Prologue Journal – Page 240 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Trump Says He Will Call Putin to Discuss Ending Ukraine War

New York Times President Trump’s special envoy met with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia last week to discuss a cease-fire proposal. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/politics/trump-putin-ukraine-phone-call.html

Monday Briefing

New York Times The Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelans. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/briefing/venezuelans-trump-ukraine.html

Trump says he will be speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday

Fox News President Donald Trump said he will likely be speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday while speaking with reporters on Air Force One Sunday night. The president was returning to Washington, D.C., from Florida when he told the reporters of the upcoming discussion. “We will see if we have something to announce…

After Vietnam, only China and Mexico have larger US trade deficits – and the US is peeved

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Donald Trump’s trade officials are pushing Vietnam to open up its markets and improve its trade balance with the United States. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3302617/after-vietnam-only-china-and-mexico-have-larger-us-trade-deficits-and-us-peeved?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s Congolese cobalt edge, Labubu’s Hong Kong origins: 5 weekend reads you missed

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From the battle for Congolese cobalt to Malaysia’s Ramadan reality check, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3302582/chinas-congolese-cobalt-edge-labubus-hong-kong-origins-5-weekend-reads-you-missed?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s Congolese cobalt edge, Labubu’s Hong Kong origins: 5 weekend reads you missed

Trump says will speak with Putin on Tuesday to discuss ending Ukraine war

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-846348

US maintains contact with European countries on Ukrainian conflict resolution — Witkoff

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. According to US Special Presidential Envoy, Washington is ‘in discussions with European countries and that includes France, Britain, Norway, Finland and all the others’ https://tass.com/world/1929013

U.S. to Withdraw From Group Investigating Responsibility for Ukraine Invasion

New York Times The decision is the latest indication of the Trump administration’s move away from holding President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia accountable for crimes committed against Ukrainians. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/politics/trump-ukraine-invasion-accountability.html

Families of Jeju Air Plane Crash Victims Press for Answers

New York Times Gathering at the airport, relatives of those who died are turning themselves into aviation experts to explore what caused the country’s worst air disaster. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/world/asia/south-korea-jeju-air-victims.html