5 h. ago It’s the liberal German dilemma: Merz is anathema, but he might stand up to Trump | John Kampfner

Amid the gloom, the truth is dawning: the country faces hard political choices, and needs a more muscular approach to defence Donald Trump and his lieutenants have done Germans an enormous favour. Perilously late in the day, the US president and special envoy to the Kremlin has alerted Germany and the rest of Europe that there is one fault line, and one alone, between democracy and autocracy. All other political issues facing the country pale into insignificance.It seems that Friedrich Merz gets it, even if many in his country still don’t. Since winning Sunday’s election, the Christian Democrat (CDU) chancellor-elect has used every opportunity to warn of the dangers of the Trumpian new world order. He has not sought to provide reassurance, something that Germans tend to crave from their politicians. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Healey suggests defence spending increase ‘something over £6bn’, not £13.4bn

It comes after the PM told the Commons: ‘Let me spell it out, that means spending £13.4 billion more on defence every year from 2027.’

Economics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer has ‘very tough hand’ to play in Trump meeting, John Kerry warns

Former British ambassador to the US also warns PM that trip to Washington will be ‘very challenging’

Events

4 d. ago Thousands descend on London in protest against Trump’s Ukraine peace talks

The demonstration comes amid fears Ukraine is being frozen out of peace talks between Moscow and US President Donald Trump.

Politics

4 d. ago Protesters say ‘don’t betray Ukraine’ as thousands march on Russian embassy

The demonstration comes amid fears Ukraine is being frozen out of peace talks between Moscow and US President Donald Trump.

Events

6 d. ago Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for allegedly failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US

US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this weekVance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US and EuropePeople in the US: share your views on Trump’s Russia-Ukraine approachFormer US state secretary John Kerry said “the basic playing field for making peace in Ukraine is there,” as he rejected Donald Trump’s suggestions that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war with Russia and dismissed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s logic for invasion as “lies.”Speaking at a London conference organised by the consultancy Brand Finance, Kerry, who served as the US state secretary in Barack Obama’s Democratic administration, said this:Putin individually decided, contrary to what Donald Trump said yesterday or day before, to invade Ukraine. He wants it back. He said different motives expressed at different times, that it was Nazis taking over the country, and he had to go in to root out the N...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US

US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this weekVance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US and EuropePeople in the US: share your views on Trump’s Russia-Ukraine approachFormer US state secretary John Kerry said “the basic playing field for making peace in Ukraine is there,” as he rejected Donald Trump’s suggestions that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war with Russia and dismissed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s logic for invasion as “lies.”Speaking at a London conference organised by the consultancy Brand Finance, Kerry, who served as the US state secretary in Barack Obama’s Democratic administration, said this:Putin individually decided, contrary to what Donald Trump said yesterday or day before, to invade Ukraine. He wants it back. He said different motives expressed at different times, that it was Nazis taking over the country, and he had to go in to root out the N...

Politics

6 d. ago Reeves ‘absolutely committed’ to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said an increase in spending in line with what Labour promised in its manifesto will be done ‘in the proper way’.

Politics

6 d. ago Watch: UK defence secretary John Healey holds press conference after Trump’s Zelensky row

Watch as UK defence secretary John Healey held a press conference on Thursday (20 February) following Donald Trump’s false claims labelling Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator”.

Politics

6 d. ago UK defence secretary compares Zelensky to Churchill in response to Trump’s dictator attack

UK defence secretary John Healey compared Volodymyr to Winston Churchill after Donald Trump claimed that the Ukrainian leader was a “dictator”.

Politics

6 d. ago Healey compares Zelensky to Churchill with no wartime elections

John Healey said that he had seen Mr Zelensky’s ‘commitment to his country’.

Politics

6 d. ago Watch live: UK defence secretary John Healey holds press conference after Trump’s Zelensky row

Watch live as UK defence secretary John Healey holds a press conference on Thursday (20 February) following Donald Trump’s false claims labelling Volodymy Zelensky a “dictator”.

Politics

6 d. ago These Republican senators have broken away from Trump after controversial Ukraine post

Senate Republicans balked at Trump’s anti-Ukraine rhetoric after the president took aim at Zelensky in an unhinged social media post

Politics

7 d. ago Healey warns against ‘jeopardising the peace by forgetting about the war’

Defence Secretary John Healey visited what he called ‘Nato’s front line’ in the Finnmark region of Norway on Wednesday.

Events

7 d. ago ‘Maximum pressure’ on Putin urged amid war of words between Trump and Zelensky

Donald Trump called Volodymyr Zelensky a ‘dictator’ who ‘refuses to have elections’.

Politics

7 d. ago We must not jeopardise peace, Healey says after Trump blames Ukraine for war

The Defence Secretary urged allies to put ‘maximum pressure’ on Vladimir Putin.

Politics

7 d. ago Zelensky says Trump in ‘disinformation space’ after claim that Kyiv started war

The US president also said he was ‘disappointed’ that the Ukrainian leader had complained about being left out of talks.

Politics

8 d. ago Minister says UK will ‘play part’ in Ukraine security as Trump blames Kyiv

Dame Diana Johnson said the UK has a ‘vested interest’ in ensuring that the country is involved in talks over its future.

Politics

8 d. ago Defence Secretary to meet Norwegian counterpart amid security turmoil in Europe

John Healey’s trip comes amid American calls for Nato allies to ramp up defence spending.

Events

9 d. ago Healey: Decisions made in weeks ahead will define world security for generation

The Defence Secretary said details of a US security guarantee for Ukraine are ‘being developed’ as US and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia.

Events