Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy rejects โ€˜quick winโ€™ ceasefire sought by US

โ€˜We will not sign just anything in order to be applauded,โ€™ Ukrainian president insists; European leaders pressed on sending troops to enforce peace. What we know on day 1,091 The US is trying to โ€œpleaseโ€ Vladimir Putin as it aims for a โ€œquick winโ€ by …

Europeโ€™s leaders find no quick response to Trumpโ€™s bombshell on Ukraine

Top European leaders could not find common ground on issues including sending peacekeepers in Ukraine.

Syrian delivery driver who rammed car into attacker hailed as hero in Austria

Villach mayor praises Alaaeddin al-Halabi, who intervened in knife attack that killed 14-year-old and injured five othersA Syrian migrant living in Austria has been hailed as a hero after he rammed his car into an attacker, bringing down a radicalised …

France tries five suspected IS militants over kidnap of four journalists in Syria

One suspect, Mehdi Nemmouche, is serving a life sentence for a 2019 attack on a Jewish museum in BrusselsFive suspected Islamist terrorists accused of kidnapping and torturing four French journalists covering the war in Syria have gone on trial in Pari…

โ€˜They wanted to attack meโ€™: Aurore Clรฉment on violent premieres and smuggling bananas for Brando

As the film that caused havoc at its Paris premiere resurfaces, the great French actor looks back on an extraordinary career, from the furore of Meetings With Anna to the meltdown of Apocalypse Nowโ€˜People stood up and started to yell,โ€ says Aurore Clรฉm…

The fight for Europe is on

At a time of intensifying great power competition, the EU has to choose between becoming a satrap of the U.S. or breaking free to steer its own course โ€” and it must decide quickly.

Starmer ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine if peace deal reached

It is understood to be the first time the PM has been explicit about sending British peacekeepers to UkraineKeir Starmer has said he is prepared to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war with Russia, acknowledging…

As US recedes, NATO scrambles to find a new leader

The Brits, French, and Germans all have their own ideas about how to defend the continent with Americaโ€™s plans in flux.ย 

Austria stabbing that killed teenager was Islamist attack, minister says

Targeting of passersby in southern city of Villach had โ€˜IS connectionsโ€™, says interior ministerA stabbing that left a teenager dead and five others injured in southern Austria was an Islamist attack, Austriaโ€™s interior minister has said.โ€œIt is an Islam…

Europeans are right to be angry with Donald Trump, but they should also be furious with themselves | Andrew Rawnsley

The betrayal of Ukraine is a final warning to the UK and its continental allies to put a lot more energy and money into rebuilding their defencesIt was, Sir Keir Starmer told members of his inner circle, one of his most meaningful visits abroad. In the…

Senator Warner: Democratsโ€™ โ€˜brand is really badโ€™

Ideological purity and cultural disconnect cost the party the last election.

German chancellor hits back after Vance tirade at security conference โ€“ video

Olaf Scholz has responded strongly in defence of his stance against the far right and said Germany will not accept people who ‘intervene in our democracy’, a day after the US vice-president, JD Vance, attacked European governments for the way they soug…

Zelenskyy: โ€˜The time has comeโ€™ for a European army

Despite talk of a peace agreement, Russia is continuing to wage war against Ukraine.

Ukraine probably canโ€™t survive without US help, Zelenskyy says

The grim prognosis comes as the conflict appears to be entering a new phase.

Zelenskyy calls for European army as Germany hits back at US over Vance tirade โ€“ Europe live

โ€˜Our army alone is not enough, we need your support,โ€™ Ukraineโ€™s president tells Munich security conferenceEurope will not be part of Ukraine-Russia peace talks, US envoy saysJD Vance stuns Munich conference with blistering attack on Europeโ€™s leadersAna…

โ€˜I fear free speech is in retreat,โ€™ JD Vance rebukes Europeโ€™s leaders โ€“ video

In a chastising speech on Friday that openly questioned whether current European values warranted defence by the US, the US vice-president painted a picture of European politics infected by media censorship, cancelled elections and political correctnes…

โ€˜Thought crimeโ€™ and cancelled elections: how do JD Vanceโ€™s claims about Europe stand up?

US vice-president told litany of tales of Europeโ€™s rights infringements in speech to leaders at defence gatheringJD Vance stuns Munich conference with blistering attack on Europeโ€™s leadersIn JD Vanceโ€™s confrontational and pugnacious speech at the Munic…

US Democrats slam Vance Munich speech as โ€˜hypocrisyโ€™

The U.S. vice president’s admonition of Europeโ€™s policies splits American lawmakers.

JD Vance attacks Europe over migration, free speech

JD Vance stunned the audience with his broadside on the way Europe is run.

Munich car attack believed to have had Islamist motive, says prosecutor

Gabriele Tilmann says suspectโ€™s online communications point to extremism but investigators have found no links to jihadist groupsGerman police and prosecutors have said the Afghan suspect in a car ramming in central Munich that injured at least 36 peop…

Russian drone detonates on Chornobyl nuclear plant containment shell

Attack during night before Munich Security Conference started fire but did not cause radiation leak, says KyivEurope live โ€“ latest updates
A Russian drone carrying a high-explosive warhead struck the protective containment shell of the Chornobyl nucle…

German prosecutors confirm Islamic extremism in Munich attack, stoking election debate

A suspected Islamist attack in Munich has ignited fierce political debate on security and migration just over a week before Germanyโ€™s federal election.

