Cameroon’s long-serving leader, President Paul Biya, has won re-election for an unprecedented eighth term, the country’s Constitutional Council announced Monday, extending his decades-long rule until at least 2032.
Biya, 92, the world’s oldest serving head of state, captured 53.66% of the national vote, according to official results. His closest challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35.19%. The outcome ensures Biya—who first came to power in 1982—will mark 50 years in office if he serves out his new seven-year term.
Despite growing public pressure to step down, Biya appeared at only one campaign rally during the election period, telling supporters that “the best is still to come.” Critics accused him of being increasingly absent from national affairs, while his supporters praised his leadership as a symbol of continuity in a country beset by security and economic challenges.
The vote, held amid sporadic violence and widespread voter apathy, saw significant regional variations and high abstention rates, particularly in the restive Anglophone regions. In the South region—Biya’s home base—he won by a commanding 90.86%, while in the South-West region, where around 53% of voters abstained, he still secured 68.7%.
Bakary performed strongly in several northern and coastal regions, winning 56% in Adamawa, 43.51% in the North, and 64.5% in the Littoral region, which includes the economic capital, Douala. He also drew substantial support from Cameroonians living abroad, capturing 68.21% of the diaspora vote in Asia and the Middle East and 54.99% among voters across Africa.
European-based voters, however, heavily favored Bakary, granting him 62.79% compared to Biya’s 22.63%.
Election observers reported low voter turnout and logistical challenges in several areas, with more than half of registered voters abstaining in some districts. Opposition parties and civil society groups have accused the ruling party of manipulating the vote count, though the government has denied any wrongdoing.
Biya’s re-election cements his position as one of the world’s longest-ruling leaders. His nearly 43-year tenure has been marked by economic stagnation, mounting separatist violence in the English-speaking regions, and periodic crackdowns on dissent.
The Constitutional Council in Yaoundé announced the final results following days of regional tallies. Under Cameroon’s electoral law, the winner is determined by the highest share of votes across the entire electorate.
If Biya completes this new term, he will be nearing 100 years old by 2032. Despite his advanced age and recurring questions about his health, the president has shown no sign of grooming a successor, leaving uncertainty over the country’s political future once his rule eventually ends.
President Donald Trump said Monday he would not consider running for vice president in 2028, firmly rejecting suggestions from some of his allies that he could use the role as a legal loophole to return to the White House for a third term.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo for meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump said the idea of joining a future ticket—possibly with Vice President JD Vance—was “too cute” and “wouldn’t be right.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute,” Trump said. “I think the people wouldn’t like that. It wouldn’t be right.”
The president’s comments come amid renewed speculation about his political future, following remarks from his former chief strategist Steve Bannon, who recently told The Economist that there was “a plan” for Trump to serve a third term. Under the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, however, no one may be elected to the presidency more than twice.
Trump, 79, brushed off the idea of running as Vance’s vice president and then taking office if Vance were to resign, saying he believed Americans would reject such a strategy. He emphasized his popularity but said he preferred to win legitimately if he ever sought to return to the presidency.
“I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever—it’s very terrible,” Trump said, noting his approval rating of about 45%, according to RealClearPolitics. “But I wouldn’t do that. It’s too cute.”
The president also speculated about possible future Republican tickets, suggesting that Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio could make an “unstoppable” team in 2028. Still, Trump left open the possibility of running again, musing about a potential face-off with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
“Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he said.
Trump has previously hinted at seeking another term despite constitutional limits. In March, he told NBC that he was “not joking” about a potential 2028 campaign, though he later told CNBC he would “probably not” run.
During the Air Force One exchange, Trump also confirmed he underwent an MRI scan during his annual physical earlier this month but said the results were “perfect.”
Trump will be 82 years old at the end of his current term and would be 86 at the conclusion of a hypothetical third term in 2033. While some legal scholars have debated whether a vice-presidential route could bypass the 22nd Amendment, most constitutional experts have dismissed the theory as legally dubious and politically implausible.
