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Ukraine negotiations still murky after Trump’s joint Congress address

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From The Center Square

After a turbulent several days between the U.S. and Ukraine, President Donald Trump gave no clear signs that American aid to Ukraine would be unpaused in his joint address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Trump touched briefly on U.S. relations with Ukraine, saying he was working to end the Russia-Ukraine war but not signifying a change toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky after pausing American aid Monday evening.

“I am also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight,” Trump said.

“Do you want to keep it going for another five years?… Pocahontas says yes,” Trump quipped, referring to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA.

Since Friday, when negotiations between Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Zelenskyy broke down before signing a mineral rights deal, Trump has publicly communicated that Zelenskyy is not ready for a peace deal. He has suggested that Zelenskyy isn’t really interested in an end to the war as long as Ukraine is receiving billions of dollars in aid from the U.S.

Talks soured at the White House between the leaders when Trump was talking of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and Zelenskyy continued to emphasize the importance of security promises from the U.S. Trump and Vance insisted that he had not shown sufficient gratitude for America’s help.

Trump also said Tuesday evening that the U.S. has given more to Ukraine’s war effort than Europe, something he has said repeatedly, citing a $350 billion figure that may be unique to the president alone. Some present loudly objected to this remark. The State Department said this week aide to Ukraine since 2014 totals around $170 billion.

“Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian Oil and Gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine, by far. Think of that.” Trump said. “And we’ve spent perhaps $350 billion, like taking candy from a baby. That’s what happened. And they’ve spent $100 billion.”

French President Emmanual Macron and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer both attempted to correct the president on some similar claims during their White House visits last week.

The unsigned minerals deal with Ukraine was supposed to give America access to rare earth minerals in that country as a form of repayment for its aid throughout the war.

“Later this week, I will also take historic action to dramatically expand production of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths here in the USA,” Trump said.

Trump said he received a letter from Zelenskyy Tuesday communicating what Zelenskyy had posted to X that morning.

“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”

He went on to describe a potential partial ceasefire, expressed thanks to America for its support and finished with a word on the minerals deal.

“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees,” he continued, “and I truly hope it will work effectively.”

Trump said he appreciated the letter, but added that Russia has communicated to the U.S. that it is “ready for peace.”

“It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing,” Trump said. “If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides.”

Morgan Sweeney

Morgan Sweeney

Staff Reporter

conflict

One dead, over 60 injured after Iranian missiles pierce Iron Dome

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Quick Hit:

Iran launched four waves of missile attacks Friday night, breaching Israel’s defenses and killing at least one person. Over 60 others were injured, with the IDF confirming direct strikes on civilian areas in Tel Aviv and central Israel.

Key Details:

  • The Israel Defense Forces reported four rounds of Iranian missile fire, with at least ten missiles making impact inside Israel.

  • One person was killed and 63 wounded, including several in critical condition, according to The Jerusalem Post.

  • The IDF said Iran deliberately targeted civilians, contrasting its own earlier strikes that focused on Iranian military assets.

Diving Deeper:

Several Iranian missiles broke through Israel’s air defenses during Friday night’s attack, striking Tel Aviv and other civilian areas. According to The Jerusalem Post, at least 63 people were wounded and one person was killed after four waves of Iranian ballistic missile strikes hit cities across Israel.

The IDF reportedly said roughly 100 missiles were fired in total. While the Iron Dome intercepted many, multiple missiles made it through and exploded in densely populated areas. Dramatic video showed a missile striking near downtown Tel Aviv, sending fire and debris into the air as people ran for cover.

Army Radio confirmed that ten missiles landed inside Israel between the first two waves. By the time the third and fourth waves hit, injuries had climbed sharply, with several listed in critical condition. The one fatality was reported late Friday night.

The Israeli Home Front Command temporarily allowed civilians to exit shelters but quickly reversed that guidance, urging residents to stay near protected areas amid fears of further attacks.

The IDF emphasized the nature of the targets, calling out Iran for targeting civilians. The IDF also released maps showing where air raid sirens were triggered throughout the night. Though Israel’s Home Front Command briefly allowed civilians to exit shelters, it advised them to remain nearby in case of continued strikes. As of late Friday, Iranian officials claimed a fifth wave could follow.

With tensions still high, Israeli defense officials are preparing for potential further escalation—and weighing how to respond to a direct Iranian attack on civilians.

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Iran nuclear talks were ‘coordinated deception’ between US and Israel: report

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From LifeSiteNews

By Kyle Anzalone

Reports state that U.S. peace talks were a ruse and that Trump gave Netanyahu a ‘green light’ to hit Iran’s nuclear and military sites, killing top commanders.

A senior Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that Tel Aviv and Washington worked together to convince Tehran that diplomacy was still possible after Israel was ready to attack Iran. Just hours before Israel’s massive assault began, President Donald Trump maintained he was still committed to talks.

The Israeli outlet reports, “The round of U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations scheduled for Sunday was part of a coordinated U.S.-Israeli deception aimed at lowering Iran’s guard ahead of Friday’s attack.”

READ: Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites, kills top commanders in massive air assault

In a post on Truth Social shortly before the Israeli strikes began, Trump declared that “We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

After the Israeli attack was in progress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the U.S. was involved. However, American officials have said the White House was aware Israel was set to begin striking Iran, with Trump telling Fox News he was briefed on the operation.

Barak Ravid of Axios, moreover, later reported that Tel Aviv was given “a clear U.S. green light” to start bombing, citing two unnamed Israeli officials.

Sources speaking with Axios said the perceived split between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was coordinated behind the scenes. “Two Israeli officials claimed to Axios that Trump and his aides were only pretending to oppose an Israeli attack in public – and didn’t express opposition in private,” the report explained. “The goal, they say, was to convince Iran that no attack was imminent and make sure Iranians on Israel’s target list wouldn’t move to new locations.”

The sources said that Trump and Netanyahu discussed the attack during a phone call on Monday. After the call, reports said Trump pressed Netanyahu not to attack Iran, but that was another effort to deceive Iran.

In a second post following the attack, Trump said he gave Iran the opportunity to make a deal, and suggested that Israel used American weapons in the massive air raid. “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” the president wrote.

The U.S. and Iran began negotiations on establishing a new nuclear agreement in April, with the two sides engaging in five rounds of Omani-mediated talks. At times, a deal appeared possible, with Iranian officials saying the dialogue was leading to progress. A sixth round of talks was scheduled for Sunday, but now appears unlikely.

A second source speaking with the Jerusalem Post said the goal of Israel’s military operations was not the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear facilities, but rather to hit missile sites and top Iranian leaders to bring down the government.

Israel has conducted several rounds of strikes so far, hitting nuclear facilities, residential buildings in Tehran, and military sites. Iran has confirmed that several military leaders and nuclear scientists were killed in the bombing.

Reprinted with permission from Antiwar.com.

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