<h1>President Trump Pursues Direct Talks with Russia, Excludes Ukraine; Fires Military Officer, Partners with Elon Musk</h1> In his fifth week back in office, President Trump initiated a significant policy shift towards Russia, seeking to end the Ukraine conflict through direct talks with Russian officials, excluding Ukrainian and European representatives. This move has heightened tensions with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy. Trump also fired a senior military officer, signaling a broader Pentagon shakeup, and collaborated with Elon Musk on government efficiency efforts. Despite economic challenges and public pessimism, Trump aims to control independent regulatory agencies and advance his agenda in Congress, including border security funding and tax cut extensions, though internal Republican divisions pose challenges.