12 h. ago Steve Witkoff: from property developer to global spotlight as Trump’s tough

His friendship with the president dates back to a late-night encounter in a deli. Now he is a loyal envoy brokering the Gaza ceasefire and peace talks on UkraineWith the first phase of the ceasefire nearing its end, an American property developer has emerged as a key figure in determining whether Gaza attains a more enduring peace or slips back into war.Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s typically idiosyncratic pick as special Middle East envoy, has also found his way into the midst of talks with Russia over Ukraine’s future, sitting opposite Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, instead of the official special envoy for the region, Keith Kellogg. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago ‘Like a cruel auction’: what Ukrainians think of Trump’s peace talks with Putin

Ukrainians inside the country and abroad express their hopelessness, anger and defiance at negotiations between Washington and MoscowEurope live – latest updates“I don’t think that this ‘peace process’ is for Ukrainians’ sake. It is laughable that they pretend it is,” said Iryna, 26, a lawyer from Kyiv.Iryna was among thousands of Ukrainians who got in touch with the Guardian to share how they felt about the Trump administration-led peace talks with Russia, which exclude Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

60 h. ago US silences Zelensky and CANCELS press conference between him and Trump's envoy after telling Ukrainian president to 'tone down his criticism' of Donald

Zelensky met with Lt. Gen. Kellogg in Kyiv this afternoon for wide-ranging talks on efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, of which the three-year anniversary is fast approaching

Politics

63 h. ago Donald Trump ready to surrender two things to Mad Vlad Putin –here's what Europe can do

EXCLUSIVE: Trump appears to have jumped into bed with Mad Vlad with the US engaging Russia in peace talks – that Europe and Ukraine were excluded from, as NATO's future looks less and less secure

Politics

3 d. ago What role could the UK play in ending the Ukraine war? – Politics Weekly

Donald Trump’s plans to end the war in Ukraine have taken centre stage this week. But, with Ukraine excluded from US-Russia talks, could they really accept what might be on offer? And what role will the UK and Europe play?John Harris hears from diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour and columnist Gaby Hinsliff about what a resolution could look likeSend your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Badenoch and Davey hit out at Trump’s claim Zelensky is a ‘dictator’

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have engaged in a war of words since the US began talks with Russia on ending the war without Ukraine.

Politics

3 d. ago Trump tears into 'dictator' Zelensky as he doubles down on criticism warning he 'may not have a country left'

President Donald Trump is doubling down on his criticism of 'dictator' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid peace talks with Russia.

Events

3 d. ago Putin says Trump told him Ukraine will be included in peace talks and claims Russia is ready to negotiate – Europe live

Russian president says he is happy to meet US president after Zelenskyy says Trump is living in a ‘disinformation bubble’Lavrov also speaks about Russia’s alliances with Belarus, North Korea, China and Iran, and countries in Africa.He says the “comprehensive partnership with China” was “at an unprecedented level and exceeding any prior alliances of a classic type,” with both leaders attending important anniversaries in each other’s countries.I will tell you something that is a key issue for us at this stage of international development, and that is our move towards a multipolar world. It is a historic process, and it is to do with the subjective trend of new power centres appearing on the world map.Our partners in the Global South and in the east are unique civilisations and religions and are members of various integration associations, but all of them are united by a desire towards development, progressive development without external pressure At the same time, we must state that t...

Politics

3 d. ago Sadiq Khan hits out at Donald Trump’s ‘bonkers’ approach to Russia Ukraine peace talks

London mayor Sadiq Khan has hit out at Donald Trump’s Russia and Ukraine peace talks, calling the situation “bonkers”.

