14 h. ago JD Vance’s ‘British Sherpa’ claims UK has more free speech offences than Putin’s Russia

A Cambridge University professor whom JD Vance described as his "British Sherpa" has claimed that "more people have got into trouble in the UK for free speech offences" than in Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Politics

15 h. ago Trump must realise Putin is obstacle to peace, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian president says he will travel to Turkey on Thursday whether or not Russian leader flies in for talksVolodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes the current period of frantic diplomacy and high-stakes gambits between Russia and Ukraine will end with Donald Trump understanding that Vladimir Putin is the real obstacle to a peace deal.“Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies. And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process,” said Zelenskyy, speaking to a small group of journalists, including the Guardian, in his office at the presidential administration in Kyiv. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Putin mocks the West's 'moron' leaders for hitting Russia with sanctions and 'tipping their own countries into recession'

Western leaders have lined up to warn the Russian President that his country will face yet more sanctions if he fails to engage in peace talks in Turkey.

Politics

19 h. ago European economist says Russia's economy is strained due to the Ukraine war and sanctions

A leading economist has been telling EU finance ministers that Russia’s economy is under growing strain as its invasion of Ukraine drags on

Events

20 h. ago Zelenskyy to wait for Putin in Turkey, saying: ‘If he does not arrive, he does not want to end war’ – Europe live

Ukrainian president to meet Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday and wait to see if Putin joins themGérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021.Depardieu, France’s biggest film star, who has made more than 200 films and TV series, is the highest-profile figure in the French film industry to be convicted of sexual assault since the #MeToo movement. Continue reading...

Politics

25 h. ago Russia 'will destroy you all and your cities will burn' threatens Putin's pal

Mad Vlad stooge Vladimir Solovyov told viewers of his Russian state TV talk show 'man was created for war and a Russian man was created for victory' after the stark warning

Events

33 h. ago The mystery electric substation fires that 'bear the hallmarks of Russian sabotage': How spate of suspicious blazes are 'straight out of playbook' of Putin's GRU spy wing

EXCLUSIVE: A mysterious spate of electrical substation infernos that have swept across the UK could potentially be the work of Russian saboteurs, a British spymaster has hinted.

Politics

42 h. ago Spies for Russia embedded in the UK jailed for more than 50 years over operations for Putin

Six spies have been jailed over espionage activities

Politics

43 h. ago Ukraine’s allies pile pressure on Putin to join Zelensky for peace talks

The Foreign Secretary hosted his counterparts from from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU on Monday to discuss Ukraine.

Politics

45 h. ago Kremlin says ‘ultimatums’ on Ukraine ceasefire are unacceptable as EU says Russia must respond by end of day – Europe live

Europe warns the ‘clock is ticking’ and threatens new sanctions against Moscow if it does not agree to unconditional 30-day ceasefirePope Leo then says that one of the most important challenges he sees is how to “promote communication that can bring us out of the Tower of Babel in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.”Curiously, he then turns to artificial intelligence, which he hails its “immense potential,” but also warns that it “requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” Continue reading...

Events

47 h. ago ‘The clock is ticking’: Germany says Russia must respond to ceasefire offer by end day or face sanctions – Europe live

European leaders say Russia must to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine Pope Leo then says that one of the most important challenges he sees is how to “promote communication that can bring us out of the Tower of Babel in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.”Curiously, he then turns to artificial intelligence, which he hails its “immense potential,” but also warns that it “requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” Continue reading...

Events

49 h. ago Ukrainians tell Putin ‘we don’t trust you’ ahead of Russia peace talks

Ukrainian residents have voiced scepticism at Vladimir Putin’s proposed direct peace talks with Kyiv.

Politics

49 h. ago European foreign ministers demand peace in Ukraine as Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet him – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief accuses Moscow of ‘playing games’ and insists peace talks cannot take place with Ukraine ‘under fire’Pope Leo then says that one of the most important challenges he sees is how to “promote communication that can bring us out of the Tower of Babel in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.”Curiously, he then turns to artificial intelligence, which he hails its “immense potential,” but also warns that it “requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” Continue reading...

Politics

50 h. ago Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet him for peace talks after Trump and European leaders increase pressure – Europe live

Ukrainian and Russian presidents have not communicated directly since Moscow launched invasion And the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is speaking now, and she’s striking a very similar tone, pointedly referring to over 100 Russian drones reportedly targeting Ukraine overnight.“We have to put pressure on Russia to really want peace and to sit down and to talk with Ukraine,” she says, accusing Moscow of “playing games.” Continue reading...

Politics

64 h. ago Huge Putin and Zelenskyy showdown date set – it could end Russia

In a sudden update on the war between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced his hopes that a ceasefire will be announced as early as tomorrow, after Turkey chat

Politics

64 h. ago Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet in person for peace talks

Ukrainian president proposes face-to-face meeting after Russian leader suggests he is open to talks in TurkeyUkraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has challenged Vladimir Putin to meet in person for peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday and urged Russia to accept a 30-day truce, in a dramatic turn after a weekend of diplomatic flurry.His comments came after the US president, Donald Trump, pressured him to agree “immediately” to Putin’s offer of negotiations this week with Russia, but upped the stakes by suggesting the enemies meet “personally”. Continue reading...

Politics

64 h. ago Russia Ukraine ceasefire 'hours away' as Zelensky makes 'personal' Putin vow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be waiting 'personally' for his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after the latter called for the resumption of direct talks

Politics

3 d. ago Putin savages Ukraine with drone attack hours after announcing Istanbul 'peace talks' that Trump called a 'potentially great day'

The Kremlin dictator appeared to seek to set a trap for Volodymyr Zelensky as he unleashed Shahed kamikaze planes at Ukraine's capital city and other regions.

Politics

3 d. ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy welcomes Putin calls for talks but says Russia must agree to ‘full, lasting, reliable’ ceasefire

In late-night address in Moscow, Russian president dismissed calls by European leaders for 30-day ceasefire to start on MondayVladimir Putin’s proposal for “direct talks” with Kyiv came hours after leaders from the UK, France, Germany and Poland travelled to Kyiv to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy.As my colleague Shaun Walker notes in this story, the European leaders told the Russian president to sign up to an unconditional ceasefire by Monday or face increased sanctions and weapons transfers to Ukraine.It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war.The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire. There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Trump hails a 'potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine' after Putin proposed peace talks following ceasefire ultimatum

Last night the Russian President called for direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, saying the two countries should aim to achieve 'peace'.

Politics