Trump hints at massive Russia deal

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is looking south for help. He asked leaders from Latin American countries to provide the specific equipment needed to fix Ukraine's damaged power plants. The Ukrainian president made this request on Thursday during a summit in Madrid. He told the group that every power facility in his country has suffered damage from Russian attacks. Repair teams are working non-stop to restore electricity, but they need immediate international support to succeed.

Zelenskyy spoke to members of the Ibero-American Community, a bloc of 22 nations that mostly speak Spanish or Portuguese. He pointed out that firms in Spain and Latin America have the capability to aid Ukraine's recovery. The equipment must match the existing grid standards, and the need is urgent. The Ukrainian leader stressed that these supplies are required right now to keep the system running.

In Washington, President Donald Trump suggested that a large agreement with Russia is close. He made these comments after an unscheduled meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Vladimir Putin. Dmitriev was at the White House for talks with Ukrainian officials, a session hosted by First Lady Melania Trump. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the upcoming deal will be very large in scope. He did not share specific details of the negotiations.

The US president said the agreement might extend beyond the Ukraine war and could include all of Europe. He expressed confidence that the result would please many parties. Trump also noted that he had not met with the Ukrainian officials present in the White House on Thursday. European leaders are watching these moves closely. Some worry that the US is shifting its focus toward the Kremlin, which could pressure Ukraine to accept a settlement that is less favorable.

The fighting on the ground continued through the night. Russia and Ukraine exchanged airstrikes. A second day of talks on postwar reconstruction and security guarantees ended in Brussels. In the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, a Ukrainian attack on a bus killed five people and injured 13, according to Leonid Pasechnik, the Moscow-backed regional leader. Rescue workers in Komyshuvakha, near the Zaporizhzhia frontline, are searching for survivors. More than 30 people are believed to be trapped in the wreckage of a former school and a shelter damaged by Russian guided bombs on Monday.

Zelenskyy confirmed that 43 people died in the Komyshuvakha incident. He also reported that one person who was missing was found alive. In Russia, video analysis by Reuters indicated that the Ryazan oil refinery came under attack. This facility is one of the country's largest. It was hit during a large overnight drone strike on industrial sites south-east of Moscow.

Leaked documents from the defense industry show that Russia arranged to send Iran 90 launchers for advanced guided missiles. A Ukrainian private intelligence firm obtained the papers. They outline plans to give Iran launchers for the LMUR system. This is a guided missile fired from attack helicopters that Russian forces have used heavily against Ukraine. The documents detail the depth of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Europe's lack of coordination in negotiating with Ukraine. In a letter seen by AFP, she demanded that the EU decide who should speak on its behalf. Meloni wrote that the proliferation of meetings in different formats makes European nations look less credible. European Council chief António Costa agreed that Europe must act with coherence and unity. The conflict entered its 1,717th day as these diplomatic and military events unfolded.