The U.S. Navy said Monday that two aircraft — an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter — operating from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within a 30-minute span, marking the latest in a string of recent aviation mishaps involving U.S. naval forces.
According to the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, all five crew members aboard both aircraft survived. The two aviators aboard the Super Hornet ejected safely, while the three crew members on the Sea Hawk were recovered from the water shortly after the crash. All are reported to be in stable condition.
The twin incidents occurred Sunday afternoon during routine operations, the fleet said in a statement. The cause of the crashes remains under investigation.
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, said preliminary information suggests the crashes may have been caused by “bad fuel.” He ruled out any indication of sabotage or enemy involvement, saying, “There’s nothing to hide — this looks like a technical issue.”
The Nimitz is currently returning to its home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington state after a months-long deployment to the Middle East. The carrier had been supporting U.S. operations in response to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on international shipping lanes. The deployment was expected to be the Nimitz’s final one before its scheduled decommissioning.
The incidents add to a troubling pattern of aviation accidents among U.S. carriers in recent months. The USS Harry S. Truman, another U.S. aircraft carrier deployed to the Middle East, has experienced several mishaps this year — including a December incident in which the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg accidentally shot down a jet from the Truman.
In April, an F/A-18 slipped off the Truman’s hangar deck into the Red Sea, and in May, another fighter jet overshot the carrier’s landing cables and went overboard, forcing its two pilots to eject. None of those incidents resulted in fatalities, and investigations into them remain ongoing.
The Navy has not indicated whether the crashes from the Nimitz are related to mechanical issues affecting other carriers or their aircraft.
Kebbi State, Nigeria (BN24) — Nigerian military forces have killed at least 80 armed bandits who attempted to infiltrate Kebbi State from Zamfara, in what officials are calling a major security breakthrough. The clash took place in Ngaski Local Government Area, following a strategic operation aimed at curbing banditry in the region.
The operation, which occurred on Friday and Saturday nights, is regarded as one of the most successful in recent months. Abdullahi Idris Zuru, Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris, confirmed the military’s success in a statement issued on Sunday. Zuru described the operation as a key victory in the state’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry, noting that it resulted from a targeted deployment of troops across Kebbi’s borders with Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states.
Governor Idris had previously requested additional military support to bolster security along these borders. The reinforcements came after credible intelligence reports suggested that armed bandits were attempting to cross into Kebbi. In response, troops were strategically positioned around Makurdi village, where the military engaged the bandits in intense gunfire exchanges. According to Abdulrahaman Usman, Director of Security in Kebbi, about 80 bandits were killed in the operation, with several others fleeing with gunshot wounds.
Usman also confirmed the recovery of several motorcycles used by the bandits, as well as two abducted civilians who were freed during the operation.
Governor Idris has been instrumental in securing resources to support the military’s efforts. He has donated 100 Hilux vehicles and 5,000 motorcycles to enhance troop mobility and operational effectiveness.
The Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Muhammad, praised the military’s efforts and commended Governor Idris for his commitment to the safety and well-being of Kebbi’s citizens. “The people of Kebbi are proud of the sacrifices of our soldiers and the leadership of Governor Idris, whose efforts are restoring peace and hope to our communities,” Muhammad said.
Security sources also indicated that the recent successes have forced many bandit groups to retreat deeper into forests, signaling a weakening of their operations in the region.
The operation is part of a broader military initiative to strengthen security in northern Nigeria, which has seen ongoing clashes between the army and criminal groups. In a separate report, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno and Yobe States killed more than 50 terrorists in a series of coordinated attacks last week.
The latest military successes in Kebbi highlight the growing effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s strategy to counter banditry and terrorism, offering a glimmer of hope for the restoration of stability in northern Nigeria.
ISTANBUL (BN24) — Victor Osimhen continued his remarkable run of form as Galatasaray came from behind to defeat Göztepe 3–1 at RAMS Park on Sunday, reinforcing their dominance atop the Turkish Super Lig.
