Mamdani maintains Trump a ‘fascist’ despite cordial White House meeting

Senator Mark Kelly criticized Republican lawmakers for their silence regarding former President Trump's violent threats against him and other Democrats, who had urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders. Kelly emphasized that he would not be intimidated by these threats, which included Trump's suggestion of severe consequences for dissenting lawmakers.

U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials convened in Geneva to discuss a contentious peace plan proposed by former President Donald Trump, which has drawn criticism for demanding significant concessions from Ukraine, including territorial cessions and military reductions.

European countries have proposed a radically different peace plan for Ukraine, diverging from the US-backed framework, emphasizing the need to respect Kyiv's sovereignty. This counter-proposal was presented during discussions in Switzerland, where US and Ukrainian negotiators were also present, leading to an updated peace framework from the White House.

New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed his characterization of President Donald Trump as a 'fascist' during an NBC interview, just days after a cordial meeting at the White House where they discussed cost-of-living issues. Mamdani emphasized the importance of acknowledging political disagreements despite the friendly atmosphere of their recent interaction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing immense pressure as former U.S. President Donald Trump advocates for a peace plan that demands significant concessions from Ukraine to Russia. This situation has left Zelensky in a precarious position, as most Ukrainians oppose surrendering territory, risking a crisis within his military if he complies with Trump's demands.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine for showing 'zero gratitude' towards U.S. efforts to facilitate a peace plan amid ongoing international negotiations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a deal to end the war is unlikely to be reached by the Thursday deadline, as Ukrainian officials engage in talks with European security representatives in Geneva.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine's borders cannot be altered by force, reaffirming the country's sovereignty during a meeting in Geneva with officials from Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv to discuss a draft peace plan involving territorial concessions to Russia.

French winemakers are facing a severe crisis as they prepare for a meeting with the agriculture minister, citing a significant sales slump, the impact of Trump tariffs, and the worst harvest in 70 years. Vineyard owners report that these unprecedented challenges have left many on the brink of closure.