Trump on if he can end fighting in Ukraine: โ€˜I donโ€™t knowโ€™

President Donald Trump said Friday that he was unsure if heโ€™d be able to end Russiaโ€™s war against Ukraine, a far cry from his promise to swiftly put a stop to the conflict that he made on the campaign trail. โ€œI donโ€™t know. I canโ€™t tell you whether or not thatโ€™s going to happen,โ€ Trump [โ€ฆ]

Trump says no progress on Ukraine in call with Putin

The leaders also discussed Iran in what the U.S. president said was a “long” call.

Le Pen and Bardella staging kiss-and-make-up moment

Are Le Pen and Bardella running mates or rivals?

MAGA warned Trump on Iran. Now heโ€™s in an impossible position.

The president ran on ending forever wars. But Israelโ€™s Thursday night strike on Iran could force his hand.

Weapons sales to Europe will continue as South Korea pivots left

Despite prohibition on sending weapons to war zones, experts say Seoul will still be eager to cooperate with Europe on defense.

Right wing toasts Nawrocki while European leaders offer cautious congratulations

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls on nationalist Polish election winner to โ€œwork to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home.โ€œ

Polandโ€™s rule of law โ€˜is on the ballotโ€™ in Sundayโ€™s presidential election

Incumbent President Andrzej Duda has been able to block most of the government’s efforts to restore the rule of law. That could change after Sunday’s vote.

Muskโ€™s decision to limit political spending leaves some Republicans cold

Whether or not he actually stops contributing is still an open question.

Polandโ€™s presidential candidates seek to broaden appeal on campaign trail after nail-biting first round vote โ€“ as it happened

This blog is now closed, you can read our report hereAshifa Kassam and Jakub Krupa in WarsawThe next two weeks will โ€œdecide the future of Polandโ€, its prime minister, Donald Tusk, has warned last night, as the country prepares for a presidential runoff…

Trump doesnโ€™t want humanitarian disaster in Gaza, Witkoff says

But he said that averting starvation is not an easy task.

‘Something is changing’: Poland’s voters on the critical issues in presidential elections โ€“ video

Thirteen presidential candidates are making the most of the last day before the ‘electoral silence’ kicks in ahead of Sunday’s first round of voting. Leading contenders hit the campaign trail early this morning as they hoped to convince undecided voter…

Bruno Retailleau: From medieval role player to French presidential hopeful

Franceโ€™s interior minister wants to turn his center-right party back into a heavyweight political force.

Trumpโ€™s election maestro works to topple Albanian prime minister

Albaniaโ€™s embattled opposition party is mounting a dramatic election push after years sidelined by Edi Ramaโ€™s ruling Socialists.

Mark Carney elected Canadaโ€™s prime minister

Carney cemented the Liberalsโ€™ fourth-straight term in government, a rare feat in Canadian politics โ€” defeating the Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre.

Trump: Putin will be โ€˜fineโ€™ in peace negotiations

The interviewโ€™s release comes amid the Kremlinโ€™s announcement of a three-day May ceasefire to the war.

Trudeau disappeared during Canadaโ€™s election โ€” and his party was thrilled

His replacement, Liberal Leader Mark Carney, remotivated the base in an election campaign that was turned upside down by Donald Trump.

Trump โ€˜not happyโ€™ with Putin for attack on Kyiv amid tense ceasefire negotiations

The presidentโ€™s criticism is a shift from his usual blaming of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the ongoing conflict.

Trump crashes the home stretch of Canadaโ€™s election

With just days to go, โ€œ51st stateโ€ talk ensures the president is front and center of the campaign.

White House debates lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets, Nord Stream

The debate pits Steve Witkoff against State Department and U.S. energy export proponents.

Amid Trumpโ€™s tariff war, Germanyโ€™s next leader keeps faith in free trade

Despite Donald Trumpโ€™s lurch into protectionism and coercion, Friedrich Merz believes a transatlantic trade deal can still be done.

The Trump administrationโ€™s conflicting messages to the public and the courts

Government lawyers paint a very different picture in court filings from the one Trump and his allies do on TV and social media.

US markets have spiraled. Americans had doubts about Trumpโ€™s tariffs before that.

Recent polls showed Americans were wary of tariffs, even before the president launched his plan to realign the global trade order.

Canada says its friendship with the US is โ€˜over.โ€™ Now what?

Trumpโ€™s aggressive trade policies have rocked an alliance that seemed unshakeable.

Jordan Bardella: So close to becoming French president โ€” and yet so far

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s reaction to being found guilty of embezzlement only harms her protรฉgรฉ’s chances.

