Russia hopes for Trump-led 'diplomatic' end to war, Zelenskyy signs sanctions over energy corruption scandal - Wednesday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
The Kremlin expressed hope that Donald Trump could help end the war in Ukraine through diplomacy. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on two individuals tied to an energy sector corruption scheme.
Read more about what happened on Wednesday, November 12.
Putin's administration makes cynical statement about Trump and war against Ukraine
In Russia, there are reportedly hopes that US President Donald Trump will help them end the war against Ukraine through "diplomacy," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov made this statement in a comment to CNN.
Peskov said that Russia "wants to improve relations with the US, open new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation," and to move quickly on this issue.
"Of course, we sincerely hope that President Trump is still willing to contribute political and diplomatic settlement of Ukraine problem," he added.
Zelenskyy to sanction two participants in energy sector corruption scheme – Sources
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will impose sanctions on two participants in a corruption scheme in the energy sector uncovered by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), according to the President's address and RBC-Ukraine's sources.
"It is absolutely unacceptable that there are still any corruption schemes in the energy sector under these conditions. I will sign a decree imposing sanctions against two individuals mentioned in the NABU case involving Energoatom," Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine halts peace talks with Russia, deputy FM explains reason
Peace talks with Russia this year ended with almost no results and have therefore been suspended, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya said.
The deputy foreign minister stated that since the summer, the primary focus has been on securing more action from Ukraine's international partners to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in person.
Germany supplying Ukraine with drones similar to Russia's Lancet
German firm Helsing is scaling up production of its HX-2 strike drone and delivering units to Ukraine; successful tests and plans for serial production make the model a strong contender in the tactical UAV market.
According to industry sources, Ukraine has placed two orders totaling 10,000 HX-2 strike drones, and Helsing plans to ramp up production to 2,500 units per month, a scale that signals a move to mass manufacture and rapid frontline integration.
