Aidan Stretch

When China's President Xi JinPing referenced the Thucydides Trap in his meeting with President Trump in Beijing yesterday, that subtle reference was likely lost on most people. But CBS News contributor Aaron MacLean explains how that rhetoric actually constitutes an aggressive statement about China's view that it is on the rise and America is declining; and that if America fails to make room for the rising nation, it could lead to inevitable war. @AaronBMacLean

DELTA is Ukraine’s battlefield awareness system — a unique technology shaped by modern warfare. This is exactly the kind of capability Ukraine can scale together with partners, building win-win cooperation through technology, data, and real combat experience.

Russia launched another massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, striking Kyiv and killing at least nine people. @Aidan_Stretch reports from the scene as Ukrainian officials call it one of the largest barrages of the war, despite recent suggestions from Presidents Trump and Putin that the conflict could be nearing an end.

Russia launched the largest aerial strike of the war yesterday and last night, with nearly 1600 Russian drones and 56 missiles targeted Ukraine.

Another body has just been carried out of the rubble. There are now an estimated 20 missing.

Ukrianian high schoolers are here at the site of a building destroyed in southeastern Kyiv during last night’s Russian attack. They believe their friend is buried underneath.

Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. @StefanishynaO tells @CBSNews: “As a result of the work with the Department of State and the Pentagon, a draft framework document has been developed and is currently being reviewed by both sides at different institutional levels." 1/2

One of the more bizarre aspects of the Andriy Yermak corruption case saga spilled out in court yesterday and today. Zelenskyy's powerful former chief of staff had a "fortune teller" who he knew as "Veronika Feng Shui." Her name is Veronika Anikievich, a Kyiv resident, according to public records. According to her social media – much of which she appears to have now deleted – she was a big supporter of Yermak. According to Ukraine's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's office, Yermak sought advice from Veronika about several cabinet officials, including many still in office. He also asked the fortune teller about anti-corruption officials, politicians and journalists who he did not like. She advises him to get rid of his enemies while he has the protection of the president, according to prosecutors reading aloud texts between the two in court.

This @FT piece contains details from the memorandum: ft.trib.al/XrAlNGZ

Our @CBSNews report today on the drone deal in the works between Ukraine and the US.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp in Kyiv this week 👀

Exclusive on @CBSNews - Ukraine and the U.S. are *slowly* moving toward the long-awaited drone deal. There is now a draft memorandum outlining the terms of a new defense agreement between the two countries. cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-u…

Despite the weekend ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine’s military said that there were at least 180 battlefield clashes with Russia and noted over 8,000 Russian drone attacks near the frontlines.

“Zelensky had spent last week threatening to disturb the celebrations with Ukrainian drones “buzzing” overhead. While he eventually agreed to Trump’s short ceasefire, the point of the Ukrainian statement was that it would be Kyiv, not Washington, dictating the terms.”

Ukraine appears to be threatening Russia most at the moment US military support has largely run dry. How? The answer is not just Europe stepping up, but a long-range strike campaign that has steadily degraded Russia’s defenses. My piece for @TheFP: thefp.com/p/ukraine-war-…

In the United States, I held a meeting with the U.S. President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The main focus was on humanitarian issues, particularly the return of our prisoners held by Russia. This remains one of Ukraine’s key priorities. We also discussed the need to intensify the diplomatic process and coordinate further steps toward achieving a dignified peace. Following the meeting, I briefed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I thank the American side for the constructive dialogue and support for Ukraine.

Does this mean Russia will put tanks back into the parade ? 🤔

Until now, Vladimir Putin’s government is thought to have provided intelligence that enabled Iran to target American forces in the Middle East. Our exclusive reporting shows it also offered to send fibre-optic drones of the sort used in the Ukraine war economist.com/europe/2026/05…

The key to Ukraine’s successful long-range strikes now is months spent degrading Russian air defenses. Ukraine’s drones fly further but are more easily intercepted than most missiles. By clearing out many of the defenses in their path, far more are now reaching their targets.

20 years ago, Guy Goma walked into the BBC to interview for an IT job, but was mistaken for someone else and rushed onto live global television. The lesson he says? Be calm, try to solve the issue and move on.