Turkeyโ€™s young โ€˜hope of millionsโ€™ held in jail as ErdoฤŸan cracks down on protests

Popular student demonstrator Berkay Gezgin, 21, snatched off street by police outside office of detained Istanbul mayorWhen 21-year-old Berkay Gezgin left the interior of Istanbul city hall, a squad of police was waiting for him outside. Protests that …

Carney says tariffs force new era for Canada-US ties

โ€œThe old relationship we had with the United States โ€ฆ is over,โ€ the prime minister after latest Trump threats.

JD Vance โ€˜had a pointโ€™ on migration, Danish socialist prime minister warns EU leaders

For Mette Frederiksen, controlling “mass migration” is just as important as deterring Russia.

White House seriously considering deal from Oracle to run TikTok

Any deal could face security concerns from China hawks in Congress.

Trumpโ€™s plan to stockpile crypto complicates industryโ€™s policy push

The presidentโ€™s endorsement of ideas once relegated to the fringes of the crypto community could jeopardize broader efforts by policymakers to legitimize the $3 trillion market.

He wasnโ€™t bluffing: Trumpโ€™s trade war sparks broad backlash

He levied sweeping tariffs on key trading partners Mexico, Canada and China early Tuesday morning.

EU to Trump on tariffs: Go ahead, make our day.

Brussels threatens to use its trade bazooka after President Donald Trump says the European Union was created to โ€œscrewโ€ America.

German election shows how far green wave has receded in Europe

Result is further evidence that political conversation around the climate crisis has shiftedGerman election live โ€“ latest updatesIn the final days of an election campaign dominated by migration, the likely new chancellor of Europeโ€™s biggest polluter so…

The inside story of how 31 days made Merz chancellor โ€” and changed Germany forever

Based on more than a dozen interviews in the final weeks of the German election campaign, POLITICO tells the story of how violence and migration shaped one of the most momentous votes in the country’s postwar history.

Merz won the German election. Hereโ€™s what it means for Europe.

POLITICO breaks down what the conservativesโ€™ victory means for EU policy and cooperation โ€• from nuclear weapons to cannabis.

Germans get out their โ€˜functional underwearโ€™ to combat election cold

The last time a vote was held in winter was 1987; turnout was the lowest for decades.

The EUโ€™s strategy to counter Trumpโ€™s tariffs: An iron fist in a velvet glove

Brussels has strengthened its trade toolkit since Donald Trumpโ€™s first term. But it would need the broad support of EU countries to strike back hard.

How do you get a German to vote? Give them free beer of course!

The pilsner plan is finding parts of the electorate other initiatives can’t reach.

Von der Leyen and Rutte rock casual sneakers look at EU retreat

They join politicians from Rishi Sunak to Emmanuel Macron in putting their best feet forward.

Canada hits back against Trump tariffs: โ€œWe will not back downโ€

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is ready to respond with 25 percent tariffs against C$155 billion worth of American goods.

Trump says Putin talks could see โ€˜significantโ€™ result for Ukraine

U.S. president refuses to comment on whether he has already spoken with the Russian leader on ending the war.

Why Starmer might need to bring back Blair

Britain’s prime minister is seemingly always overseas, and some allies wish heโ€™d delegate more of the diplomatic grind โ€” just as his predecessor did.

Trump promised some tariffs immediately. Theyโ€™re not here โ€” yet.

The president likely hasnโ€™t made up his mind on which tariffs to enact.

NATOโ€™s Rutte: Trump โ€˜is rightโ€™ and Europeโ€™s defense spending is a โ€˜problemโ€™

Transatlantic military alliance chief echoes Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in stinging remarks at the World Economic Forum.

Trump closes first day with an avalanche of executive orders

President Donald Trump bolted into his first day in office with an unprecedented show of executive force โ€” signing orders intended to end the right to citizenship by birth, force federal workers back to the office and grant Tik Tok a reprieve from a forced shutdown โ€” as he showcased his desire to circumvent Congress [โ€ฆ]

Trump not expected to impose tariffs as part of Day One orders

The decision from incoming President Donald Trump contradicts his promise to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexico and Canada on his first day in office.

Trumpโ€™s US-Mexico tariffs threaten to hammer European carmakers

European automakers may be forced to shift production from Mexico to the U.S., costing them time and money.

Get ready for Trumpโ€™s executive order onslaught

The incoming president is trying to deliver on a long list of Day One promises.

Germanyโ€™s Scholz ignites fierce debate by making Ukraine aid contingent on borrowing

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s latest demand is likely to stall a โ‚ฌ3 billion aid package to the war-ravaged country as Russian forces continue their advance.

