Could Trump side with Putin over Zelensky in Ukraine war talks? | Global News Podcast

As US envoy Steve Witkoff meets Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, Ukrainians fear that President Donald Trump will side with Moscow in talks to end the war in Ukraine. Earlier, Mr Trump suggested it was up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the conflict, saying he "could have made a deal two years ago".

A US official says Mr Putin has now accepted a proposal for a technical-level trilateral meeting with Ukraine. But the Russian leader has also reportedly proposed talks with President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. It is not clear whether President Zelensky would be involved in those discussions.

Meanwhile, Russia has said it will release Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher detained by Russian forces four years ago in occupied Ukraine. Some analysts have said this decision - and Mr Putin's offer to help end the war in Iran - are attempts to curry greater favour with President Trump.

Also in the Global News Podcast:

06:25 We report from the front lines of President Trump's immigration crackdown as ICE agents target Haitian migrants in the state of Ohio, ahead of the midterm elections.

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