**US and Russia Talk Again as Ukraine Prepares for Battle**
The US and Russia are talking again, but European leaders are worried about the future of their alliance. This comes after a diplomatic ultimatum from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, but some people in his country are unhappy with him. They say he should have seen this coming, as Trump had already said he wouldn’t follow the same policies as his predecessor Joe Biden.
**Soldiers on the Front Line**
In Ukraine, soldiers are preparing for battle. A Ukrainian officer who asked to be called “White” is focusing on fighting the war rather than following the diplomatic developments. He and his men will soon cross back into Kursk, a region that Russia has occupied.
**Drones in the War Effort**
Ukrainian soldiers have drones made in their country. These drones can cost as much as £300 each and are used to attack Russian targets. One soldier who was injured while flying a drone said he doesn’t think about politics when it comes to fighting.
**Local Residents Want Peace**
Residents of Sumy, a town near the border with Russia, want peace. Some residents have lost loved ones in Russian attacks. They believe that any deal for peace must involve Ukraine’s President Zelensky and European leaders.
“We need peace,” said one resident, Mykola. “It’s necessary because there is no point in war.”
**A Long and Slow Process**
Making a lasting peace will be difficult. Russia’s President Putin wants to break Ukraine’s sovereignty and make it an independent nation impossible. Ukraine’s President Zelensky won’t agree to this.
Donald Trump thinks that ending the war can be done with a quick deal, but making a lasting peace will take time.