Connect with us

The Dictatorship

What the White House and Kremlin said about the Trump-Putin call

Published

on

What the White House and Kremlin said about the Trump-Putin call

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says a lengthy phone call between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had achieved “movement to peace” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But while Tuesday’s call ended with Putin and Trump agreeing on an immediate pause on strikes against energy infrastructure, the Kremlin makes clear that Russia has many additional demands before it will consider a broader ceasefire.

Much of the significantly shorter White House statement, meanwhile, looks ahead to Trump’s hopes of improved relations with Russia.

Read the statements released by the White House and Kremlin giving their versions of what Putin and Trump discussed:

What the White House said

Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.

This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.

The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. They further discussed the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons and will engage with others to ensure the broadest possible application. The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.

The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.

What the Kremlin said

The leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his desire to help achieve the noble goal of ending hostilities and human losses.

Having confirmed his fundamental commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the Russian President declared his readiness to thoroughly work out possible ways to resolve the conflict together with his American partners, which should be comprehensive, sustainable and long-term. And, of course, to take into account the absolute need to eliminate the root causes of the crisis and ensure Russia’s legitimate interests in the field of security.

In the context of the U.S. President’s initiative to introduce a 30-day ceasefire, the Russian side outlined a number of significant points regarding ensuring effective control over a possible ceasefire along the entire line of contact, the necessity to stop the forced mobilization in Ukraine and the rearmament of the Ukrainian armed forces. Serious risks associated with the Kyiv’s regime inability to respect agreements were also noted, given that it has repeatedly sabotaged and violated agreements that have been reached.

Attention was drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian fighters against the civilian population of the Kursk region. It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working toward its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be a complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv.

In connection with Donald Trump’s recent appeal to spare the lives of Ukrainian servicemen surrounded in the Kursk region, Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian side is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and, in the event of their surrender, guarantees the lives and decent treatment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in accordance with Russian laws and the norms of international law.

During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to the conflict to mutually refrain from attacks on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command.

The Russian President also responded constructively to Donald Trump’s idea of implementing a well-known initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. It was agreed to begin negotiations to further work out specific details of such an agreement.

Vladimir Putin informed that on March 19 a prisoner exchange will be carried out between the Russian and Ukrainian sides — 175 for 175 people. In addition, as a gesture of goodwill, 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian servicemen who are undergoing treatment in Russian medical institutions will be handed over.

The leaders confirmed their intention to continue bilateral efforts to achieve a Ukrainian settlement, including taking into account the above-mentioned proposals of the U.S. President. For this purpose, Russian and American expert groups are being created.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also touched upon other issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Joint efforts will be made to stabilize the situation in crisis areas, establish cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This, in turn, will contribute to improving the overall atmosphere of Russian-American relations. One of the positive examples is the vote made in solidarity in the U.N. on the resolution regarding the Ukrainian conflict.

Mutual interest in normalizing bilateral relations was expressed in light of the special responsibility of Russia and the United States for ensuring security and stability in the world. In this context, a wide range of areas in which our countries could establish interaction was considered.

A number of ideas were discussed that are moving toward the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy and energy sector.

Donald Trump supported Vladimir Putin’s idea to organize hockey matches in the United States and Russia between Russian and American players playing in the NHL and KHL (Kontinental Hockey League). The presidents agreed to remain in contact on all issues raised.

Read More

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Dictatorship

Trump administration kicks off new tariff strategy

Published

on

Trump administration kicks off new tariff strategy

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday opened a new trade investigation into manufacturing in foreign countries — an effort that comes after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s previous use of tariffs by declaring an economic emergency.

Trump and his team have made clear that they’re seeking to replace the hundreds of billions of dollars in lost revenues after the Supreme Court’s February ruling by using different laws to establish new tariffs.

In this case, the administration is starting investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which could eventually lead to new import taxes. But U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in a Wednesday call with reporters, said he didn’t want to prejudge the outcome of the process.

“The policy remains the same — the tools may change depending on, you know, the vagaries of courts and other things,” said Greer, stressing that the goal was to protect American jobs.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks with reporters at the White House, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks with reporters at the White House, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

The start of the process to fully replace Trump’s prior tariffs could invite a return of much of the drama that rattled the global economy last year. The since-overturned tariffs led to new frameworks with U.S. trade partners — and it’s unclear what impact a new set of import taxes could have on those agreements. Greer described the trade frameworks as standing on their own and suggested they were separate from the new investigation.

This new set of tariffs could play out against the backdrop of a war in Iran and midterm elections in which Democrats are running against Trump’s Republican allies by emphasizing that the public is owed tariff refunds following the Supreme Court decision.

Greer said that the investigation would examine excess industrial capacity and government backing that could give foreign companies an unfair advantage over U.S. companies.

