By HANNA ARHIROVA, Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Ukrainian officials want to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders next week to discuss recent developments in efforts to end the three-year war with Russia.

The proposed meetings appeared designed to add momentum to the push for peace, as Zelenskyy expressed frustration with what he called Russia’s lack of constructive engagement in the process while it continues to launch devastating aerial attacks on civilian areas.

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Trump has bristled at Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s stalling on an U.S. proposal for direct peace talks with Zelenskyy, and said a week ago he expected to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled.

Trump complained last month that Putin “ talks nice and then he bombs everybody.” But he has also chided Ukraine’s attacks, and a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight from Wednesday to Thursday that killed at least 23 people drew no public condemnation from the Trump administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted Thursday that Ukraine has been striking Russian oil refineries.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, is expected to meet Friday in New York with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss preparations for upcoming meetings, Zelenskyy said during a briefing.

Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv that he expected “several meetings at different venues” with European leaders next week.

Ukrainian negotiators have been trying to move the peace process forward in talks in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and the United States, he said.

Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, but Moscow has raised objections.

Ukraine wants leaders involved

Zelenskyy accused Russia of dragging out negotiations, including by putting off a Russia-Ukraine summit with the argument that the groundwork for a possible peace settlement must be thrashed out first by lower officials before leaders meet.

That reasoning, Zelenskyy said, is “artificial … because they want to show the United States that they are constructive, but they are not constructive.”

“In my opinion, leaders must urgently be involved to reach agreements,” Zelenskyy added.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday reiterated Moscow’s long-held position that Putin “doesn’t rule out” meeting Zelenskyy, but only after progress is made “at the expert level.”

A summit “must be well prepared so that it can finalize the work that must first be carried out at the expert level,” Peskov told reporters during his daily conference call.

“At this point we can’t say that the expert work is in full swing, so to speak. No, unfortunately, not. We maintain our interest and our readiness for these negotiations,” he said.

Zelenskyy says more weapons are crucial for security

Zelenskyy urged swift secondary sanctions on countries that trade with Russia and thereby support its war economy.

Firefighters work on the site of a burning building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

The possible postwar security guarantees being assessed by Western countries to deter another Russian invasion in the future must include a secure supply of weapons for Ukraine, either through domestic production or Western provision, and U.S. weapons paid for by Europe.

Zelenskyy’s comments came after the death toll in a major Russian missile and drone strike on the Ukrainian capital rose to 23, including four children, officials said Friday. Ukraine needs more sophisticated Western air defense systems to counter such attacks.

Kyiv region observes a day of mourning

Authorities in the Kyiv region declared Friday an official day of mourning. Flags flew at half-staff and all entertainment events were canceled after Russia hammered Ukraine with almost 600 drones and more than 30 missiles overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, including rare strikes on downtown Kyiv.

A man carries a sofa at his apartment damaged by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Rescue workers pulled 17 people from the rubble after the attack, among them four children, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. The youngest victim was a 2-year-old girl. Some bodies have yet to be identified, and eight people remain unaccounted for, authorities said. More than 50 people were wounded.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that, at the request of Ukraine, the U.N. Security Council was due to hold an emergency meeting Friday in response to the latest Russian aerial attack.

More diplomatic moves lie ahead

Putin is due to attend a meeting in China from Sunday that will also include Iran and North Korea, countries which have also aided Russia’s war effort, according to the United States.

From Sept. 9, world leaders are expected to attend the U.N. General Assembly, where Russia’s invasion will likely be discussed.

The Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank, noted that recent U.S. presidents have shied away from taking a tougher line with Putin for fear of a potential nuclear conflict.

“Putin knows that Washington and its allies have more than enough capacity to reverse his gains in Ukraine, but it is nearly certain that he doubts the United States has the will to do so,” the Atlantic Council said in an assessment this week.

It added that “the second Trump administration has repeatedly signaled that the United States has no vital interests at stake in this war.”

