22 h. ago Playing the victim: how Trump’s clash with Zelenskyy paved the way for the suspension of military aid | Lilie Chouliaraki

Who is really suffering from this conflict? We are, said the US president, in a move straight from the populist playbookDuring a dramatic Oval Office meeting last Friday, US president Donald Trump confronted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a move that upended the long-established narrative of Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim.In the conversation, which quickly escalated into a tense exchange, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war with Russia by refusing to engage in peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin. His rhetoric suggested that Ukraine, not Russia, was responsible for escalating the conflict and that the US had unfairly borne the burden of Ukraine’s resistance. Trump constructed a new hierarchy of suffering, one in which the US emerged as the primary victim, Ukraine as the source of its burdens and Russia as innocent of blame.Lilie Chouliaraki is professor of media and communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and...

Events

40 h. ago Zelenskyy says he is ‘ready to work under Trump’s strong leadership’ to negotiate Ukraine peace deal – Europe live

Ukrainian president says his country is ready to sign minerals and security agreement while admitting issues over White House meetingNew EU plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilise close to €800bn ($841.4bn), EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in Brussels.The EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as €150bn euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilise private capital as well, Reuters reports von der Leyen said Continue reading...

Politics

42 h. ago Scottish MPs condemn Donald Trump Ukraine aid suspension as JD Vance brands UK 'some random country'

The decision by US President Donald Trump to suspend military aid is another blow to Ukraine

Politics

42 h. ago Volodymyr Zelensky says Trump showdown 'regrettable' as MPs condemn end to US aid

The decision by US President Donald Trump to suspend military aid is another blow to Ukraine

Politics

43 h. ago Ursula von der Leyen proposes €800bn ‘rearm Europe’ defence fund plan to step up Ukraine support after Donald Trump’s US suspension

Ursula von der Leyen has proposed an €800bn ($841 billion) plan to boost defences of EU nations to counter possible US disengagement following Donald Trump's decision to suspend all military aid to Ukraine.

Politics

44 h. ago Ukraine can maintain frontline, says its PM, after Trump puts military aid on hold – Europe live

Denis Shmyhal says Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal after Trump paused aid and says country ‘will continue to work with US in a calm manner’New EU plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilise close to €800bn ($841.4bn), EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in Brussels.The EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as €150bn euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilise private capital as well, Reuters reports von der Leyen said Continue reading...

Events

45 h. ago Europe ‘ready to step up’ as Kremlin welcomes Donald Trump decision to pause aid for Ukraine – Europe live

EU ready to increase defence spending and military capabilities as Kremlin welcomes US ‘contribution’ to the cause of peaceNew EU plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilise close to €800bn ($841.4bn), EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in Brussels.The EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as €150bn euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilise private capital as well, Reuters reports von der Leyen said Continue reading...

Politics

46 h. ago EU plans to strengthen defence spending could cost €800bn, says von der Leyen – Europe live

EU Commission president says bloc is ready to massively increase defence spending and military capabilitiesUS has suspended all military aid to Ukraine, White House official says, in wake of Trump-Zelenskyy rowNew EU plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilise close to €800bn ($841.4bn), EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday in Brussels.The EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as €150bn euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilise private capital as well, Reuters reports von der Leyen said Continue reading...

Economics

47 h. ago Ukraine reacts with defiance and anger to Trump withdrawal of military aid

White House’s latest punitive move against Kyiv will lead to ‘joy in Moscow’, Ukrainian commentators sayUkraine has reacted with defiance and anger to Donald Trump’s suspension of all US military aid, saying the decision amounted to betrayal by an ally and would help Russia to bomb and kill more civilians.Deliveries of ammunition and vehicles have ceased, including shipments agreed to when Joe Biden was president. Ukrainians said the biggest impact was likely to be on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russian air attacks, which have escalated in recent weeks. Continue reading...

