In their first conversation since Trump’s election victory, the US President-elect advised Russian President Vladimir Putin against escalating the war in Ukraine. The call, which occurred after Putin expressed a desire to mend US-Russia relations, underscores the complexities of the relationship between the two nations, especially in the context of the Ukrainian conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his recent election victory, expressing cautious optimism about the future of US-Russia relations. While Putin welcomes Trump’s seemingly pro-Russia stance, he acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policies and past promises. Putin’s comments come amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where he has reiterated Russia’s steadfast demands for peace, including Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO ambitions and territorial concessions. This article analyzes Putin’s remarks, assesses Trump’s potential impact on US-Russia relations, and explores the complexities of the Ukraine conflict.
President Joe Biden has signed a bipartisan bill providing billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and a separate bill banning the popular video-sharing app TikTok in the United States. The Ukraine aid package was approved after months of negotiations between the Biden administration and Republicans in Congress, while the TikTok ban is intended to address concerns about the platform’s ties to the Chinese government. The legislation signing represents a significant victory for Biden, who has made strengthening US alliances and supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia key foreign policy goals.
Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter, has been denied an appeal to end his pretrial detention on espionage charges. The American journalist has been held in jail for over a year, and his detention has been repeatedly extended by Russian authorities. The Kremlin is suspected of using jailed Americans as leverage in negotiations amid heightened tensions between the US and Russia.
The Senate is reconvening on Tuesday to vote on a $95 billion war aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The package includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for Taiwan. The House of Representatives endorsed the package on Saturday after months of deliberations and internal debates within Congress. President Biden is expected to sign the package into law once it is approved by the Senate.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close associates have criticized House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for supporting an additional aid package for Ukraine. The Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov called McCarthy a “traitor” for pushing the funding measure despite opposition from some Republicans. Solovyov claimed that President Biden had “used backstage methods” to sway McCarthy’s support, and that the Ukrainian aid bill was a “brutal victory” for Biden. Russian state-run media have previously expressed affection for McCarthy, but have now turned against him.
