Laken Riley's mother and stepfather endorsed Rep. Mike Collins, a House Republican running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, according to a campaign press release.Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student murdered last year by Venezuelan man Jose Ibarra, who was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole."There is simply no one else in this race who deserves to be in the U.S. Senate more than Mike Collins. He is someone who says what he means, means what he says, and actually delivers results that matter," Allyson Riley and John Phillips, said in a statement, according to the press release. Many reports have previously referred to Riley's mother as Allyson Phillips, not Allyson Riley, as the press release does.TRUMP ALLY MIKE COLLINS LAUNCHES KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE BID TO FLIP DEMOCRAT-HELD SENATE SEAT"What Mike did for our family wasn't about politics and it wasn't about attention or the spotlight. He stood up to do what was right and help bring justice for our sweet Laken. For that, our family will be forever grateful to Mike Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and President Trump," they declared in the statement.The "Laken Riley Act" was the first piece of legislation that President Donald Trump signed into law after starting his second term earlier this year.TRUMP SIGNS LAKEN RILEY ACT INTO LAW AS FIRST LEGISLATIVE VICTORY IN NEW ADMINISTRATIONIncumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is aiming to win re-election next year in the Peach State, voted in favor of passing the legislation."The Biden administration and our current senators voted for open borders that allowed Laken's killer to come to the United States. They were looking out for illegal immigrants instead of looking out for their own constituents," the couple declared in their statement.Collins noted in a post on X that he is "Incredibly humbled to have the support of Lakens family in our race for U.S. Senate" and that "She is why Im fightingand her cause keeps me focused on what's at stake."LAKEN RILEY MURDER: JUDGE SENTENCES COLLEGE STUDENT KILLER AFTER FAMILY ADDRESSES MONSTER IN COURTAnother House Republican, Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., is also making a bid for the Senate seat.

The Indianapolis Colts announced the winner of their quarterback competition on Tuesday.Head coach Shane Steichen said in a press conference that Daniel Jones will be the teams starting quarterback in Week 1 when they face the Miami Dolphins. Jones beat out former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson for the job."Hes our starting quarterback for the season," Steichen said via the Colts website. "I dont want to have a quick leash on that. I feel confident in his ability."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMJones and Richardson split first-team reps throughout training camp and the first two preseason games, which Jones will now exclusively take.Through two preseason games, Jones completed 17 of 32 passes for 245 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Richardson left the first preseason game with an injury after just six snaps, completing 2 of 3 passes for 21 yards.In the Colts' second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, Richardson completed 6 of 11 passes for 73 yards.Jones signed a one-year deal with the Colts in the offseason.COWBOYS' JERRY JONES REVEALS WHY HE PLAYS GENERAL MANAGER ROLEThe 28-year-old was released by the New York Giants midway through last season after 10 games, then signed with the Minnesota Vikings for the remainder of the year. He did not appear in a game with Minnesota.Jones has started 69 career games and holds a 24-44-1 record. Last season, he completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Giants went 2-8 in his starts.Richardson struggled through his first two NFL seasons.In 15 career games, Richardson owns an 8-7 record, though that mark doesnt fully reflect his play. The former Florida star has completed just over 50% of his passes for 2,391 yards, with more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (11).The 23-year-old has been more effective as a runner, with 635 rushing yards and 10 career rushing touchdowns while averaging nearly six yards per attempt.Last season, the Colts finished 8-9 and placed second in the AFC South. Steichen hopes Jones can help guide them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

FIRST ON FOX: House GOP allies of President Donald Trump are nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize amid his ongoing efforts to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine.Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., is spearheading a letter to the Nobel Committee on Tuesday alongside Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind.Their nomination hails Trump as a peacemaker on several fronts, the most recent being his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and subsequent meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.GOP LAWMAKERS CLASH OVER STRATEGY TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CRISIS"We respectfully submit this nomination of President Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his concrete contributions to international fraternity, his leadership in reducing conflict and the risk of war, and his commitment to fostering dialogue as a path toward reconciliation," Ogles and Stutzman wrote."His decisive leadership in securing landmark diplomatic agreements, de-escalating global conflicts, and actively pursuing peaceful resolutions to some of the worlds most entrenched disputes has led and continues to lead to a more peaceful world."RON KLAIN DODGES REPORTERS AFTER MARATHON GRILLING IN BIDEN COVER-UP PROBETrump met with Putin in Alaska on Friday, the first time the Russian Federation leader spoke face-to-face with a U.S. president since the pair previously sat down together during Trumps first term. Both sides described the meeting in positive terms.It was followed by an extraordinary