5 h. ago Putin blasts West’s ‘moron’ leaders for hitting Russia with sanctions

Vladimir Putin blasted the West’s “moron” leaders for threatening Russia with new sanctions if he refuses to meet Volodymyr Zelensky for ceasefire negotiations on Thursday.

Politics

23 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

24 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

35 h. ago EU readies capital controls and tariffs to safeguard Russia sanctions

Alternative legal options explored to circumvent Hungarian veto

Events

37 h. ago European officials pledge support for Ukraine, new Russia sanctions at London summit

European officials pledge support for Ukraine, new Russia sanctions at London summit  The Kyiv Independent

Politics

52 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

3 d. ago Putin calls for 'direct talks' with Ukraine to make 'lasting, strong peace' in rare late

In a rare late-night TV address on Sunday, he said Russia was proposing direct talks with Ukraine in an attempt 'to achieve the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace'.

Politics

5 d. ago Keir Starmer unleashes new sanctions onslaught on Russia to starve Putin's war machine

Keir Starmer is expected to confirm plans to sanction up to 100 oil tankers responsible for carrying more than $24 billion worth of cargo since the start of 2024

Politics

5 d. ago UK announces fresh wave of Russia sanctions ahead of military coalition meeting

Officials have said the Government will take action against up to 100 oil tankers that have been carrying cargo in defiance of sanctions.

Events

6 d. ago Renfrewshire MP sanctioned after launching report into Ukraine's stolen children

Johanna Baxter - who has witnessed first-hand the loss and devastation of Ukrainian families - says she will not stop campaigning for them after being sanctioned by Russia.

Politics

1 week ago EU readies ‘plan B’ should Trump walk away from Ukraine talks

Top diplomat Kaja Kallas says Europe can maintain sanctions on Russia if Washington starts lifting its own

Events

2 w. ago Russia has offered a short ceasefire in Ukraine – but here’s what Putin really wants | Andriy Yermak

As part of the price for peace, Moscow would like sanctions on Russian airlines lifted. That’s no surprise: they’re vital to the Kremlin’s war machineOn Monday, the Kremlin offered a three-day pause in hostilities against Ukraine in May, to coincide with Moscow’s celebrations of the end of the second world war. In a context where Ukraine is calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, and the US a permanent one, Russia wants concessions before a lasting pause or permanent peace can even be discussed. Central to the Kremlin’s demands is the removal of sanctions – especially those restricting its aviation sector.We must be cautious not to make concessions prematurely, under the guise of quick progress. The short pause offered would not make a meaningful difference to the war, and accepting it would enable a regime that has repeatedly shown intent to prolong its war of aggression and undermine this chance for a just, fair and lasting peace.Andriy Yermak is head of the Ukrainian presi...

Politics

2 w. ago Putin's Kremlin mouthpiece mocks Donald Trump and insists 'the war will go on and on'

TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov has slammed Donald Trump for threatening Russia with sanctions if Putin fails to go ahead with a ceasefire. He said Russia has more work to do

Politics

2 w. ago Trump doubts Putin’s willingness to end Ukraine war after Vatican meeting with Zelensky — and threatens further sanctions

President says Russian leader ‘just tapping me along and has to be dealt with differently’

Politics

2 w. ago UK restricts export of video game controllers to Russia amid use to pilot drones

Some 150 new trade sanctions against Russia have been introduced by the UK, aimed at choking off the Kremlin’s war effort.

Events

3 w. ago Russia bans and sanctions four Scottish MPs for 'outright rudeness'

The Russian Government announced on Wednesday that 15 MPs and six members of the House of Lords had been sanctioned over "hostile statements and unfounded accusations".

Politics

3 w. ago Sanctioned Russia and Belarusian wood being smuggled into UK, study suggests

‘Chemical fingerprint’ shows 46% of wood samples certified as sustainable did not come from labelled country of originNearly half of birch wood certified by leading sustainability schemes is misidentified and does not come from the labelled country of origin, according to new testing. The analysis raises fears that large quantities of sanctioned wood from Russia and Belarus are still illegally entering Britain.New research by World Forest ID, a consortium of research organisations that includes Kew Gardens and the World Resources Institute, scrutinised the accuracy of dozens of harvesting-origin claims on birch products, which had almost entirely been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) sustainability schemes. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Sanctioned Russian and Belarusian wood being smuggled into UK, study suggests

‘Chemical fingerprint’ shows 46% of wood samples certified as sustainable did not come from labelled country of originNearly half of birch wood certified by leading sustainability schemes is misidentified and does not come from the labelled country of origin, according to new testing. The analysis raises fears that large quantities of sanctioned wood from Russia and Belarus are still illegally entering Britain.New research by World Forest ID, a consortium of research organisations that includes Kew Gardens and the World Resources Institute, scrutinised the accuracy of dozens of harvesting-origin claims on birch products, which had almost entirely been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) sustainability schemes. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Sanctioned Russian and Belarusian wood smuggled into UK, study suggests

‘Chemical fingerprint’ shows 46% of wood samples certified as sustainable did not come from labelled country of originNearly half of birch wood certified by leading sustainability schemes is misidentified and does not come from the labelled country of origin, according to new testing. The analysis raises fears that large quantities of sanctioned wood from Russia and Belarus are still illegally entering Britain.New research by World Forest ID, a consortium of research organisations that includes Kew Gardens and the World Resources Institute, scrutinised the accuracy of dozens of harvesting-origin claims on birch products, which had almost entirely been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) sustainability schemes. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv sanctions three Chinese companies accused of helping Russia

The companies are believed to have helped produce Iskander missiles used by Russia in the conflict; Trump says he could soon ‘pass’ on peace talks. What we know on day 1,151Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updates Continue reading...

Events