Containers are stored in a cargo terminal in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Containers are stored in a cargo terminal in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

The entities subject to the investigation include China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, the self-governing island of Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan and India. The government is looking for what it deems to be persistent trade surpluses with the U.S. and policies such as subsidies and the suppression of workers’ wages, among other factors.

The administration is also rolling out a Section 301 investigation to ban the importing of goods made by forced labor.

Greer indicated that there could be additional Section 301 investigations over issues such as digital service taxes, pharmaceutical drug pricing and ocean pollution, among other possibilities. The Commerce Department has separate trade investigations under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act.

There are timeline pressures for the administration to complete its investigations. The administration has imposed 10% tariffs on foreign-made goods under section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, but those expire after 150 days on July 24. Trump said he planned to raise that import tax to 15%, but he has yet to do so.

Containers are stacked at the Port of Long Beach Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Long Beach Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Greer said the administration is “keying off” the new investigation based on the 150-day deadline, saying that the goal is to bring “potential options” to Trump as soon as possible.

Greer said the investigations would be separate from the trade frameworks announced last year by Trump that set baseline tariff rates, which led to 15% rates charged on goods from the European Union, Japan and South Korea, among other places, that have since been overturned by the Supreme Court. Still, he suggested that the frameworks could play a factor.

“My sense is that these countries continue to want to deal, and President Trump continues to want the deal,” Greer said, adding that since tariffs are in play the commitments that the countries have made and the implementation of the frameworks would be considered as they “bump” against the demands of the Section 301 process.

___

AP writer Mae Anderson contributed to this report.

Read More

Continue Reading

The Dictatorship

Gunman in deadly Old Dominion University shooting had past ISIS ties, sources say

Published

on

Gunman in deadly Old Dominion University shooting had past ISIS ties, sources say

A gunman killed one person and injured two others in a shooting on Thursday at Old Dominion University in Virginia, Norfolk police said.

Authorities have identified the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a U.S. citizen who pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the extremist militant group ISIS, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told MS NOW.

In that 2016 case, Jalloh, a former member of the U.S. Army, admitted to attempting to donate money to the terror group and carry out a domestic attack in its name, the U.S. officials said.

The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. The bureau said members of the school’s ROTC program “terminated the threat” but did not shoot the gunman.

The U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) confirmed in a statement Thursday evening that three victims were members of the university’s ROTC program, one of whom died. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a member of the U.S. Army ROTC team,” the statement said.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, in an X post Thursday night, identified the deceased victim as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. “Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University. A devoted ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path,” the governor said.

“The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him — actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.

Shortly before 11 a.m. ET, Old Dominion University and Norfolk police, as well as emergency personnel, responded to reports of a shooter at a building that houses the university’s business school, the university said. The injured were taken to a hospital, where their conditions weren’t immediately known.

“Old Dominion University has canceled classes and operations on main campus for the remainder of the day,” a spokesperson for the school said in a statement shortly after the campus went on lockdown. “Please avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency personnel continue to work.”

Spanberger said in a statement that she is monitoring the investigation into the shooting.

“Adam and I are praying for the victims, their families, and every Virginian who has been touched by this terrifying shooting,” Spanberger said. “I encourage community members to continue following guidance from the university and local emergency officials.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Erum Salam is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW, with a focus on how global events and foreign policy shape U.S. politics. She previously was a breaking news reporter for The Guardian.

Read More

Continue Reading

The Dictatorship

Democrats seek answers on millions pledged to Trump presidential library

Published

on

Democrats seek answers on millions pledged to Trump presidential library

Lawmakers are pressing major corporations for details on tens of millions of dollars pledged to a planned Donald Trump presidential library, after the nonprofit originally meant to receive the funds was dissolved quietly last year.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., along with Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., sent letters to executives at companies including ABC, Meta, Paramount and X, seeking details on at least $63 million in commitments those companies made as part of legal settlements with Trump or his allies. The letters seek to clarify whether the funds were ever transferred, and if so, how they have been used.

The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Fund Inc., the nonprofit originally designated to receive the money, was dissolved in 2025. A successor organization, the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc., has reported receiving $50 million, but has not confirmed the source of those funds, leaving it unclear whether the settlement pledges were fulfilled or redirected.

The inquiry comes amid growing scrutiny over the flow of money and assets tied to Trump’s presidency and post‑presidential plans, including reports that a luxury Boeing 747‑8 jumbo jet — valued at about $400 million and offered by the Qatari government for use as Air Force One — could potentially be transferred to the Trump library foundation after he leaves office.

The congressional investigation was first reported by The Washington Post.

Lily Becker is a producer on “The Weeknight” for MS NOW.

David Rohde headshot

David Rohde

David Rohde is the senior national security reporter for MS NOW. Previously he was the senior executive editor for national security and law for NBC News.

Read More

Continue Reading

Trending