Trump says Ukraine-Russia ceasefire is ‘close’ as Zelensky signs $1 trillion deal at White House: Live updates

A reminder that the killing is not over. The Related Press has this report:

A funeral service was held in Kyiv on Friday for a U.S. Marine Corps veteran killed whereas serving alongside Ukrainian forces. Household and associates mentioned 21-year-old Ethan Hertweck had given his life combating for freedom.

Hertweck, from California, traveled to Ukraine quickly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the nation in February 2022, initially aiding among the thousands and thousands of girls and kids who had been fleeing the nation within the earliest days of the conflict.

After returning to the USA for a number of months, he returned to Ukraine to obtain a fight medical license, and skilled Ukrainian troops earlier than himself becoming a member of a fight unit as a medic.

In December 2023 he was guarding a navy bunker within the jap industrial area of the Donbas when Russian forces overtook his unit’s place. When one among his unit was wounded, Hertweck tried to pull him again to the protection of the bunker however was hit by gunfire within the course of. He died quickly after.

President Donald Trump will signal an govt order on Friday that makes English the official language of the USA.

The order permits authorities businesses to maintain present insurance policies and supply paperwork and companies in different languages, but it surely supplies flexibility to resolve when and easy methods to present companies in languages aside from English, in keeping with the White Home.

The transfer rescinds a mandate courting again to President Invoice Clinton that requires businesses and different organizations that obtain federal funding to offer language help to non-English audio system.

‘It’s long gone time English is acknowledged because the official language of the USA,’ the very fact sheet learn.

Whereas Trump touts his conversations with Putin, Zelensky laid down a really clear marker throughout their Oval Workplace assembly.

He referred to the Russian chief as a terrorist and insisted there may very well be no compromise/

However I hope that collectively we are able to cease him. However for us, essential to save lots of our nation, our values, our values, our freedom, democracy. And, after all, no compromises.

Trump says he needs to get the combating over shortly. However in his Oval Workplace assembly he additionally ladled reward on Ukraine’s combating forces

‘Your troopers have been unbelievably courageous,’ he tells Zelensky

We give them nice gear, however someone has to make use of the gear. They have been unbelievably courageous,

And we give them nice credit score. This was alleged to be over in a short time, and right here we’re, three years later. So I give super gratitude, generals and your troopers and your self, in a way, that been very arduous combating.

Trump is requested whether or not his visitor should compromise to achieve peace.

The US president says sure, and that he sees his function as a mediator who has to carry two fighters collectively.

I feel you are going to must at all times make compromises. You possibly can’t do any offers with out compromises. So definitely he’ll must make some compromises, however hopefully they will not be as huge as some individuals assume you are going to must make. That is all we are able to do. I am right here as a as an arbitrator, as a mediator, to a sure extent, between two events which were very hostile

Final week Trump known as the Ukrainian president a ‘dictator.’ At present it’s all heat phrases.

The American president is famously non-confrontational in terms of face-to-face conferences. He will not be persuaded by Zelensky’s pleas for a US safety assure, however Trump is ever the salesperson and can unlikely say no to his face.

As an alternative it’s all speak of how nicely Trump is aware of his Ukrainian counterpart.

It is an honor to have President Zelensky of Ukraine, and we have been working very arduous, very nicely. So we have really identified one another for a very long time. We have been coping with one another for a very long time.

When immigration brokers had been first ordered to deport Ivan Oramas and Santos Maradiaga-Villalta, President George W. Bush was within the White Home and the iPhone was a distant dream.

That was over 20 years in the past—but each males had been arrested this week, in keeping with federal information reviewed by DailyMail.com.

They had been amongst over 50,000 unlawful immigrants eliminated up to now, a Division of Homeland Safety official revealed to DailyMail.com.

Information of their arrest was circulated Thursday in an inside immigration memo noting latest enforcement actions made by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Oramas, 61, is a citizen of Cuba with a rap sheet together with convictions for sexual battery and aggravated assault.

