The current focus of the Ukraine war is the rubbled city of Pokrovsk . Despite Friday’s unexpected helicopter raid by Ukrainian commandos, the question seems to be when, not if, it will fall, with Kyiv admitting on Monday that “thousands” of Russian troops were in or approaching the city.

Assuming Pokrovsk falls, it will be the most significant Russian gain since they took Avdiivka last year , and open the way to further advances in the contested Donetsk region . Yet this battle is also part of the odd negotiating courtship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin .

Trump’s approach to Kyiv could charitably be described as changeable. Last month, he was suggesting a willingness to let Kyiv have accurate and long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles in the lead up to a White House vi

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