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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Two held for 'firing' at BJP leader's house in Bengal
Kolkata (PTI): A day before the counting of votes for the West Bengal assembly elections, two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly being involved in a firing incident outside the residence of a BJP leader in North 24 Parganas district, police said.
BJP leader Kundan Singh lodged a police complaint, alleging that a few gunmen fired at his house in the Noapara constituency around Saturday midnight.
Based on the CCTV footage, the two accused were apprehended, a senior officer said.
BJP's Noapara candidate Arjun Singh, in a post on social media, claimed that around 12.05 am, two armed miscreants arrived on a motorcycle at the residence of Kundan Singh, a BJP functionary and secretary of the Barrackpore organisational district, with an "intent to kill him".
According to the BJP leader, the accused are residents of Garulia and are known criminals.
Their names as offenders had been submitted to the Election Commission, he said.
The police officer did not specify whether the two arrested persons were the same individuals named by Arjun Singh.
According to the complaint, one round of firing took place outside Kundan Singh's house, triggering panic in the area.
The BJP candidate also questioned the role of the police, claiming that one of the accused had been detained by the police on the polling day but was later released in the evening.
The Noapara assembly seat went to the polls on April 29.
Several BJP leaders alleged that attempts were being made to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the counting and weaken the organisation of the opposition parties.
The counting of votes will take place on May 4. Polling for the West Bengal assembly elections was held on April 23 and April 29.
The BJP urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately to ensure peaceful counting.
TMC candidate Somnath Shyam rubbished Arjun Singh’s allegation, claiming that the BJP nominee had orchestrated the firing incident to divert attention from imminent defeat.
“Arjun Singh knows all the gangsters in the Barrackpore belt. Everyone knows about his links with the underworld. Let the police investigate the incident,” Shyam said.