His sexual battery case induced severe harm, in keeping with his expenses within the file.

ICE Houston nabbed Oramas this week, implementing a deportation order first handed down in October 2003—21 years overdue.

At their assembly within the Oval Workplace, Trump informed Zelensky a ceasefire with Russia is ‘pretty shut’.

Trump mentioned he had spoken to Vladimir Putin.

Trump and Zelensky are beginning their assembly within the Oval Workplace proper now.

Jounalists inside report that Trump informed Zelensky that the minerals deal is a ‘particularly reasonable deal’ and that they are going to signal it as we speak.

Zelensky mentioned he was hopeful the doc can be a step ahead for Ukraine.

Zelensky needs greater than that although, and is searching for a spot in negotiations with Russia in addition to a U.S. safety assure.

Zelensky simply posted this video of his assembly with American senators, and thanked politicians from each side of the aisle for his or her assist throughout three years of conflict.

Our discussions centered on the continued navy help for Ukraine, related legislative initiatives, my assembly with President Trump, efforts to realize a simply and lasting peace, our imaginative and prescient for ending the conflict, and the significance of strong safety ensures.

The controversy over White Home staffers seizing management of the pool rotation for print reporters continues, however one one that sided with the press voiced her issues in regards to the new guidelines.

Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly defined why she supported the thought of journalists, not the White Home controlling which reporters had entry to the president

French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Friday he has ‘little or no hope’ to make trump change his thoughts on making use of wholesale tariffs of 25 % on all EU merchandise, after his journey to Washington earlier this week.

‘I consider there are misunderstandings’ and ‘misconceptions within the commerce method’ of the Trump administration, Macron mentioned, talking in a information convention throughout a visit to Portugal.

He added that describing as a tariff the worth added tax, which is applied on all native and overseas items and companies in France, is ‘factually false’.

Macron argued tariffs are ‘unhealthy for everybody’ as a result of they’re main to cost will increase.

‘America has nothing to achieve from them,’ he mentioned.

He warned that if the U.S. choice was to be confirmed, Europeans would reply by ‘reciprocal tariffs.’

The White Home press pool provides a little bit extra element on who’s with Zelensky:

The Ukrainian first deputy Prime Minister and minister of economic system Yulia Svyrydenko is becoming a member of Zelenskyy. She is going to signal the minerals settlement with the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, per Ukrainian Embassy.

Federal staff will obtain a second e mail on Saturday asking them for an outline of what they did final week – and this time they might must reply it.

The emails are scheduled to grow to be a weekly requirement, in keeping with paperwork obtained by The Washington Submit.

The White Home has mentioned the emails are vital to make sure federal staff are on the job however the responses can even be used to gauge staff’ alignment with President Donald Trump’s agenda.

This e mail – in contrast to the primary, which was despatched from the Workplace of Administration and Personnel – can be despatched from the varied businesses HR departments.

Ultimately, the businesses will develop Microsoft types to seize staff’ five-bullet responses replies to the e-mail can be necessary and the collected info will go to division heads throughout the federal government.

Ukraine’s President Zelensky arrived on the White Home at 11:23, the place he was greeted by President Trump outdoors the West Wing.

Trump appeared to crack a joke as Zelensky received out of his SUV, dressed down in his ordinary conflict chief garb.

‘He is dressed up good as we speak,’ Trump may very well be heard to say.

The 2 didn’t reply to shouted questions earlier than heading inside for the beginning of their assembly.

Zelensky introduced on Twitter that he had simply spoken to Franklin Graham, who leads the help charity Samaritan’s Purse.

However greater than that Graham (son of the late Billy Graham) is an ally and buddy of Trump.

Like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer happening Fox Information after his assembly with Trump, it reveals that world leaders are figuring out the easiest way to butter up a famously cussed president.

He’s seen right here with Sens (left to proper) Chris Coons (D), Lindsey Graham (R), and Amy Klobuchar (D).

Zelensky is predicted on the White Home at any second.

