5 h. ago European leaders praise positive call with Trump ahead of his meeting with Putin – Europe live

Zelenskyy accuses Putin of bluffing after a ‘united’ and ‘positive’ call between EU leaders and TrumpUkraine will not cede land that could be Russian springboard for new warWe are now getting reports via agencies that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now arrived in Berlin ahead of the series of calls later today.Separately, Estonia has moved to expel a Russian diplomat over alleged “direct and active” involvement in “undermining the constitutional order and legal system of Estonia.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Trump praises European leaders as ‘great people’ as they make final diplomatic push ahead of US

Zelenskyy will join calls with Trump and Vance in last chance to shape US position before Alaska meetingUkraine will not cede land that could be Russian springboard for new warWe are now getting reports via agencies that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now arrived in Berlin ahead of the series of calls later today.Separately, Estonia has moved to expel a Russian diplomat over alleged “direct and active” involvement in “undermining the constitutional order and legal system of Estonia.” Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin for calls with European leaders and Trump ahead of US

Ukrainian president will join calls with Trump and Vance in last chance to shape US position before Alaska meetingUkraine will not cede land that could be Russian springboard for new warWe are now getting reports via agencies that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now arrived in Berlin ahead of the series of calls later today.Separately, Estonia has moved to expel a Russian diplomat over alleged “direct and active” involvement in “undermining the constitutional order and legal system of Estonia.” Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Leaders in frantic phone diplomacy with Trump ahead of Putin summit on Ukraine – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join calls with Trump and Vance in last chance to shape US position before Alaska meetingUkraine will not cede land that could be Russian springboard for new warAs part of what promises to be a very busy day for diplomacy, we are also expecting to get press statements from Merz and Zelenskyy around 3pm BST (4pm CEST), after their call with Trump.So to help you plan your day, the rough timings appear to be: Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago Russia cannot challenge borders ‘with impunity’, warns Tusk ahead of Trump

Concerns are growing over Ukraine being shut out of Friday’s Alaska meetingTusk says the US has pledged to consult with European partners before this Friday’s meeting with Putin.He adds that the importance of maintaining the integrity of Ukraine’s territory “is not just a matter of solidarity with our neighbour, but also of our own security.”“From history we know — and Poland has often been a victim of this — that when the great powers decided about other countries without the participation of those countries in negotiations, the consequences were grave.” Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Ukraine conflict could be ‘frozen’ sooner rather than later, says Poland’s Tusk after talk with Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president says ‘reliable peace essential for all’ after speaking to Polish PM on Friday morning, Trump’s deadline day for Russia to move towards a ceasefireFor what it’s worth, the Polish news website Onet reported yesterday, citing diplomatic sources, on what it believed were some of the proposals for freezing the conflict under discussion.It claimed that the US proposal included:A ceasefire, not a peace settlement.De facto recognition of the Russian-occupied territories by freezing the issue for 49 or 99 years.Removal of most sanctions imposed on Russia, including on energy. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to Trump on sanctions against Russia and drones in ‘productive’ call – Europe live

Ukrainian president says ‘President Trump’s determination can change a lot’ as leaders speak about Russia increasing severity of strikesOn Ukraine, the EU spokespeople were asked about the bloc’s expectations as to Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to end its invasion on Ukraine by Friday.The commission’s foreign policy spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, said:“Russia is not interested in peace. Ukraine is, the EU is. Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine and the EU. We welcome any pressure, and in particular US pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire through any means necessary.”“I believe that for what we have been able to verify there has been some improvement compared to the situation before this agreement was reached. Is this sufficient? Absolutely not. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump says EU could face 35% tariffs if it fails to fulfil $600bn investment ‘gift’ – Europe live

US president says he can ‘do anything I want’ with sum and that pharma tariffs could be 250%On Ukraine, the EU spokespeople were asked about the bloc’s expectations as to Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to end its invasion on Ukraine by Friday.The commission’s foreign policy spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, said:“Russia is not interested in peace. Ukraine is, the EU is. Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine and the EU. We welcome any pressure, and in particular US pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire through any means necessary.”“I believe that for what we have been able to verify there has been some improvement compared to the situation before this agreement was reached. Is this sufficient? Absolutely not. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Norway, Sweden and Denmark to finance €430m military package for Ukraine – Europe live

Package will include support for Ukraine’s ‘air defence, ammunition and other essential equipment’, says Norwegian governmentOn Ukraine, the EU spokespeople were asked about the bloc’s expectations as to Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to end its invasion on Ukraine by Friday.The commission’s foreign policy spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, said:“Russia is not interested in peace. Ukraine is, the EU is. Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine and the EU. We welcome any pressure, and in particular US pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire through any means necessary.”“I believe that for what we have been able to verify there has been some improvement compared to the situation before this agreement was reached. Is this sufficient? Absolutely not. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Ukraine says Indian parts found in Russian drones as Kremlin hits back over Trump tariff threats – Europe live

