Putin has tried to oust Zelenskyy for years. Now, U.S. pressure might do the job.
Vladimir Putin has for years unsuccessfully tried to oust Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Now those efforts are being entertained by U.S. officials.

Fire Engulfs Russian Oil Refinery

Fire erupts at key oil facility deep inside Russia amid drone exchange with Ukraine
Fire Engulfs Russian Oil Refinery 900 Miles From Ukraine After Drones Heard
Russia Says Fire at Ufa Oil Refinery Extinguished, Was Caused by Technical Issue
A fire that broke out on Monday at the Ufimsky oil refinery, one of Russia's largest, was due to technical issues and has been extinguished, Russia's emergency ministry said, adding that the refinery had continued operations.
Conan O'Brien Takes A Swipe At Trump's Bromance With Putin Without Saying His Name
Conan O'Brien's Donald Trump Joke Met With Massive Cheer at Oscars
Conan O'Brien appeared to make a joke about Donald Trump and how he is dealing with the Russia-Ukraine war at the Oscars. "You know, Anora's having a good night," O'Brien said, referring to a film about a New York sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
Conan O’Brien swipes at Trump with ‘Anora’ joke: Americans ‘excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian’

Syria, Israel and Russia

Russia gambles to keep military bases in post-Assad Syria
 · 1dKyiv Independent on MSN
Israel wants US to keep Syria 'weak' by allowing Russian bases, sources tell Reuters
 · 2dRBC Ukraine on MSN
Israel urges US to allow Russian bases in Syria
Senator Cynthia Lummis: President Trump Is The Right Person To Bring The Russia, Ukraine War To An End
Ukrainians in Rockland reflect on Trump, Zelenskyy clash as war with Russia marks 3 years
Ukraine’s Zelensky says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’

Putin, Russia and Ukrainian military

Russia Says It Foiled Ukrainian Assassination Plot Against Senior Putin-Linked Orthodox Priest
Russia arrests two church figures over alleged Ukrainian plot to kill priest close to Putin
Russia says foiled Ukrainian plot to kill Putin-linked bishop
Trump suggests Putin was a victim of the Russia scandal, reaching new low
Years later, the president would have Americans believe that the Russian leader was the victim of the political attack that he perpetrated.
Oil prices struggle for direction on strong China data, Ukraine-Russia uncertainty
Oil futures edged slightly higher early Monday, finding support from improved economic data from China, though upside remains capped by President Trump’s tariff plans.
Starmer says Europe faces a ‘once in a generation moment’ as leaders discuss ending war in Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the plan emerged after talks among the four countries’ leaders following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Oval Office blowout with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Hegseth orders pause in US cyber-offensive against Russia
US President Donald Trump's administration is pausing its offensive cyber operations against Russia, officials say, as a diplomatic push continues to end the war in Ukraine. The reasoning for the instruction has not been publicly stated,
Jeffrey Sachs on the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting and what comes next for Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the U.S.
The Latest: Trump and His Allies Lash Out at Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and Suggest He May Need to Resign
 · 9mLas Vegas Sun
The Latest: Zelenskyy says he expects US to continue sending aid to Ukraine after blowup with Trump
A deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “is still very, very far away,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyysaid during a briefing Sunday, adding that he expects to keep receiving American support despite his recent fraught

IAEA conducts rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

New IAEA Mission Arrives at Russian-Held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, Russia Says
Russia says IAEA mission arrives at nuclear plant in Ukraine through Russia
 · 1dKyiv Independent on MSN
Russian proxy claims IAEA team arrives at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant via occupied territory