A former Biden administration official accused his former colleagues of ‘gaslighting’ journalists and voters by denying the reality in regards to the president’s advancing age and frailty.

President Joe Biden was 81 when he bowed to the inevitable in July final yr and ended his run for reelection.

Blame and recrimination have swirled amongst Democrats ever since, as they marvel what would have occurred if he had dropped out sooner and Kamala Harris or one other candidate had longer to make their case towards the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.

5 former secretaries of protection are calling on Congress to carry rapid hearings on President Trump’s latest firings of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers and several other different senior navy leaders.

The 5 males represented Republican and Democratic administrations over the previous three many years.

They mentioned the dismissals had been alarming and raised ‘troubling questions in regards to the administration’s want to politicize the navy;.

Additionally, they mentioned it ‘eliminated authorized constraints on the president’s energy.’

The 5 included Trump’s personal former protection secretary Jim Mattis.

In keeping with the doc, the signatories will set up a co-owned, collectively managed funding fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from pure sources, together with minerals, hydrocarbons and different extractable supplies.

With out point out of the $500bn (£395bn) initially demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump, the doc spells out how the federal government of Ukraine ‘will contribute to the Fund 50 % of all revenues earned from the longer term monetization of all related Ukrainian Authorities-owned pure useful resource property’.

The doc, which solely makes one point out of Russia, notes that each the U.S. and Ukraine ‘want to guarantee’ that ‘these States and different individuals’ who’ve ‘acted adversely to Ukraine within the battle don’t profit from the reconstruction of Ukraine following a long-lasting peace’.

However the doc stops wanting mentioning any U.S. safety ensures, besides that the U.S. authorities ‘helps Ukraine’s efforts to acquire safety ensures wanted to determine lasting peace’.

A left-wing grassroots group is encouraging U.S. residents to not spend any cash Friday as an act of ‘financial resistance’.

It’s to protest what the group’s founder sees because the malign affect of billionaires, huge firms and each main political events on the lives of working Individuals.

The Individuals’s Union USA calls the 24 hours of spending abstinence, which began at midnight, an ‘financial blackout’.

It’s a time period that has since been shared and debated on social media.

The activist motion mentioned it additionally plans to advertise weeklong client boycotts of explicit firms, together with Walmart and Amazon.

Different activists, faith-based leaders and customers already are organizing boycotts to protest firms which have scaled again their DEI initiatives, and to oppose Trump’s strikes to abolish all federal DEI applications and insurance policies.

Some religion leaders are encouraging their congregations to chorus from purchasing at Goal, one of many firms backing off DEI efforts, through the 40 days of Lent that start Wednesday.

The Fourth Circuit Court docket of Appeals mentioned in a ruling Friday that the federal government did not make a robust exhibiting that it may succeed on the deserves within the case regarding Trump’s govt order ending birthright citizenship for individuals born to folks not legally within the nation.

It’s the second appeals courtroom to reject the administration.

The Ninth Circuit equally rejected the federal government’s petition for a keep in a Seattle case introduced by 4 states.

At problem is the president’s January govt order that will eradicate automated citizenship at beginning for individuals whose dad and mom aren’t legally within the nation.

The 14th Modification ensures citizenship to these born or naturalized in the USA.

The Trump administration facilities its arguments round a part of the modification that claims these born and naturalized and ‘topic to the jurisdiction’ of the USA, arguing these born to individuals not legally within the U.S. fail this check.

One query each leaders can maybe count on as we speak is whether or not Trump believes Zelensky is a ‘dictator’ after a livid rant on his Fact Social platform.

When requested about that remark, he informed reporters within the Oval Workplace: ‘Did I say that? I can not consider I mentioned that. Subsequent query.’

Trump known as Zelensky a ‘dictator’ final weekend when talking at a Saudi-backed funding assembly in Florida. Zelensky was democratically elected by the individuals of the Ukraine.

The president additionally used the time period on social media: ‘A Dictator with out Elections, Zelenskyy higher transfer quick or he’s not going to have a Nation left.’

