The Russian and US presidents will discuss a Ukraine ceasefire plan, as the EU aims to ramp up pressure by insisting ‘the ball is in Russia’s court’. Plus, how the Irish are ruling pop culture

Good morning.

The Kremlin has confirmed that Vladimir Putin will talk to Donald Trump by phone tomorrow about the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks. As Washington gears up for the call, European leaders are scrambling to prepare for what comes next, fearing unpredictable and controversial concessions from the US president.

What is on the agenda for the call between Putin and Trump? Trump said he planned to discuss ending the war in Ukraine with the Russian president, and that negotiators had already discussed “dividing up certain assets”.

What do Democrats want to be investigated? An investigation, the letter said, would determine whether Musk, “in his capacity as a special government employee in the White House … has participated in any particular matter in which he has a financial interest, which would violate the criminal conflict-of-interest statute”.

Continue reading...