Russia
Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet him in Turkey ‘personally’ for ceasefire talks
Ukraine and European allies had demanded Russia accept a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday before holding talks, but Moscow effectively rejected the proposal and called for direct negotiations instead.
Ukraine’s allies push for 30-day ceasefire starting Monday
U.K. Prime Minister says Europe and the U.S. are "calling out" Putin, by proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday.
How this teen fled Russian occupation to become an unassuming hero in Ukraine
An 18-year-old from Russian-occupied Luhansk tells NPR how and why he escaped to Kyiv.
Word of the Week: Crimea’s tumultuous history shrouds the origin of its very name
At the northern end of the Black Sea, Crimea sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, having been at various times in its long history either coveted, conquered or controlled by various powers.
Putin declares a 3-day ceasefire for May’s WWII anniversary. Ukraine says why wait?
Russia declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting May 8 for the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. Ukraine called for an immediate, 30-day truce instead.
Ukrainian families divided by Russian occupation hang on and hope to be reunited
Ukrainians displaced by Russian occupation are helping the war effort — and longing for the homes they fled and the loved ones they left behind.
Trump meets Zelenskyy during visit to Pope Francis’ funeral
The White House says it will release more details of the meeting, which it described as "a very productive discussion."
Trump has his old friend Steve Witkoff leading his toughest diplomatic talks
President Trump has put Steve Witkoff — a friend from New York's real estate world — in charge of delicate talks on the war in Ukraine, Iran's nuclear ambitions and the conflict in Gaza.
Russia launches airstrikes on Kyiv as Trump pushes for Kremlin-favored peace deal
The Ukrainian military says Russia launched at least 215 drones and missiles at Ukraine, most aimed at the capital.
Officials from U.S., Europe meet in London for Ukraine peace talks
The U.S. is showing signs that it is increasingly willing to withdraw from a peace process that has grown more complex in recent months.
Putin calls an Easter ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds of POWs
The Russian president announced a temporary ceasefire, citing humanitarian reasons, as Russia and Ukraine swapped hundreds of captured soldiers.
Trump may abandon Ukraine peace talks ‘within days,’ Rubio warns
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the U.S. would walk away from efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine if progress isn't made within days.
U.S.-Russia ballerina freed in prisoner swap
Ksenia Karelina, jailed over a $50 donation to Ukraine, released after U.S.-Russia prisoner swap.
The U.S. and Russia are holding talks in Saudi Arabia on a Black Sea ceasefire
The closed-door talks at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh follow U.S. consultations with a Ukrainian delegation on stabilizing the front lines and implementing a proposed 30-day armistice.
European military leaders discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force
The number of troops that would help enforce a peace in Ukraine is vague. Officials have cited figures of between 10,000 and 30,000 troops as part of what's been termed a "reassurance force."
Zelenskyy and Trump speak after Trump’s call with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for about an hour with President Trump on Wednesday, following Trump's call on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin says it will halt strikes on Ukraine energy sector after Trump and Putin talk
President Trump has said he wants to broker an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. This was his second call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue.
What Russia and Ukraine want out of talks, as Trump speaks to Putin Tuesday
President Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, as the U.S. pursues a ceasefire deal in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy wants U.S. to hit Russia with ‘maximum’ sanctions if it refuses a ceasefire
Ukraine's president said he hopes the U.S. applies "maximum additional sanctions" on Russia if it refuses to accept a 30-day ceasefire, describing the Russian leader's "bravado" as a stalling tactic.
A Putin aide rejects Trump’s 30-day Ukraine ceasefire proposal
As U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff enters talks in Moscow on a Trump administration proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, an adviser to the Russian president rejected the idea.
Ukraine wants ‘constructive, friendly’ talks with the U.S. as they meet in Saudi Arabia
Diplomatic teams from Ukraine and the United States are holding talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday in steps toward ending a full-scale war started by Russia in 2022.
Five takeaways: China’s foreign minister slams Trump’s ‘two-faced’ policies
China's top foreign policy official addressed the escalating trade war with the U.S. and promoted China as an "anchor" on the global stage as America retreats from international involvement.
European leaders renew support for Ukraine after Zelenskyy’s stormy meeting with Trump
Leaders from across Europe came quickly to the defense of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after his televised clash with President Trump and Vice President Vance.
Trump says he spoke to Putin about the Ukraine war
President Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine and other issues, and that they agreed to visit each other's nations and have their teams start negotiations immediately on the conflict.
Russia releases American teacher Marc Fogel from prison
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said Fogel was released in what he called "an exchange" with Russia and was on his way back to the United States. Terms of the exchange were unclear.
‘It’s a fight for freedom.’ Ukraine backers call for continued arms support 1 year into war
A group of supporters gathered at Railroad Park in Birmingham to draw attention to human rights violations in the country and call for continued arms support from the U.S.
‘We got our miracle’: Freed Americans back home in Alabama
Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh had gone missing June 9 in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine while while fighting with Ukrainian forces against Russia.
Russian separatists release 2 U.S. veterans as part of a prisoner exchange
Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh went missing in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border June 9. They had traveled to Ukraine on their own and became friends because both are from Alabama.
Biden visits Alabama Lockheed plant as weapons stockpile strained
President Joe Biden credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant in Troy for doing lifesaving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine.
Record-high gas prices are cutting into Alabama drivers’ budgets. Here’s how they’re coping
The added expense affects people in Alabama’s Black Belt differently, including road trippers, commuters and even those who can’t drive.
Why Gulf South oil producers can’t protect the region from rising gas prices
Experts say activating unused oil wells could temper the rising costs of gas, but consumers should not expect prices to get anywhere near their COVID low.
Birmingham leaders say decision to ban Russian athletes from the World Games ‘a show of solidarity’
The World Games ban was in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week.