The season-opening win over Buffalo was coordinator Danny Collins’ first game calling the Gopher’ defense. It didn’t look like it.

Collins’ unit allowed only 151 total yards across a paltry 44 total plays in a 23-10 win at Huntington Bank Stadium. They had seven tackles for lost yards and allowed only one explosive play.

“(Collins) acted like he’s done it for 50 years,” head coach P.J. Fleck said postgame. “He’s so poised on the headsets. He knows what he wants. He’s a great communicator. He’s a great teacher. He’s really good with the staff.”

Gophers cornerback Za’Quan Bryan breaks up a pass in the second half against Buffalo in Minnesota’s season opener Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Brad Rempel / Gopher Sports)

Collins wants his defense to create HAVOC, an acronym nickname for the unit where the “V” stands for violence.

“We went into the game looking to play … 60 minutes of violent football,” said defensive tackle Deven Eastern, who had four tackles and a half-tackle for loss. “That was our goal: Attack every rep and be as violent as we can.”

Fleck was particularly impressed with how the U defense responded after Drake Lindsey’s weird interception was returned 54 yards to Minnesota’s 23-yard line. Running back Darius Taylor’s pursuit kept the Bulls from scoring a game-tying touchdown. Then the defense gave up only five net yards and forced the Bulls to kick a field goal.

Last week, Collins called running back Al-Jay Henderson the Bulls “best player.” He had rushed for 5.3 yards per carry when going over 1,000 yards on the ground last year, but Minnesota kept him to 2.3 per rush and 25 total yards on Thursday.

In their first game without leader Cody Lindenberg, linebackers Maverick Baranowski and Devon Williams led the way with 10 and eight tackles, respectively. Williams added a sack, while Anthony Smith and Jalen Logan-Redding were credited with a half sack apiece. Minnesota had 10 total pressures on Buffalo’s 20 pass attempts.

“That’s our DNA,” Smith said. “That is why we named our defense HAVOC.”

A handful of personnel from NFL teams were in Minneapolis to watch Thursday’s game and the 6-foot-6, 290-pound Smith was likely on the top of their must-see list. On the day, he added an another tackle for loss and a pass breakup in 35 snaps.

Smith was asked what was different about Collins compared to previous coordinators Corey Hetherman and Joe Rossi.

“I would say FBI, football intelligence,” Smith said. “He definitely makes us learn a lot more about what is happening on the back end. It makes us better players going to the NFL.”

Smith said an example would be understanding the width of a split for a receiver and how that might tip off a crack block is coming his way.

“That is really special (information) to have,” Smith said.

New starting cornerbacks Za’Quan Bryan and Iowa transfer John Nestor each had a pass break-up as the Bulls passed for 107 yards.

The Gophers’ defense played without two nickel backs — Darius Green and Jai’Onte McMillan — and cornerback Mike Gerald. Plus, two backup defensive tackles are out — Theoin Randle has a foot injury, while Purdue transfer Mo Omonode is out for the season with a back injury.

“We’re gonna get some guys back, but I’m glad we have a few extra days as we keep going forward here,” Fleck said with Northwestern (La.) State next at home on Sept. 6. “So, rest up and go at it again.”

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By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has told House Speaker Mike Johnson that he won’t be spending $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid, effectively cutting the budget without going through the legislative branch.

Trump, who sent a letter to Johnson, R-La., on Thursday, is using what’s known as a pocket rescission — when a president submits a request to Congress to not spend approved funds toward the end of the fiscal year, so that Congress cannot act on the request in the 45-day timeframe and the money goes unspent as a result. It’s the first time in nearly 50 years a president has used one. The fiscal year draws to a close at the end of September.

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The letter was posted Friday morning on the X account of the White House Office of Management and Budget. It said the funding would be cut from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, an early target of Trump’s efforts to cut foreign aid.

The last pocket rescission was in 1977 by then-President Jimmy Carter, and the Trump administration argues that it’s a legally permissible tool. But such a move, if standardized by the White House, could effectively bypass Congress on key spending choices and potentially wrest some control over spending from the House and the Senate.

