Putin, Zelensky may meet within two weeks, says German Chancellor
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Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to hold a face-to-face meeting within the next two weeks, following direct intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Merz told reporters that the breakthrough came after Trump phoned Putin during a meeting in Washington with European leaders and Zelensky. “During a break in the meeting, the American president spoke with the Russian president on the phone and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks,” he said.
The German Chancellor stressed that the location of the summit has not yet been decided. He also expressed caution, noting that it remains unclear whether Putin will commit to attending. “We don't know whether the Russian president will have the courage to attend such a summit. Therefore, persuasion is needed,” Merz remarked.
Merz further revealed that Trump has agreed to extend an invitation for a follow-up three-way summit involving himself, Putin, and Zelensky to begin broader negotiations. He noted that Trump was encouraged by the unity shown by European leaders and that discussions would now focus on security guarantees for Ukraine.
“It is absolutely clear that the whole of Europe should participate,” Merz said, welcoming Trump’s assurance that the United States is ready to support European efforts.
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15 IAS officers transferred in Haryana
Chandigarh (PTI): The Haryana government transferred 15 IAS officers with immediate effect on Wednesday.
Among those who have been transferred are Vineet Garg, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board. He has been posted as the additional chief secretary to the government's printing and stationery department, relieving Raja Shekhar Vundru of the charge, a government order said.
Ajay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, has been transferred and posted as the deputy principal secretary-II to the chief minister against a newly-created post.
Pankaj Agarwal, Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, has been posted as the principal secretary in the architecture department, relieving Apporva Kumar Singh of the charge.
Saket Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Commissioner and Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, has been transferred and posted as the commissioner and secretary in the archives department, relieving Shekhar Vidyarthi of the charge.
Mani Ram Sharma, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, has been posted as the secretary in the health department, relieving Rippudaman Singh Dhillon of the charge.
