Trump jokes about Leavitt choosing her children over him as she Prepares to leave White House role

Ukraine has renewed its appeal for advanced air defence missiles, warning that the country urgently needs stronger protection against Russian ballistic missile attacks before winter arrives. Speaking in Washington, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, said diplomatic efforts to end the war are continuing, but military support remains essential as Russian strikes intensify. Stefanishyna said Ukraine hopes renewed ceasefire discussions with Russia could help bring an end to the conflict before the harsh winter season. However, she stressed that negotiations alone will not protect civilians from the increasing number of missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. She said the country urgently requires additional Patriot PAC 3 interceptor missiles to strengthen its air defence system. According to the ambassador, Ukraine is in talks with the Pentagon about obtaining a licence to manufacture Patriot PAC 3 missiles domestically. She acknowledged that such a project would take considerable time, with production possibly beginning anywhere between one and five years after approval. Ukrainian officials are also discussing a long term purchasing arrangement that would allow the country to secure future missile supplies by exchanging production slots with another customer. Stefanishyna revealed that representatives from Raytheon, the company that produces the Patriot air defence system, have already visited Ukraine. She added that Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the PAC 3 interceptor missiles, is preparing to send a team of specialists to the country to explore possible cooperation. Describing the current security situation, the ambassador said Russia has sharply increased its use of ballistic missiles during overnight attacks. She noted that recent waves of strikes have included between 30 and 40 ballistic missiles in a single night. While Ukraine has become more effective at intercepting drones supplied or produced by Russia and Iran, it still lacks enough advanced missile systems to counter large scale ballistic attacks. Stefanishyna said Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to expand missile production while maintaining pressure on Ukrainian cities. She argued that Ukraine has adapted successfully in many areas of the conflict but still requires additional missile defences to protect the population during the coming winter months. The renewed request for military assistance follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this week. During the talks, Zelensky sought greater support for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities while also encouraging a fresh diplomatic effort aimed at ending the war. The ambassador said the latest peace initiative could include a visit to Kyiv by senior United States representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Although no official date has been announced, she said the visit could take place as early as next week if preparations are completed. Stefanishyna also said Zelensky has repeated Ukraine’s proposal for a ceasefire based on the current front lines, with negotiations continuing from that point. She stressed that meaningful progress is needed before winter because colder weather will make both military operations and humanitarian conditions more difficult. The ambassador also addressed reports about her own future in government. She confirmed that she had offered to resign from her position and return to Ukraine to respond personally to corruption allegations related to her financial declarations. Stefanishyna said President Zelensky had not requested her resignation and preferred that she remain in her role. However, she believes returning home is the best way to defend herself and her family against the accusations while the legal process moves forward.

US intelligence agencies are examining whether Russia helped Iran carry out drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf, raising fresh concerns about growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Officials are reviewing intelligence to determine whether Russia provided targeting information, advanced drone technology, or other forms of support that may have increased the accuracy of the attacks. According to sources familiar with the investigation, analysts have not reached any final conclusions about Russia’s involvement. However, the precision of the strikes and Russia’s long history of military and technical cooperation with Iran have led intelligence officials to explore whether Moscow played a direct role in planning or supporting the operations. The investigation follows a series of Iranian drone attacks that targeted sensitive US intelligence locations in the region. At least two CIA facilities were reportedly hit in March. One of the sites was located inside the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while another was in eastern Iraq. Officials familiar with the matter said additional CIA locations may also have been attacked, although they declined to reveal further details because of security concerns. Western intelligence officials have also reviewed reports suggesting that Russia may have assisted Iran in selecting the targets. One intelligence assessment reportedly concluded that Russia likely contributed to identifying regional CIA facilities, although officials stressed that the findings remain under review and have not been publicly confirmed. According to officials briefed on intelligence reports, the attack on the US Embassy compound in Riyadh involved two upgraded versions of Iran’s Shahed drones. They said one drone created an opening in the embassy’s outer structure while the second entered through the damaged area before exploding inside. No casualties were reported, but the operation demonstrated a level of accuracy that surprised intelligence analysts. The investigation comes as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high following months of military exchanges across the Middle East. American officials are also examining recent Iranian strikes on a US military base in Jordan where ballistic missiles killed two American soldiers. Those attacks have intensified concerns that Iran may be receiving more advanced military support from Russia. Analysts believe Russia has spent years helping Iran improve its drone capabilities. Intelligence sources say Moscow has assisted Tehran in increasing the range and precision of its Shahed drones through technical upgrades. Reports also suggest Russia supplied Iran with the Kometa M satellite navigation system, which is believed to provide greater accuracy and stronger resistance to electronic interference than Iran’s previous guidance systems. Russia has denied supplying the technology and dismissed earlier reports on the matter. The White House referred questions about the investigation to the CIA, which declined to comment. Iran’s mission to the United Nations, the Russian Defense Ministry, and Saudi authorities also did not respond to requests for statements. The exact number and locations of the targeted CIA facilities remain classified. Intelligence sources said more than one site but fewer than a dozen were struck during the attacks. Overseas CIA operations often include embassy based stations as well as secure facilities used for surveillance, logistics, intelligence gathering, and other sensitive missions. US analysts are also investigating whether Russia supplied the intelligence used to identify the Riyadh facility. Some officials remain cautious, noting that Iran may have intended to strike the US Embassy as a whole rather than specifically targeting the CIA station located within the compound. Others believe very few countries possess both the intelligence capabilities and the strategic motivation to identify and support attacks against such highly sensitive US facilities. Former CIA station chief Daniel Hoffman said closer military cooperation between Russia and Iran makes such assistance plausible. He argued that both countries share a common interest in reducing American influence across the Middle East and other regions where they seek greater strategic control. The investigation remains ongoing as US intelligence agencies continue to assess the available evidence.