2 h. ago Russia blames 'treacherous' Britain for 'instigating' both world wars in scathing verbal attack after expelling two UK diplomats for 'spying'

The shocking statement from Russia's foreign intelligence service said the UK 'sees a threat to its interests in the promotion of dialogue between the US and Russia' regarding Ukraine

Events

8 h. ago Russia expels British diplomat and spouse of another days after Moscow spies convicted in London court

The timing of the expulsions raises suspicions of a tit-for-tat move by the Kremlin

Politics

5 d. ago Playing the victim: how Trump’s clash with Zelenskyy paved the way for the suspension of military aid | Lilie Chouliaraki

Who is really suffering from this conflict? We are, said the US president, in a move straight from the populist playbookDuring a dramatic Oval Office meeting last Friday, US president Donald Trump confronted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a move that upended the long-established narrative of Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim.In the conversation, which quickly escalated into a tense exchange, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war with Russia by refusing to engage in peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin. His rhetoric suggested that Ukraine, not Russia, was responsible for escalating the conflict and that the US had unfairly borne the burden of Ukraine’s resistance. Trump constructed a new hierarchy of suffering, one in which the US emerged as the primary victim, Ukraine as the source of its burdens and Russia as innocent of blame.Lilie Chouliaraki is professor of media and communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and...

Events

1 week ago US joins North Korea, Russia and Belarus at UN in refusing to blame Putin for Ukraine war

US president Donald Trump also refused to call Russian president Vladimir Putin a dictator

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump's defence chief refuses to say Russia started Ukraine war

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refused to outright say that Russia started the war in Ukraine, days after Donald Trump falsely blamed Kyiv for sparking the conflict

Politics

2 w. ago Trump’s Middle East envoy blames Ukraine for war with Russia; Musk’s ultimatum to federal workers faces backlash: Live

Several agency leaders, including Trump allies, told employees to ignore Musk’s latest request

Politics

2 w. ago Boris Johnson says Trump only aims to shock Europe over claims Ukraine started war with Putin

The former PM said Trump’s claims were designed to ‘shock Europeans into action’

Politics

2 w. ago Trump lavished with praise by Kremlin after blaming Ukraine for war: ‘He understands our position’

Leaders in Moscow praised Trump for called Zelensky a ‘dictator’ and blaming Ukraine for the war

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump's arrogant speech tactic in Zelensky rant as he talks about himself like 'superhero'

Donald Trump's major pivot away from supporting Ukraine has raised eyebrows across Europe after the Republican president appeared to blame the country for being invaded by Russia

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer digs at Donald Trump in Volodymyr Zelensky call after wild 'dictator' claims

Sir Keir Starmer has talked to Volodymyr Zelensky after Donald Trump claimed he was a 'dictator' and that Ukraine was to blame for the conflict with Russia

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer hits back at Donald Trump in Zelensky call after wild 'dictator' claims

The British Prime Minister has talked to Volodymyr Zelensky after Donald Trump claimed he was a 'dictator' and that Ukraine was to blame for the conflict with Russia

Politics

2 w. ago Zelenskyy accuses Trump of living in a ‘disinformation bubble’

Ukrainian president’s remarks come as US counterpart appeared to blame Kyiv for war with Russia

Politics

2 w. ago Even Trump can be cajoled into advancing human rights – you just have to know which buttons to press | Kenneth Roth

The signs aren’t good so far, but playing on Trump’s desperation to be seen as a great dealmaker would pay dividendsKenneth Roth is a former executive director of Human Rights Watch. His book, Righting Wrongs, is published on 25 FebruaryThe common wisdom is that Donald Trump’s foreign policy will be a disaster for human rights. Certainly his penchant for embracing autocrats and breaching norms bodes poorly, such as his outrageous proposal to force two million Palestinians out of Gaza – which would be a blatant war crime – or his suggestion that Ukraine is to blame for Russia’s invasion. But Trump also likes to cut a deal, as shown by his paradoxically positive role in securing the current (precarious) Gaza ceasefire. If Trump the dealmaker can be nudged in the right direction, he might, against all odds, be brought to play a productive role for human rights.As executive director of Human Rights Watch, I spent more than three decades devising strategies to pressure or cajole leaders ...

Politics

2 w. ago Even Trump can be cajoled into doing the right thing – you just have to know which buttons to press | Kenneth Roth

In decades spent convincing world leaders to protect human rights, I’ve learned a thing or two about working with his typeKenneth Roth is a former executive director of Human Rights Watch and author of Righting WrongsThe common wisdom is that Donald Trump’s foreign policy will be a disaster for human rights. Certainly his penchant for embracing autocrats and breaching norms bodes poorly, such as his outrageous proposal to force two million Palestinians out of Gaza – which would be a blatant war crime – or his suggestion that Ukraine is to blame for Russia’s invasion. But Trump also likes to cut a deal, as shown by his paradoxically positive role in securing the current (precarious) Gaza ceasefire. If Trump the dealmaker can be nudged in the right direction, he might, against all odds, be brought to play a productive role for human rights.As executive director of Human Rights Watch, I spent more than three decades devising strategies to pressure or cajole leaders to better respect ri...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump calls Zelenskyy a dictator amid fears of irreconcilable rift

Remark follows Ukrainian leader’s claim US president living in a Russian ‘disinformation bubble’Europe live – latest updatesThe US and Ukraine appear to be heading towards an irreconcilable rift after Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the Ukrainian president “a dictator” and warning that he “better move fast” or he “won’t have a country left”.The US leader’s comments on Wednesday, which were rife with falsehoods, came after Zelenskyy said Trump was “trapped” in a Russian “disinformation bubble,” following Trump’s claims that Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s 2022 invasion, remarks that echoed the Kremlin’s narratives. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Musk boasts about ‘thrashing bureaucracy’ in cosy joint interview with Trump – US politics live

Billionaire claims he is implementing ‘will of the people’ as he and US president praise each other so much, Sean Hannity says it is like ‘interviewing two brothers’Musk and Trump put on lovefest in Sean Hannity interviewFederal judge refuses to block Musk team’s access to US government databy Léonie Chao-Fong and Carter ShermanDonald Trump has signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).Donald Trump has signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The order directs the domestic policy council to make recommendations to “aggressively” reduce the costs for accessing IVF, according to a White House fact sheet.Trump criticized the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appearing to blame Ukraine for the war with Russia after the Ukrainian leader complained about being left out of peace talks between the US and Russia. “Today I heard: ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years You should have n...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump’s attacks on Zelensky show he is singing from the Kremlin’s song sheet

Trump has falsely blamed Russia’s war on Kyiv - the Ukrainian leader has claimed the US president ‘lives in a disinformation space’

Politics

2 w. ago Trump live updates: President blames Ukraine for Russia invasion as he claims Kyiv ‘could have made a deal’

President sparks fresh alarm over American intervention in war before he and Elon Musk take part in primetime interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity

Politics

2 w. ago Trump accuses Ukraine of ‘starting war’ with Russia – and blames Zelensky not Putin

‘You should have never started it, you could have made a deal,’ Trump says

Politics

2 w. ago Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia, saying it could have made a deal

President hits back at Ukraine’s complaint that it has been left out of US-Russia talks, saying it had years to make a deal ‘without the loss of much land’See all our Ukraine war coveragePresident Donald Trump has criticised Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he was “disappointed” that the Ukrainian leader complained about being left out of talks between the US and Russia over ending the Ukraine war.Trump also seemed to blame Kyiv for Moscow’s invasion – even as he said he was more confident of a deal to end the war after US-Russia talks – claiming Ukraine could have “made a deal” to avert war. Continue reading...

Politics