21 h. ago No 10 defends Starmer’s language on immigration likened to Enoch Powell speech

Downing Street says it is wrong to compare PM’s warning about ‘island of strangers’ to 1968 ‘rivers of blood’ speechDowning Street has robustly defended Keir Starmer’s language on immigration, which has been likened to that used by Enoch Powell, rejecting the direct comparison but saying the prime minister would not “shy away” from direct talk about the subject.A series of MPs criticised Starmer for his rhetoric when introducing a new policy paper on immigration on Monday, particularly his warning that the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers”, a near-direct echo of language used by Powell in his infamous 1968 “rivers of blood” speech. Continue reading...

Politics

53 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

53 h. ago Israel vows NO ceasefire or Palestinian prisoner release in return for US hostage being freed as Netanyahu warns fighting will be 'intensified' in Gaza

The militant group said it would release Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli soldier held in Gaza, later today as it engages in direct ceasefire talks with Washington.

Events

67 h. ago Hamas announces it will release another hostage as it's revealed terror group are in direct talks with Trump administration amid cautious hope of progress towards Middle East peace plan

The terrorist group hopes the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander will pave the way to reopening crossings and allow humanitarian aid back into Gaza.

Events

68 h. ago President Zelensky offers to meet Putin in Turkey after Trump demands they negotiate an end to war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin “personally” in Turkey on Thursday, after Trump insisted Ukraine agree to talks with Russia.

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69 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

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3 d. ago Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine is 'ready to meet' as he welcomes Vladimir Putin's calls for peace talks

Mr Zelensky was speaking after Vladimir Putin effectively rejected a ceasefire proposal but instead called for the resumption of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15.

Politics

3 d. ago Ukraine ready to meet Russia but only if ceasefire agreed, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian president open to direct talks after Putin suggests negotiations in Turkey on ThursdayUkraine war live – latest updatesUkraine is open to direct talks with Russia later this week but only if Moscow signs up to an unconditional ceasefire first, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, responding to Vladimir Putin’s overnight suggestion of negotiations in Turkey.“There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet,” Ukraine’s president said in a post on X on Sunday morning. Continue reading...

Events

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

3 d. ago Putin offers new peace talks as West demands ceasefire and threatens sanctions

Vladimir Putin has proposed restarting direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week, but stopped short of agreeing to a Western-backed ceasefire due to begin on Monday.

Events

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

Vladimir Putin has given his response to a proposal from Ukraine and its allies for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, with the Russian President making a significant announcement

Politics

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

4 d. ago Ukraine war live: Macron calls for ‘direct talks’ between Russia and Ukraine as European leaders arrive in Kyiv

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Vance says Russia asking ‘too much’ in ceasefire talks with Ukraine

Trump says ‘it’s possible that’s right’ about the vice-president’s remarks amid frustrations with RussiaJD Vance has said that Russia is asking for “too much” in its negotiations with Ukraine in the latest sign of growing frustration from Washington with ceasefire talks to end the war between the two countries.Speaking at a security conference of senior military and diplomatic leaders in Washington, the US vice-president said that the White House is focused on getting the two sides to hold direct talks and is ready to walk away if certain benchmarks are not reached. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Putin wants Zelensky to make first move on direct talks, says Kremlin as Trump claims Kyiv will give up Crimea

The US president has urged Russia to stop firing missiles into civilian areas of Ukraine after a string of deadly attacks

Politics

2 w. ago Trump blames Obama over Crimea as he claims Zelensky ready to give up territory

Donald Trump has claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea to Vladimir Putin after the pair met on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral over the weekend.

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2 w. ago Trump says he 'thinks' Ukraine is ready to 'give up' Crimea and tells Putin to 'stop shooting' after US president's meeting with Zelensky at Pope Francis funeral

The comments came after the pair met on the sidelines of Pope Francis ' funeral on Saturday, their first face-to-face since the disastrous White House summit in February.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump claims Zelensky ready to give up Crimea after meeting at Pope Francis’ funeral

Donald Trump has claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea to Vladimir Putin after the pair met on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral over the weekend.

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2 w. ago Russia says all Ukrainian troops have left the Kursk region as Zelenskyy meets Trump at Vatican

All Ukrainian troops have been forced from Russia’s Kursk region, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Saturday

Politics