โ€˜TARIFFS all the way!!!โ€™: EU mulls carrots and sticks to counter Trump on trade

Bloc may ward off incoming presidentโ€™s threats by buying more US goods, or impose its own tariffs in retaliationIf there is one thing the EU knows about Donald Trump, it is that he loves tariffs. The incoming president has said โ€œtariffโ€ is โ€œthe most be…

Even progressives think Trump deserves some credit for the ceasefire

Critics of Bidenโ€™s approach to negotiations with Israel say the deal should have happened much earlier.

Germanyโ€™s Scholz under political pressure over โ‚ฌ3B Ukraine aid package

Beleaguered chancellor says more aid to Ukraine could mean cuts to pensions and local government funding.

Ukraine war briefing: Strengthen Kyivโ€™s hand before peace talks, says Nato chief

Mark Rutte says Ukraine not yet in the โ€˜position of strengthโ€™ it needs for talks with Russia; Biden says US and allies โ€˜canโ€™t walk awayโ€™. What we know on day 1,056Ukraine is not in a strong enough position for peace talks with Russia, Nato chief, Mark …

Germanyโ€™s Lindner gets cake (of soap) in the face on campaign trail

“I wear these battle scars with pride,” jokes Free Democratic Party leader after getting smeared with foam at an election rally.

Strengthen Ukraine so there can be real peace

The main guarantee of peace cannot be Trumpโ€™s โ€œgood will.โ€ Rather, we must create conditions so that the the enemy simply wouldnโ€™t dare attack again.

Always look on the bright side of life โ€” why 2025 might be better

5 totally not tongue-in-cheek reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead.

Germany 2025: Reform or more gloom?

The coming year will demand courage from the country’s politicians. But if they succumb to anxiety and idling, there will be darker days ahead.

Tributes pour in for Jimmy Carter

Joe Biden has long expressed an admiration for Carter, a sentiment that was palpable in the presidentโ€™s statement Sunday evening.

In Arizona speech, Trump jokes Musk is โ€˜not going to be presidentโ€™

โ€œAll the different hoaxes, and the new one is, โ€˜President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk,โ€™โ€ Trump said.

Democrats donโ€™t blame Harris. In fact, many want her back in 2028.

Top officials gathered in Washington suggested an openness to backing the vice president again next time.

British politics has a sandwich problem

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is just the latest big name to cause a stir with her culinary choices.

UK Tory leader: Sandwiches arenโ€™t real

Kemi Badenoch “will not touch bread if it’s moist.โ€

Biden shrinks from view ahead of Trumpโ€™s return to Washington

With 42 days left in office, Biden avoids unscripted moments or press questions.

Ukraine war briefing: Trump urges China to help end Ukraine war

After meeting US president-elect, Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautions that Ukraine needs a โ€˜just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few yearsโ€™. What we know on day 1,020See all our Ukraine war coverageDonald Trump has called for an imme…

Trump calls for โ€˜immediate ceasefireโ€™ in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy

US president-elect claims Kyiv โ€˜would like to make a dealโ€™ to end war with Russia and cites loss of โ€˜400,000 soldiersโ€™Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, a day after meeting the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Pa…

TikTok defiant after US court upholds law to force its sale

TikTok signals it will appeal after a federal court sided with the Justice Department and upheld a law to force its sale or ban it. But Donald Trump could offer a way out.

Russia and Ukraine wait warily for Trump transition โ€ฆ and subsequent peace talks

President-electโ€™s strategy on ending war is yet to emerge but interviews with Ukrainian officials and Russians suggest a compromise may be hard to findNobody knows when the talks will happen, or in what city. It is unclear who might be sitting at the t…

Trump picks David Perdue to be ambassador to China

The former senator has significant business experience in Asia, including China.

28 policy promises Trump has made for his first week in office

The president-electโ€™s campaign pledges cover immigration to education to energy.

Trumpโ€™s effect on the Middle East

For good or ill, Trump is already shaping the calculations of combatants in the region, but much depends on how Hezbollahโ€™s bosses in Tehran proceed.

โ€˜A shot at the bowโ€™: Trump puts trading partners on notice

For now, the financial markets are taking the president-electโ€™s tariff threats seriously, if not literally.

As Franceโ€™s Marine Le Pen stumbles, her far-right protรฉgรฉ seizes the limelight

Jordan Bardella’s glitzy book tour encourages speculation about a palace coup at the top of the National Rally party.

Trump enthralls Polandโ€™s right-wing populists

Republican candidate’s victory in U.S. is giving Poland’s Law and Justice party hope it can prevail in their country’s presidential vote next year.

