The story
The US and Russia are in talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Ukraine hasn’t been invited to the talks.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he won’t recognise a peace deal that is negotiated without his country being involved in the negotiation.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has taken control of large parts of Ukraine’s territory. It’s unclear whether Russia would agree to returning that land.
News headlines
U.S. Gears Up for Highest-Profile Russia Talks Since Ukraine Invasion
Wall Street Journal
Ukraine end game: What each side wants from a peace deal
BBC News
Europe split over Starmer pledge to send troops to Ukraine
The Independent
Key words and phrases
gear up
prepare or get ready
- I’m gearing up for a big test this week. I hope I’m ready.
end game
The final stage in a process, especially a negotiation or dispute
- Negotiations with the workers have reached their end game. There’ll be a deal on wages soon.
split
divided into two or more opinions about something
- Me and my husband are split over whether to move to the countryside. We just can’t agree.