The 1974 Impoundment Control Act gives the president the authority to propose canceling funds approved by Congress. Congress can vote on pulling back the funds or sustaining them, but by proposing the rescission so close to Sept. 30 the White House ensures that the money won’t be spent and the funding lapses.

Trump had previously sought to get congressional backing for rescissions and succeeded in doing so in July when the House and the Senate approved $9 billion worth of cuts. Those rescissions clawed back funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid.

The Trump administration has made deep reductions to foreign aid one of its hallmark policies, despite the relatively meager savings relative to the deficit and possible damage to America’s reputation abroad as foreign populations lose access to food supplies and development programs.

In February, the administration said it would eliminate almost all of USAID’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall assistance abroad. USAID has since been dismantled, and its few remaining programs have been placed under State Department control.

The Trump administration on Wednesday appealed to the Supreme Court to stop lower court decisions that have preserved foreign aid, including for global health and HIV and AIDS programs, that Trump has tried to freeze.

The New York Post first reported the pocket rescission.

Colorado’s southwest corner blends fascinating ancient history, rugged desert landscapes, and fun outdoor adventure.

While Mesa Verde National Park is the crown jewel, the region also includes other centuries-old sites and a plethora of outdoor experiences.

As an avid adventurer and ancient history buff, I’ve explored the region extensively.

Here’s how you can immerse yourself in Colorado’s quadrant of the Four Corners, where you can hike by cliff dwellings, bike through desert terrain, and sip wine in a scenic canyon.

Stay in Mancos

Settled by cattle ranchers in the 1870s and founded in 1894, Mancos is a vibrant, tiny town once a stop on the Denver, Rio & Southern Railway. Two great options for your basecamp are:

Mesa Verde Motel: This boutique motel has an ultra-modern twist. On-site M Bar & Coffee serves lattes in the morning and handcrafted cocktails later, which you can enjoy around the fire pit in the evenings.

Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center: This peaceful retreat has several uniquely appointed cabins overlooking a serene lake. Artists-in-residence are often there.

Day One:  Mesa Verde National Park

Grab a latte and burrito at M Bar & Coffee before heading to Mesa Verde National Park.

Make stops to soak in the views along the 45-minute drive up the mesa. From Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, hike my favorite trail in the park.

The 2.4-mile Petroglyph Point Trail is a loop showcasing sweeping canyon views and ancient rock carvings, including a large petroglyph panel.

Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

Of the two auto loops, drive the Cliff Palace Loop first. Stop at Cliff Palace overlook for an incredible view of North America’s largest known cliff dwelling, built between 1190 and 1280.

Typically less crowded, Mesa Top Loop has interesting stops to see pithouses, Navajo Canyon, and the Sun Temple.

For an in-depth experience, book a ranger-led tour in advance. If you’re OK with climbing wooden ladders and uneven stone steps, the Cliff Palace Tour takes you close to the ancient community with at least 150 rooms and 21 kivas.

Other ranger-led tours are Balcony House and Square Tower House.

Mesa Verde National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

Unwind with dinner at The Boathouse on Grand. The cozy restaurant in the heart of Mancos serves elevated cuisine, highlighting seasonal local ingredients.

Day Two: Mountain biking, monument and wine tasting

Fuel up for the day with a hearty breakfast at Moondog Café and Bakery and grab some goodies from their bakery for later. Pedal your way atop a desert mesa mountain biking at Phil’s World. The singletrack system is known for its flowy terrain and rollercoaster-like dips.

Phil’s World is a singletrack system is known for its flowy terrain and rollercoaster-like dips. (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

Take a short drive to see Colorado’s least-visited National Park Service site. Surrounded by sprawling farmland, Yucca House National Monument is an unexcavated Ancestral Puebloan site.

You’ll likely have the half-mile trail to yourself as you explore a site virtually untouched for over 800 years. Some masonry is visible of the “Lower House.”

