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Several families from Samaria crossed into Syrian territory on Monday near Alonei Habashan, with the aim of creating a new community they called “Neve Habashan.”

Among the participants were young children, and the plan was to remain there long-term. As part of the effort, the relatives of Yehudah Dror Yahalom, a soldier from Chevron who was killed in Lebanon, established a memorial site in his honor and planted flowers on the grounds.

Shortly after, IDF troops arrived, escorted the group back across the border into Israel, and handed the civilians over to police for questioning.

Leah Sheffer of Avnei Eitan, affiliated with the “Bashan Pioneers,” told Arutz Sheva–Israel National News that the move was not spontaneous but had been organized over the course of several months.

“We established the movement based on the belief that, from a security standpoint, it is right to enter and establish settlements so the IDF can control territory further forward. The Julani regime is a terrorist regime… and we believe that without control of this area, another October 7-style event could easily breach our fence,” she said.

Sheffer also stressed the historic significance of the region. “The second reason is our ancestral heritage—the inheritance of the tribe of Menashe, the Bashan region. In the days of King David and during the Second Temple period, we lived there. Jewish archaeological remains from those times are still present.”

Recounting what took place, she explained: “We entered less than a kilometer beyond the fence. The IDF controls the area, and the fence was wide open. It took about 30 to 40 minutes before anyone noticed we had crossed. We erected a sign in memory of Yehuda Yahalom, and his family was deeply moved by the cornerstone laying.”

Sheffer added that the soldiers received them kindly. “They greeted us warmly, we spoke with them, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. They expressed strong support for a complete Land of Israel and praised our efforts. Eventually, they suggested we leave to avoid legal trouble, and we complied.”

The activists later issued a joint statement, declaring: “The Bashan is our ancestral heritage. These empty expanses are calling us to return and settle the land. We call on the Israeli government to remove the enemy from all areas of the Bashan and allow pioneers to settle there!”

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, “Earlier today, a report was received about several vehicles carrying Israeli civilians who crossed the border fence into Syrian territory. IDF forces at the location safely returned the civilians to Israeli territory after a short time.”

The statement further noted, “The suspects were detained at the scene and summoned for questioning by Israel Police. The IDF emphasizes that this is a serious incident, constituting a criminal offense and endangering both the public and IDF personnel.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