The match began dramatically, with Efkan Bekiroğlu catching the home side off guard to give Göztepe an early lead after just six minutes. The opening goal appeared to set the tone for a tightly contested match, with Göztepe pressing aggressively and looking to exploit Galatasaray’s defensive gaps.
However, the reigning league leaders responded quickly. Osimhen capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 19th minute, slotting home his third league goal of the season to level the score. The Nigerian striker has now scored in consecutive matches, following a decisive brace against Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League last Wednesday, underlining his growing influence in both domestic and European competitions.
Galatasaray steadily took control of the game in the second half. Gabriel Sara put the hosts ahead with a composed finish, demonstrating precise positioning and clinical finishing that typify his playmaking style. Shortly afterward, veteran forward Mauro Icardi added a third goal, showcasing his trademark poaching instincts and ensuring the win was beyond doubt.
Despite Göztepe’s efforts to respond, their attacks lacked cohesion, and the visitors were ultimately unable to breach Galatasaray’s organized defense again. The match highlighted the contrast in squad depth and attacking options between the two sides, with Galatasaray’s experience and tactical discipline prevailing.
With this victory, Galatasaray extends its lead at the top of the Super Lig to 28 points, five clear of second-placed Trabzonspor, keeping momentum strong as the season progresses. Göztepe, meanwhile, remains fifth with 16 points, suffering only their second defeat of the campaign, and will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
Osimhen’s performance, marked by pace, positional awareness, and finishing precision, underscores his role as the focal point of Galatasaray’s attack. Combined with contributions from Sara and Icardi, the team demonstrated a balanced approach, blending speed on the wings with clinical striking in the box.
As the Super Lig season continues, Galatasaray appears well-positioned to defend their lead, with Osimhen’s scoring form providing a vital boost for their championship ambitions. Meanwhile, Göztepe face the challenge of recovering defensively while trying to maintain their position in the league’s upper half.
MADRID (BN24) — Real Madrid emerged victorious 2–1 over Barcelona in a thrilling El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, moving clear at the top of La Liga. Goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham proved crucial, as Madrid held off a spirited Barcelona comeback to secure the three points.
The match began with intensity, as both teams sought to assert control early. Madrid took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Mbappé, who has been in sensational form this season, threaded a low, long-range strike past Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The strike, coming in the 28th minute, was a fine example of Mbappé’s ability to create space and finish with precision from outside the box.
However, Barcelona quickly responded. Just 10 minutes later, Fermín López capitalized on a defensive error by Madrid’s backline. A misplaced pass fell to López, who slotted past Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make it 1–1 in the 38th minute. The equalizer gave Barcelona renewed hope as they looked to break Madrid’s dominance.
Just as it seemed the teams would go into the break level, Madrid dramatically regained the advantage. Bellingham, continuing his fine run of form, was in the right place at the right time. Following sustained pressure in the Barcelona box, Bellingham was on hand to tap in a simple close-range finish just before halftime, making it 2–1 in the 43rd minute. The goal was his sixth of the season, and he remains one of the most influential players for Madrid this year.
The second half saw further drama and controversy. In the 61st minute, Madrid were awarded a penalty for a challenge in the box, but Szczesny was equal to the task, diving to his right to deny Mbappé’s spot-kick. The save kept Barcelona within striking distance, and Madrid’s fans could be heard groaning as their team failed to extend their lead.
Shortly after, Madrid thought they had scored a third when Brahim Diaz and Bellingham combined for a well-worked goal. However, the celebration was short-lived as the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. The decision sparked frustration from Madrid’s players and fans, but the game carried on with the score still at 2–1.
Barcelona, increasingly desperate, found themselves reduced to 10 men in stoppage time. Pedri received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Aurélien Tchouaméni, leaving Barcelona to finish the game a man down. Madrid, sensing the opportunity, pushed forward, with Rodrygo testing Szczesny with a free-kick in the final moments, but the goalkeeper was once again up to the task, making a key save to preserve his side’s chances.
