4 h. ago Ceasefire prospects, joint drone production and strengthening air defences on table in US talks, Ukraine says – Europe live

Ukraine president says he had ‘productive’ meeting with US envoy with Trump announcement on Russia due to come later todayUkrainian intelligence agents killed members of a Russian secret service cell wanted on suspicion of having shot dead a colonel last week, the SBU said.The SBU intelligence agency said in a statement that the operation had sought the arrest of the agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), who it believes were behind the killing of Col Ivan Voronych – also a member of the SBU security service – in Kyiv on Thursday. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Strengthening air defences, sanctions against Russia and procurement of weapons all on table in US talks, Zelenskyy says – Europe live

Ukraine president says he had ‘productive’ meeting with US envoy with Trump announcement on Russia due to come later todayUkrainian intelligence agents killed members of a Russian secret service cell wanted on suspicion of having shot dead a colonel last week, the SBU said.The SBU intelligence agency said in a statement that the operation had sought the arrest of the agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), who it believes were behind the killing of Col Ivan Voronych – also a member of the SBU security service – in Kyiv on Thursday. Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago Zelenskyy says he has received positive signals from US over resumption of military aid – Europe live

Ukraine president says he has held constructive talks with Trump and that European allies will help pay for Patriot systemsZelenskyy also repeatedly thanks partners for their help so far, saying it is thanks to their help it was able to start building a modern air force.“We’ve done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16 and Mirages this quickly,” he says.I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Starmer and Macron urge allies to increase pressure on Putin after ‘frank’ talks between US and Russia on Ukraine – Europe live

Leaders of UK and France call for fresh sanctions on Moscow after Marco Rubio and Sergei Lavrov hold ‘important’ conversationZelenskyy also repeatedly thanks partners for their help so far, saying it is thanks to their help it was able to start building a modern air force.“We’ve done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16 and Mirages this quickly,” he says.I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago US disappointed and frustrated by lack of progress on Ukraine, Rubio tells Russia’s Lavrov in ‘frank’ exchange – Europe live

US secretary of state has ‘substantive and frank’ conversation with Russian foreign minister over situation in UkraineZelenskyy also repeatedly thanks partners for their help so far, saying it is thanks to their help it was able to start building a modern air force.“We’ve done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16 and Mirages this quickly,” he says.I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Russia’s frozen assets must be used to rebuild Ukraine, says Zelenskyy, as he hits out at ‘terrorism’ of daily attacks – Europe live

Kyiv said Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles against Ukraine overnightZelenskyy also repeatedly thanks partners for their help so far, saying it is thanks to their help it was able to start building a modern air force.“We’ve done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16 and Mirages this quickly,” he says.I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Pope offers to hold talks with Russia after meeting Zelenskyy – Europe live

Vatican statement said the pair ‘discussed the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a just and lasting peace’Following a similar decision by Germany yesterday, the European Union has also summoned the Chinese ambassador following an incident in which China’s military allegedly targeted a German aircraft with a laser during an EU security mission in the Red Sea, Reuters reported.“The Chinese military’s use of a laser to target a German aircraft patrolling with EU Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea is dangerous and unacceptable,” said Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy.This act put personnel at risk and compromised the aircraft’s mission. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Russia claims to have foothold in new Ukraine region as Zelenskyy pleads for more air defences – Europe live

Russia says it has captured a village in the Dnipropetrovsk region as Ukraine president calls for allies to fulfil commitments on defenceThe commission also addressed the reintroduction of Polish border controls with Germany and Lithuania, confirming at its midday media briefing that it had received a formal notification from Poland on Friday.EU spokesperson Markus Lammert confirmed that “reintroducing temporary internal border controls is possible subject to certain conditions, as set out in EU legislation, and in particular in the Schengen borders code.” Continue reading...

Society

1 week ago US and Ukraine to work on strengthening air defences, Zelenskyy says, after call Trump says was ‘meaningful’ – Europe live

All-night attack on Kyiv followed conversation between US president and PutinRussian drone attack on KyivKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would continue its war on Ukraine as it was unable to achieve its goals through “diplomatic means.”“We are interested in achieving our goals in the course of the special military operation and it is preferable to do it by political and diplomatic means,” Peskov said, as reported by AFP.“But until that is not possible, we are continuing the special operation.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Zelenskyy has ‘important, meaningful’ call with Trump after huge Russian attack on Kyiv – Europe live

All-night attack on Kyiv as US president says he was ‘disappointed’ over his call with PutinRussian drone attack on KyivKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would continue its war on Ukraine as it was unable to achieve its goals through “diplomatic means.”“We are interested in achieving our goals in the course of the special military operation and it is preferable to do it by political and diplomatic means,” Peskov said, as reported by AFP.“But until that is not possible, we are continuing the special operation.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Russia launches hundreds of drones at Ukraine just hours after Putin