Trump selects Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general

The attorney general will be tasked with defending a plethora of controversial Trump policies โ€” from immigration crackdowns to anti-abortion initiatives โ€” that are sure to spark legal challenges.

โ€˜Who the fโ€“k is this guy?โ€™: Defense world reacts to Trumpโ€™s surprise Pentagon pick

โ€œHegseth is undoubtedly the least qualified nominee for SecDef in American history,โ€ one veteransโ€™ advocate said.

Kyivโ€™s backers take comfort in Trumpโ€™s Cabinet picks

Theyโ€™re very cautiously optimistic that Trumpโ€™s first national security nominees are bad news for Putin.

ย Trumpโ€™s trade team lay the groundwork for massive new tariffs

Preemptive efforts to counter expected criticism of tariffs signal an even greater shake-up on trade during Trumpโ€™s second term.

Trumpโ€™s return provokes worry, not shock, at world climate talks

Beneath the brave words at the president-electโ€™s victory were real worries that action will stall without the United States.

US still committed to climate fight despite Trumpโ€™s win, says top climate diplomat at COP29

President-elect Donald Trumpโ€™s victory is roiling the opening day of the global climate talks.

Donald Trump Jr. taunts Zelenskyy about โ€˜losing your allowanceโ€™

U.S. president-elect’s son shares a clip on Instagram referring to his father’s vow to cut aid to Kyiv.

Trump ally: Ukraine focus is to achieve โ€˜peace and stop the killingโ€™

Spokesperson for Trumpโ€™s presidential transition effort said Bryan Lanza had not been speaking on behalf of president-electUS elections 2024 โ€“ live updatesA senior adviser to Donald Trump said that the incoming US administrationโ€™s priority for Ukraine …

The law barring Trump from pulling out of NATO is โ€˜not airtight,โ€™ expert says

The guardrail against the next president leaving the alliance is shakier than you think.

Putin says heโ€™s โ€˜readyโ€™ to pick up if โ€˜manlyโ€™ Trump calls him

Russian autocrat rekindles the bromance.

Zelenskyy rebuffs Trumpโ€™s proposal for rapid peace deal in Ukraine war

โ€œIt doesnโ€™t mean that it will happen this way,โ€ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Budapest.

Speculation whirls as Trump begins vetting for top White House jobs

With Congress potentially under full Republican control, Trumpโ€™s team is emboldened to push aspects of his America First agenda as soon as he reenters office.

Unpredictable Trump could unlock Ukraine peace deal, ex-NATO chief says

U.S. president-electโ€™s revulsion at being depicted as a โ€œloserโ€ is a potential asset in future talks with Russia, said Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Trump win will force Europe to step up defense efforts, say France and Germany

French Armed Forces Minister Sรฉbastien Lecornu and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius were keen to highlight the Continent’s increased efforts after meeting in Paris.

Who might make up Trumpโ€™s Cabinet

Donald Trump didnโ€™t engage in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet in the run-up to his election. But that didnโ€™t stop him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television. โ€œHe would be great at this,โ€ or โ€œShe would [โ€ฆ]

Trumpโ€™s stunning comeback: 6 takeaways from his resounding win

Trumpโ€™s victory looks like a realignment.

Trumpโ€™s in. Hereโ€™s what it means for Europe.

From energy and trade to finance and defense, hereโ€™s how Donald Trumpโ€™s second presidency will impact EU policy.

Far from the race he once envisioned, Joe Biden closes out contest in Scranton

As Kamala Harris makes her final dash, the president sticks close to home.

Trumpโ€™s closing message: Attack, divide and veer off script

His attacks on Liz Cheney, lambasted by Democrats, left his party seemingly resigned.

Ukrainians ask what I’m hearing about our country on the US campaign trail. The truth? We’re all but forgotten | Nataliya Gumenyuk

Americans still donโ€™t seem to understand that our fight is not just about us: itโ€™s about safety and peace across the globeAround a month before the US elections, in the Kharkiv region, I sat down with a group of Ukrainian infantry soldiers together wit…

Dems see signs for optimism in gender gap in early vote

Across battlegrounds, there is a 10-point gender gap in early voting so far, according to a POLITICO analysis.

How America Forgot About One of Trumpโ€™s Most Brutal Policies

A new documentary from Errol Morris examines how Trumpโ€™s family separation policy sparked widespread outrage โ€” and how the government eventually looked the other way.

Everyoneโ€™s tough on drugs again

Traffickers are to blame, the candidates say. Virtually no oneโ€™s talking about treatment.