The IDF and Shin Bet, under the direction of the Southern Command, carried out a targeted strike on August 10, 2025, eliminating Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar, a terrorist operative from Hamas’ military wing. Najjar took part in the murderous October 7th massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz and was directly involved in the kidnapping of Yarden Bibas. The IDF and Shin Bet emphasized that they will continue to operate with full force against all terrorists involved in the atrocities of October 7. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A Russian missile struck the Jewish cemetery in the city of Pervomaisk, located in the Mykolaiv region of southeastern Ukraine, sparking fires that damaged parts of the bais hakevaros. According to local reports, the missile hit the Behaipoli Cemetery, the largest Jewish cemetery in the city, named after the town of Behaipoli which later became a neighborhood of Pervomaisk. Before the Holocaust, Behaipoli was home to approximately 30,000 Jews. Among those buried in the cemetery are several rabbonim, including Rav Yisrael HaKadosh of Behaipoli and Rav Mordechai of Talna. It remains unclear whether their kevorim sustained damage in the strike. Videos from the scene show multiple fires burning throughout the cemetery grounds. Fire crews have since arrived and managed to bring the blazes under control, though significant damage to matzeivos was reported. Chabad shluchim Rabbi Levi-Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Chana Perlstein, who arrived in Pervomaisk in 2004 and revived the local kehilla by reopening the city’s shul, described the sight. “Several fires broke out inside the cemetery, causing major damage to matzeivos. We are now trying to assess the extent of the damage in order to ensure kavod hameis is upheld. We are here on shlichus from the Rebbe, and nothing will deter us or our fellow shluchim across Ukraine from continuing our mission with mesiras nefesh,” Rabbi Perlstein said. Today, roughly 2,000 Jews live in Pervomaisk, and plans are underway to inaugurate a new mikveh in the city in the coming weeks. Rabbi Meir Stambler, chairman of the Jewish communities of Ukraine, noted that this was the fourth attack on Jewish institutions in Ukraine within the past month. “Just last week, the shul in Odessa was struck; three weeks ago the home of Rabbi Moshe Weber, a Chabad shliach in Dnipro, was damaged; and days earlier, the car of Rabbi Yossi Wolf, Chief Rabbi of Kherson, was hit directly by a drone. Baruch Hashem, in all of these cases, through open miracles, there were no injuries,” Rabbi Stambler said. He added: “It is imperative that the Russian terror be stopped. The relentless attacks are causing both loss of life and widespread destruction throughout Ukraine. We continue to daven for safety, peace, and geulah.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A group of religious soldiers from Battalion 77 of the Armored Brigade sent a sharply worded letter to their commander following a two-day battalion vacation, Arutz Sheva reported. The soldiers wrote that they were promised that the vacation would take place in a setting that was separated by gender and with respect to their religious lifestyle but were sorely disappointed when they discovered “that these were false promises.” The soldiers said that the event was held at a place where female soldiers were walking around in clothing that was not appropriate for their religious way of life. According to Arutz Sheva, the event was held near a pool, and although the soldiers were promised that there would be separate swimming hours, this promise was also not fulfilled. “This was a severe blow that severely damaged our faith, our values, and our way of life,” they wrote. “We expected the battalion—which is entrusted with the value of comradeship—to take care of the needs of soldiers who are shomrei mitzvot. Instead, we left with a feeling of hurt and betrayal.” The letter was signed by dozens of soldiers from the battalion, who demanded an appropriate response to the situation. The Chotam organization responded to the report by stating, “As we warned during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, those who are shomrei mitzvot cannot serve properly in the IDF due to the preference for a feminist agenda. There is no possibility of recruiting Chareidim to the IDF as long as the kedushah of the camp is not maintained.” “We call on Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to prioritize the recruitment of shomrei mitzvos, to close the Yahalam (Adviser to the Chief of Staff on Gender Affairs) unit, and to strengthen the Jewish character in the IDF—for the sake of Israel’s security.” The Yahalam unit has a feminist and progressive agenda, with the IDF describing it as “responsible for advising the Chief of Staff and the General Staff Forum on promoting gender equality and the meaningful utilization of women in service. The unit deals with unique issues aimed at promoting equal opportunities in service, expanding the participation and integration of women in relevant roles and professions, and integrating transgender soldiers into the service.” An organization established by the wives of religious soldiers called Soldiers’ Wives For The Kedushah Of The Machaneh has repeatedly warned about the danger of the Yahalam unit. Earlier this year, they issued a statement saying, “We are wives of shomrei mitzvot combat soldiers who experience firsthand the damage of radical feminism in IDF units throughout the war in the mixing of genders and the negative impact to the ability of our husbands to serve in the army in accordance with halacha.” “Extremist organizations financed by foreign funds have negatively influenced the army through the Yahalam unit and have discriminated against religious and Chareidi men who preserve their way of life, thereby harming Israel’s security.” “We call on Defense Minister Katz to remove the influence of radical feminism from the IDF and allow soldiers who are Shomrei Torah to serve according to halachah. Only by fulfilling ‘והיה מחניך קדוש’ will there be Siyata Dishmaya to the soldiers in battle.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a blistering attack on Australian PM Anthony Albanese after he canceled the visa of an Israeli lawmaker, branding him “a weak politician” who had “betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews.” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the decision “shameful,” accusing Albanese of fueling antisemitism by banning elected Israeli officials from the country. The uproar followed Australia’s last-minute cancellation of Rothman’s planned visit to Jewish communities, accompanied by a three-year entry ban. Canberra’s Home Affairs Ministry defended the move, claiming Rothman would spread “a message of hate and division.” In retaliation, Sa’ar revoked visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. Israel’s government said the decision is part of a broader pattern of hostility from Canberra, noting that pro-Israel influencer Hillel Fuld and former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked were also denied entry in recent months. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong responded that Israel’s reaction “isolates the Netanyahu government” and undermines international peace efforts, pointing to Australia’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state. The clash comes against the backdrop of soaring antisemitism in Australia. A 2025 J7 report documented a fourfold increase in antisemitic incidents in 2024, the steepest rise among English-speaking nations. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry similarly recorded a 316% spike in incidents in the year following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks. Despite these figures, the Australian government insists the visa decision was rooted in security and social cohesion. Wong stressed that Australia “will always take decisive action against antisemitism,” while Jewish advocacy groups accused her government of doing the opposite. Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionism party, blasted the decision as appeasement of terror, arguing that his positions—condemning Hamas and opposing Palestinian statehood—reflect the consensus of the Israeli parliament. He maintained that the visa ban was not merely an attack on him personally but on the State of Israel itself. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

