**US to Pull Out of Group Investigating Putin for Crimes Against Ukraine**
The US has told European officials that it is backing out of a group investigating Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, for crimes against Ukraine. This decision was made by the Trump administration as part of its efforts to improve ties with Moscow and bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
**Shift in Foreign Policy**
According to sources, the US will stop supporting the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, a judicial hub that investigates crimes committed by Russian leaders. The center is made up of specialists from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and other countries.
**Reduced Support for War Crimes Accountability Team**
The US Justice Department’s War Crimes Accountability Team will also reduce its work investigating Russia for war crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine. This team was launched in 2022 to investigate atrocities such as summary executions and targeted aerial strikes against civilians.
**Ukraine Investigates War Crimes**
Ukraine is currently investigating over 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians. The country has asked for international support in its efforts to prosecute these crimes.
**US Tries to Mend Ties with Moscow**
The US has halted military and intelligence support for Ukraine while cutting key foreign aid programs aimed at prosecuting Russian war crimes and restoring Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. President Trump has sought to mend ties with Moscow, pushing for a swift peace deal in Ukraine.
**International Reaction**
Turkey has offered itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with both Russia and Ukraine. Other countries, including France and the UK, have expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and have called for a ceasefire before broader negotiations can begin.