Trump prefers broader peace deal to end Russia-Ukraine conflict over immediate ceasefire: US envoy

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that Trump has shifted his focus from pushing for an immediate ceasefire towards a broader peace agreement to solve the Ukrainian crisis following the meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

On Friday, Putin and Trump wrapped up their talks in the U.S. city of Anchorage in Alaska, but no deal was reached. The talks, which lasted about three hours, focused primarily on the Ukraine crisis, as well as on reshaping bilateral relations that have largely stalled in recent years.

Speaking to U.S. media outlets, Witkoff said that significant progress made during the meeting between Trump and Putin on Friday in Alaska has led the Trump administration to drop its demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and instead, the United States is now working toward a more comprehensive peace agreement.

Witkoff also revealed that the United States, along with several European nations, is considering offering Ukraine security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which obligates member states to respond collectively to an armed attack on one of them.

Witkoff said this is an alternative approach to bypass Russia's firm opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.

Putin on Saturday said at a meeting on the results of his talks with Trump that Russia respects the position of the U.S. administration, which sees the need for an early cessation of hostilities, and Russia would like to move on to resolving all issues by peaceful means.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and several other European leaders said they will travel to Washington on Monday for talks with Trump.

Trump prefers broader peace deal to end Russia-Ukraine conflict over immediate ceasefire: US envoy

Trump prefers broader peace deal to end Russia-Ukraine conflict over immediate ceasefire: US envoy

China's research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, departed Christchurch, New Zealand for the 42nd Antarctic Expedition on Thursday after completing resupply operations.

The vessel arrived at New Zealand's Lyttelton Port Sunday evening.

During its stay in Lyttelton, the vessel took on 1,200 tons of light oil and replenished supplies including vegetables, fruits, and fresh water.

The light oil will be brought to China's Zhongshan Station in Antarctica, exclusively for fixed-wing aircraft.

Thirty four new crew members boarded the ship in Lyttelton to commence oceanographic operations.

The supplies of fruit, vegetables and other food items include not only items for the Xuelong crew but are also destined for the Qinling Station.

"The Qinling Station has a longer overwintering period, so they will run out of fruits later in the season. To better support their daily needs, we've replenished large quantities of green vegetables, fruits, beverages, as well as beef and mutton," said Li Donghui, the service team leader of the Xuelong vessel.

During its port call, the Xuelong also completed a freshwater replenishment of approximately 600 tons. The freshwater is primarily for drinking and kitchen use, serving as vital daily supplies for the expedition team during their subsequent fieldwork.

China's Xuelong icebreaker leaves New Zealand for Antarctic expedition after replenishment