President Trump made clear that American troops will not be deployed to Ukraine as part of any future security guarantees, though he hinted that the U.S. could provide assistance from the skies.

Pressed during a Tuesday appearance on “Fox & Friends” about whether the U.S. might put soldiers on the ground to defend Ukraine, Trump responded with certainty. “Well, you have my assurance,” he said. “I’m president and I’m just trying to stop people from being killed.”

He emphasized that Washington’s role would be to bolster European allies in their backing of Kyiv, suggesting that most of America’s involvement would center on air power. “We’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably, if you could talk about by air, because nobody has the kind of stuff we have,” Trump explained.

Trump pointed out that European partners appear ready to commit troops themselves. “They want to have boots on the ground,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem, to be honest with you, I think Putin is tired of it [the war]. I think they’re all tired of it. But you never know. We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks.” He added, “We’re going to see where it all goes. It’s possible that he [Putin] doesn’t want to make a deal.”

For years, Ukraine has pushed for ironclad security guarantees to guard against another Russian invasion. Senior members of Trump’s team, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, recently said Putin had signaled openness to a NATO-style pact in which other countries would commit to Ukraine’s defense.

Yet Moscow appeared to dismiss the idea on Monday. The Russian Foreign Ministry said through state outlet RIA, “We reaffirm our repeatedly stated position on our categorical rejection of any scenarios that envisage the appearance in Ukraine of a military contingent with the participation of NATO countries, which is fraught with an uncontrolled escalation of the conflict with unpredictable consequences.”

Trump himself clarified that any guarantee system “can’t be NATO because that’s just not something that would ever, ever happen.” Reports have suggested that Putin has floated China as one of the possible participants in such an agreement.

Meanwhile, Zelensky announced a potential $90 billion European-backed security package that would include U.S. firepower and a deal for America to acquire advanced Ukrainian-made drones. The announcement came after his Monday sit-down with Trump, which was described as warm and collaborative—standing in stark contrast to their heated Oval Office clash back on February 28, when tensions boiled over in front of cameras.

At the White House meeting, Zelensky was joined by several European heads of state. After conferring with them, Trump placed a private call to Putin. “I didn’t do it in front of them. I thought that would be disrespectful to President Putin. I wouldn’t do that because they have not had the warmest relations,” Trump explained. “It was years that he didn’t speak to anybody from the White House — and it was a long time that he didn’t speak to anybody from Europe.”

During that conversation, Trump sought to arrange a one-on-one between Putin and Zelensky, and said the Russian president indicated he was open to it.

Even so, Trump cautioned that any optimism should be tempered. “Putin is going to be good, if he’s not, that’s going to be a rough situation,” he warned. Though he touted his personal bond with the Russian leader, he underlined that progress mattered more than friendship.

“If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that’s pretty [good]. I want to try and get to heaven if possible. I hear I’m not doing well. I hear I’m really at the bottom of the totem pole,” Trump joked. “If I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”

