Whyย Zelenskyy wonโt wear a suit
All clothing sends a message, and the Ukrainian president’s is that he’s standing by his people as long as the war continues.
Military
UK to host further military planning sessions on Ukraine
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer promises more nuts-and-bolts talks on policing a Ukraine ceasefire.
Military prepares to support Ukraine by โsea, land or airโ, says UK government
Thousands of troops needed to support Ukraine if ceasefire or agreement reached to end war with RussiaThe UK is to โaccelerate the pace and scaleโ of military planning to be ready to support Ukraine next week, with No 10 saying all options, including t…
The EUโs funniest man
Belgian comedian (and Prime Minister) Bart De Wever’s 9 best quotes from the European Council summit.
Musk wonโt hear classified war plans in Pentagon visit
Elon Muskโs visit to the Pentagon on Friday will focus on the threat China presents to the region but wonโt include classified war plans, according to an official with knowledge of the plans. The meeting, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Indo-Pacific commander Adm. Sam Paparo โ who will attend virtually from Hawaii โ shows [โฆ]
Soviet-era dissident given โdraconianโ jail sentence in Russia for anti-war views
Alexander Skobov jailed for 16 years over social media post and alleged involvement in opposition groupA Soviet-era dissident has been sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia for his anti-war views, in a case that observers say highlights how the cou…
UK should โideallyโ not have โanyโ troops in Ukraine, says Badenoch
Tory leader calls for Parliament to be given a vote on any military involvement
UK says it has ยฃ25 billion in frozen Russian assets
The amount of frozen Russian assets in the U.K. has increased by 10 percent in a year.
Elon Musk threatens Pentagon leakers after NYT report on secret China war briefing
“They will be found,” warns U.S. President Donald Trump’s billionaire adviser as White House lashes out at the media.
Comitting military support for Ukraine is challenging for the EU
Europe needs to upscale its support for Ukraine as Donal Trump more towards Moscow, but it seems challenging for EU members to agree on a fresh military aid to Ukraine
Friday briefing: Why Europe is divided over how to defend Ukraine โ and itself
In todayโs newsletter: As Zelenskyy urges the EU to step up, divisions remain on how to secure the continentโs future amid Russian aggressionGood morning. Yesterday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed a European Council summit in Brussels, and emphasised th…
Onboard a warship where the French Army is preparing for cyber warfare
This year, 15,000 military personnel will take part in the country’s largest cyber defence drill to better prepare for real-life threats.
Europeโs new military paradigm โ going solo without US backup
Paris and London want to form a coalition to secure Ukraine โ possibly with troops. But can they pull it off?
Ukraineโs phony peace has begun. Only Trump still believes itโs real.
Donald Trumpโs talks with Vladimir Putin have paralyzed Ukraineโs allies in Europe. Nobody is ready for peace.
EU plan to send more military aid to Ukraine in shambles
The bloc had aimed to send billions in military aid and artillery ammunition to Kyiv, but member countries split on the plan.
Russia aspires to Olympic comeback under new IOC boss
โWe expect that in the era of the new leader โฆ Russia will return to the Olympic podium,โ Moscow’s sports chief said.
European military powers work on 5-10 year plan to replace US in Nato
UK, France, Germany and Nordics among countries engaged in informal discussions over a managed transfer
Europeโs new unanimity: Orbรกn doesnโt need to agree
If the Hungarian prime minister wants to go it alone, he’s very welcome to, diplomats say.
Ignored by Trump and menaced by Putin, the UK turns to the EU for defensive ties
As Trump seeks to withdraw the US from European defence, Keir Starmer is trying to develop closer ties with the UKโs neighboursDonald Trumpโs isolationism and Vladimir Putinโs menace leaves post-Brexit Britain in a delicate position. While the combinat…
Starmer warns Putin of โsevere consequencesโ if he breaches peace deal
UK leader says Russia cannot veto how Ukraine defends itself as western military officials meet to draft security plansAnalysis: UK turns to the EU for defensive tiesVladimir Putin will face โsevere consequencesโ if he breaches a peace deal with Ukrain…
Trump eyes Europeโs biggest nuclear power plant. Problem: Itโs occupied by Russia.
