18 h. ago Trump hesitant about giving Tomahawks to Ukraine, saying ‘hopefully they won’t need it’ – live

Ukrainian president repeats call for weapons but US president insists they’re ‘not easy for us to give you’ and says ‘Putin wants to end the war’‘The key to success is in the sky’: the Ukrainian defenders struggling to stem Russia’s air assaultFirst came the sound of drones. Then a boom that rattled windows. Shortly after that, two columns of black smoke rose over the Shebelinka gas processing plant in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Towering flames threatened storage tanks. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Donald Trump hesitant on supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles Zelenskyy is pushing for – live

Ukrainian president repeats call for weapons as US president insists ‘Putin wants to end the war’‘The key to success is in the sky’: the Ukrainian defenders struggling to stem Russia’s air assaultFirst came the sound of drones. Then a boom that rattled windows. Shortly after that, two columns of black smoke rose over the Shebelinka gas processing plant in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Towering flames threatened storage tanks. Continue reading...

Events

22 h. ago Trump Zelensky LIVE: 'Nuclear war' warning as Donald faces major Ukraine choice

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting comes just months after the two presidents battled it out in the Oval Office in an explosive exchange that abruptly ended previous negotiations

Events

3 d. ago Sweden, Estonia, and Finland pledge to increase spending on weapons purchases from US – Europe live

Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he expected further pledges, noting that $2bn already had been committed through the mechanismSergiy Petrovich Lysak has been appointed as the head of the Odesa city military administration, as confirmed by an order on the website for the president of Ukraine on Wednesday, after the dismissal of the city’s former mayor.Lysak was previously tasked with leading the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.Odesa deserves greater protection and greater support.This can be done in the format of a military administration – too many security issues in Odesa have remained without an adequate response for far too long. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Nato looks to bolster defences in response to Russian air incursions – Europe live

Fears Moscow testing west in grey zone between war and peace with incursions into Nato territoryRussia on Wednesday pushed back at US president Donald Trump’s warning that gasoline shortages showed Russia’s economy was nearing collapse, Reuters reports.Trump on Tuesday expressed disappointment with president Vladimir Putin, whom he said was unwilling to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.We have a stable domestic market supply, we see no problems in this regardThe balance is maintained between production and consumption, and we, on the part of the government and the relevant ministries, are doing everything to ensure that this remains the case. Continue reading...

Society

3 d. ago Lecornu backs delaying rise in French retirement age until after 2027 presidential election – Europe live

PM says that law increasing age to 64 will be put on pause in bid to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would bring down his governmentThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills o...

Politics

4 d. ago Lecornu addresses French parliament in bid to win over Socialists – Europe live

PM will be hoping to win over enough Socialists to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would deepen France’s political crisisThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills of President...

Politics

4 d. ago Lecornu attempts to rally French cabinet before addressing parliament – Europe live

PM will be hoping to win over enough Socialists to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would deepen France’s political crisisThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills of President...

Politics

4 d. ago Zelenskyy urges world leaders not to lose momentum for finding peace, and says the war in Europe can also be ended – Europe live

Ukrainian leader expresses hope amid Trump’s Gaza deal, saying ‘it brings more hope for peace in other regions’The Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills of President Trump’s envoys will ...

Politics

5 d. ago French political crisis continues as Macron blames rivals for ‘sense of disorder’– Europe live

President, attending Gaza summit in Egypt, reiterates he will not step down as opponents lodge no-confidence motions in the governmentNational Assembly president Yaël Braun-Pivet has welcomed the appointment of Sébastien Lecornu’s new government, calling for calm and constructive debate as parliament prepares to convene.“Our institutions are strong and now ready to work in the interests of the French people,” Braun-Pivet said on social media. “Posturing and political manoeuvring must give way to constructive discussion before the National Assembly. Let the parliamentary debate begin!” Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago French political crisis continues as Lecornu unveils new government – Europe live

Marine Le Pen says she will seek to call a no-confidence motion as she urges Macron to dissolve the National AssemblySpeaking from Egypt, French president Emmanuel Macron dismissed opposition calls for his resignation, insisting he would remain in office to safeguard the country’s stability.“Never forget that the mandate given by the French people is to serve, to serve and serve, and to provide answers to the questions of everyday French people, and to do everything possible for the independence of France,” Macron told reporters in Sharm el-Sheikh. “That is the only thing that matters. The rest is the government’s business I will continue to ensure stability,” he added. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Zelenskyy says he will nominate Trump for Nobel peace prize if he secures Ukraine ceasefire – Europe live

