Steve Rosenberg: Putin showing no signs of compromise

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India for a two-day meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking their first encounter since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties amid a shifting global landscape, particularly in the context of energy supplies and geopolitical tensions.

Recent discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. negotiators have been characterized as constructive, focusing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Analysts in Russia express mixed views, with some believing Ukraine obstructs peace efforts, while others suggest Putin's ambitions may hinder resolution.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that President Trump will engage in efforts to resolve the ongoing civil war in Sudan, asserting that Trump is uniquely positioned to address the crisis. This involvement comes as violence continues to escalate in the region, prompting international concern and calls for intervention.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who was serving a 45-year prison sentence for drug trafficking in the United States. This decision comes amid Trump's claims of intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking from Venezuela, raising questions about his commitment to a drug war narrative while pardoning a convicted trafficker.

Five families from different parts of the world, including Kenya and Nepal, are sharing their experiences in combating the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among children. This issue is particularly alarming as UPFs now constitute a significant portion of diets globally, especially in the UK and US, where they make up over half of the average diet.

A report from the Transition Security Project highlights that the US is allocating billions to stockpile critical minerals for military applications, including advanced weaponry and AI-driven warfare. This diversion of essential resources is occurring amidst a global arms race, which is impeding efforts to address climate change as these minerals are vital for sustainable technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles.

President Trump is set to host the signing of a peace deal between the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda in Washington, aiming to foster stability in the resource-rich region. This agreement is seen as a crucial step towards reducing tensions that have historically plagued the two nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is prepared to take control of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region 'by force' if necessary, a comment that appears to contradict reports suggesting a willingness to negotiate a deal with the U.S. under the Trump administration. This declaration was made during an interview with Indian media, emphasizing Russia's readiness to escalate its military actions in the region.