6 d. ago The Guardian view on protests in Serbia: a battle for democracy that the EU must not ignore | Editorial

An authoritarian crackdown on mass demonstrations in an EU candidate country requires a stronger response from BrusselsDuring a summer in which European leaders have focused on shuttle diplomacy with Donald Trump over trade and Ukraine, they have maintained a discreet silence regarding another crisis in Europe’s east. For more than nine months, mass student-led protests in Serbia have been challenging the authoritarian rule of Aleksandar Vučić, who has been in office as prime minister and president for 11 years. Up to now, Brussels has largely opted to look away.The catalyst for some of the largest demonstrations in Serbia’s history was the collapse of a newly renovated railway station roof in the country’s second city, Novi Sad, leading to the deaths of 16 people. The disaster was widely attributed to entrenched fraud and corruption presided over by Mr Vučić’s ruling Serbian Progressive party, and swiftly became the spark for a movement for democratic reform. The students are deman...

Events

6 d. ago Vance boasts Trump’s ‘energetic diplomacy’ will end Ukraine war

Vance insists Russia made ‘significant’ concessions -- but can’t name them -- as Russia’s foreign minister walks back claim of Zelensky meeting within ‘two weeks’

Politics

7 d. ago Vance boasts Trump’s ‘energetic diplomacy’ will end Ukraine war as Russian foreign minister says no Putin

Vance insists Russia made ‘significant’ concessions -- but can’t name them -- as Russia’s foreign minister walks back claim of Zelensky meeting within ‘two weeks’

Politics

1 week ago Moscow demands veto over support for Ukraine under any peace deal and questions Zelenskyy’s legitimacy – Ukraine war live

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, says European proposals to deploy troops in Ukraine after a settlement would amount to ‘foreign intervention’We have just heard from the European Commission, confirming that the EU and the US have now agreed on the much-awaited “joint statement” advancing the political commitments on trade agreed by Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump in Scotland last month.The commission’s press release says the statement “lays out in detail the new US tariff regime towards the EU, with a clear maximum, all-inclusive, tariff rate of 15% for the vast majority of EU exports, including strategic sectors such as cars, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.” Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Moscow must have effective veto over any measures to support Ukraine after potential peace deal, says minister – Ukraine war live

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, says European proposals to deploy troops in Ukraine after a settlement would amount to ‘foreign intervention’We have just heard from the European Commission, confirming that the EU and the US have now agreed on the much-awaited “joint statement” advancing the political commitments on trade agreed by Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump in Scotland last month.The commission’s press release says the statement “lays out in detail the new US tariff regime towards the EU, with a clear maximum, all-inclusive, tariff rate of 15% for the vast majority of EU exports, including strategic sectors such as cars, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Zelenskyy says he wants to see an agreement on security guarantees before meeting Vladimir Putin – Ukraine war live

Amid US offering minimal security a group of allies led by Britain and France are putting together a military coalitionWe have just heard from the European Commission, confirming that the EU and the US have now agreed on the much-awaited “joint statement” advancing the political commitments on trade agreed by Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump in Scotland last month.The commission’s press release says the statement “lays out in detail the new US tariff regime towards the EU, with a clear maximum, all-inclusive, tariff rate of 15% for the vast majority of EU exports, including strategic sectors such as cars, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.” Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago US will only offer minimal security guarantees for Ukraine, says defence adviser – Ukraine war live

Elbridge Colby, US undersecretary of defence for policy, tells European allies that the bulk of responsibility will fall on Europe, say reportsIf you followed the blog yesterday, you know we looked at an incident with an allegedly Russian drone that crossed into Poland and exploded in a cornfield, some 100 km from Polish-Belarusian border.A regional prosecutor issued an update today, saying that “there is a very high probability that the object probably came from Belarus.” Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Russia says it must be part of international talks on Ukraine’s security

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov dismisses European diplomacy as ‘clumsy effort to sway Trump’Russia-Ukraine war – live updatesMoscow has said it must be part of any international talks on Ukraine’s security, as Russia continues to stall on Donald Trump’s push for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Wednesday that Moscow must be included in any talks on Ukraine’s security guarantees, dismissing European diplomacy as “aggressive escalation” and a “clumsy effort to sway Trump”. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Four key takeaways from Trump’s White House summit on Ukraine

