19 injured over the past day.

Air defenses downed 82 of 108 drones. The other 26 hit 10 locations.

In the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine, two civilians were killed amid 545 attacks on 14 towns and villages.

One person was killed in the neighboring Kherson region. Three apartment buildings and 15 houses were damaged.

In the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where Russian troops massacred more than 450 civilians in March 2022, five people were injured.

Casualties were also reported in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions.

UPDATE 0618 GMT:

A Russian State-owned explosives manufacturer has circumvented international sanctions by buying equipment, made by Germany’s Siemens, through a middleman who imports technology from China.

Customs data and state procurement records confirm the equipment for the expanded Biysk Oleum Factory in southern Siberia, a supplier to the Russian defense industry which makes the explosives TNT and HMX.

Reuters, which investigated the transactions, said it found no evidence that Siemens knowingly supplied BOZ. A Siemens spokesperson said it strictly complied with international sanctions and demanded the same from its customers, but some goods could reach Russia without its knowledge. Any sanctions contraventions will be reported to authorities.

The supply is essential for Russia, which does not produce much of its automated machine tooling. Konrad Muzyka, director of the Rochan military consultancy in Poland, said, “Without them, Russia’s capacity to sustain or scale its war effort would be more time consuming, expensive and place a bigger burden on the labour market.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and European partners prepared on Thursday for the likelihood of a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Trying to stave off Trump’s call for a halt to its invasion of Ukraine and his “deadline” for toughened US sanctions, the Kremlin invited the reality TV star to the meeting. Putin said yesterday that it could take place next week in the UAE.

Zelensky spoke with European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The President reported in his nightly address to the nation:

Everyone agrees that Russia’s war against Ukraine is a war in Europe and against Europe. That’s why Europe’s voice must carry weight in the processes….

I’m grateful to President Trump for his openness to seeking truly effective solutions. Here in Ukraine, we are confident that this war can be ended with a lasting peace. But every step must be carefully considered to hit the mark.

The Europeans “agreed that Russia must end its war of aggression, which violates international law” and assured Zelensky of “continued support”. Macron wrote of the necessity for “a solid and lasting solution that preserves Ukraine’s legitimate rights and guarantees its security and that of Europeans”.

Von der Leyen posted:

Asked if his deadline for a Russian ceasefire — initially set for September 2 and later moved up to Friday — is still in effect, Trump told reporters, “We’re going to see what [Putin] has to say. It’s going to be up to him. Very disappointed.”

He has yet to confirm any steps against Moscow. However, he has raised his proposed tariff on India from 25% to 50%, citing Indian purchases of Russian oil.