US president has claimed he deserves the award for what he has described as his work in securing ‘numerous’ peace dealsBelow is a video published by the Guardian showing Ukrainian firefighters tackling blazes in burning shipping containers after a Russian drone attack injured at least five people in Odesa.The attack cut power to 30,000 people and damaged the city’s port infrastructure. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Ukrainian counteroffensive has derailed Russian plans to capture parts of Donetsk, says Zelenskyy – Europe live

Ukrainian president accuses Russia of wanting to sow ‘chaos’ with overnight attacks on energy and rail infrastructure, but says Ukrainian long-range strikes have caused gas shortages in RussiaBelow is a video published by the Guardian showing Ukrainian firefighters tackling blazes in burning shipping containers after a Russian drone attack injured at least five people in Odesa.The attack cut power to 30,000 people and damaged the city’s port infrastructure. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Calls for police to shoot down drones after Munich airport disruption – latest updates

Bavarian PM joins calls to strengthen Germany’s air defences after latest incidentMunich airport reopens after halting flightsBavarian prime minister Markus Söder has joined the calls to strengthen Germany’s air defences, telling Bild that “our police must be able to shoot drones down immediately,” instead of “waiting”.CSU leader Söder added that the issue will be discussed during the Bavarian cabinet meeting on Tuesday, and a draft law will be fast-tracked to change the regulations accordingly. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Russia will not stop until they are forced to do so,’ Danish PM warns European leaders summit – Europe live

More than 45 leaders meet in Copenhagen for the seventh summit of the European Political Community European Council president António Costa opens his speech with congratulations for Moldova and its president Maia Sandu for the win of pro-European forces in last weekend’s parliamentary elections there.He also congratulates the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for their recent peace deal.“I know that for some of you, the threat from Russia is very clear and very present. For others, it still seems further away, but none of us can no longer be naive. The war was never just about Ukraine. It is about Europe, all our nations, all our citizens, our values and our freedom.”“Please just take one look at the history of our continent, from the expansion of the Russian Empire to Soviet tanks rolling across several borders during the cold war, shattering hopes of freedom. Recent history tells us the exact same story. So why shouldn’t it happen again? Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Europe ‘in most difficult and dangerous situation since second world war,’ Danish PM warns – Europe live

Mette Frederiksen says she backs the European Commission’s proposal for a reparation loan for Ukraine, secured on frozen Russian assetsSiliņa says the EU should move on drones very quickly, as she rejects some criticism that fully developing the bloc’s “drone wall” could take up to three-four years.“We don’t need three years, and I believe we can do it in a much shorter time.It just depends on the leaders [if] we can agree on a much shorter time, because with drones, how they’re developing so fast, three years is too long.” Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Danish PM warns security situation in Europe will get worse and more serious – Europe live

Mette Frederiksen says Europe faces threats arising from the ‘real war’ in Ukraine and a new, broader hybrid warin PalermoA flotilla seeking to break Israel’s aid blockade of Gaza said on Wednesday that several of its boats had been approached by patrol vessels and a submarine, as crews braced for an Israeli raid. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Putin ‘in his heart of hearts’ knows he cannot win in Ukraine, US special envoy says – Europe live

Keith Kellogg tells Warsaw Security Forum that war in Ukraine is ‘unwinnable’ for PutinIf you are keen to understand the dynamics between the US and Belarus a bit better (10:08), here’s a brilliant story from our own Pjotr Sauer, who recently visited Minsk.Since Trump took office, Lukashenko, an authoritarian strongman who has ruled Belarus since 1994, has been edging out of the diplomatic freeze, cautiously probing for space beyond Moscow, which sees Belarus as both its closest ally and a vital buffer.Sensing a political opening with the new Trump administration, Lukashenko has regularly met US officials and even held a call with the US president, who has floated the idea of a direct meeting. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Europe must give strong and united response to Russian drone incursions, says von der Leyen – Europe live

European Commission president gave a press conference with the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, ahead of an EU security college meetingClosing the panel, US envoy Kellogg spelled out the US position on Ukraine, as he said:“The biggest thing we want to do is stop the largest land war in Europe since the second world war. And this is a war of industrial strength with over hundreds - not one thousand or two thousand, we’re talking hundreds, plural, of thousands – of killed in action there. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Putin ‘does not want a ceasefire and does not want peace for Ukraine’, says German defence minister – Europe live

Boris Pistorius says Europe ‘will not be lured into Putin’s trap of continuous escalation’But Zelenskyy also warns about the worsening situation in Georgia and Belarus.“That is why we cannot afford to lose a single day or a single country. After Moldova’s election, we must keep supporting Moldova. The hardest task is to meet voters’ expectations,” he says.Russia failed to destabilise Moldova, even after spending huge, huge resources to undermine it and to corrupt whoever they could. Continue reading...

Politics