Ukraine isn’t dismissing the U.S. president’s latest plan to provide a semblance of long-term security โ but says Russian troops must first leave a city near the plant.
Ukraine and Russia delegations due in Riyadh on Monday for separate US talks
US may shuttle between sides in drive to achieve quick deal Trump wants, as Moscow sends ex-spy to lead negotiationsUkraine will have a delegation in Riyadh on the same day the US is holding ceasefire talks there with a Russian negotiating team led by …
UK rebukes Israeli defense minister who called for โtotal devastationโ of Gaza
Foreign secretary David Lammy urged Israel Katz to withdraw his comments.
Transatlantic military alliance: US has been asking Europe to ‘step up’ since the 1960’s
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Oslo on Thursday for talks with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the Norwegian government said. Zelensky’s visit comes as some 30 military chiefs from countries keen to protect an eventual Rus…
Majority of Europeans see Trump as an enemy, survey shows
4 in 10 Europeans also say the US president “acts like a dictator.”
Live: Two killed in east Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv trade massive drone attacks
Russian bombardment of eastern Ukraine killed two people overnight, local authorities said Thursday as both Moscow and Kyiv launched large-scale drone barragesย that sparked fires hundreds of kilometres from the front. The attacks came as military chie…
UK to host new Ukraine peacekeeping talks
The prime minister is expected to attend the meeting of senior military officers on Thursday afternoon.
UK hosts military leaders to work on Ukraine plans
The prime minister is expected to attend the meeting of senior military officers on Thursday afternoon.
Europe doesnโt need Trump to form a western alliance โ and one is already taking shape | Martin Kettle
Britain, France and Germany are closing ranks to bolster Nato as the unreliable US president marches to his own drumAn Atlantic alliance without the United States? It sounds like a contradiction in terms โ Hamlet without the prince. Yet this is the imp…
Poland and UK discuss defence spending as Europe moves to re-arm
Finance minister Andrzej Domaลski calls for smarter funding as continent moves to bolster its military power
Ukraineโs long-range Neptune cruise missile is a potential trump card
Russia is talking of halting energy infrastructure attacks just as Ukraine unleashes a powerful new cruise missile.
Military chiefs gather in UK to discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force
Senior officers from some 30 countries across Europe and beyond were due to meet Thursday at a military headquarters on the outskirts of London to flesh out plans for an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine, days after UK Prime Minister Keir S…
How to confront Orbรกn and save the EU
The legal tools to address this internal opposition exist โ Europe just needs to use them, and meet the moment with courage.
Ukraine war briefing: Trump โwants Zaporizhzhia power plant for USโ
White House has โmoved beyondโ minerals deal; Zelenskyy expects ceasefire deal to cover civilian as well as energy infrastructure. What we know on day 1,121 Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday that the US could own and run Ukrainian nucl…
โAs real as it can getโ: EU to loan โฌ150bn for European defence from invasion
EU launches scheme to buy more weapons in Europe as Russia remains โa threat for the foreseeable futureโEurope needs to be able to deter potential invaders by 2030 the EU executive has said, as it launched a push to buy more weapons in the bloc and all…
EU leaders hasten to transform Europe into a military superpower โ live updates
The bloc’s 27 leaders will meet to tackle defense spending, support for Ukraine, competitiveness, the Middle East and migration.
Putin showed โtrue faceโ by bombing Ukraine after ceasefire call, says Finlandโs president
Only arming Kyiv “to its teeth” will deter Russian leader, Alexander Stubb says in an interview.
EU slams the door on US in colossal defense plan
Bloc aims to build up military-industrial complex to deter Russia and brace for the U.S. shift away from Europe.
UKโs Starmer โdeeply concernedโ about fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza
Prime minister says images from Gaza are “truly shocking” and calls for ceasefire agreement to be implemented in full.
German defense minister slams Trump-Putin partial ceasefire deal
โPutin is playing a game, and I am certain that the American president will not be able to watch for long without reacting,โ said Boris Pistorius.