{Matzav.com}

Britain abandoned its demand that Apple provide so-called backdoor access to any encrypted user data stored in the cloud, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Monday. Gabbard indicated London and Washington had resolved their high-stakes dispute over electronic privacy, writing on X that she and President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance spent the “past few months” working with the U.K. government. “As a result, the UK agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a ‘back door’ that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens and encroached on our civil liberties,” she said. The dispute surfaced at the start of the year with a news report that British security officials had issued the U.S. tech giant with a secret order requiring the creation of backdoor access to view fully encrypted material. Apple challenged the order, which raised fears of electronic spying by national security officials. The British government reportedly served Apple with what is known as a “technical capability notice” ordering it to provide the access under a sweeping law called the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which has been dubbed the snoopers’ charter. The U.K. Home Office did not respond directly to Gabbard’s statement, saying it “does not comment on operational matters, including confirming or denying the existence of such notices.” “We have long had joint security and intelligence arrangements with the US to tackle the most serious threats such as terrorism and child abuse, including the role played by fast-moving technology in enabling those threats,” the office said. “We will always take all actions necessary at the domestic level to keep UK citizens safe.” Gabbard previously said a demand for backdoor access would violate the rights of Americans and raise concerns about a foreign government pressuring a U.S.-based technology company. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company had reacted to the order by withdrawing its Advanced Data Protection encryption feature for new users in the U.K. and disabling it for existing users. The opt-in feature protects iCloud files, photos, notes and other data with end-to-end encryption when they are stored in the cloud. (AP)

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signals she will not cooperate with ICE deportations of illegal aliens and refers to it as “oppression.”

President Donald Trump said his push to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine is not about chasing awards but about something much larger: he hopes it might help him “get to heaven.”

“If I can save 7,000 people per week from being killed – I want to get to heaven, if possible; I’m hearing I’m not doing well,” Trump said during a live phone interview on Tuesday morning. “If I can get to heaven, this will be a reason.”

On Monday, Trump briefly stepped away from a meeting with European leaders in the Oval Office to place a call to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin, picking up the call at 1 a.m. local time, spoke with Trump about arranging a direct meeting between himself and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been leading his country through more than three years of war.

“One gentleman said, ‘Let’s meet in another month or two,’” Trump recounted, careful not to identify the European official by name. “I said, ‘A month or two?! You will have 40,000 people dead.’ You do it tonight.”

Trump acknowledged his strong rapport with Putin but emphasized that personal ties alone are meaningless unless they produce results. “I want to get things done,” he said. “If it works out, I’ll go to the trilat [trilateral meeting] and close it up.”

He pointed a finger at Barack Obama for Moscow’s annexation of Crimea. “Obama gave it away,” Trump said. “They took the most valuable piece surrounded on four sides by ocean, a beautiful piece of property. Why the heck did he do that to them? In one of the dumbest real estate deals I’ve ever seen.”

Trump also compared his NATO strategy to Joe Biden’s, stressing that Ukraine no longer receives free American arms. Instead, weapons are sold to NATO, which pays upfront before handing them off to Kyiv. “Since I’ve been there, we don’t pay,” Trump explained. “I got NATO to go from 2% to 5%. We sell to NATO, and NATO pays us immediately. Then they give it to Ukraine.”

According to Trump, once NATO delivers the equipment, Ukraine and its allies are free to decide how to use it.

That arrangement, he suggested, could be one reason Putin views him as a credible intermediary. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked on Sunday that Trump is uniquely positioned to bring the Russian leader into peace discussions.

Trump added that European powers are leaning toward stronger action and that he alone has the leverage to unify them in negotiations with Russia. “France and Germany, and the U.K., they want boots on the ground,” he said. “Putin is tired of it; they are all tired of it.”

{Matzav.com}

El Al will resume Tel Aviv–Eilat flights this October for the first time in over a decade, offering two daily Boeing 737 flights during the winter season, with tickets starting at 139 shekels and a discounted 99 shekels for Eilat residents.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) on Justice Department letter to “sanctuary jurisdictions” to fully comply with immigration enforcement: “Trump wants the city of Boston, Mayor Wu, to bow to his dream of absolute power. But today, we are here to say Boston will not bow down.”

