Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CBS News that no date has been set for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. View quoted note →

The M/V W Sapphire, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier reportedly loaded with coal, experienced an explosion in its forward cargo hold earlier today while departing Baltimore en route to Port Louis, Mauritius. Multiple local fireboats and the U.S. Coast Guard are currently on the scene.

According to The Financial Times, Ukraine has pledged to purchase $100 billion worth of U.S.-made weapons and military equipment, financed by Europe, as part of proposals seeking concrete security guarantees from Washington. The plan also includes a separate $50 billion agreement under which Ukrainian defense firms, such as UkrJet, would partner with American companies to co-produce attack drones for both Ukraine’s military and the U.S. Armed Forces.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump praised today’s White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders in a Truth Social post moments ago, saying discussions focused on security guarantees for Ukraine to be provided jointly by Europe and the United States. Trump also confirmed that he had spoken earlier with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that preparations are underway for a possible bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, followed by a trilateral session with Trump present. He concluded the post by noting that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are working to coordinate the talks with both Russia and Ukraine.

AFP reports that, according to a source familiar with the call, Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday that he is open to meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though no specific timeline was provided. Zelensky appeared to confirm this during an impromptu Ukrainian-language press conference at the White House, stating: “Russia requested a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, followed by a trilateral meeting.”

Today’s meeting between U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders has concluded, with reports indicating that Trump also spoke earlier with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several European leaders are staying on at the White House to continue negotiations and discuss possible security guarantees for Ukraine.

The difference between today’s Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the one held back in March is staggering.

Air raid sirens blare across Kyiv and throughout Ukraine ahead of the Trump-Zelenskyy talks in Washington, D.C.

Minister Flávio Dino of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruled this Monday (18) that laws or judicial decisions from other countries are not valid in Brazil unless they undergo validation by the Brazilian judiciary. In his ruling, the minister stated that Brazil has been “subject to various sanctions and threats.”

Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia, the country’s delegation had to pay for their aircraft’s fuel in cash to return home from Alaska. “They cannot use our banking system,” stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio.