Trump's direct communication with Putin regarding Ukraine dominated coverage, with Trump describing talks as "good and productive" while claiming a "good chance" of ending the war. By midday, confusion emerged when Trump warned Putin against a potential "worst massacre since WWII" in Kursk, urging him to spare "surrounded" Ukrainian troops - claims Ukraine promptly denied as false.
Zelenskyy accused Putin of manipulation, warning he was deliberately prolonging negotiations while continuing hostilities. By evening, Putin praised Trump for "doing everything" to improve US-Russia relations, while Starmer warned Putin cannot be allowed to "play games" with ceasefire talks.
New Canadian PM Mark Carney took office amid escalating US-Canada trade tensions, asserting Canada would "never" be part of the United States. Meanwhile, a UN judge was arrested in England for allegedly enslaving a young woman, an American Airlines plane caught fire with passengers evacuating onto wings, and Cheryl Tweedy's stalker was jailed.