EU opens fiscal tap to secure Europe but warns against โdefense washingโ
Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stressed the flexibility is a stop-gap until countries reframe budgets around higher defense needs.
โYou see?โ Russia broke Trumpโs hyped partial Ukraine ceasefire after 1 hour
Moscow struck civilian infrastructure Tuesday night, prompting Ukraine to respond with counterattacks.
The Trump-Putin friendship goes on ice
Sky Newsโ Sam Coates and Politicoโs Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics. Sir Keir Starmerโs team spent the day trying to work out how the Trump-Putin phone call really went down. Could the UK end up sending more military support to Ukraine before any pause in fighting? The idea [โฆ]
‘Trump admires Putin & would like to have a political system operating similarly to that of Russia’
Ukraine accused Russia of effectively rejecting a US-backed ceasefire proposal, reporting a barrage of strikes on civilian infrastructure hours after Moscow agreed to temporarily pause attacks on energy facilities. Washington was pushing an immediate …
After the North Sea tanker crash, a multi-million dollar battle over whoโs to blame
A week after the tanker crash off the English coast, officials are trying to work out the damage done โ and who is going to pick up the bill.
Ukraine war briefing: Russian drone strikes immediately follow Trump-Putin talks
Hospital in Sumy hit as Zelenskyy says Putin has rejected full ceasefire; Ukrainian troops go on attack at Belgorod border. What we know on day 1,1120A hospital in Sumy was bombed in a wave of attacks on Ukraine that led Volodymyr Zelenskyy to declare …
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy supports proposal to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure โ video
Ukraineโs president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said he supported the proposal to stop strikes on energy targets, something Ukraine had already proposed in its own talks with the US in Saudi Arabia about the Russian war. He said he hoped to speak to Donald T…
Vladimir Putin agrees to 30-day halt to attacks on Ukraineโs energy grid
Russian leader refuses to commit to a full month-long truce after high-stakes phone call with Donald TrumpEurope live โ latest updatesVladimir Putin has agreed to a limited ceasefire that would stop Russia targeting Ukraineโs energy infrastructure afte…
Putin plays for time, dazzling Trump with talk of glory days aheadย
Russia is delaying a full ceasefire in Ukraine. But that didn’t stop Trump and Putin planning hockey matches for the future.
Trump fails to get Putin to stop the shooting
Russia insists on terms to end the war that spell the end of democratic Ukraine, and has followed up the Trump call with an assault on Kyiv.
European leaders warn Putinโs talk of peace is a mirage
Allies voice deep skepticism as Trump and Putin hold a 90-minute call.
The Guardian view on Israel breaking the ceasefire: destroying hope along with lives | Editorial
Benjamin Netanyahu is kept in place by an endless war, at a terrible cost to Palestinians and hostagesIn shattering the two-month ceasefire that had brought a fragile peace and relief to Gaza, Israel has also smashed the faint hopes that a resolution m…
Zelenskyy to meet Finnish president in wake of Trump-Putin talks
Ukrainian president’s visit to Helsinki comes at a potentially defining moment in Russia’s war on his country.
Von der Leyen calls for collective arms purchases by 2030
Europe has to rely more on its own resources, the Commission chief said.
Germany votes for historic boost to defence spending
The move alters the German constitution, allowing the country to increase its military spending.
German MPs approve โฌ500bn spending boost to counter โPutinโs war of aggressionโ
Historic levels of spending on military and infrastructure secured in Bundestag with last-minute backing of GreensEurope live โ latest updatesGermanyโs parliament has voted in favour of unleashing historic levels of spending to boost the military of Eu…
German parliament passes historic spending reforms
The vote to unleash borrowing for the military and Ukraine is a “first major step towards a new European defense community,โ says incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Germany votes for historic boost to defence spending
The move alters the German constitution, allowing the country to increase its military spending.
Germany poised to unlock โฌ3B Ukraine aid after historic spending deal
The aid package for the embattled country had been held up for months due to resistance from outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
UK rows back on claim Israelโs Gaza aid blockade is illegal
No 10 says only there is a “clear risk” of Israel breaching international law.