The final whistle blew, and Madrid secured their first win over Barcelona in their last five meetings, halting a four-game losing streak to their Catalan rivals. The result sees Madrid extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 28 points, four points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who will have a chance to respond later in the weekend.
For Barcelona, the defeat was a bitter blow. Despite some positive moments, their defensive mistakes and missed opportunities cost them, and the red card to Pedri made any comeback impossible. Barcelona remains in third place, with 21 points, but will need to bounce back quickly to stay within reach of Madrid as the season progresses.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Sunday that federal food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be issued on November 1, as the ongoing government shutdown continues with no resolution in sight.
The notice, posted on the USDA’s website, stated that contingency funds would not be used to continue the program, which provides essential food support to roughly one in eight Americans. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA message read. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”
The Trump administration’s decision not to use the roughly $5 billion in contingency funds marks a significant escalation of the shutdown’s impact, with millions of low-income families now facing uncertainty about how they will afford food next month. The shutdown, which began October 1, is now the second-longest in U.S. history.
Administration officials have blamed Senate Democrats for the ongoing impasse, arguing they have refused to reopen the government until Republicans agree to extend expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats have countered that President Donald Trump and his party must first agree to reopen the government before negotiations can begin.
Democratic lawmakers have written to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the use of contingency funds to cover next month’s SNAP payments. However, a USDA memo obtained Friday states that the funds are “not legally available to cover regular benefits,” explaining that they are reserved for emergency relief, such as in response to major disasters. The memo cited Hurricane Melissa as an example of why maintaining those funds for emergencies is critical.
The possibility that food assistance could be halted has alarmed state officials across the political spectrum. While some states, including California and New York, have pledged to continue SNAP payments temporarily, the USDA has warned that states will not be reimbursed for covering those costs independently.
Other states, such as Arkansas and Oklahoma, have begun warning SNAP recipients to prepare for an interruption in aid, advising families to locate food pantries and local charities that provide emergency food support.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., criticized the administration’s refusal to negotiate, saying on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the situation could have been avoided. “The reality is, if they sat down to try to negotiate, we could probably come up with something pretty quickly,” Murphy said. “We could open up the government on Tuesday or Wednesday, and there wouldn’t be any crisis in the food stamp program.”
The USDA’s notice underscores the growing pressure on Congress and the White House to end the standoff before November 1, when millions of Americans rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.
A U.S. warship docked in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital Sunday as the Trump administration boosts military pressure on neighboring Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro.
The arrival of the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, in the capital of the Caribbean nation is in addition to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which is moving closer to Venezuela. Maduro criticized the movement of the carrier as an attempt by the U.S. government to fabricate “a new eternal war” against his country.
U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Maduro, without providing evidence, of being the leader of the organized crime gang Tren de Aragua.
Government officials from the twin-island nation and the United States said the massive warship will remain in Trinidad until Thursday so both countries can carry out training exercises.
A senior military official in Trinidad and Tobago told The Associated Press that the move was only recently scheduled. The official spoke under condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. military presence and the deadly strikes on suspected drug boats in waters off Venezuela.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said in a statement that the exercises seek to “address shared threats like transnational crime and build resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts.”
The visit comes one week after the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago warned Americans to stay away from U.S. government facilities there. Local authorities said a reported threat against Americans prompted the warning.
Many people in Trinidad and Tobago criticize the warship’s docking in town. At a recent demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy, David Abdulah, leader of the Movement for Social Justice political party, said Trinidad and Tobago should not have allowed the warship into its waters.
“This is a warship in Trinidad, which will be anchored here for several days just miles off Venezuela when there’s a threat of war,” said Abdulah. “That’s an abomination.”
Caricom, a regional trade bloc made up of fifteen Caribbean countries, has called for dialogue. Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the group, but Persad-Bissessar has said the region is not a zone of peace, citing the number of murders and other violent crimes.
