Morning Bird: The last American was released from Hamas captivity. Zelensky is ready to negotiate with Putin even after Russian violation of the truce.
Hamas releases the last American hostage
Hamas announced on Sunday that the last living American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander, will be released as part of an effort to reach a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the territory blocked by Israel, and restore aid deliveries. Two Hamas officials told the Associated Press they expect the release in the next 48 hours.
The US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed late on Sunday evening in a report to AP that Hamas had agreed to release Alexander as a goodwill gesture towards Trump.
Zelensky could meet Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet with Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to "immediately" accept the Russian leader's offer for peace talks in Turkey. After a Saturday meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine's main European allies gave Russia an ultimatum: they must agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine by Monday, otherwise they will face "massive" new sanctions. Trump supported this initiative, said new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Putin did not recognize the ultimatum in his nighttime speech. He ignored the offer of a ceasefire and instead proposed to hold "direct talks" with Ukraine on Thursday in Turkey, which has not happened since the first weeks of Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. Ukrainian allies spent Sunday emphasizing that further talks cannot take place until Putin agrees to an unconditional ceasefire. However, Trump undermined efforts to pressure Putin and stated that Ukraine should "immediately" agree to Thursday's meeting with Russian representatives, reported by CNN.
According to the Polish government, Russia is behind the arson attack in Warsaw
Russian intelligence services are behind the widespread fire that last year destroyed a large shopping center in Warsaw, said Polish officials on the eve of the annual anniversary of the fire.
The fire broke out on May 12, 2024, in the Marywilska 44 shopping center, which housed approximately 1,400 shops and service offices. Many sellers came from Vietnam. Justice Minister Adam Bodnar and Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak stated in a joint declaration that the May 12, 2024 fire destroyed 1,400 shops and service offices. Authorities have been investigating the event for a year with the support of the police and the Internal Security Agency, reported AP agency.
