President Donald Trump said Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate a deal to end the war with Russia, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin would like to meet soon.

Trump spoke to reporters after signing multiple executive orders Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office. When a reporter asked if Zelenskyy told him he was ready to negotiate a solution to the war with Russia, Trump provided confirmation.

‘Yes, he’s ready to negotiate a deal. He’d like to stop this,’ Trump said. ‘He’s somebody that lost a lot of soldiers, and so did Russia. … Russia lost more soldiers. They lost 800,000. Would you say that’s a lot? I’d say it’s a lot.’

He was also asked if sanctions on Russia would force Putin to negotiate.

‘I don’t know, but I think he should make a deal,’ Trump said.

Trump also told reporters Chinese President Xi Jinping could have an influence on the war between Russia and Ukraine since it has power over Russia. He explained that the two countries are big trading partners. 

Russia, Trump noted, supplies China with a lot of energy, and the latter pays the former a lot of money.

‘I think they have a lot of power over Russia, so I think Russia should want to make a deal,’ Trump said. ‘From what I hear, Putin would like to see me, and we’ll meet as soon as we can.’

When he described the war in Ukraine, Trump said soldiers were being killed on a battlefield that ‘is like no battlefield since World War II.’

‘Soldiers are being killed on a daily basis at numbers that we haven’t seen in decades,’ he said. ‘It would be nice to end that war. It’s a ridiculous war.’

Putin is reportedly worried about the state of his country’s economy as Trump returns to the Oval Office. According to a Reuters report citing various sources, Trump’s push to end the war in Ukraine is only adding to Putin’s concerns.

Throughout his campaign, Trump pushed to end world conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Putin’s 2022 invasion.

Last month, Putin said he was ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with Trump on ending the war and had no conditions for starting talks with Ukrainian authorities.

‘We have always said that we are ready for negotiations and compromises,’ Putin said at the time, after saying that Russian forces, advancing across the entire front, were moving toward achieving their primary goals in Ukraine.

‘In my opinion, soon there will be no one left who wants to fight. We are ready, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises.’

Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

A top national trade organization has sent letters to three departments in the Trump administration advocating for specific policies that the group believes will most effectively achieve President Trump’s goal to ‘unleash American energy’ in the United States. 

The American Exploration & Production Council, a national trade association representing the leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States, sent letters to the Department of Energy, Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency with specific guidelines on how to best jumpstart energy production.

In the letter to the Department of Energy, AXPC made several requests, including that the department ‘resume timely approval of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals.’

‘U.S. LNG plays a critical role in geopolitical stability and supporting global emission reductions — a fact that has been confirmed numerous times over the past decade,’ the letter states. ‘As the world’s largest natural gas producer, the U.S. is well positioned to meet the dual challenge of supplying the world with affordable, clean, and reliable energy all while reducing global emissions. This misguided permitting pause should be lifted immediately, and DOE should ensure that any public interest study uses well-reasoned assumptions.’

Other recommendations to DOE included promoting U.S. energy exports, creating fair access to export authorizations and avoiding unnecessary delays, providing greater certainty for critical energy and infrastructure, and enhancing energy reliability with advanced natural gas storage.

‘Our recommendations focus on policy priorities and actions within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and some Department wide that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States,’ the letter to the Department of Interior explained. 

‘In alignment with the Trump administration’s goal to ‘Unleash American Energy’, including expanding oil and natural gas production on federal lands, these recommendations aim to support responsible American energy production while maintaining crucial environmental protections and fostering economic growth here at home.’

Recommendations to the DOI include revoking the BLM’s Conservation & Landscape Health Rule and its implementing instructional memorandums, streamlining drilling permits, replacing the recent resources management plan amendments to align with western states’ priorities, and allowing for the commingling of oil and gas production for greater efficiency and environmental protection. 

In the letter to the EPA, AXPC wrote that its recommendations ‘focus on policy priorities that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States.’

Some of those recommendations include revising the source performance standards to ‘improve feasibility for emission controls’ and ‘provide greater allowance for alternative technologies and approaches.’