Ukraine accuses Russia of striking Chernobyl nuclear power plant

In a social media post on Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky said that ‘a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead’ hit a cover to contain radiation at the power. The Kremlin rejected that its army was targeting nuclear structures.

Killer Russian drone strikes Chernobyl nuclear reactor cover, Ukraine says

“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable,” says International Atomic Energy Agency.

Zelenskyy demands โ€˜real security guaranteesโ€™ before peace talks; Vance accused of โ€˜trying to pick a fightโ€™ with EU โ€“ as it happened

This live blog is now closed. You can read our latest reporting here:Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs โ€˜security guaranteesโ€™ before any Putin talksVance stuns with blistering attack on Europeโ€™s leadersExplainer: how do Vanceโ€™s Europe claims stand up?Pope Fr…

Zelensky slams Russian drone attack on Chernobyl, which EU calls ‘reckless’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post on Friday that a Russian drone armed with a high-explosive warhead struck the cover protecting a power unit at the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The Kremlin denied targeting…

Criminals use AI chatbots too

SNEAK PEEK โ€” Criminals use AI chatbots to commit fraud, Europolโ€™s chief AI officer warns. โ€” The U.K. switches from โ€˜AI safety to โ€˜AI security.โ€™ โ€” The Munich Security Conference is working hard to make killer AI cool. Good morning and welcome to Morning Tech. This is Pieter. #TGIF (unless youโ€™re in Munich, then the [โ€ฆ]

Europe lacks a master plan for Donald Trumpโ€™s new world disorder

There is a “mix of fear and denial,” according to one European official who spoke to POLITICO.

US reins in demands on Ukraine amid alliesโ€™ outcries

โ€œEverything is on the table,โ€ the Defense secretary said with no mention of concessions he demanded the day before.

EU failed to Trump-proof Europe and now faces humiliation over Ukraine

As Putinโ€™s actions again disrupt the start of a Munich security conference, Brussels largely has itself to blameEurope live โ€“ latest updatesThe start of the Munich security conference has a habit of being disrupted by a display of power by Vladimir Put…

Norway to open protected rivers to hydropower plants

Green politicians describe plan as โ€˜a historic attack on Norwegian natureโ€™The Norwegian parliament has voted to open up protected rivers to hydropower plants, prompting fury from conservation groups who fear for the fate of fish and other wildlife.The …

At least 28 injured after car hits union rally in โ€˜suspected attackโ€™ in Munich โ€“ video

A 24-year-old Afghan man has driven a car into a trade union demonstration in Munich, injuring at least 28 people including children, some of them critically, according to German police. The Bavarian state premier, Markus Sรถder, told reporters the inci…

Reynolds hits โ€˜resetโ€™ on competition

SNEAK PEEK โ€”ย  The government is giving the CMA a โ€˜resetโ€™. The CMA will try to show itโ€™s got the message. โ€”ย Peter Kyle explains the U.K.โ€™s AI summit statement snub. โ€”ย MPs pick up where peers left off on copyright. Good morning and happy Thursday, This is Tom, back home. You can get in touch with [โ€ฆ]

Trumpโ€™s defense secretary calls Ukraineโ€™s return to old borders โ€˜unrealisticโ€™

The Defense secretaryโ€™s comments at NATO headquarters signal the Trump administration will support stopping Russian efforts in Ukraine โ€” with caveats.

Russian missile strike on Kyiv kills at least one, sparks fires, Ukraine says

A Russian missile strike on Kyiv early Tuesday morning killed at least one civilian, injured three others, and sparked fires across the city, Ukrainian officials confirmed. The attack comes as prospects for renewed peace talks increase following Presi…

How to watch the German election like a pro

Germany’s election will be a gauge of how far the world’s third biggest economy has swung to the right.

On the slow road to peace in Ukraine

Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, we need to be preparing for an extraordinarily complex process that will take many months.

Russia could start a major war in Europe within 5 years, Danish intelligence warns

An updated threat assessment warns of the consequences of a divided NATO and an absent U.S.

German frontrunner Merz will take EU โ€˜to its grave,โ€™ says Scholz

Country’s role in Europe gets a surprise central focus in election campaign.

Russia lashes out at EU plans to seize its โ€˜shadow fleetโ€™ in the Baltic Sea

Moscow said any move to grab its oil exporting vessels would be seen as an attack against the country, after POLITICO revealed the new EU plans.

Campaigner for migrants in Libya says his phone was targeted in spyware attack

Italy-based David Yambio, a critic of Meloni government, helps ICC find evidence of abuse of detainees in LibyaAn Italy-based human rights activist whose work supports the international criminal court in providing evidence about cases of abuse suffered…

Riding out the Trump tiger until heโ€™s exhausted

How should one handle the 47th U.S. president? Kiss the ring, resist, offer deals and wait for exhaustion to set in.

