Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Putin tests limits of Trump’s patience in ceasefire talksPresident Trump is expressing increased frustration with Russian Pre sident Vladimir Putin, whose shifting demands in negotiations with Ukraine have drawn out ceasefire talks.© Getty Putin’s demands on Friday for new leadership in Ukraine prompted Trump to issue a rare rebuke of the Russian leader, threatening sanctions on Russian oil exports if Moscow does not demonstrate more flexibility in talks with Kyiv. “If I think they’re tapping us along, I will not be happy about it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, referring to Putin.  Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, who played golf with Trump on Saturday, said he suggested to the president to lay out April 20, the Easter holiday, as a deadline for Putin to agree to ceasefire terms that Kyiv has already accepted — or face costs.  “I do think that the president of the United States is a very skillful negotiator, and he’s trying to find the right balance,” Stubb said in an interview with Sky News.  Trump told NBC News on Sunday that he expects to speak with Putin this week, adding he was “pissed off” and “angry” over the Russian leader questioning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy, because it moved talks in the wrong direction.   Trump and Putin last spoke by phone on March 18.   Ukraine has backed U.S. proposals for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, more limited proposals for a ceasefire on energy infrastructure and a deal to limit attacks in the Black Sea.   However, Russia’s negotiators during talks in Saudi Arabia last week placed various demands on any deal, calling on the U.S. to help lift sanctions on Russian banks and promote Russian fertilizer and agriculture on the world market.   Read the full report at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: Greenland’s new prime minister: U.S. ‘will not get’ islandGreenland’s new prime minister wants President Trump to back off talks about the U.S. taking over the arctic island, after Vice President Vance’s recent visit and Trump’s latest claim that the U.S. will “get Greenland … 100 percent.” “Let me be clear: The United States will not get that,” Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who was sworn in on Friday, said in a social media post Sunday. “We …  Full Story   Pentagon to review physical standards for military combat jobsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a 60-day review of physical standards for military combat roles to ensure female troops are not being given exceptions for the physically challenging jobs, according to a new memo. 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We hit them every day and night — Harder and harder,” Trump said on …  Full Story   Putin open to contacts after Trump criticism: KremlinRussian President Vladimir Putin says he’s open to staying in touch with the White House after critical comments from the U.S. president toward Russia’s leader, which have been rare amid his efforts to get peace talks rolling. Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, suggesting he may not be a legitimate leader and would therefore be unable to represent Ukraine in peace talks. President …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  Lt. 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Alvin Holsey, head of U.S. Southern Command, will testify before the House Armed Services Committee on current challenges and the fiscal 2026 budget request at 10 a.m.The Middle East Institute will hold a virtual discussion on “Gaza’s Cease-Fire Shattered: What Role Can the Arab World Play?” at 10:30 a.m. The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies will have an online talk on “The Case of Mahmoud Khalil: Free Speech or National Security?” at 11 a.m. The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hear from outside experts on “Countering the Iranian Regime’s Malign Activities” at 2 p.m.  The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a virtual conversation on “Chinese Advances in Space Weaponization” at 2 p.m.   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: ‘Should I fire him?’ Inside Trump’s deliberations over the fate of Michael Waltz (The New York Times) American veterans fighting in Ukraine struggle with the politics of abandonment (Military.com) In Lithuania, 3 US soldiers found dead in an armored vehicle. 1 is still missing. (The Associated Press) Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Luna accuses House Freedom Caucus of smear; exits group over parental proxy voting battle Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced Monday that she is leaving the House Freedom Caucus amid her battle with GOP leadership and hard-line Republicans … Read more Joe Rogan: ‘Horrific’ that innocent people could be swept up in El Salvador deportations Podcaster Joe Rogan said it’s “horrific” that innocent people could be getting swept up in the Trump administration’s effort to deport gang members … Read more  Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: How loose lips and fingertips sink war plansSignalgate shows the importance of the ‘one standard’ rule Was the Atlantic’s Goldberg wrong in not immediately leaving the chat?   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. 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