Overview

• The Wall Street Journal reports a high‑level Pentagon approval process has for months blocked Ukraine from firing U.S. ATACMS into Russia, with at least one Ukrainian request denied.
• Washington approved the sale of 3,350 SM‑6/ERAM missiles to Kyiv in a deal of roughly $850 million that reports say will be paid largely by European partners.
• President Trump told reporters the U.S. will not spend more money on Ukraine, labeled Volodymyr Zelensky “the greatest salesman,” and said he spoke again with Vladimir Putin while pledging unspecified security guarantees.
• Zelensky said Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia using its own equipment without consulting Washington, and he hosted Germany’s Lars Klingbeil in Kyiv as Berlin reiterated strong, ongoing support and work on security guarantees.
• Cross‑border drone and missile activity persisted, with Russia claiming multiple shootdowns near Moscow and St. Petersburg and a fire reported at the Kursk plant, while Reuters reporting says U.S. and Russian officials discussed potential energy deals as incentives in peace talks.