gathering at the White House on Monday with Zelenskyy and other leaders, where Trump pledged Ukraine would have "a lot of help" for security, while specifying that Europe would be Kyivs "first line of defense."Trump said on Truth Social later that he spoke with Putin at the conclusion of that meeting and "began arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy."House Republicans nominating letter noted Trumps move in "hosting a high-stakes summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025, focused on establishing a path towards a Ukraine ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, humanitarian corridors, and future security arrangementsa significant step in reopening direct, constructive dialogue."It also lauded him for "hosting a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and numerous other European leaders on August 18, 2025, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and facilitating a discussion between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin to bring about a just and lasting peace in the region."Russia invaded Ukraine in a bid to take over the ex-Soviet territory-turned-sovereign state in February 2022.Both countries have been locked in a bloody war that has taken thousands of lives, including heavy civilian casualties in Ukraine from Russias attacks on non-military targets.Trump has argued multiple times that Moscow would not have invaded if he were president at the time.Putin, along similar but not identical lines, said Friday that he believed there would have been no war if Trump was president at the time.In addition to dealing with his efforts to resolve the Eastern European conflict, Ogles and Stutzmans letter also lauded Trump for brokering a historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, "engaging directly with regional leaders on the Gaza conflict," along with peace agreements struck during his first term, such as the Abraham Accords."Because of President Trumps leadership, more people are alive today, and there are fewer wars in the world than before," Ogles told Fox News Digital."He is a champion of America First statesmanship, proving that strength and prudencenot globalismare the keys to lasting U.S. foreign policy. No other world leader can claim to have halted wars and begun resolving centuries-old disputes."Stutzman, calling Trump "the president of peace," added, "There is no one on the planet more deserving of this years Nobel Prize and multiple world leaders have recognized that."

FIRST ON FOX: The House Oversight Committee is launching an investigation into California's costly high-speed rail project.Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., wrote to the Department of Transportation (DOT) on Tuesday requesting a staff-level briefing, as well as documents related to federal funding that went into the project, which is backed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom."As part of our investigation, we are seeking to understand whether the Authority knowingly misrepresented the ridership projections and the associated financial viability of the California High-Speed Rail Project (CHSR Project) to secure federal and state funds," Comer wrote to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.COMER DISMISSES BIDEN DOCTOR'S BID FOR PAUSE IN COVER-UP PROBE: 'THROWING OUT EVERY EXCUSE'California voters approved nearly $10 billion in taxpayer funds via municipal bonds in 2008 for an 800-mile high-speed rail system connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles, which was estimated to cost roughly $33 billion.But the project, which began under former Gov. Jerry Brown, has been plagued by ballooning costs and delays, with reports indicating the price tag could now be as high as $128 billion.The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) said it expects trains to begin running in 2030, a decade after the Golden State's initial goal.It's been a subject of contention between California and the Trump administration, which announced last month that it was pulling $4 billion in unspent federal funds from the project."To date, not one route is complete and the CHSRA Project is facing financial collapse, but now CHSRA is claiming they will begin service in Central Valley in 2032. Current cost estimates range from $89 billion to $128 billion," Comer wrote."Despite this, the Biden administration committed roughly $4 billion in federal taxpayer dollars to the CHSR Project, including almost $89.65 million dollars in the closing days of the administration."Comer also knocked the project's ridership and revenue estimates, citing reports that called projections "absurdly high" and "unrealistic.""The Authoritys apparent repeated use of misleading ridership projections, despite longstanding warnings from experts, raises serious questions about whether funds were allocated under false pretenses. Despite the massive cost overruns and lack of progress, CHSRA sued the FRA to prevent the termination of these funds, and the litigation is ongoing," Comer wrote.In a statement announcing a lawsuit over the $4 billion in blocked funds, Newsom called the move a "political stunt to punish California" and "a heartless attack" on jobs in the state's Central Valley area.Newsom also signed a law last month requiring the CHSRA to create a funding plan for the sector it's working on currently.His state budget calls for the high-speed rail project to receive $1 billion in funding each year for the next 20 years to finish its initial segment, according to ABC30.DOT has estimated the project to eventually cost $135 billion in total and dismissed it as a "boondoggle."GOP LAWMAKERS CLASH OVER STRATEGY TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CRISIS"This is Californias fault. Governor Newsom and the complicit Democrats have enabled this waste for years. Federal dollars are not a blank check they come with a promise to deliver results," Duffy said in a statement announcing the blockade on unspent federal funds last month.When reached for comment on Comer's probe, DOT spokesperson Nate