Zelensky has circuitously responded to the remark however fellow world leaders have rebuked Trump over his language.

By Geoff Earle, Deputy U.S. Political Editor

The White Home is placing out the welcome mat for Ukrainian President Zelensky, who President Trump known as a ‘dictator’ solely final week.

When Zelensky arrives for his official state go to this morning, he can be greeted by a 56 flag navy flag cordon, with navy members holding flags representing states and territories.

That’s the identical conventional honor offered to 2 different overseas leaders this week – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Thursday and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

Members of the cordon had been making preparations for the welcome ceremony on the north garden of the White Home prematurely of a greeting set for 11 am.

Zelensky has extra on his thoughts on a photograph op. Within the last hours his crew has been negotiating on an ‘funding fund’ and minerals deal that doesn’t seem to incorporate any arduous safety ensures. As an alternative, a draft launched says the U.S. ‘helps Ukraine’s efforts to acquire safety ensures wanted to determine lasting peace.’

President Zelensky will grow to be the third world chief to enter the White Home this week when he meets Donald Trump to signal a deal granting Washington entry to Ukraine’s uncommon earth minerals.

At one stage it appeared the assembly may very well be off when Zelensky mentioned solely the ‘framework’ for a deal was in place however he has travelled to the U.S. capital to fulfill Trump who branded him a ‘dictator’.

Let’s check out as we speak’s agenda. All timings EST:

President Trump and President Zelensky are anticipated to greet each other simply outdoors the West Wing. Observers can be conserving an in depth eye on the physique language of the pair who’ve spoken warmly of each other in public regardless of obvious friction.

The leaders will maintain a joint information convention within the White Home the place it’s anticipated particulars of the deal can be introduced. The important thing activity for Zelensky is making certain there are US safety ensures included after Trump indicated there would not be.

Trump is predicted to depart Washington for Palm Seashore to spend the weekend at Mar-a-Lago

Elon Musk defended Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi after the discharge of the Jeffrey Epstein information failed to fulfill expectations, arguing she is combating off a ‘leftist tradition’ on the Justice Division and FBI.

‘Individuals do not perceive that you do not get immediate energy right here,’ Musk wrote on X together with a retweet of a consumer blaming the state of affairs on the FBI.

The consumer, WallStreetMav, had written Bondi is ‘combating a leftist tradition inside the DoJ and FBI. Give her an opportunity’ after which blamed the ‘FBI brokers who’re resisting her’ for the disappointing doc launch.

Bondi hyped expectations for the discharge, saying the newly launched paperwork would ‘make you sick.’

Nevertheless, the roughly 200 pages largely contained beforehand launched info and implicated nobody aside from Epstein.

President Donald Trump will signal an govt order as we speak to make English the official language of the USA, the Wall Road Journal reported.

In its almost 250-year historical past, the U.S. has by no means had a nationwide language.

Lots of of languages are spoken within the nation as a result of immigrant populations. Trump has vowed to chop down on the variety of migrants coming into the nation.

His order would additionally rescind a mandate signed by former President Invoice Clinton that businesses and different teams that obtain federal funding present language help to non-English audio system.

Every week in the past Donald Trump branded Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator.

However on Friday he’ll host the Ukrainian president on the White Home and signal a deal granting Washington entry to Ukraine’s uncommon earth minerals.

The extraordinary turnaround caps per week of frantic worldwide diplomacy centered on Washington, as Kyiv seeks to shore up assist regardless of Trump’s latest pivot in the direction of Russia.

Trump upended years of US coverage on Ukraine two weeks in the past when he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and began talks on ending the three-year-old conflict.

He additionally alarmed allies as he appeared to activate Zelensky, berating him as a ‘dictator with out elections’ and blaming Ukraine for Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

However Trump’s tone has softened in latest days after visits by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

‘I’ve a variety of respect for him,’ Trump mentioned of Zelensky on Thursday. ‘We’ll get alongside very well.’