The US president has hosted European leaders at short notice amid intense political efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Here are four key points to what was achievedUkraine war: live updatesFull report: Trump arranging Zelenskyy-Putin meeting as European leaders push for US security guaranteesDonald Trump has hosted leaders from across Europe as part of a flurry of diplomacy to find a path to peace in Ukraine. Coming just days after a disappointing summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the pressure was on to make headway in a years-long conflict that the US president once said he could solve in 24 hours.Below are some key points arising from the US president’s range of bilateral and multilateral talks with the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and Nato. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago In the Kremlin's school of diplomacy, negotiations are there to divide and weaken the enemy, writes military expert BOB SEELY

Trump wore a broad smile as if he was hosting an old friend, not a tyrant whose supporters regularly threaten nuclear armageddon against the West.

Events

2 w. ago Putin praises Trump’s ‘energetic and sincere’ efforts to end Ukraine war

Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump’s “energetic and sincere” attempts to end the war in Ukraine.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump says Putin ‘wants to get it done’ at tomorrow’s Alaska summit, as he floats idea of second meeting with Zelenskyy – Europe live

US president says threats of sanctions may have influenced Russian president to agree to Friday’s meeting in Anchorage, Alaskain BerlinGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stab at heading up Ukraine diplomacy has received measured praise at home, with a perception that Donald Trump’s declarations after Wednesday’s video conference sounded slightly less alarming to European ears than before. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Putin praises Trump for 'energetic and sincere efforts' to bring peace in Ukraine as historic meeting between the two men nears

Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump for his administration's 'energetic and sincere efforts' to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ahead of their face-to-face meeting in Alaska. 

Politics

2 w. ago Strictly fans 'disgusted' as Tom Skinner confirmed after rubbing shoulders with JD Vance

Strictly fans are outraged as ex-Apprentice star Tom Skinner joins the line-up after boasting of beers with US VP JD Vance, sparking calls to boycott the BBC show

Politics

2 w. ago Putin hails Trump’s ‘energetic and sincere’ efforts to end Ukraine war

Russian president appeals to US counterpart’s desire to be feted ahead of high-stakes Alaska summit

Politics

2 w. ago Vladimir Putin praises ‘sincere efforts’ from US administration to end Ukraine war – Europe live

Russian president holds meeting with top officials as he prepares to meet US president at 11.30am local time in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday 15 Augustin BerlinGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stab at heading up Ukraine diplomacy has received measured praise at home, with a perception that Donald Trump’s declarations after Wednesday’s video conference sounded slightly less alarming to European ears than before. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump and Putin to have one on one meeting before wider meeting with delegations, says Kremlin – Europe live

US and Russian presidents to meet at 11.30am local time in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday 15 Augustin BerlinGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stab at heading up Ukraine diplomacy has received measured praise at home, with a perception that Donald Trump’s declarations after Wednesday’s video conference sounded slightly less alarming to European ears than before. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Leaders in frantic phone diplomacy with Trump ahead of Putin summit on Ukraine – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join calls with Trump and Vance in last chance to shape US position before Alaska meetingUkraine will not cede land that could be Russian springboard for new warAs part of what promises to be a very busy day for diplomacy, we are also expecting to get press statements from Merz and Zelenskyy around 3pm BST (4pm CEST), after their call with Trump.So to help you plan your day, the rough timings appear to be: Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump says he and Putin will discuss ‘land swapping’ at Ukraine war summit

US president gives details on Alaska meeting and expresses frustration with Zelenskyy’s insistence on referendum on any peace dealDonald Trump has confirmed that he and Vladimir Putin will discuss “land swapping” when they meet on Friday in Alaska for a high-stakes summit on the Ukraine war.But the US president expressed frustration with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader, for putting conditions on such a potential agreement. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump confirms he and Putin will discuss ‘land swapping’ at Ukraine war summit

US president gives details on Alaska meeting and expresses frustration with Zelenskyy’s insistence on referendum on any peace dealDonald Trump has confirmed that he and Vladimir Putin will discuss “land swapping” when they meet on Friday in Alaska for a high-stakes summit on the Ukraine war.But the US president expressed frustration with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader, for putting conditions on such a potential agreement. Continue reading...

Politics