Sizemore said the department was looking forward to working with House Republicans."Secretary Duffy thanks Chairman Comer for his leadership in investigating the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the agencys apparent use of misleading ridership metrics. The Department looks forward to fully cooperating with the Committees briefing and document requests. The American people deserve accountability for this boondoggle," Sizemore said.A spokesperson for the CHSRA told Fox News Digital the probe was a "baseless attempt to manufacture controversy around Americas largest and most complex infrastructure project.""The Authority has already addressed these recycled criticisms in its response to the FRAs compliance review supported by facts, noting the ridership critiques are 'nonsensical,' cherrypicked and out-of-date, and therefore misleading,'" the spokesperson said.Fox News Digital also reached out to Newsom's office for comment but did not immediately get a response.

Two Virginia teen students are being suspended after they were recorded on video questioning why a female student who identifies as male was in the boys locker room.The Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) is suspending the Stone Bridge High School students for 10 days following a Title IX investigation into the incident earlier this year, attorney Josh Heltzer, who represents the boys families, told 7News.Heltzer said that LCPS found the boys to be responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination in a case that has sparked a furious response from the boys' parents as well as Virginias attorney general, who has argued that the school agency's process was biased and retaliatory.PARENTS BLAST SCHOOL BOARD AS BOYS INVESTIGATED FOR COMPLAINING ABOUT TRANS STUDENT IN LOCKER ROOMHeltzer said the families were notified by LCPS on Friday of the decision. The school agency has not publicly announced the suspension. The punishment includes a no-contact order with the complainant, including not being able to be in any of the same classes. The boys are also required to meet with school administrators to determine a corrective action plan, according to Hetzler.Seth Wolfe, one of the boys' parents, told 7News that he was angered by the decision and said it was concerning development."[We're] saddened by the decision-making process and how that went," Wolfe said.Another parent, Renae Smith, was also furious and said she had already pulled her child out of the school and that the family had moved out of state."[We're] absolutely floored that they came back and branded my son responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination with no solid evidence whatsoever," Smith told 7News."We're talking about scarring him for life by a biased process that's supposed to protect fairness, but it's shocking. It's wrong, and it should terrify every single parent."Smith said she is concerned that the decision will follow her son because it will be on his permanent academic record and could impact his college applications.VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUPPORT FOR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS' RIGHTS IN GOVERNOR'S RACE SPOTLIGHTBoth Wolfe and Smith said that LCPS is sending a message that any student who expresses views that disagree with Policy 8040 will be punished. Policy 8040 is a controversial guideline adopted in 2021 that permits students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity rather than their biological sex."They're going to have to follow what Loudoun County says, what they believe is right, and what goes against other people's beliefs, or what we believe is right," said Wolfe."What they're doing to our children is just despicable," added Smith.Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyaresreferred LCPS to federal authorities, accusing the school agency of improperly targeting three male students not for misconduct, but for expressing discomfort about sharing a locker room with a member of the opposite sex, according to Fox 5 DC. It is unclear whether the third student will be suspended.Miyares said the footage did not show discriminatory or derogatory behavior, but rather the boys asking the student recording them to leave.The video was recorded by the trans student.While it is illegal to record inside locker rooms, an LCPS official confirmed toFox 5 DCin May that none of the boys appeared in compromising positions in the video and, therefore, it was determined that no privacy laws were violated.The LCPS told Fox News Digital that it does not publicly discuss private student matters. A spokesperson said that the school system "has a comprehensive and objective process for Title IX investigations."The Founding Freedoms Law Center, which has been representing the families in this case, said it will keep fighting the case until this determination is overturned."The Founding Freedoms Law Center is working with our clients on next steps, but we are not going to let these boys go down without a fight; we're going to stand with them all the way till they are innocent," Victoria Cobb, the president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, told 7News."Our clients have done nothing wrong and they deserve to be deemed innocent," Cobb said.The incident is not the first to draw national on LCPS. Itmade national headlines in 2021 when a fatherwas arrestedand hauled out of a board meeting for speaking out about the sexual assault of his daughter by a trans student at a local school.LCPS also spent $11 million on adding gender-neutral single-occupancy restrooms in nine schools in the district."We've seen time and time again that Loudoun County, if given the opportunity to do the right thing, will instead do the wrong thing," Cobb said."LCPS, once again, shows that it is willing to harm students in the name of woke ideology, while every student is harmed when they do things like deny federal funds to kids' education. These boys, in particular, are being made examples of what happens when someone crosses school indoctrination."

