Overview

• Politico, citing an anonymous White House official, reports that Trump is optimistic about getting both sides in the Russia–Ukraine war to stop the killing.
• The meeting with Zelenskyy is scheduled for Friday, part of a Ukrainian effort to shift U.S. attention from the Middle East back to Russia.
• Zelenskyy says he is preparing the agenda in detail and describes a strong global momentum for peace.
• The White House argues Russia’s military and economic strains should draw it to talks and says Putin has rejected generous proposals, while reporting notes Moscow has largely ignored U.S. overtures.
• Media reports flag possible provision of long-range Tomahawk missiles as a key discussion item, and Trump has said Ukraine wants such systems.