3 d. ago Trump issues new demand to Russia as his envoy Steve Witkoff meets Putin

President Donald Trump has a new demand for Russia as his envoy met with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

Politics

3 d. ago Russian media report Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Putin for Ukraine talks – Europe live

Kremlin is also quoted as saying the pair will talk about Ukraine and ‘may discuss Putin’s meeting with Trump’Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov has offered an update on talks and commitments made in Brussels, as he posted about Germany’s declaration it would offer €11bn in further military help to Ukraine up to 2029.He said:The deliveries from in 2025 will help us defend our skies (IRIS-T systems with missiles, PATRIOT missiles) and strengthen our positions on the battlefield (Marders, Leopards, artillery systems). Thank you, Germany, for standing by our side. Together, we will ensure a just and lasting peace in Europe. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Ukraine Russia war latest: Zelensky calls on West to step up pressure on Putin after deadly Kyiv strike

Early morning major Russian missiles attack sparks explosions in Kyiv, injuring three and killing one

Events

9 d. ago Ukraine Russia war latest: Poland scrambles warplanes after all of Ukraine under Russian missiles threat

Early morning major Russian missiles attack sparks explosions in Kyiv and injures three

Events

2 w. 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

2 w. ago Keir Starmer hints at push for more sanctions on Russia after ‘coalition of the willing’ talks on Ukraine – Europe live

UK prime minister said leaders agreed there needed to be more support for Ukraine and discussed ‘increasing sanctions to support US initiative’The search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago A 'coalition of the willing' mulls more aid for Ukraine and a possible armed force

Ukraine’s allies from across Europe have gathered for talks in Paris about how to strengthen Kyiv’s hand and its military as it pushes for a ceasefire with Russia

Events

2 w. ago Macron dismisses Russian demands as ‘coalition of the willing’ gathers in Paris for Ukraine talks – Europe live

French president rules out any lifting of sanctions and says European forces could be deployed to mark ‘clear support’Among the European leaders expected in Paris, we are going to see the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who said in a statement released overnight that “unlike President Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks.”He said:“Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow.The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly, and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. 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

3 w. ago Dozens wounded in Ukraine as Russia strikes hospital and school amid ongoing Trump ceasefire talks

Ukrainian officials say 13 children are among at least 74 wounded after Russian missile attack on Sumy

Events

3 w. ago Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff praises ‘super smart’ Putin ahead of Ukraine ceasefire talks

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff claims questions over whether Ukraine can cede four regions to Russia is ‘elephant in the room’ in peace talks

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine ceasefire talks: What will be discussed in Saudi Arabia as Trump pushes for truce by Easter?

Kremlin appears to temper hopes of swift truce, despite Trump’s special envoy praising ‘gracious’ Putin

Politics

3 w. 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

3 w. ago Trump’s special envoy praises ‘super smart’ Putin ahead of Ukraine ceasefire talks

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff claims questions over whether Ukraine can cede four regions to Russia is ‘elephant in the room’ in peace talks

Politics

3 w. 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

3 w. ago Putin demands Ukraine is muzzled and blinded before proper talks begin

The apparent olive branch offered by Moscow after lengthy talks on Tuesday in fact suits the Kremlin tactically, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Politics

4 w. ago Russia accused of arson attacks on Ikea store; European leaders question whether Moscow wants Ukraine ceasefire – Europe live

Lithuania says Russia was behind arson of Vilnius Ikea store in 2024; EU foreign policy chief questions Putin’s motivesThe Lithuanian prosecutor general has said that Russian military intelligence was behind the arson of an Ikea store in Vilnius in 2024.In an update into its investigation (in Lithuanian), the authorities said the main suspect engaged with Russian military and security services and accepted payment for plans to attack shopping centres in Lithuania and Latvia to “intimidate the societies of both countries” in a bid to stop their support for Ukraine. Continue reading...

Events

4 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

4 w. ago Trump and Putin expected to speak this week about ceasefire terms, envoy says

Steve Witkoff says US discussions with Russian president ‘positive’ and ‘solution-based’ and leaders likely to speakDonald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that he expected the US president to speak with Vladimir Putin this week, saying 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 mobilize; a halt to western military aid; and a ban on foreign peacekeepers. Continue reading...

Politics