Ukraine war briefing: Power restrictions as Russia hits energy system

Trump says Ukraine โ€˜may be Russian somedayโ€™; Biden-approved weapons still flowing, says Kellogg. What we know on day 1,084See all our Ukraine war coverageUkraine implemented emergency power restrictions on Tuesday morning as the energy minister, German…

Britain ditches AI declaration, pitches for cash

SNEAK PEEK โ€” As the AI Action Summit kicks off, the U.K. is tempted against signing its main declaration. โ€” Peter Kyle takes his investment pitch to Paris. โ€” Back at home, thereโ€™s a backlash against the Home Office over encryption. Good Monday morning, This is Tom in Paris. You can get in touch with [โ€ฆ]

France braces for trial of surgeon accused of sexually abusing hundreds of children

Joรซl Le Scouarnec has been charged with the rape or sexual assault of 299 patients from 1989 to 2014The biggest child abuse trial in French history will open in Brittany this month amid anger that a surgeon was allegedly able to attack hundreds of youn…

Suggestions for U.S. success in the Middle East

An aide-mรฉmoire to Secretary of State Marco Rubio from a former adviser to Tony Blair.

The โ€˜Gaza-ificationโ€™ of the West Bank

With a cease-fire holding in Gaza, Israel shifts its war to the West Bank.

Man arrested after three people injured in suspected knife attack in Dublin

Three men taken to hospital, two with serious injuries, after incident in Stoneybatter neighbourhoodA man has been arrested after three people were injured in a suspected knife attack that has left a Dublin neighbourhood in โ€œa state of shockโ€.Irish pol…

Israel withdraws troops from key Gaza corridor under fragile cease-fire

Concerns are growing about talks on the second phase of the cease-fire deal.

Inside USAIDโ€™s undoing

Aides to the president and Elon Musk suspected USAID officials were trying to go around a funding freeze.

Hamas releases 3 Israeli hostages in latest cease-fire swap

The Palestinian militant group freed Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy in a prisoner exchange.

Cocaine cash propels Brussels gang wars to dangerous heights, drugs czar says

The globalization of the illicit narcotics trade is hampering investigators โ€” but Brussels needs to score some quick societal wins, says Belgium’s drug commissioner after wave of shootings.

โ€˜Weโ€™re still thereโ€™: Ukraine marks the 6-month anniversary of its Kursk incursion

Kyiv insists that the invasion made sense, but some experts feel the cost has been very high.

Ukraine war briefing: Putin admits situation โ€˜very difficultโ€™ in Kursk as Kyiv forces mount new offensive

Moscow shows โ€˜indifferenceโ€™ to civilian humanitarian corridor offer, says Zelenskyy; France delivers Mirage jets. What we know on day 1,080Russia said it was battling a new Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, as Kyiv offered a humanitarian corridor for civil…

Several nationalities among Sweden school shooting victims, police say

Syrian embassy says its citizens were among 11 killed in attack by lone gunman in ร–rebroโ€ข Europe live โ€“ latest updatesPeople of several nationalities were among the 11 killed at a school in Swedenโ€™s worst mass shooting, police have said.Anna Bergkvist,…

Ukraine war briefing: Bomber dies in attack on army recruitment centre

String of attacks against Ukraineโ€™s mobilisation effort; Ukraine announces robot ground units. What we know on day 1,079A person died setting off an explosion at an army recruitment centre in western Ukraine on Wednesday, officials said, amid a string …

The US is โ€˜no longer the America we used to know,โ€™ warns Germanyโ€™s Merz

“The way they’re pardoning people who have been sentenced to years in prison, that will have consequences for America,” Merz cautioned.

Shooter at ร–rebro school had taken classes there, reports Swedish media

Police say suspect, who is among the dead, acted alone as they continue the work of identifying victimsThe gun rampage that left 11 people dead in the Swedish city of ร–rebro was โ€œa one-man operationโ€, police have said, as local media identified the sho…

‘Extremely shocked’: Swedish king pays tribute to victims of ร–rebro shooting โ€“ย video

The Swedish king, Carl XVI Gustaf, and Queen Silvia have visited a memorial near the scene of a mass shooting at an educational facility in ร–rebro.The king told reporters that he and the queen were ‘extremely upset’ by what happened. He said: ‘We want …

Israeli ambassador to UN says Palestinians shouldnโ€™t be forced out of Gaza

โ€œI think we all agree that it should require the consent,โ€ Danny Danon said.

EU leaders talk the talk on defence. But where will they find the billions to pay for it? | Paul Taylor

Europe may have as little as three to five years to prepare for a potential Russian attack โ€“ it must get real about borrowing to protect peaceEU leaders agreed at their summit with Keir Starmer in Brussels this week that much more spending is urgently …

Poland spends big on arms to stay friends with Trump

Defense Minister Wล‚adysล‚aw Kosiniak-Kamysz warns that Europe must spend more “to retain the presence of the Americans in Europe.”