49 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 Trump ‘very disappointed’ in Putin on his deadline day for Russia to move towards Ukraine ceasefire – Europe live

The US president said further action in the form of sanctions and tariffs now dependent on the outcome of talks with his Russian counterpartThe US president Donald Trump’s original deadline for Russia to move on ending its invasion of Ukraine ends today.Asked if he was ready to follow through on his threats of sanctions and secondary tariffs, Trump told reporters last night:It’s going to be up to him. We’re going to see what he has to say. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago JD Vance visits Indiana to discuss redistricting amid Trump pressure on GOP states – US politics live

Protests set to greet vice-president on visit after governor said redistricting ‘looks like it’s going to happen across many Republican states’Across the US’s fabled but overstretched national parks, unusual scenes are playing out this summer following budget cuts by Donald Trump’s administration. Archeologists are staffing ticket booths, ecologists are covering visitor centers and the superintendents of parks are even cleaning the toilets.The National Park Service (NPS), responsible for maintaining cherished wildernesses and sites of cultural importance from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty, has lost a quarter of its permanent staff since Trump took office in January, with the administration seeking to gut the service’s budget by a third.Donald Trump has claimed “great progress was made” during talks on ending the war in Ukraine between his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Wednesday. The three-hour talks came two days before a deadline the US p...

Politics

6 d. ago Kremlin denies Putin agreed to trilateral meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy

Moscow says preparations under way for possible meeting with Trump but dismisses US talk of three-way summitEurope live – latest updatesThe Kremlin has said planning is under way for a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump next week – but denied the Russian leader had agreed to a subsequent meeting with the US president and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.On Wednesday Putin met Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin, and reports from Washington suggested he had agreed to meet first with Trump and then in a trilateral format, as part of US efforts to bring about the end of the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump could meet Putin for Ukraine war talks ‘as soon as next week’

Summit with Russian leader would follow ‘great progress’ made by special envoy Steve Witkoff during Moscow visit Donald Trump could meet Vladimir Putin as soon as next week to discuss the war in Ukraine, White House officials have said, although senior administration officials have warned that serious “impediments” remain to achieving a ceasefire.White House officials briefed US media that Trump would seek a summit with Putin after the US special envoy Steve Witkoff met the Russian leader at the Kremlin on Wednesday. After that meeting, Trump claimed “great progress was made” during the talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago If Trump is finally ‘done’ with Putin, a new dimension of uncertainty opens up

Editorial: Despite no immediate sign of a breakthrough with Moscow after special envoy Steve Witkoff’s crunch ceasefire talks, there is at least hope that the US president – increasingly resentful about the Kremlin rebuffing his overtures – could now come full circle and support Ukraine again

Politics

6 d. ago Trump hails ‘great progress’ after Witkoff meets Putin for talks on Ukraine

US president calls meeting ‘highly productive’ amid unconfirmed reports on halt to long-range strikesDonald Trump has claimed “great progress was made” during talks on ending the war in Ukraine between his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Wednesday.The three-hour talks came two days before a deadline the US president set for Russia to reach a peace deal in the war or face fresh sanctions. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago The Latest: Putin hosts Trump envoy Witkoff for crucial talks on Ukraine peace deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff for talks, days before the White House’s deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil

Politics

6 d. ago US imposes additional 25% tariff on India for importing Russian oil – Europe live

Announcement comes after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in MoscowWe are getting first pictures from inside the Kremlin showing Russia’s Putin welcoming Witkoff for their talks.Earlier today, Witkoff also went for a walk through Zaryadye Park near the Kremlin with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, AP reported, pointing to footage aired by Tass. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago US special envoy Steve Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow as Russia strikes Ukrainian gas facility – Europe live

Donald Trump has set a Friday deadline for progress on ending the Ukraine war, after which Russia could face increased US sanctionsWe are getting first pictures from inside the Kremlin showing Russia’s Putin welcoming Witkoff for their talks.Earlier today, Witkoff also went for a walk through Zaryadye Park near the Kremlin with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation, AP reported pointing to footage aired by Tass. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago ‘No to illegal migration, no to euro’ says Karol Nawrocki in inaugural speech as Poland’s president – Europe live

Inauguration is a difficult moment for Donald Tusk’s ruling coalition after months of controversy over allegations of voting irregularitiesNawrocki will take part in a number of ceremonial appointments throughout the day. I will keep an eye on this.But let’s go back to Russia and Ukraine, as Interfax is now reporting that – as expected (8:59) – Russian president Vladimir Putin is meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff for their crunch talks ahead of this Friday’s Trump deadline to end the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for talks with Russia – Europe live

Talks between the two countries come ahead of this Friday’s deadline set by Donald Trump for ending the war in UkraineNawrocki has just made his oath of office.“Assuming, by the will of the nation, the office of president of the Republic of Poland, I do solemnly swear to be faithful to the provisions of the constitution; I pledge that I shall steadfastly safeguard the dignity of the nation, the independence and security of the state, and also that the good of the homeland and the prosperity of its citizens shall forever remain my supreme obligation.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin – Europe live

Talks between the two men come ahead of this Friday’s deadline set by Donald Trump for ending the war in UkraineOver in Poland, the inauguration ceremony of the country’s new president, Karol Nawrocki, will start in just under an hour at 10am local time (9am London).42-year-old Nawrocki narrowly won the presidential election in June, defying the polls and beating the Oxford-educated liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski who was widely regarded as the clear favourite to replace the conservative incumbent Andrzej Duda stepping down after two terms. Continue reading...

Politics

7 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

7 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

7 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...

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