The letter also calls for reforms to the Clean Water Act and modifications to the Greenhouse Gas reporting rule. 

‘America is stronger, the world is safer, and the environment is cleaner when the United States is the world leader in energy production, and that is best achieved with sensible, workable, and durable policies out of Washington,’ AXPC CEO Anne Bradbury told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

 ‘That’s why America’s oil and natural gas producers look forward to working with the Trump administration’s goal of energy dominance and providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy for the American people.’

Trump’s nominees in all three departments have signaled that they intend to implement new policies and guidelines that significantly increase oil and gas production while easing regulations at the same time. 

‘When energy production is restricted in America, it doesn’t reduce demand. It just shifts production to countries like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders not only don’t care at all about the environment, but they use their revenues from energy sales to fund wars against us and our allies,’ DOI secretary nominee Doug Burgum said in his opening statement at his confirmation hearing. 

‘President Trump’s energy dominance vision will end those wars abroad and will make life more affordable for every family in America by driving down inflation. And President Trump will achieve those goals while championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands.’

There are less than two months until the next government funding deadline on March 14, and House lawmakers are growing increasingly concerned about the speed of their progress on spending talks.

‘I think it’s a complete failure for us to not have a topline number,’ said Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla. 

Congressional Republicans have been busy negotiating a massive conservative policy and budget overhaul via a process called ‘reconciliation,’ which allows the party holding both the House and Senate to enact sweeping changes by lowering the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51.

But all the while, Republicans who spoke with Fox News Digital are worried about falling behind on the federal appropriations process for fiscal year (FY) 2025, with no topline funding numbers to work from yet and just 19 days left in session until the deadline.

Congress has extended the FY 2025 deadline twice since the period began Oct. 1 – most recently passing a short-term funding extension of FY 2024 funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR), in late December.

‘Appropriation bills have to get done. If we end up with another CR, that would be catastrophic. That would mean, in essence, a reduction on defense [funding],’ said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. ‘But for us to start doing it, we need a topline number. But I’m optimistic we’ll get there.’

If nothing is done by March 14, Congress could be forced to contend with a partial government shutdown in the middle of their reconciliation talks – and within the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Other members of the committee suggested they were similarly in the dark about a topline number, but were cautiously hopeful.

‘We are less than eight weeks away from the CR expiring. We need to be able to get those toplines as soon as possible and get to work,’ said Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla. ‘I have full faith and confidence that Tom Cole will be able to make that happen in the next week or two.’

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., has been ‘in consultation’ with his counterparts on a towline number.

Asked about the possibility of another CR, he said, ‘We have several things going on at once – the reconciliation package, raising the debt ceiling, and the appropriations process. So let’s just hope for the best and deal with the worst if we have to.’

Republican leaders have previously been forced to seek Democratic support to pass CRs, which normally hit a wall of opposition among a cross-section of the GOP.

Conservative hardliners told Fox News Digital they’re bracing for another CR or, worse in their eyes, a massive package combining Congress’ 12 regular appropriation bills into one massive ‘omnibus.’

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said he and other conservatives were working on a bill to keep border security operations funded in the event of a government shutdown.

‘We’re running out of time,’ he said, adding that Republicans should ‘probably stay in next week’ instead of flying to their annual issues conference in Miami.

Rep. Keith Self, R-Fla., pointed out that House lawmakers have just over two weeks’ worth of days in session to come up with a plan.

‘I’m very concerned. I’m also concerned that if we screw up the CR on March the 14th, does it poison the reconciliation negotiations?’ Self posed.

But not all conservatives are concerned. House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., said he would be in favor of a full-year CR if ‘we write it properly.’

‘You tell me what the topline is, and I’ll tell you whether I’m concerned,’ he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to congressional Republican leaders and the House Appropriations Committee for comment.

As Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, his daughter Ivanka Trump made a bold statement at the inauguration with a re-creation of an iconic Audrey Hepburn gown. 

