Exclusive: Trump blames Putin for invasion as US-Ukraine minerals deal is finally signed

Day 1,163.


Today, as the United States and Ukraine finally sign a
much-revised minerals deal, we look at what it might mean for the
future security of Ukraine – and we return to Germany to examine
the first appointments of Friedrich Merz’s top team and ask why
some commentators are questioning whether members of the German
elite are really serious about rearmament, or would perhaps
prefer a rapprochement with Russia.


Contributors:


Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence).
@DomNicholls on X


Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley
on X.


James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell
on X.


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Content Referenced:


Trump minerals deal blames Putin for invasion (The Telegraph):


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/01/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-trump-latest-news/ 


Trump OKs First Cash Weapons Sale to Kyiv, Partly Lifts Hold on
Ukrainian Military Aid (Kyiv Post):


https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51800 


Realizing America’s Drone Revolution (War on the Rocks):


https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/realizing-americas-drone-revolution/ 


Hundreds of North Korean troops killed while fighting Ukraine,
Seoul says (Reuters):


https://www.reuters.com/world/about-600-north-koreans-killed-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmaker-says-2025-04-30/


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