Politics

3 d. ago Ukraine war latest: Zelensky to hold press conference after Trump blames Kyiv for invasion

Trump and Putin could meet face-to-face as early as this month, a Kremlin spokesman said

Events

4 d. ago Ukraine latest: Trump falsely accuses Kyiv of starting war with Russia after ‘very good’ peace talks in Riyadh

Kyiv will not accept results of US-Russia talks held 'behind Ukraine’s back', says Zelensky

Politics

4 d. ago Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia, saying it could have made a deal

President hits back at Ukraine’s complaint that it has been left out of US-Russia talks, saying it had years to make a deal ‘without the loss of much land’See all our Ukraine war coveragePresident Donald Trump has criticised Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he was “disappointed” that the Ukrainian leader complained about being left out of talks between the US and Russia over ending the Ukraine war.Trump also seemed to blame Kyiv for Moscow’s invasion – even as he said he was more confident of a deal to end the war after US-Russia talks – claiming Ukraine could have “made a deal” to avert war. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Ukraine latest: Trump falsely accuses Kyiv of starting war after ‘very good’ US

Kyiv will not accept results of US-Russia talks held 'behind Ukraine’s back', says Zelensky

Politics

4 d. ago Trump praises Elon Musk as pair repeat familiar criticisms of opponents – live

World’s richest man and key Trump aide appears to play down influence in interview with Sean Hannity of Fox NewsThe US delegation is now speaking to the media. My colleague Jakub Krupa reports that Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser, has said the Ukraine talks with Russia will include discussion of territory and security guarantees, adding:This needs to be a permanent end to the war, and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past.What’s important to understand is two things. The first is [that] the only leader in the world who can make this happen, who can even bring people together to begin to talk about it in a serious way, is President Trump.The second thing I would say is that in order for a conflict to end, everyone involved in that conflict has to be okay with it has to be it has to be acceptable to them.The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved. What that looks like? Well, t...

Society

4 d. ago Donald Trump and Elon Musk speak in first joint TV interview – US politics live

Sean Hannity interview with US president and billionaire adviser airs on Fox News in prime timeThe US delegation is now speaking to the media. My colleague Jakub Krupa reports that Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser, has said the Ukraine talks with Russia will include discussion of territory and security guarantees, adding:This needs to be a permanent end to the war, and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past.What’s important to understand is two things. The first is [that] the only leader in the world who can make this happen, who can even bring people together to begin to talk about it in a serious way, is President Trump.The second thing I would say is that in order for a conflict to end, everyone involved in that conflict has to be okay with it has to be it has to be acceptable to them.The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved. What that looks like? Well, that’s what this w...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump signals Ukraine should hold elections as part of Russia peace talks

Remarks come hours after first high-level talks between Washington and Moscow since full-scale invasion

Politics

4 d. ago Trump signs order to expand IVF access ahead of joint interview with Musk – US politics live

Sean Hannity interview with US president and billionaire adviser to air on Fox News in prime timeThe US delegation is now speaking to the media. My colleague Jakub Krupa reports that Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser, has said the Ukraine talks with Russia will include discussion of territory and security guarantees, adding:This needs to be a permanent end to the war, and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past.What’s important to understand is two things. The first is [that] the only leader in the world who can make this happen, who can even bring people together to begin to talk about it in a serious way, is President Trump.The second thing I would say is that in order for a conflict to end, everyone involved in that conflict has to be okay with it has to be it has to be acceptable to them.The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved. What that looks like? Well, that’s what this...

Politics

4 d. ago Ukraine latest: Trump says US won’t oppose peacekeepers as EU assured it’ll be involved in peace talks

Ukraine says no peace deal can be made on its behalf as talks in Saudi Arabia conclude

Politics

4 d. ago Trump and Musk to give joint interview as more officials quit amid cost

President and billionaire adviser to talk to Sean Hannity as senior federal prosecutor, social security and FDA chiefs are among those leaving in protestThe US delegation is now speaking to the media. My colleague Jakub Krupa reports that Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser, has said the Ukraine talks with Russia will include discussion of territory and security guarantees, adding:This needs to be a permanent end to the war, and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past.What’s important to understand is two things. The first is [that] the only leader in the world who can make this happen, who can even bring people together to begin to talk about it in a serious way, is President Trump.The second thing I would say is that in order for a conflict to end, everyone involved in that conflict has to be okay with it has to be it has to be acceptable to them.The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all partie...

Politics

4 d. ago Ukraine latest: Zelensky demands Kyiv is involved in peace talks after Trump and Putin start negotiations

Ukraine says no peace deal can be made on its behalf as talks in Saudi Arabia conclude

Politics