The first daughter turned heads at the historic event as she wore a black and white custom Givenchy Haute Couture gown, a design originally made for Hepburn for the 1954 film ‘Sabrina,’ to the Liberty Inaugural Ball honoring her father. 

Hepburn’s son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, was not surprised at all that Ivanka drew inspiration from his legendary mother in the major fashion moment. 

‘It is no wonder that growing up in a family which knew our mother as a household name she chose to draw inspiration from her,’ Ferrer told the Daily Mail. 

‘To seek the ultimate elegance and class reference, for an occasion such as this one — the inauguration and the 32nd anniversary of our mother’s passing and, most of all, Martin Luther King’s day. What a cocktail!’

The mother-of-three stepped out hand-in-hand with her husband, Jared Kushner, for a romantic dance during her father’s Liberty Ball event in Washington, D.C., on Monday. 

The elegant ensemble was a strapless black-and-white gown embellished with delicate florals along the bodice and skirt. Ivanka had her hair styled in a sleek up-do and completed her look with diamond jewelry and long black gloves. 

Meanwhile, Ferrer unveiled ties between his mother and President Trump’s family.

He reflected on how Donald and Ivanka’s stepmother, Marla Ann Maples, was on the advisory board of the Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund in the early 1990s.

Ferrer additionally noted that the Fund hosted a charitable event for Ivanka’s stepsister, Tiffany, on her first birthday. The theme was ‘Breakfast with Tiffany,’ in honor of Hepburn’s 1961 movie, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’

He continued to share how Ivanka’s nod to his mother during the inauguration highlights how Hepburn is an ‘anchor’ for many famous figures. 

‘Her elegance, which has its roots in her inner beauty and spirit, is often a reference point, an anchor, for many celebrities, actresses and models in these times in which we appear to have somewhat lost our way.’

— Sean Hepburn Ferrer

‘Over the past 71 years, her legacy has grown to become transgenerational and transnational,’ Ferrer remarked.

‘Her elegance, which has its roots in her inner beauty and spirit, is often a reference point, an anchor, for many celebrities, actresses and models in these times in which we appear to have somewhat lost our way.’

Another tie between the Hepburn and Trump families is Roffredo Gaetani — a count who once had a relationship with Ivana Trump, and who was also the eldest son of Lorian Gaetani, a friend of Hepburn’s.

Meanwhile, Hollywood icon Hepburn captivated hearts during the ‘50s and ‘60s.

After Hepburn achieved fame, she never forgot her past. During the later years of her life, she traveled the world to raise money and awareness for the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as a goodwill ambassador.

Hepburn passed away in 1993 at age 63 from cancer.

In 2020, Ferrer and his wife Karin teamed up to write a children’s book titled ‘Little Audrey’s Daydream,’ which explored Hepburn’s tumultuous childhood in Holland and how fantasies of a better future kept her going during horrific times.

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.

A top national trade organization has sent letters to three departments in the Trump administration advocating for specific policies that the group believes will most effectively achieve President Trump’s goal to ‘unleash American energy’ in the United States. 

The American Exploration & Production Council, a national trade association representing the leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States, sent letters to the Department of Energy, Department of Interior, and Environmental Protection Agency with specific guidelines on how to best jumpstart energy production.

In the letter to the Department of Energy, AXPC made several requests including that the department ‘resume timely approval of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals.’

‘U.S. LNG plays a critical role in geopolitical stability and supporting global emission reductions — a fact that has been confirmed numerous times over the past decade,’ the letter states. ‘As the world’s largest natural gas producer, the U.S. is well positioned to meet the dual challenge of supplying the world with affordable, clean, and reliable energy all while reducing global emissions. This misguided permitting pause should be lifted immediately, and DOE should ensure that any public interest study uses well reasoned assumptions.’

Other recommendations to DOE included promoting U.S. energy exports, creating fair access to export authorizations and avoiding unnecessary delays, providing greater certainty for critical energy and infrastructure, and enhancing energy reliability with advanced natural gas storage.

