No, there is no way there is a deal done "this week" or "by the end of the month". And there is no chance of the Ukrainians accepting this proposal – which is not a deal, but a demand for Ukraine's complete surrender.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy signalled interest in buying 100 French-made Rafale fighter jets for Ukraine’s armed forces over the next decade as Russia’s war grinds on. He signed a letter of intent together with Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. on.ft.com/4p7KMbg via @FT

Zelensky confirms our @FT earlier reporting about his trip to the US on Friday: “[T]he main focus of the visit is air defense and our long-range capabilities aimed at exerting pressure on Russia for the sake of peace.” Also: “There will be several other important meetings – with defense companies, and possibly with senators and members of Congress. I will also meet with energy companies. This is necessary – it was President Trump’s proposal – and I will meet with these companies because there are pressing needs linked to various formats of attacks, not even the attacks that Russia has already carried out. In any case, we must be prepared. So, it will be helpful.” Free link: on.ft.com/477xkNc

I've arrived and departed from the Kostyantynivka train station more than 100(!) times since 2010. In fact, it was the station I arrived at when I headed east to move to Bakhmut 15 years ago. I've only passed through Kyiv's central station more. Now Kostyantynivka station is in ruins after several Russian strikes. Before and after photos below. And here is a photo of me in October 2010, waiting on the Kostyantynivka station platform for one of those many night trains.

How much has the perception of Trump shifted in Ukraine? In December, 54% of Ukrainians said Trump's presidency would be good for Ukraine. By March, only 19% thought so, and 73% of Ukrainians now say Trump is bad for their country. ––Kyiv International Institute of Sociology

“Doge savings are so small as not to be identifiable in monthly spending totals,” said Jessica Riedl, an economic policy expert at the conservative Manhattan Institute think-tank, who has been analysing the initiative’s efforts.

The linguistic contortions here and in recent days from the Trump admin to not criticize Russia, whose army launched an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country, igniting the largest war in Europe since WW2 while carrying out unspeakable atrocities, is just extraordinary.

Here's the United States director of national intelligence on national TV pushing proven falsehoods and talking points that could have come straight from the Kremlin. I'll address them here: -Elections were not "canceled," they are postponed under martial law, as set out in Ukraine's constitution. Ukrainians do want elections, but only once a peace can be guaranteed with security assurances that will deter Russia from attacking again. Why are such security guarantees necessary? Because there are millions of Ukrainians living under Russian occupation, millions more who've been displaced, a million or so military – and all these people would need to be granted the chance to freely vote, which cannot happen under the Russian gun. Moreover, Ukrainians overwhelmingly support Zelensky and none of them are questioning his legitimacy. There are two countries who are questioning his legitimacy: Russia and the US. -Ukraine's political opposition is not silent; they criticize Zelensky even in wartime. There is still a healthy political discourse and competition in the country. -Churches are not being shutdown as she mentions; the Moscow-run arm of the Orthodox church which has a proven track record of operating as branch of the FSB has been barred from practicing. -"Total government control of the media"? Hardly. Independent news outlets are plentiful in Ukraine, and they report critically on the president and the military; many focus on exposing corruption. -Gabbard also asks what Ukrainians are fighting for and whether they actually value freedom. Ukrainians are engaged in an existential fight. They are fighting and dying for freedom and independence – and they have done so since Russia first invaded in 2014. Ukrainians also led two revolutions – the Orange and Euromaidan/Revolution of Dignity – over corruption, state violence, political repression. The latter saw more than 100 pro-democracy protesters killed on Kyiv's main square, aptly named Independence Square. If there is anyone right now in the world who understands what freedom means and what it costs, its the Ukrainians.