Events

47 h. ago EU ponders 800 billion euro plan to beef up defenses to counter possible US disengagement

The chief of the European Union’s executive proposes an 800 billion euro ($841 billion) plan to beef up EU defenses to lessen the impact of potential U.S. disengagement and provide Ukraine with military muscle to negotiate with Russia following the freeze of U.S. aid to the embattled nation

Events

3 d. ago Keir Starmer gives Donald Trump support verdict after Ukraine summit

Keir Starmer hit back at suggestions Washington is now an “unreliable ally” after Donald Trump’s diatribe against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer gives verdict on Donald Trump support at emergency summit on Ukraine

Keir Starmer called on European nations to join a 'coalition of the willing' to protect Ukraine at an emergency summit amid huge doubts over Donald Trump's commitment

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer’s diplomatic flurry puts him at centre of attempts to shape Ukraine

PM’s decision to bring forward Zelenskyy meeting and forge Franco-British peace plan shows UK can still play global leadership role Russia-Ukraine war – latest news updatesAs Keir Starmer and his aides huddled to discuss their response to Friday’s calamitous White House meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the prime minister’s team pondered whether to issue a statement on social media.Already messages of support were flooding in for the Ukrainian president from other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron of France and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Volodymyr Zelensky recap: Ukrainian president has the support of King Charles despite car crash Donald...

Volodymyr Zelensky recap: Ukrainian president has the support of King Charles despite car crash Donald...  Daily Mail

Events

4 d. ago Here are the World leaders who have spoken out in support of Ukraine after Zelenky's visit with Donald Trump

Leaders from across the world have come forward in support of Ukraine.

Politics

5 d. ago Albanese sidesteps questions on Trump as he backs Zelenskyy after White House confrontation

Australian PM pledges support for Ukraine president after explosive White House meeting – but declines to directly comment on US president’s approachGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has reiterated Australia’s support for Ukraine after a fiery meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy – but declined to comment directly on how the confrontation might affect Australia’s relationship with the US.US military support for Ukraine hangs in the balance and talks over a minerals deal deteriorated after a disastrous interchange at the White House that also included the US vice-president, JD Vance. The US president claimed his Ukraine counterpart was not “ready for peace” and accused him of “gambling with world war three”, before Zelenskyy left the White House early.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago European Commission chief says India and EU have agreed to conclude a free trade agreement this year

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU and India have agreed to push to get a long pending free trade agreement done this year

Events

6 d. ago Trump cancels contracts with refugee groups one day after judge blocks suspension of resettlement program

Lawyers for aid groups argue the administration is trying to get around court orders by cancelling contracts altogether

Events

6 d. ago Trump praises Starmer’s ‘hard’ lobbying as he again suggests UK will be exempt from US tariffs – live

Trump calls Starmer meeting ‘tremendously productive’ and says ‘we have a very good chance at arriving at a very good deal’Trump-Starmer visit: the key takeawaysEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will travel to London this Sunday to take part in an informal meeting on Ukraine and European security, the European Commission has just confirmed. Jakub Krupa has more on his Europe live blog.David Lammy, the foreign secretary, has confirmed that President Trump has the ability to veto the deal that the UK has negotiated transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Isands to Mauritius. Speaking on ITV’s Peston last night, Lammy said:If President Trump doesn’t like the deal, the deal will not go forward.The reason for that is because we have a shared military and intelligence interest with the United States, and of course they’ve got to be happy with the deal, or there is no deal. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump hints UK could avoid the sanctions he plans for EU during White House talks with Starmer – follow live

US president says UK is ‘very different place’ where he has investmentsTrump-Starmer visit: the key takeawaysEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will travel to London this Sunday to take part in an informal meeting on Ukraine and European security, the European Commission has just confirmed. Jakub Krupa has more on his Europe live blog.David Lammy, the foreign secretary, has confirmed that President Trump has the ability to veto the deal that the UK has negotiated transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Isands to Mauritius. Speaking on ITV’s Peston last night, Lammy said:If President Trump doesn’t like the deal, the deal will not go forward.The reason for that is because we have a shared military and intelligence interest with the United States, and of course they’ve got to be happy with the deal, or there is no deal. Continue reading...

Politics