Wander to the “Upper House,” rising 15-20 feet in the West Complex, for a wonderful view of the pastoral surroundings.

Next, take a scenic trip through nearby McElmo Canyon, filled with unmarked rock art and ancient sites.

A green oasis in the rugged landscape, Sutcliffe Vineyards is a well-earned relaxing stop at one of my favorite Colorado wineries. Sip a Viognier or a Cabernet Franc under a vine-covered pergola with a view of Battle Rock.

Sutcliffe Vineyards is a well-earned relaxing stop where you can sip a Viognier or a Cabernet Franc under a vine-covered pergola with a view of Battle Rock. (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

Finish the day with an early dinner at The Farm Bistro in Cortez with locally sourced produce and meat from Montezuma County for a farm-to-table dining experience. Start with their zucchini fritters, then devour a yak burger, scratch-made chicken pot pie, or seasonal risotto. The lounge features all-Colorado beer, wine, and spirits.

Day Three: Canyons of the Ancients and Hovenweep

With the highest known density of archeological sites in the United States, spending one day in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument scratches the surface of its 174,000 acres.

There are more than 8,300 recorded sites, from cliff dwellings to sacred springs, and the number is estimated to be as high as 30,000 as archaeological discoveries continue.

For a full day, start with a hike from the Sand Canyon south trailhead in McElmo Canyon.

Keep your eyes peeled for dwellings, as many are not marked.

Head west to Hovenweep National Monument for more archeological wonders on the Colorado-Utah border.

From the visitor center in Utah, hike the Little Ruin Trail. This 1.5-mile loop passes some of the monument’s most striking features: the Square Tower, Twin Towers, and Rim Rock House, which showcase the architectural ingenuity of the Ancestral Puebloans.

Exploring Hovenweep provides a more secluded experience (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

For a more secluded experience in Hovenweep, hike to Painted Hand Pueblo in the Cutthroat Castle Group. Precariously perched on a boulder, it gets its name from pictographs of handprints.

Looping back towards Cortez, explore the Holly Unit of Canyons of the Ancients. Hiking to the remote cluster of ruins affords you an off-the-beaten-path experience where you can reflect on the history and solitude of the region.

Hiking the Sand Canyon Trail provides stunning views of the Ancestral Puebloan ruins and unique landscape. (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

It’s one of my favorite areas of the national monument. If you’re up for additional late-day hiking, head to Sand Canyon Pueblo, where you can see the remains of 420 rooms, 100 kivas, and 14 towers.

One of the easiest sites to reach is Lowery Pueblo, the only developed recreation site within the national monument.

Marvel at the architecture and design as you walk in and out of 40 rooms and eight kivas. I like to close my eyes in the Great Kiva, imagining a ceremony. It’s a perfect last stop on this loop exploring ancient sites.

You’ll likely be worn out, so opt for a casual spot for dinner. Loungin’ Lizard, La Casita de Cortez, and Thai Cortez are great options in Cortez.

Back in Mancos, El Río Cantina or Mancos Brewing Company are excellent choices for casual fare.

Bonus adventures

If you’re like me and love this unique corner of Colorado, here are three more must-dos in the region to take your next visit to the next level.

Stay at Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch: This boutique guest ranch in McElmo Canyon offers unique accommodations, from the cozy Cowboy Log Cabin to the intimate Sky Kiva.

This boutique guest ranch in McElmo Canyon offers unique accommodations, from the cozy Cowboy Log Cabin to the intimate Sky Kiva. (Photo by Jennifer Broome/Special to The Denver Post)

Explore Ute Mountain Tribal Park: The only way to visit is on a guided tour with a rugged hike to see cliff dwellings.

Visit Crow Canyon Archaeological Center: Indulge your inner archaeologist while learning about ongoing regional research. You can even volunteer for a hands-on opportunity.

Southwest Colorado’s slice of the Four Corners is truly where ancient history meets modern adventure.

Have fun exploring this extraordinary region.