Revelations from Zelenskyy aide come as Kremlin criticised Trump’s threats to raise tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian fuelAnd in the last few minutes, Andriy Yermak, senior aide to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sought to ramp up the pressure on India as he revealed that Ukrainian armed forces have seen Indian components being used in Russian drones involved in strikes against civilian population across Ukraine.“It is necessary to deprive the Russians of the opportunity to receive components from other countries and stop the killing of Ukrainians. Also, buying Russian energy resources is financing war, which does not contribute to peace,” he added. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Ukraine calls for greater pressure on Russia ahead of Witkoff visit – Europe live

Zelenskyy urges US and EU to fast-track sanctions and secondary tariffs a day before Trump’s envoy is expected in MoscowMeanwhile, the Netherlands is the first country to commit €500m to spend on US weapons for Ukraine under a new framework deal agreed by US president Donald Trump and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte last month.On Monday night, Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof said the new weapons for Ukraine were “badly needed” as “Ukraine is still fighting every day to defend itself against Russian aggression, such as large-scale drone attacks.”In doing so, Ukraine is also fighting for freedom and security in Europe. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Kremlin warns against nuclear rhetoric after Trump’s submarine order – Europe live

Russian spokesperson plays down significance of US president’s commentsEurostar has just put out a note “strongly” advising customers to postpone their journey to and from Paris to a different date if possible due to “severe disruptions including cancellations” expected as a result of part of the track being closed in France.In a statement, it said:“Due to part of the track being temporarily closed on the French network, severe disruptions including cancellations are expected all day to and from Paris. We strongly advise all our passengers to postpone their journey to a different date.” Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Ukraine welcomes Trump’s nuclear sub move, saying it has ‘silenced’ Medvedev – Europe live

Senior Zelenskyy aide says ‘Russia only understands one thing: strength’President Zelenskyy also called for more pressure on Russia, as he posted a video of drone strikes on what he said were first responders and medics arriving to help after attacks.“Deliberate FPV [first person view] drone strikes on first responders and medics arriving to help after attacks – all of this is typical for every city or community within reach of Russian drones. The Russian army simply kills everything that is alive,” he warned.“We count on strong decisions from the United States, Europe, and the world regarding secondary sanctions on Russian energy trade and Moscow’s banking sector.Ukraine looks forward to the implementation of every agreement on strengthening defense that has been reached with its partners. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Ukraine ready for peace talks anytime, foreign minister says, as Trump backtracks from idea to ‘target Moscow’ – Europe live

Ukraine urges EU to adopt further sanctions against Russia and says Kremlin is waging campaign of terror from the airSeparately, the European Commission has just confirmed that EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will travel to Washington DC today for talks with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and US trade representative Jamieson Greer.The meetings come as part of the EU’s push to get an agreement with the US on tariffs before 1 August. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Trump backtracks from suggestion Ukraine should ‘target Moscow’ but again tells Putin to reach peace deal soon – Europe live

US president says first deliveries of Patriot missile systems via Germany are ‘already being shipped’A joint Czech, Slovak and Ukrainian police operation arrested a Ukrainian man who was allegedly sending bomb threats against “hundreds” of Czech and Slovak schools, the forces confirmed.The arrest took place in the Dnipro region of Ukraine as a result of the forces’ joint investigation into multiple emailed bomb threats that started in September last year. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Slovakia blocks EU move to impose new sanctions package on Russia – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief says ‘ball is in Slovakia’s court’ after leader Robert Fico blocked ‘imbecile’ proposal to ban Russian gas imports from 2028 French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters that he hoped the new language from the US and more sanctions from the EU will force Russian president Vladimir Putin “to face the facts: he has gone too far and he is now at an impasse.”He said he was hoping for more alignment between the US and the EU on sanctions, as he met with American senators last week in Rome to discuss their proposed bipartisan bill on Russia.“So we have some progress. We have some positive developments. It’s true that we have trucks that are able to enter, but we don’t know exactly how many. And what is clear is that the agreement is not fully implemented. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Trump ‘disappointed, but not done’ with Putin as he backs Nato on Ukraine – Europe live

Comments come after Oval Office meeting with Nato’s Mark Rutte signalled a shift in tone on conflictFrench foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters that he hoped the new language from the US and more sanctions from the EU will force Russian president Vladimir Putin “to face the facts: he has gone too far and he is now at an impasse.”He said he was hoping for more alignment between the US and the EU on sanctions, as he met with American senators last week in Rome to discuss their proposed bipartisan bill on Russia.“So we have some progress. We have some positive developments. It’s true that we have trucks that are able to enter, but we don’t know exactly how many. And what is clear is that the agreement is not fully implemented. Continue reading...

Politics

last month 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

last month 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...

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