Trump expresses growing pessimism over the approaching conclusion of the ongoing conflict at 12:12.

Trump grows more hesitant about the imminent conclusion of the conflict

The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict continues to dominate headlines, with several significant developments emerging in recent days.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly expressed growing pessimism about the prospects of a swift end to the war. Meanwhile, Russian officials are said to be open to discussions with US company Westinghouse regarding nuclear fuel at the Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine.

On the other hand, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for European states to consider providing air defense systems to Ukraine. This comes after Serhiy Lysak, head of the military administration of Dnipropetrowsk, reported that the Russian army attacked the region with drones, with Ukrainian air defense forces managing to shoot down 15 of them.

In a positive development, more than 26 countries have expressed their willingness to participate in a possible peacekeeping mission as part of the "Coalition of the Willing." However, it is uncertain whether this initiative will sway the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been active on the battlefield, reportedly striking a Russian oil refinery with drones. The impact of these attacks has been felt far beyond Ukraine's borders, with Ukrainian drones causing significant damage in Rjasan, south-east of Moscow.

Russian activists in Kowel, Volhynia, western Ukraine, have placed a 14-year-old boy under house arrest for setting fire to a military vehicle. This incident highlights the escalating tensions between the two nations.

European veterans are playing an increasingly crucial role in developing defense technology for Ukraine. This development could potentially shift the balance of power in the conflict.

The Kremlin has maintained its stance that foreign military forces cannot provide security guarantees for Ukraine. This position was reiterated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, who also confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory, but not on Ukrainian territory.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has been facing criticism for his statements about a possible involvement of the Bundeswehr in security guarantees for Ukraine. He has since pushed back against these allegations.

In a potential diplomatic breakthrough, US President Trump has stated that he will soon be speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov has also indicated that a meeting between Putin and Trump is possible in the near future.

However, any potential meeting between the two leaders may be complicated by Putin's rejection of a demand for a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at a negotiation site abroad.

Tragically, the conflict has claimed more lives, with three people reportedly killed and two injured in a Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv.

These developments underscore the complex and volatile nature of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.