Mar 6, 2025

Donald Trump’s administration has held secret talks with some of Volodymyr Zelensky’s top political opponents, it has emerged. 

Four senior members of the Trump entourage spoke with Yulia Tymoshenko, the opposition leader, as well as senior members of former president Petro Poroshenko’s party, Politico reported.

Discussions centred around whether Ukraine could hold quick presidential elections, according to the report. 

A rift has been growing between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, culminating in a public shouting match in the Oval Office and US withdrawal of military aid and intelligence to Ukraine.

Mr Trump has publicly insisted that Ukraine hold elections and labelled the Ukrainian president a “dictator” for not holding a vote, despite martial law banning 

There were some signs that their relationship could be mended after Mike Waltz, Mr Trump’s national security adviser, said the US president would consider restoring aid if Mr Zelensky came to the negotiating table.

Analysis: How Trump blinded Ukraine with US intelligence blackout

https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/22464e3d-164f-4f5b-95bd-54f138f91527.html?direct=true&id=22464e3d-164f-4f5b-95bd-54f138f91527&template=cls

The suspension of US military aid dealt a devastating blow to Ukraine. The halt of intelligence sharing is potentially even more catastrophic.

The munitions freeze will undoubtedly affect Ukraine’s ability to wage war against the invading Russians over time, but thanks in part to healthy stockpiles, the impact might not be felt for several months. The loss of vital intelligence, however, will make its mark immediately.

It will, simply put, blind Ukraine.

The intelligence partnership between Washington and Kyiv has repeatedly proved vital not just to Ukraine’s ability to attack its enemy or defend itself but also in saving the lives of its citizens.

Attacking targets within Russia, providing vital intelligence to Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines and giving civilians in Ukraine’s cities sufficient warning to get to bomb shelters will now be much harder.

British and American volunteers inside hotel struck by Russia

British and American volunteers were inside a hotel that was struck by Russia overnight, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian president said they had managed to survived after fleeing their rooms.

“Ballistic missiles hit an ordinary hotel. Just before the strike, volunteers from a humanitarian organisation – citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and Britain – checked into the hotel,” Mr Zelensky said.

“They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms. But, unfortunately, four people were killed in the attack.”