‘Our recommendations focus on policy priorities and actions within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and some Department wide that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States,’ the letter to the Department of Interior explained. 

‘In alignment with the Trump administration’s goal to ‘Unleash American Energy’, including expanding oil and natural gas production on federal lands, these recommendations aim to support responsible American energy production while maintaining crucial environmental protections and fostering economic growth here at home.’

Recommendations to the DOI include, revoking the BLM’s Conservation & Landscape Health Rule and its implementing instructional memorandums, streamlining drilling permits, replacing the recent resources management plan amendments to align with western states’ priorities, and allowing for the commingling of oil and gas production for greater efficiency and environmental protection. 

In the letter to the EPA, AXPC wrote that its recommendations ‘focus on policy priorities that we believe strike this critical balance and directly impact responsible onshore exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States.’

Some of those recommendations include revising the source performance standards to ‘improve feasibility for emission controls’ and ‘provide greater allowance for alternative technologies and approaches.’

The letter also calls for reforms to the Clean Water Act and modifications to the Greenhouse Gas reporting rule. 

‘America is stronger, the world is safer, and the environment is cleaner when the United States is the world leader in energy production, and that is best achieved with sensible, workable, and durable policies out of Washington,’ AXPC CEO Anne Bradbury told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

 ‘That’s why America’s oil and natural gas producers look forward to working with the Trump administration’s goal of energy dominance and providing affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy for the American people.’

Trump’s nominees in all three departments have signaled that they intend to implement new policies and guidelines that significantly increase oil and gas production while easing regulations at the same time. 

‘When energy production is restricted in America, it doesn’t reduce demand. It just shifts production to countries like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders not only don’t care at all about the environment, but they use their revenues from energy sales to fund wars against us and our allies,’ DOI secretary nominee Doug Burgum said in his opening statement at his confirmation hearing. 

‘President Trump’s energy dominance vision will end those wars abroad and will make life more affordable for every family in America by driving down inflation. And President Trump will achieve those goals while championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands.’

Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ future remains unclear months after her election loss to now-President Donald Trump.

As she grapples with navigating next steps, Harris has spoken with family and close friends, including the one other person who has been in her exact position: Hillary Clinton, New York Magazine reported. The two have reportedly spoken several times since Harris’ defeat.

Some have speculated that she will stage a gubernatorial run next year in California, as her close friend, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom, is limited on terms and can’t run again. Others think she still has her eye on the Oval Office and will launch another bid for the presidency. Shortly after the election, Harris reportedly told advisors not to make any plans that would preclude her from seeking the presidency in 2028, according to New York Magazine.

The former vice president has not spoken directly about her future, but she has hinted that she’s not done with politics. Last week, just days before the end of her time as then-President Joe Biden’s VP, Harris addressed a room of staff as she participated in the decades-long tradition of signing her desk drawer. During her brief remarks, Harris said she would not ‘go quietly into the night,’ saying that ‘our work is not done.’

The comments she made to staff echoed a message from her concession speech in which she told supporters, ‘While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.’

After her 2020 bid for the presidency failed, Harris was given a clear path forward as Biden’s pick to be his running mate. While Biden seemed to imply that he would be a one-term president, he announced his re-election campaign in April 2023.

However, after a disastrous debate that highlighted ongoing issues, Biden made the historic decision to drop out of the race in July 2024. This was just one week after a gunman nearly killed Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania.

Shortly after dropping out of the race, Biden endorsed his VP, moving her to the top of the ticket. Some believed this move could have hurt her prospects, as voters saw her nomination as a coronation, in stark contrast to the ‘save democracy’ message channeled by the Democrats.

Harris and Clinton have more than election losses in common. Both were backed by a long list of Hollywood A-listers, whose endorsements ultimately did not help. Not even Taylor Swift could make the ‘Harris Era’ happen.

‘The outcome of this election is not what we hoped, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,’ Harris said in her concession speech. ‘But hear when I say … the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.’