A Democratic state lawmaker spent the night on the Texas House floor, refusing a Republican-imposed police escort to prevent her and her Democratic colleagues from leaving the state again as the GOP looks to redraw congressional districts.Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier stayed on the House floor in the Texas Capitol on Monday night and Tuesday. The House is not set to convene again until Wednesday, when a vote on the maps is scheduled.Collier, who represents a minority-majority district in Fort Worth, said she "refuses to sign away her dignity," calling herself a political prisoner, FOX4 Dallas-Fort Worth reported.Democratic lawmakers at the state Capitol said Texas Department of Public Safety officers followed them around Monday, either guarded their offices or stayed in them, and tailed them when they left. They said they had to sign "permission slips" and accept the surveillance to leave the building.TEXAS STATE SENATE PASSES NEW REPUBLICAN DRAWN CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS HOUSE DEMS REMAIN ON THE LAMThis comes after a two-week-long standoff between Texas Republican leaders and dozens of members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who fled the state in efforts to deny the legislature the quorum necessary to pass a President Donald Trump-backed redistricting bill, which would potentially give the GOP five additional congressional seats.After the Democrats fled, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders vowed not to back down and threatened to remove them from office and have them arrested.TEXAS DEMS ALSO SKIPPED TOWN IN 2021 TO AVOID A VOTE, AND SEVERAL CAUGHT COVID-19 IN DCFor their part, the AWOL Democrats pledged not to return until another Democratic state moved to "nullify" Texas new Republican seats. The Democrats also vowed they would not return to Texas until the special legislative session, which the governor had called to pass the redistricting bill, as well as other priorities, had ended.The special session ended on Friday; however, Abbott called a second special session, which began immediately. The Texas Senate has already voted to pass the measure.Fox News Digitals Peter Pinedo and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new nationwide push to purge illegal immigrants from public health insurance programs on Tuesday.Under the new initiative, CMS will issue monthly enrollment reports to states that identify any Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees whose citizenship or immigration status cannot be confirmed through federal databases. These databases will include the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, among others. The first of those monthly reports was sent out Tuesday, CMS indicated in an announcement about the new initiative. Every single state will receive an individual report over the course of a month. Meanwhile, states will be expected to report back to CMS on the results of their verification reviews.'THAT ENDS NOW:' WHITE HOUSE VOWS REMOVAL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM TAXPAYER BENEFITS"We are tightening oversight of enrollment to safeguard taxpayer dollars and guarantee that these vital programs serve only those who are truly eligible under the law," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday."Every dollar misspent is a dollar taken away from an eligible, vulnerable individual in need of Medicaid and CHIP," added CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "This action underscores our unwavering commitment to program integrity, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and ensuring benefits are strictly reserved for those eligible under the law."Since President Donald Trump began his second term, the GOP president has taken several steps to ensure non-citizens are not accessing public benefits that are supposed to be reserved for American citizens.One of the first steps the second Trump administration took was an executive order issued by the president in February. The order directed federal agencies to identify programs currently allowing illegal immigrants to receive federal benefits and take necessary action to ensure non-residents are not obtaining taxpayer-funded benefits in violation of a law passed in 1996 called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.CONGRESSMAN CALLS ON NOEM, DR. OZ WITH PLAN TO 'SWIFTLY REMOVE' 1.4 MILLION ILLEGAL MIGRANTS ON MEDICAIDSeveral weeks later, the Department of Health and Human Services indicated it was widening the list of federal government-operated programs deemed to be public benefits. The move increased the number of programs from 31 to 44.Meanwhile, provisions in the highly contentious Republican spending package passed last month added new statutory obligations requiring states to more frequently check the eligibility of Medicaid enrollees at least twice per year.Earlier this month, a judge told Trump's Health and Human Services Department to stop sharing enrollee information with immigration authorities, after the administration began sharing this information to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with their deportation efforts.A coalition of more than 20 Democratic attorneys general, led by New York AG Letitia James, are suing the Trump administration over its new policies that require verification of immigrant status for participation in federally-funded programs."For decades, states like New York have built health, education, and family support systems that serve anyone in need," James said last month. "These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion. Now, the federal government is pulling that foundation out from under us overnight, jeopardizing cancer screenings, early childhood education, primary care, and so much more. This is a baseless attack on some of our countrys most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand."