The deployment of the USS Gravely adds to the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean as the Trump administration pursues an aggressive counter-narcotics campaign that has included strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels. The U.S. military has conducted ten strikes on suspected drug-running boats, killing at least forty-three people since September.
The Pentagon announced Friday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to deploy to U.S. Southern Command to “bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States.”
The Ford is the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, having been commissioned into service in 2017. At more than eleven hundred feet long with a displacement of one hundred thousand long tons, the carrier is the largest in the world.
The carrier group will join eight U.S. vessels already in the region, including three destroyers, one cruiser, a littoral combat ship, an amphibious assault ship and two transport ships. The deployment represents a major escalation of military power in waters that have already seen an unusually large U.S. military buildup.
Trump disclosed Wednesday that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to oust Maduro. The Venezuelan leader has denied any connection to drug smuggling and denounced the U.S. boat strikes as a pretext for regime change.
The arrival of the USS Gravely in Trinidad and Tobago places a significant U.S. military asset within close proximity to Venezuelan waters. Trinidad and Tobago sits just seven miles off the coast of Venezuela at the closest point, making it a strategic location for monitoring activities in the region.
The training exercises planned between U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago forces represent an expansion of military cooperation between the two nations. The partnership has grown as the Trump administration seeks regional allies in its campaign against what it describes as narcoterrorist threats emanating from Venezuela.
Critics of the U.S. military presence argue that the deployment of warships near Venezuela increases the risk of military confrontation in a region that has traditionally avoided such tensions. The opposition from some Caribbean leaders reflects concerns about being drawn into potential conflict between the United States and Venezuela.
The regional trade bloc Caricom’s call for dialogue highlights divisions within the Caribbean over how to respond to U.S. military activities near Venezuela. While some leaders like Persad-Bissessar support the American presence, others prefer diplomatic solutions to regional challenges.
The U.S. Embassy warning about threats against Americans in Trinidad and Tobago adds another layer of complexity to the military deployment. The nature of the reported threat was not disclosed, but it underscores security concerns in the region.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, who leads U.S. Southern Command, announced Thursday he would step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, in a surprise move amid escalating Venezuela tensions. Sources indicated there had been tension between Holsey and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Caribbean operations.
The docking of the USS Gravely and the approaching aircraft carrier represent the most significant U.S. military presence in the Caribbean in decades, signaling the Trump administration’s determination to pressure the Maduro government through shows of force.
London (BN24) – British police have rearrested Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker and convicted sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison instead of being deported, following a three-day manhunt that reignited debate over the UK’s immigration and justice systems.
The 38-year-old was detained early Sunday in north London’s Finsbury Park area after what police described as a “diligent and fast-paced investigation.” Commander James Conway of the Metropolitan Police said public tips were instrumental in tracking Kebatu down. “Following a search, officers located Mr. Kebatu. He was detained by police and will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service,” Conway said in a statement.
Kebatu’s mistaken release from Chelmsford Prison on Friday triggered outrage across the country. He had been serving a 12-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman in Epping, northeast of London, in July. The attacks occurred shortly after his arrival in England by small boat. During his sentencing, the court heard that it was his “firm wish” to be deported to Ethiopia after completing his prison term.
British officials said Kebatu should have been transferred to an immigration detention center to await deportation but was mistakenly freed instead. Media reports suggested that Kebatu himself appeared confused by his release, with one eyewitness telling Sky News that he had even attempted to return to prison but was turned away.
Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed the arrest on Sunday, saying, “Kebatu has been arrested, is now in custody and will be deported.” He added that he had ordered “the immediate strengthening of release checks and a full investigation into what went wrong.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the error, calling it “completely unacceptable” and vowing to ensure “this doesn’t happen again.”
Kebatu’s case first drew national attention earlier this year when news of his offenses sparked a series of anti-migrant protests in Epping and other British cities. Demonstrators gathered outside the Bell Hotel—where Kebatu had been staying along with other asylum seekers—demanding stricter immigration controls. Some protests turned disorderly as far-right groups joined the rallies, while counterprotests organized by groups such as Stand Up to Racism called for calm and condemned xenophobia.