Government denies using ‘sonic cannon’ at Serbia protests
Serbian officials have denied allegations security forces deployed a military-grade Long Range Acoustic Device.
Government denies using ‘sonic cannon’ at Serbia protests
Serbian officials have denied allegations security forces deployed a military-grade Long Range Acoustic Device.
Poland, Baltic states inch closer to leaving antipersonnel mine treaty
Defense ministers from Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have recommended their countries withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty.
Devil in the detail of Kallasโs multi-billion military aid plan for Ukraine
Kallas’ plan includes spending โฌ5 billion on 2 million rounds of large-calibre artillery ammunition this year.
Europeโs defence spending spree risks debt crisis, warns Dutch politician
Pieter Omtzigt says EUโs โฌ800bn military build-up could push up debt and interest rates
Bundestag prepares to vote on historic borrowing package in key test for Merz
Likely next chancellor needs two-thirds majority to back โฌ500bn infrastructure fund and relaxation of debt rulesGermanyโs likely next chancellor is to face a key vote on plans to unlock a record level of state borrowing, which he argues is necessary to…
Israel launches extensive strikes in Gaza, putting ceasefire at risk
Palestinian health ministry officials reporting at least 100 dead. A White House spokesperson said Israel had consulted the US administration before it carried out the strikes, which the military said targeted mid-level Hamas commanders.
Establish an international tribunal for aggression against Ukraine before itโs too late
The special tribunal would be a powerful signal to strongmen everywhere that international justice can find ways to hold leaders accountable โ no matter who they are.
Will the threat of Trump end Germanyโs austerity zeal?
Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is about to break years of fiscal stringency to counter the erosion of the transatlantic alliance.
This moment of crisis demands closer UK-EU cooperation
Britain may have left the EU, but when it comes to keeping our continent safe, Europe cannot afford to be less than the sum of our parts.
Ukraine war briefing: โCoalition of the willingโ military chiefs to assemble in London
Russian oil refinery on fire after Ukrainian drone strike; Russia claims advances in southern Ukraine. What we know on day 1,119 Continue reading…
War and joint bonds forge a more united Europe
Trump and Russia are pushing the EU toward a “Hamiltonian moment,” where common debt helps build greater federalism. ย ย
Trump threatens Iran over ongoing Houthi attacks
โAny further attack or retaliation by the โHouthisโ will be met with great force,โ the president said.
Russia behind arson attack on Ikea store in Lithuanian capital, says prosecutor
Suspects in 2024 Ikea attack also linked to acts of sabotage in Poland, says prosecutor generalโs office Europe live โ latest updatesLithuanian prosecutors have blamed the Russian military intelligence service for being behind an arson attack on an Ike…
Rwanda and Belgium cut diplomatic ties as EU adopts sanctions
Belgium has sided with the Democratic Republic of Congo as Rwandan-backed rebels have captured swaths of the country rich in natural resources.
Southern Europe must spend more on defense, Lithuania warns
Time to get serious, says Foreign Minister Kฤstutis Budrys.
Why EU capitals are still arguing over more military aid to Ukraine
Also in this newsletter: why businesses want greater European tech independence
Ukraine open to Russia sanctions relaxation as part of peace deal
Hard-hitting economic measures can be used as leverage to secure justice from Moscow, Ukraineโs sanctions chief tells POLITICO.
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy replaces head of general staff of the armed forces
Defence minister says Ukraine โsystematically transformingโ its military; Macron says allied security force does need Russiaโs blessing. What we know on day 1,118The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has appointed Andriy Gnatov as chief of the…
Trump and Putin expected to speak this week about ceasefire terms, envoy says
Steve Witkoff says US discussions with Russian president โpositiveโ and โsolution-basedโ and leaders likely to speakDonald Trumpโs envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that he expected the US president to speak with Vladimir Putin this week, saying that …
Macron to EU colleagues: Stop buying American, buy European
“Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35, should be offered the Rafale,” French president says.