Macron: As far as I’m concerned, when I look at the situation… I don’t see Putin really willing to get peace now, but perhaps I’m too pessimistic.

by Rabbi Eliezer Sandler The concept of the Yissachar-Zevulun Torah Learning Pact goes back well over 3,500 years, to the time of Yaakov Avinu and his sons. It is named for the Torah pact between two of his sons – Yissachar the scholar and Zevulun the merchant. Not only was it an equal pact but, Chazal explained, the deed of Zevulun/the Sponsor is considered even greater than that of Yissachar, because without the support of Zevulun, Yissachar would not have had the wherewithal to study Torah undisturbed.” It is well-known that when it comes to learning Torah, people who sponsor the learning, often do so, not just as a donation. By financially supporting specific Torah scholars, they enter into a binding, written, signed and sealed learning partnership pact whereby the Sponsor (the Zevulun) is deemed by Halacha as if he personally studied the Torah completed by the Scholar (the Yissachar). (See below.)  Thus, those who support the Talmidei Chachomim at Shas Yiden via a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact merit a portion in every daf of the entire Talmud Bavli and associated texts that they study, and complete the entire cycle in the space of ONE year. Some of the Sponsors opt to continue sponsoring repeat cycles of Shas which accrue to them. Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, Nasi Shas Yiden, emphasized: The most mehudar Yissachar-Zevulun pact to support in our times is that offered by Shas Yiden – it comprises the entire Shas, Rashi and Tosfos – all in just one year! Rav Chaim explained why this pact with Shas Yiden is the most mehudar. Chazal say that the highest level of learning is when one understands what he is learning b’iyun u’ve’amkus. However, even higher than that is when one remembers b’al peh all what he has learned. I have farhered the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim many times and can attest ZEI KENNEN SHAS (they know Shas)! YES! YOU CAN MAKE your OWN SIYUM on the ENTIRE Shas, Rashi & Tosfos IN JUST ONE YEAR! The Yissachar-Zevulun Pact in Halacha The Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh De’ah Chapter 246 regarding the efficacy of the Yissachar-Zevulun Sponsorship Pact for the Zevulun (the Sponsor) states clearly:  It is deemed as if he (the one sponsoring the learning) himself learned all the Torah studied under the pact.  All the learning under the Shas Yiden Yissachar-Zevulun Pact is yours בעוה”ז ובעוה”ב (in both This World and the World to Come)! Concerning this, the Netziv of Volozhin comments that in Olam Habah, the Zevulun sponsor will sit together with the Gedolei Torah of the past and merit to participate in their discussions and pilpulim on all the Torah learned. Achieve Almost 7 million Mitzvos in One Year The Vilna Gaon in Shnos Eliyahu Pe’ah 41 states that one should hold precious every word of Torah that he learns because each word is considered a mitzvah of its own.  Thus, since in Talmud Bavli, Rashi and Tosfos there are 6,608,891 words, that translates into almost 7 million mitzvos accruing through Yissachar-Zevulun at Shas Yiden.  Official Shtar from Shas Yiden Each Yissachar-Zevulun pact is confirmed by an official contract (shtar) from Shas Yiden specifying the learning of the entire Shas, and is witnessed by talmidei chachomim. All who wish to enter into a Yissachar-Zevulun Pact for the entire Shas during ONE year should contact Shas Yiden to make arrangements: […]

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a leading Democrat and potential presidential contender, has signed new legislation that grants access to student financial aid for all state residents, regardless of their immigration status. The change effectively allows illegal immigrants in Illinois to apply for state-based educational assistance.

The decision drew sharp criticism from conservative Congresswoman Mary Miller, R-Ill., who condemned the measure as unfair to citizens. She said the policy amounts to rewarding illegal immigrants and called it a “slap in the face” to Illinois families and students.

According to the text of the law, the aim is to create “equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits” across the state’s student population.

The bill specifies that “a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for financial aid and benefits.”

One of the sponsors of the measure, Democratic state Senator Celina Villanueva, praised Pritzker for approving the legislation. She stated that “this law is about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.”

Her office issued a statement explaining that the legislation “eliminates the patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting requirements that have excluded undocumented, DACAmented, and mixed-status students from critical aid.”

The law applies to all Illinois residents and qualifies them for financial aid programs provided through the state, municipalities, or public universities, according to Villanueva’s office.

The statement further emphasized that the law “builds upon Villanueva’s long-standing advocacy for immigrant and first-generation students by creating a more consistent and inclusive pathway to accessing support.”