The rearrest comes amid renewed scrutiny of the UK’s immigration system, particularly the handling of asylum seekers and criminal deportations. The Ministry of Justice has launched an internal investigation to determine how the administrative failure occurred and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Prime Minister Starmer said the episode underscored the need for “systemic reform” in how the prison and immigration systems communicate. “We will make sure nothing like this happens again,” he said.
An overnight Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed three people and wounded dozens, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital said Sunday.
The head of Kyiv’s military administration said early Sunday that “several” Russian drones were operating over the city and warned people to “remain in shelters.”
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said later that “according to preliminary information, three people died and 27 were wounded” in the attack. The wounded included six children, Klitschko wrote on Telegram.
He said drone fragments fell onto a nine-story residential building in the northeastern Desnyansky district, sparking fires in apartments on several floors. Fragments damaged another nine-floor block in the same district, where five people were rescued, he said.
More drone fragments fell on a sixteen-story residential block in the northern Obolonsky district, damaging an apartment, Klitschko said.
The strikes came a day after other Russian drone and missile strikes killed four and wounded around twenty others in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian authorities.
On Saturday, Russian overnight drone and missile strikes killed four people and wounded some twenty others in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and several other regions, authorities said. The attack comes as Kyiv’s Western allies ratchet up pressure on Russia as the war enters its fourth winter.
“One rescuer was killed and another wounded as a result of a repeated missile strike on the Petropavlivska community in the Dnipropetrovsk region,” the Internal Affairs Ministry said on social media. A woman was also killed and seven people were injured in the eastern region, the ministry added, reporting damage to fire trucks, residential buildings and shops.
Moscow also targeted Kyiv in Saturday’s attack, killing two people and wounding twelve others, Klitschko said. AFP journalists heard the distinctive whirring of missiles and powerful blasts at around four in the morning.
Emergency services shared photos of firefighters battling flames as major fires broke out in the Desnyansky and Darnytsky districts.
Russia fired nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and sixty-two attack drones during Saturday’s attack, the Ukrainian air force said, adding it had downed four ballistic missiles and fifty drones.
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump played down prospects of a summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying he was “not going to be wasting my time.”
The remarks came as Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev met with Trump administration officials including special envoy Steve Witkoff, a Russian source familiar with the talks told AFP. The discussions were expected to continue Sunday.
The United States and the European Union announced new sanctions this week on Russian energy aimed at crippling Moscow’s war economy.
The consecutive days of deadly strikes on Kyiv represent an intensification of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital as the conflict continues into its fourth winter. The targeting of residential buildings has drawn international condemnation and renewed calls for additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians.
The attacks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the war, though prospects for immediate breakthrough appear limited. Trump’s dismissal of near-term summit possibilities with Putin suggests significant gaps remain between the positions of the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for more advanced air defense systems from Western allies to counter the drone and missile threats. While Ukraine’s air defenses have improved significantly since the war began, the latest attacks demonstrate Russia’s continued ability to strike the capital with deadly effect.
The inclusion of children among the wounded in Sunday’s attack underscores the civilian toll of Russia’s continued aerial bombardment campaign. International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian populations, though Russia has maintained its strikes target military infrastructure.
The war has now stretched beyond one thousand days since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Both sides have suffered significant casualties, though exact figures remain disputed and difficult to verify independently.
Western sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector aim to reduce Moscow’s ability to fund its military operations in Ukraine. However, the effectiveness of sanctions in changing Russian behavior remains a subject of debate among policymakers and analysts.
Emergency services in Kyiv have developed extensive experience responding to drone and missile attacks, with protocols for rapid evacuation and firefighting operations. The city’s population has adapted to life under regular air raid alerts, though the psychological toll of constant threat remains significant.