All-night attack on Kyiv injured at least 23 people, damaging railway infrastructure and setting buildings and cars on fire throughout the cityPolish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski told US president Donald Trump in a social media post that Russia’s Vladimir Putin was “mocking your peace efforts” as he urged him to “restore supplies of anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine and impose tough new sanctions on the aggressor.”Sikorski added that the massive Russian attack last night has caused “fires and much damage, including to the Polish consulate in Kyiv.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Defence spending target of 5% GDP a ‘quantum leap’ in security, says Nato’s Rutte– Europe live

Ukrainian president to hold talks with UK PM after meeting with kingFor more updates on the Israel-Iran war, including US president Donald Trump’s call to “make Iran great again”, you can also follow our live blog here run by Jane Clinton:Let’s stop for a moment on that question of the EU-Israel association agreement, which sees Spain calling for immediate suspension of the deal, while Germany appears to be distancing itself from it. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Zelenskyy arrives in UK to discuss defence of Ukraine and pressure on Russia – Europe live

Ukraine president to meet King Charles, Keir Starmer and military personnelFor more updates on the Israel-Iran war, including US president Donald Trump’s call to “make Iran great again”, you can also follow our live blog here run by Jane Clinton:Let’s stop for a moment on that question of the EU-Israel association agreement, which sees Spain calling for immediate suspension of the deal, while Germany appears to be distancing itself from it. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Ukraine, Russia and worsening crisis in Middle East – Europe live

Foreign affairs council discusses Ukraine after another night of heavy Russian attacks as Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits UKGerman foreign minister Johann Wadephul said today’s meeting was kicking off “a crucial week for security in Europe and the world,” with talks to be continued at the Nato and the EU summits later this week.He says European negotiators told Iran last Friday in Geneva that “a real prerequisite for resolving the conflict is that Iran is willing to negotiate directly with the US.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Spanish PM rejects Nato’s ‘unreasonable’ 5% GDP target for defence spending – Europe live

Pedro Sánchez reportedly says move would be ‘counterproductive’ and harm Spanish economy Earlier today, I cheekily suggested that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is probably wondering how to persuade US president Donald Trump to stay at the Nato summit in The Hague next week long enough to get to discussions on Ukraine and Russia – and not leave early, as he did at the G7 summit.Well, looks like this issue may have actually influenced the planning.“Budapest city hall will organise the Budapest Pride march on 28 June as a city event. Period.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Hungarian police say Budapest Pride march banned, but mayor insists it will go ahead – Europe live

The Hungarian ban on the Budapest Pride march comes a day after a debate on the march was held at the European parliamentEarlier today, I cheekily suggested that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is probably wondering how to persuade US president Donald Trump to stay at the Nato summit in The Hague next week long enough to get to discussions on Ukraine and Russia – and not leave early, as he did at the G7 summit.Well, looks like this issue may have actually influenced the planning.“Budapest city hall will organise the Budapest Pride march on 28 June as a city event. Period.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Putin says he would only meet Zelenskyy in ‘final phase’ of talks – Europe live

Putin’s comments come as fighting continues and Ukraine says Russia avoiding peace talksFor what it’s worth, Russia’s Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he was ready to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy but only during a “final phase” of negotiations “so as not to sit there and divide things up endlessly, but to put an end to it”.But his broader comments were not really conciliatory, and will do little to raise hopes of a negotiated settlement.“The strikes were carried out against military industries, not residential quarters.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Death toll from Russian attack on Kyiv rises to 28 – Europe live

More than 130 were injured in Tuesday’s attack on Ukrainian capitalAnd speaking of Russia’s impact on its neighbours, let’s quickly go to Miranda Bryant in the Nordics and see how the region monitors the global threat of war, terror and piracy on seas from its Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre.The European Commission has insisted there will be no return to Russian gas, as it published plans to phase out fossil fuel imports from its eastern neighbour by 2028. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Europeans may as well start learning Russian if Ukraine does not get more support, Kaja Kallas warns – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief says Russia is a direct threat to Europe and has plan for long term aggressionMeanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin is set to take questions from international journalists on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Associated Press reported.Putin scheduled a roundtable session with senior news leaders of international news agencies, including the Associated Press.On Ukraine, the European Union is doing its part here too, not least because Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defence. We know that Russia responds to strength and nothing else.We have to do more for Ukraine, for our own security too.To quote my friend Nato secretary general Mark Rutte: if we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Ukraine and Europe in limbo after Trump sidelines Zelenskyy at G7 – Europe live

Frustration after US president refuses to make Ukraine a priority at G7 despite appearance of Zelenskyy in CanadaEU’s Kallas continues:On Ukraine, the European Union is doing its part here too, not least because Ukraine is Europe’s first line of defence. We know that Russia responds to strength and nothing else.We have to do more for Ukraine, for our own security too.To quote my friend Nato secretary general Mark Rutte: if we don’t help Ukraine further, we should all start learning Russian.We are living in very dangerous tough times.Russia is already a direct threat to the European Union. Europe’s collective economic might is unmatched. I don’t believe that there is any threat that we can’t overcome if we act together and with our Nato allies. Continue reading...

Politics