Micah Parsons shared his wish to be traded from the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason, and speculation has since swirled, with many debating whether owner Jerry Jones will act amid the contract dispute.ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter believes that "divorce" is coming at some point."I see these two sides headed toward divorce in time," the veteran insider said on the latest episode of his "The Adam Schefter Podcast."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMParsons has been at the Cowboys training camp facility in Oxnard, Calif., but he has been watching practices from the sideline. And though hes been spotted next to Jones, the team owner and general manager, talks between the star edge rushers representatives and the Cowboys front office have not progressed at all."You cant get a deal done if youre not even talking," Schefter said. "And the two sides havent had any negotiations since last March or early April. It sounds like at this point its personal. It sounds like each side is dug in. The Cowboys have come out and said what they said publicly at the start of training camp, which Micah didnt like. Micah came out and asked to be traded, said he was ready to move on from Dallas, which Im sure they didnt like. Right now, both sides seem to be angry."MICAH PARSONS ISSUES 4-WORD RESPONSE AS CONTRACT DRAMA WITH COWBOYS CONTINUES"Have other people put those feelings aside in the past and figured out a way to work out a deal? Yeah. I dont see that happening here."Parsons was asked about contract talks this past week at training camp, where he simply said, "My mouth is closed."Jones said publicly he does not intend on trading Parsons despite his request, which he posted on social media."I would say to our fans, dont lose any sleep over this," Jones said, viathe Star-Telegram.That comment came after Parsons didnt just request a trade but also laid out his frustrations over how contract discussions have unfolded this offseason."Yes I wanted to be here. I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a Cowboy and wear the star on my helmet. I wanted to play in front of the best fans in sports and make this Americas team once againthe team my pops and I grew up cheering for way up in Harrisburg, PA. Unfortunately, I no longer want to be here," Parsons wrote in his post."I no longer want to be held to closed-door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization, our fans, and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me. I had purposely stayed quiet in hopes of getting something done."COWBOYS' JERRY JONES REMAINS CRYPTIC ON MICAH PARSONS' STATUS AFTER STAR'S TRADE REQUESTAs Schefter noted, there have been multiple times when deals were reached despite players publicly requesting trades. The Cleveland Browns did so earlier this offseason with star defensive end Myles Garrett.But until something changes, Schefter said he believes this situation is headed for a breakup."The only question is when is that divorce going to happen, and how is it going to happen," he said. "Are they going to trade him now? Are they going to trade him after this year? Are they going to move on? When? Thats the way it feels today, and well see if they do anything to change that before the regular season begins in a couple of weeks."Parsons is set to play this season on his fifth-year option, which the team picked up before the start of the 2024 campaign, at a value of $24 million. The Cowboys also have the option to franchise tag Parsons for two more seasons after 2025 if they cant reach a long-term deal.Jones has not definitively said Parsons will suit up for Dallas in Week 1 against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

HANNITY Fox News host discusses the commander-in-chief's 'commitment to peace' in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Continue watchingHUGH HEWITT Can President Trump deliver a ceasefire or even a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine? Continue readingHISTORY RESTORED Trump declares war on wokeand this beloved museum is in his crosshairs. Continue readingCRIME CITY TAKEOVER Trump is right to bring law and order back to DC. Continue readingBETRAYED Democrats like Zohran Mamdani claim to embrace young people. Theyre betraying them. Continue readingRAYMOND ARROYO Fox News contributor discusses Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at meeting with Trump. Continue watchingDNC CHAIR Are you better off since Donald Trump took office? Continue readingSPIRITUAL AWAKENING Gen Z embraces the Bible. Continue readingMAX LUCADO A baby in the airport taught me everything about God's peace in a storm. Continue readingCARTOON OF THE DAY Check out all of our political cartoons

