12 h. ago Trump hints at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and reveals 'major prisoner swap' between Russia and Kyiv believed to involve 1,000 from each side

Donald Trump has hinted at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and revealed that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to hand over 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides. 

Events

12 h. ago Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms major prisoner swap with Russia – Europe live

The first stage of a major prison swap between Ukraine and Russia has taken place in Turkey, with 390 people released todayFor more coverage of Trump’s tariffs threats – which also include a warning that Apple must pay a 25% tariff unless it manufactures its iPhones in the US – follow our business live blog here:US president Donald Trump has just called the EU “very difficult to deal with,” lamenting the bloc’s “powerful Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more” (original capitalisation!).“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago Trump hints at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and reveals 'major prisoner swap' between Russia and Kyiv believed to involve 1,000 from each side

Donald Trump has hinted at 'something big' coming in Ukraine and revealed that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to hand over 1,000 prisoners of war from both sides. 

Events

16 h. ago Ukrainian official says major prisoner swap with Russia is underway

A senior Ukrainian officials says an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine from their more than three-year war is underway

Events

18 h. ago Italy and Denmark lead group of countries pushing back on European rights convention – Europe live

The group say a conversation was needed on how rights were being applied when it comes to migrationOne big story that we will follow today is the expected verdict in the Kim Kardashian robbery trial in Paris.Kardashian was in Paris – a city she said she had “always loved” – for fashion week in October 2016 and was staying in a luxury hotel when the robbers attacked after she returned from dinner. Ten people – nine men and a woman aged between 35 and 78 – are on trial in connection with France’s biggest personal robbery in 20 years. Eight of the accused deny any involvement. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Germany boosts Nato’s eastern flank with new Baltic brigade amid threat from Russia – Europe live

Friedrich Merz visits Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany’s first permanent overseas military unit since the second world warPortugal wants European energy regulators’ agency ACER to lead an independent investigation into the causes of the huge power outage that brought most of Spain and Portugal to a standstill last month, its acting energy minister told Reuters.Maria da Graça Carvalho said prime minister Luís Montenegro wants an independent investigation led by the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators to complement the technical report being prepared by the European network of transmission system operators ENTSO-E. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago UK and Europe target Russia with major sanctions after Putin

Sanctions are aimed at entities supporting Russia’s military machine after call failed to deliver meaningful concessionsWar in Ukraine – live updatesThe UK and Europe have announced major sanctions against Russia as it became clear that Monday’s call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had failed to deliver any meaningful concessions from Moscow.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Russia of “trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation”. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago First pictures of Russia and Ukraine peace talks after not meeting for years

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed this week that his team would be pushing for an immediate ceasefire, while the Russian delegation has been largely quiet

Politics

1 week ago Zelenskyy to wait for Putin in Turkey, saying: ‘If he does not arrive, he does not want to end war’ – Europe live

Ukrainian president to meet Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday and wait to see if Putin joins themGérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021.Depardieu, France’s biggest film star, who has made more than 200 films and TV series, is the highest-profile figure in the French film industry to be convicted of sexual assault since the #MeToo movement. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Kremlin says ‘ultimatums’ on Ukraine ceasefire are unacceptable as EU says Russia must respond by end of day – Europe live

Europe warns the ‘clock is ticking’ and threatens new sanctions against Moscow if it does not agree to unconditional 30-day ceasefirePope Leo then says that one of the most important challenges he sees is how to “promote communication that can bring us out of the Tower of Babel in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.”Curiously, he then turns to artificial intelligence, which he hails its “immense potential,” but also warns that it “requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago ‘The clock is ticking’: Germany says Russia must respond to ceasefire offer by end day or face sanctions – Europe live

European leaders say Russia must to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine Pope Leo then says that one of the most important challenges he sees is how to “promote communication that can bring us out of the Tower of Babel in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.”Curiously, he then turns to artificial intelligence, which he hails its “immense potential,” but also warns that it “requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago European foreign ministers demand peace in Ukraine as Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet him – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief accuses Moscow of ‘playing games’ and insists peace talks cannot take place with Ukraine ‘under fire’Pope Leo then says that one of the most important challenges he sees is how to “promote communication that can bring us out of the Tower of Babel in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan.”Curiously, he then turns to artificial intelligence, which he hails its “immense potential,” but also warns that it “requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred, let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet him for peace talks after Trump and European leaders increase pressure – Europe live

Ukrainian and Russian presidents have not communicated directly since Moscow launched invasion And the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is speaking now, and she’s striking a very similar tone, pointedly referring to over 100 Russian drones reportedly targeting Ukraine overnight.“We have to put pressure on Russia to really want peace and to sit down and to talk with Ukraine,” she says, accusing Moscow of “playing games.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Ukraine war live: Macron calls for ‘direct talks’ between Russia and Ukraine as European leaders arrive in Kyiv

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Putin hosts Xi Jinping and other world leaders as Russia marks Victory Day – Europe live

Russia staging a lavish, ‘biggest ever’ parade in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world warMeanwhile in Warsaw, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk is currently briefing the media before his trip to France to sign a new Polish-French “enhanced cooperation and friendship treaty.”Tusk will meet French president Emmanuel Macron in Nancy, France in early afternoon, with the signing ceremony scheduled for 4pm, to be followed by a joint press conference. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine PM hails minerals deal with US as ‘good, equal and beneficial’ – Europe live

Denys Shmyhal says agreement leaves Kyiv in full control of its infrastructure and natural resourcesFull report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago US and Ukraine sign minerals deal after months of strained negotiations – Europe live

US treasury department announces agreement after reports of last-minute obstacles apparently overcomeFull report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago US and Ukraine sign deal to set up reconstruction investment fund – Europe live

US treasury department announces deal after reports of last-minute obstacles apparently overcome Ukraine war briefing: US and Kyiv ‘ready to sign’ minerals deal amid uncertainty over last-minute hurdlesIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago US says it is ‘ready to sign’ minerals deal if Ukraine scraps ‘last

US treasury secretary says he expects Ukraine to ‘reconsider’ changes it made to agreement as deputy PM Yulia Svyrydenko will reportedly be in Washington to sign agreement todayIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Europe live: Kyiv ready to sign US minerals deal within 24 hours, Ukrainian PM says

Deputy prime minister and economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko will reportedly be in Washington later today to sign the agreementIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics