Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects holding elections while Ukraine remains at war, arguing that a vote under martial law would carry a huge risk and could divide the country. His comments come after public calls from his former defense minister to organize elections despite the legal and security constraints created by Russia’s invasion.

Zelenskyy also publicly details his dispute with former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, saying the dismissed official acted in misguided ways. He portrays Fedorov’s alleged role in mass protests and his calls for elections during wartime as inappropriate, opening the clearest account yet of a rupture inside Ukraine’s leadership.

Iran’s president says a memorandum of understanding with the United States offers the best route to resolve a stalled conflict. The endorsement signals support for a negotiated framework at a time when relations remain tense and Tehran is looking for a path to ease a prolonged impasse with Washington.

In a separate address, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the country faces many problems and that officials are trying to contain the damage. He points to worsening living conditions and economic hardship, underscoring the domestic strain Iran faces as renewed U.S. sanctions add pressure to an already troubled economy.

Donald Trump escalates a trade dispute with Canada after talks break down, saying Canada wants the benefits of being a U.S. state without actually being one. The remark sharpens the political tone of the clash and signals a more confrontational phase in a key economic relationship between neighboring allies.

Kazakhstan holds a parliamentary election that is widely expected to reinforce President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s control. The vote is seen less as a competitive contest than as a step toward consolidating presidential power in Central Asia’s largest country, extending the leadership’s influence over the political system.