Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said he won't make concessions to end his war on Ukraine. "There will be no trades," Putin said in an interview with state-controlled media. His comments may signal growing confidence as Russia—now reportedly with the assistance of North Korean forces—appears to be wearing down the Ukrainian military, though Kyiv still controls a small section of Russian territory. Russia's invasion of Ukraine began more than a decade ago when its forces entered Ukraine's Donbas and Crimean regions. It was expanded to a full-scale assault in 2022. Kremlin forces have since leveled cities and towns, killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians and allegedly committed a wide range of war crimes. Putin, however, could be waiting for a friendly US administration led by Donald Trump, should the Republican win on Nov. 5. Trump has repeatedly praised Putin, assailed NATO and pledged to cut off military aid to Ukraine. Trump also has allegedly been in contact with Putin seven times since losing the 2020 election, according to Watergate journalist Bob Woodward. And a new report by the Wall Street Journal says Elon Musk, Trump's wealthiest donor, has also had secret talks with Putin. A Ukrainian soldier carries an artillery shell to a howitzer in the Luhansk region of Ukraine on Oct. 18. Photographer: Fermin Torrano/Anadolu /Getty Images |
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