Switzerlandโs new defence minister seeks closer ties with Nato neighbours
Neutral nation spends less than 1 per cent of GDP on military but is starting to reconsider its posture
European nations debate a return to conscription amid Trump turnaround on Russia
Spurred by the war in Ukraine and the prospect of US disengagement, European countries are debating a return to compulsory military service to counter Russian expansionism.ย Lithuania, Sweden and Latvia reintroduced conscription after Russia’s seizure …
Military chiefs to plan for โoperational phaseโ of Ukraine peace deal
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday said an alliance of global leaders would exert “maximum pressure on Russia” to sign up to a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine. The warning came as summit leaders meeting virtually on Saturday shifted …
US launches new round of strikes targeting Houthis in Yemen
The attacks are the largest foreign military action taken to date by the Trump administration.
How Northern Europe is readying for war with Russia: A Le Monde documentary
‘The Russian trap.’ In the shadow of the war in Ukraine, an invisible frontline has been taking shape in Europe. From Estonia to Norway, Le Monde met with military officers to investigate this hybrid war, already a reality on Europe’s northern borders.
Kubilius: Brussels mulling new military intel satellites
โThe European Commission is considering expanding its satellite capacities to improve geospatial intelligence support for security,โ EU defense chief tells the FT.
Military planning for Ukraine peace to begin, says Starmer
Military chiefs will meet on Thursday to discuss practical plans to ensure Ukraine’s security.
Military planning for Ukraine peace to begin, says Starmer
Military chiefs will meet on Thursday to discuss practical plans to ensure Ukraine’s security.
Orbรกn vows crackdown on โshadow armyโ of political opponents
The Hungarian leader also repeated his opposition to EU membership for Ukraine.
Ukraine allies plan meeting of military chiefs next week
U.K.’s Starmer announced the London meeting after a call with 29 allies โ but not the U.S. Still he insisted any Ukraine peacekeeping plan needs an American security backstop.
Ukraine ceasefire plans moving to operational phase, Starmer says
UK prime minister accuses Putin of trying to delay peace and calls for โguns to fall silentโโข Russia-Ukraine war โ latest news updatesKeir Starmer has called for the โguns to fall silent in Ukraineโ as he said military powers will meet next week as pla…
Putin’s response to Ukraine peace plan not good enough, says Starmer โ video
Kier Starmer held a press conference after convening a virtual meeting with world leaders to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. In response to a journalistโs question, the UK prime minister said Putinโs response to the peace plan was not good en…
Trump calls his opponents โscumโ and lawbreakers in bellicose speech at Justice Department
For more than an hour, he delivered an insult-laden speech that shattered the traditional notion of DOJ independence.
EU explores new military intelligence satellites to cut reliance on US
Donald Trumpโs temporary withdrawal of sharing information with Ukraine has galvanised Brusselsโs efforts
Republican Russophilia: how Trump Putin-ised a party of cold war hawks
The idea of Moscow as a paragon of Christian nationalism has penetrated the party of Reagan โ and the lurch in US policy has huge implications for the global orderNever miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key stories in rea…
Thomas Piketty: ‘Rather than austerity, Europe needs investment’
According to the doxa that prevails in many European leadership circles, social spending should be cut to concentrate on the race with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on military spending. This diagnosis is all wrong, writes Thomas Piketty in his column.
Starmer tells Putin to ditch โdelaying tacticsโ as UK hosts fresh Ukraine allies call
British prime minister will on Saturday try to firm up so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ meant to give a ceasefire teeth.
Defence shortages create โtemptation for Putin to test usโ: EU Defence Commissioner Kubilius
The EU has just launched an ambitious-sounding defence plan, โReArmEUโ, and it is also publishing a landmarkย white paperย on defence. The person at the heart of these initiatives is our guest on the programme; Andrius Kubilius is the EU Commissioner in…
Trump says โthousandsโ of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kursk; Ukraine says thatโs โuntrueโ
Ukraine insists its troops aren’t surrounded, but they are pulling back from areas they captured last summer.