“If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, you should have access to the same opportunities as your peers,” Villanueva added. “Illinois invests in all of our students, and we’re committed to helping them succeed.”

Miller, however, blasted the initiative in remarks to Fox News Digital, saying, “allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students.”

She went on to say, “Our state is drowning in debt, yet JB Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals. It’s absolutely shameful.”

The Illinois GOP also weighed in, with a spokesperson telling Fox News Digital that “once again, Governor Pritzker proves that he is prioritizing illegal immigrants at the expense of Illinois families.”

“Illinois taxpayers should not have their hard-earned taxpayer dollars pay for benefits to illegal immigrants who shouldn’t be here in the first place,” the spokesperson concluded.

{Matzav.com}

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced the launch of a new system this week that allows families to reserve aid boxes in advance using photo IDs and secure online accounts. According to GHF, the system aims to ensure safe and reliable access to their food aid parcels.

Earlier today, an IDF drone crashed in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon due to a technical malfunction. The IDF stated there is no risk of information leakage, and the incident is currently under investigation.

Spain is facing its worst wildfires on record, with over 380,000 hectares burned this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. Thousands of residents have been evacuated, and the two-week heatwave, which saw temperatures soar to 113°F is now gradually easing.

WATCH: Footage released by Ukrainian forces shows a Russian fuel train destroyed in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region, east of Tokmak, following an attack by a swarm of at least seven FPV drones.

HAPPENING NOW: Highway 4 exiting Bnei Brak has been shut down by Chareidi protesters demonstrating against the arrest of Yeshiva bochurim and the gezeira targeting Bnei Yeshiva.

The second Oval Office meeting in six months between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went off smoothly Monday, in sharp contrast to their disastrous encounter in February. European leaders joined the discussions in a show of transatlantic unity and both they and Zelenskyy repeatedly thanked Trump for his efforts to end Russia’s three-year war on Ukraine. “I don’t want to hide the fact that I wasn’t sure it would go this way,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Washington. “But my expectations were not just met, they were exceeded.” But despite the guarded optimism and friendly banter among the leaders, there was little concrete progress on the main obstacles to ending the war — and that deadlock likely favors Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces continue to make steady, if slow progress on the ground in Ukraine. “Putin cannot get enough champagne or whatever he’s drinking,” Gabrielius Landsbergis, a former foreign minister of Lithuania, said of Monday’s meeting. As NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told Fox News: “All the details have to be hammered out.” Here is a look at the issues that need to be resolved: Security guarantees for Ukraine To agree to a peace deal with Russia, Ukraine wants assurances that it can deter any future attacks by the Kremlin’s forces. That means, Zelenskyy says, a strong Ukrainian army that is provided with weapons and training by Western partners. It could potentially also mean offering Ukraine a guarantee resembling NATO’s collective defense mandate, which sees an attack on one member of the alliance as an attack on all. How that would work is not clear. Additionally, Kyiv’s European allies are looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement in Ukraine. A coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan and Australia, have signed up to support the initiative, although the role that the U.S. might play in such a force is unclear. European leaders, fearing Moscow’s territorial ambitions won’t stop in Ukraine, are keen to lock America’s military might into the plan. Trump said he’ll help provide protection but stopped short of committing American troops to the effort, instead promising U.S. “coordination.” Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of such a force, saying that it will not accept NATO troops in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired an online meeting Tuesday of the coalition countries. Once officials have discussed proposals in more detail, Rutte said, a virtual meeting will take place with Trump and European leaders. Agreeing on a ceasefire Ukraine and its European supporters have repeatedly called for a ceasefire while peace talks are held. Putin has balked at that prospect. With his forces inching forward in Ukraine, he has little incentive to freeze their movement. Ahead of his meeting with the Russian leader last week, Trump threatened Russia with “severe consequences” if it didn’t accept a ceasefire. Afterward, he dropped that demand and said it was best to focus on a comprehensive peace deal — as Putin has pushed for. Trump said in Monday’s Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was “unnecessary.” But after his closed-door meeting with European leaders and Zelenskyy, Trump told reporters that “all of us would obviously prefer the immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace.” Where Trump ultimately falls on that issue is […]