3 d. ago Zelenskyy employs strategic optimism to highlight Russia’s abundant bad faith

Ukrainian president has learned Trump’s team demand positivity and there is little point in trying to ‘inject reality’At a press briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday, explaining where initial US-brokered peace negotiations had got to, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, struck a notably different tone. Long gone is the tetchiness on display in London in the aftermath of the Ukrainian leader’s catastrophic trip to the White House. In its place was a degree of optimism so high that it could only be interpreted as political positioning.Though he complained about comments made by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, that four Ukrainian regions wholly or partly occupied by Russia consisted of people who wanted Moscow’s rule in an “overwhelming majority” – these were “in line with the messages of the Kremlin”, Zelenskyy said – he insisted that had advantages too. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago ANDREW NEIL: There's only one grim conclusion from the latest Saudi talks: Trump isn't pursuing a just peace for Ukraine

It is not often one interview causes deep anxiety in Kyiv and general dismay across Europe's major capitals. But Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's envoy to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, managed it.

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer praises ‘good relationship’ with Trump hours before US envoy slams PM’s peace plan

Labour prime minister made the comments before Steve Witkoff described his strategy as based on a ‘simplistic’ notion

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer praises ‘good relationship’ with Trump hours before US envoy slams peace plan

Labour prime minister made the comments before Steve Witkoff described his strategy as based on a ‘simplistic’ notion

Politics

8 d. ago MPs' outrage over 'out of his depth' Donald Trump envoy who 'regurgitates Putin propaganda' about Ukraine

Steve Witkoff was labelled 'a disgrace' and 'out of his depth' over his comments about Ukraine giving up its territory.

Politics

1 week ago US man released after being held by Taliban for more than two years

George Glezmann was abducted more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan as a touristUS politics live – latest updatesA US man who was abducted more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist has been released by the Taliban in a deal brokered by Donald Trump’s hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, and Qatari negotiators.George Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, is the third American detainee to be released by the Taliban since January. He was seized by the Taliban’s intelligence services in December 2022 and was designated by the US government as wrongfully detained the following year. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump administration briefing: US president to speak to Putin this week; Democrats train fire on Musk

Russian president ‘accepts the philosophy’ of US’s Ukraine ceasefire terms, says US envoy; Musk’s popularity falls – key US politics stories from Sunday at a glanceUS president Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that he expected the US president to speak with Vladimir Putin this week, adding that the Russian president “accepts the philosophy” of Trump’s ceasefire and peace terms.Witkoff told CNN that discussions with Putin over several hours last week were “positive” and “solution-based”. He declined to confirm when asked whether Putin’s demands included the surrender of Ukrainian forces in Kursk; international recognition of Ukrainian territory seized by Russia as Russian; limits on Ukraine’s ability to mobilise; a halt to western military aid; and a ban on foreign peacekeepers. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Marco Rubio says South Africa’s ambassador to US is ‘no longer welcome’

US secretary of state accuses Ebrahim Rasool of being a ‘race-baiting politician who hates America’ and Donald TrumpThe United States is in effect expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, with secretary of state Marco Rubio accusing the envoy of hating the country and President Donald Trump.“South Africa’s ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” Rubio posted on X on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump's fixer forced to wait eight hours to see Putin in humiliating 'power play'

Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the proposed 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine - but was reportedly made to wait eight hours first

Politics

2 w. ago Kremlin says ‘much to be done’ on Ukraine ceasefire deal as Zelenskyy warns Putin will manipulate plan – Europe live

Russia says there are reasons to be ‘cautiously optimistic’ and said there is an understanding talks are needed between Vladimir Putin and Donald TrumpThe Kremlin said there were “reasons to be cautiously optimistic” in discussion on ceasefire, but “there is still much to be done," in further discussions between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.Speaking after last night’s visit of US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “when Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation (between Trump and Putin).” Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Ukraine war latest: Trump says Russia will do ‘right thing’ after Putin sets out tough conditions for ceasefire

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the ceasefire

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says ‘manipulative’ Putin wants to reject ceasefire but is afraid to tell Trump

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the ceasefire

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine war latest: Trump hopes Russia ‘does the right thing’ after Putin says ‘lots of questions’ on ceasefire

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the ceasefire

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine war latest: Putin supports idea of ceasefire but has ‘lots of questions’ ahead of meeting with Trump envoy

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow tonight, Russian media reports

Politics

3 w. ago Donald Trump's envoy claims Ukrainians 'brought it on themselves' after US cuts aid

Ukraine had been given "fair warning" by the White House before Donald Trump suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, according to retired Lt General Keith Kellogg

Politics

4 w. ago Zelensky should give in to Trump and commit to ceasefire before Putin, says Mandelson in clash with No 10

The UK’s envoy in Washington said Ukraine must sign Donald Trump’s minerals deal and declare a ceasefire in its war against Russia

Politics