After Mondays White House meetings between President Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, the question remains: is Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to sit down face-to-face with the Ukrainian leader and on what terms?Trump said he had personally called Putin to begin arranging a meeting. The Kremlin, by contrast, offered a more ambiguous response, acknowledging the idea had surfaced but refusing to confirm whether Moscow would accept.For Putin, any such encounter would carry more weight as theater than diplomacy. "Putin would not like to meet Zelensky because he does not even recognize Ukrainian sovereignty," Ivana Stradner, Russia expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital. "The only way that he can be in the room with Zelensky is if Trump facilitates, because Putin wants to show that Russia is equal to the United States We are giving him that pleasure to feed his population about so-called Russian greatness."Ambassador Kurt Volker, who served as U.S. envoy to Ukraine in the first Trump administration, agreed that the Kremlin is unlikely to budge without concessions. "Putin is unlikely to accept such a meeting if his pre-conditions are not met," he said.TRUMP CALLS WHITE HOUSE TALKS 'VERY GOOD, EARLY STEP' TOWARD RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE: HERE'S WHAT'S NEXTThose conditions are formidable. The Kremlin has already rejected NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine, while Zelenskyy and European leaders have ruled out surrendering territory. Stradner warned that Putins strategy is to test the Wests resolve. "Eventually, Putin would challenge Western soldiers on the ground," Stradner said. "I doubt, as things are today, that any of the Western nations, except maybe the Baltic States or Poland, would be willing to send their kids to die for Ukraine. And Putin knows this."The Russian leader, she added, has been emboldened by weak Western responses in the past. She pointed to the 2023 clashes in Kosovo, when ethnic Serbians attacked NATO peacekeepers, injuring 90. "What did NATO do? Nothing," Stradner said. "That was round one. And round two is on the horizon."Volker, however, struck a more pragmatic tone. He noted that while Putin may posture at the negotiating table, Russia is grappling with battlefield supply line disruptions and a faltering economy. "The real issue will be what happens to Russian supply lines, increasingly targeted by Ukraine, and the Russian economy, which is faltering," Volker said. "I still expect Putin to go along with a ceasefire in place by the end of the year."The White House has tried to box Putin in, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisting Tuesday that "he has" agreed to the meeting. "Both leaders have expressed a willingness to sit down with each other," she said. Still, analysts caution that Moscows word is far from binding.BACK FROM ALASKA, TRUMP STARTS WEEK WITH CRUCIAL FOREIGN POLICY TALKS OVER UKRAINE WARRussias foreign minister signaled that a summit was not impossible, but hedged that "any contacts involving top officials should be prepared very carefully." He also reiterated longstanding Kremlin demands that Kyiv roll back laws Moscow claims limit the rights of Russian speakers.Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said a meeting would mark a shift but not a breakthrough. "So far theres no clarity, at least in the public space, that the Kremlin is serious about meeting," she told Fox News Digital. "Even if it still would not necessarily get us closer to an actual agreement, it would signal some willingness toward not trying to avoid provoking or annoying President Trump."Snegovaya added that Putins calculus is rooted in caution. "For over 25 years of his rule, Putin generally avoids attacking a stronger side. He usually goes after the weaker party Georgia, Syria, Chechnya. I think he would be cautious about going after the will of the European allies, especially if a strong retaliation is promised."Putin's "fear" of Trump one last lifeline to end the war, according to Stradner."He does not trust Europe, he does not respect Europe. When it comes to the US, he despises the United States, but he fears Trump, because Trump is an unpredictable leader, and that's that's a nightmare for Putin."