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Tag: Ukraine

  • Russia, Ukraine exchange missile attacks

    Russia, Ukraine exchange missile attacks

    A Russian drone unit destroyed one of Ukraine’s U.S.-made HIMARS rocket launchers close to the front line in the Donetsk region, a video appears to show.

     Russia’s elite drone group, Rubicon Centre of Advanced Unmanned Technologies, claimed responsibility for the strike. It said it destroyed the HIMARS system near the village of Rusyn Yar, around 18 miles from the front line.

    Also, Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the second consecutive night on Monday, as the Russian capital prepared for Victory Day celebrations that Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Kremlin-friendly world leaders are expected to attend.

    Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said in a statement posted to Telegram that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were shot down en route to the capital overnight. Another four drones were shot down near Moscow on Sunday night.

    Sobyanin reported no casualties or serious damage, though said debris from drones fell on a major highway. Russian aviation authorities said flights were also suspended at four of the capital’s airports.

    The drones shot down over Moscow were among the 202 craft intercepted across Russia over the previous 24 hours, Russia’s Defence Ministry said yesterday morning.

    Ukraine has continued its drone barrages into Russia as the country prepares to mark Victory Day on May 9 – the annual celebration of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

    Celebrations will be held all over Russia, with the main event a military parade through Moscow overseen by President Vladimir Putin, top Kremlin officials and visiting world leaders — among them Xi, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

    Ukraine’s continued strikes have already forced Russian authorities in occupied Crimea to cancel their planned Victory Day parade, with Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev announcing the event would not go ahead due to security concerns, in a statement quoted by the state-run Tass news agency.

    Read Also: Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire

    Newsweek has contacted Ukraine’s defence ministry for comment. Why It Matters If confirmed, it would mark the first known instance of a Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone successfully taking out one of Ukraine’s HIMARS since the start of the war in February 2022.

    Ukraine’s military has frequently used the weapons, often targeting Russia’s most advanced anti-aircraft missile systems and command posts. What To Know In a post on Telegram, Russia’s Rubicon Centre of Advanced Unmanned Technologies wrote: “Donetsk direction. 30 km from the front line, the Rubicon combat groups discovered and destroyed the HIMARS.”

    A video included in the post showed the system engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Newsweek has not been able to independently verify the video. Russian and Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the incident.

     Ukraine has deployed HIMARS across several fronts, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk – two regions largely under Russian occupation. The Kremlin has been pushing for the total capture of the two regions since Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014.

    The U.S. has delivered at least 39 HIMARS units to Ukraine since the start of the war. They have been been credited with enabling Kyiv to inflict significant losses on Russian military assets. Russia established its dedicated drone warfare unit in August 2024 under the directive of Defense Minister Andrey Belousov.

    According to the defence ministry, the unit trains highly skilled instructors selected from drone specialists within military units and formations.

    What Happens Next Fighting in Donetsk is expected to intensify as Russian forces continue their push to seize full control of the region.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that Russia intends to go ahead with plans for a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine between May 8 and 11.

    But he said that “should the Kyiv regime fail to do the same and should it continue trying to strike our positions and facilities, then an appropriate response will be given immediately.”

  • Putin announces three-day Russian ceasefire in Ukraine from 8 May

    Putin announces three-day Russian ceasefire in Ukraine from 8 May

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.

    The Kremlin has said the ceasefire will run from the morning of 8 May until the 11 May – which coincides with victory celebrations to mark the end of World War Two.

    In a statement it said Putin declared the ceasefire “based on humanitarian considerations”.

    Ukraine has not yet responded.

    A translation of the statement said: “Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example.

    “In the event of violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian side, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will give an adequate and effective response.

    “The Russian side once again declares its readiness for peace talks without preconditions, aimed at eliminating the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, and constructive interaction with international partners.”

    The Kremlin announced a similar, 30-hour truce over Easter, but while both sides reported a dip in fighting, they accused each other of hundreds of violations.

    Ceasefires have been attempted more than 20 times in Ukraine – all of them failed eventually, and some within minutes of going into effect.

    The most recent one, over Easter, was very limited in scope and only resulted in a slight reduction in fighting, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

    Reuters An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strikeReuters
    An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike on 24 April
    The latest announcement comes during what the US has described as a “very critical” week for Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

    Read Also: Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy in the eyes of the world

    Washington has been trying to broker a deal between the two sides, but the Donald Trump administration has threatened to pull out if they do not see progress.

    Putin is keen to create the impression that Russia is serious about seeking peace – and he is keen for Trump to hear that message given Ukraine has accepted Washington’s proposal for a more lasting 30-day ceasefire.

    It comes after the US president expressed annoyance with Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine.

    Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and currently controls about 20% Ukraine’s territory, including the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.

    It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people – the vast majority of them soldiers – have been killed or injured on all sides since 2022.

  • Ukraine’s Alleged Militant Ties in Africa: Diplomacy, Covert Operations, and Regional Fallouts

    Ukraine’s Alleged Militant Ties in Africa: Diplomacy, Covert Operations, and Regional Fallouts

    On the eve of the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, reports began to arrive from the president’s inner circle about the true nature of the upcoming meeting. According to the source, the upcoming visit of the Ukrainian leader to Pretoria is related to the resolute intention to express concern about Ukraine’s allege support for terrorist groups on the African continent. Information that Ramaphosa plans to express dissatisfaction with Kiev, potentially involved in fueling conflicts in Africa, is spreading among officials in the president’s entourage. The increasing frequency of terrorists’ attacks in Africa makes high-ranking officials in South Africa think about the possible involvement of Ukraine in these incidents and calls for a diplomatic response.

    Within Ramaphosa’s administration, frustration simmers over escalating insurgent activities in regions like the Sahel, with Ukraine increasingly blamed behind closed doors. Advisers are urging a firm stance, arguing that Africa must confront foreign interference undermining its security. Once relegated to confidential briefings, these claims have now entered mainstream debate. Kyiv faces public condemnation from nations including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which severed diplomatic relations last year, citing Ukraine’s alleged support for transnational terror networks. Anger has spilled onto streets across the Sahel, where protesters accuse Kyiv of weapons transfers and militant training while talking about diplomacy and mutual interest in agricultural supply.

    Regional investigations, including those by Nigerian outlets, corroborate alarming patterns. Reports suggest Ukraine’s diplomatic missions have facilitated covert arms shipments, drone technology transfers, and specialized training for insurgents. For instance, Nigerian military operatives recently confiscated cutting-edge satellite devices en route to jihadist cells in the Northeast, mirroring discoveries in Niger, where Ukrainian-labeled weaponry was seized after clashes with rebels. Such revelations are transforming perceptions of Ukraine from a potential ally to a strategic threat. Analysts now liken the country to a “shadow colonizer,” accusing it of exploiting instability to expand influence—a narrative stirring outrage in Pretoria, where anti-colonial sentiment runs deep.

    Read Also: Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire

    The situation escalated further in Southern Africa this week. During a raid on an ISIS-linked camp in Mozambique’s Mocímboa da Praia, authorities recovered tactical gear and documents initially misidentified as Russian. Forensic analysis later confirmed the materials were Ukrainian military manuals on drone operations—a finding that has sent shockwaves through Nigerian defense circles. For nations like Nigeria, already combating groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, this underscores fears of foreign actors exploiting regional conflicts.

    As Zelenskyy’s visit approaches, pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to demand accountability while navigating diplomatic sensitivities. For Nigeria and its ECOWAS partners, the crisis highlights the urgent need for African unity against external forces weaponizing the continent’s vulnerabilities.

  • Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire

    Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire

    Ukraine and Russia blamed each other yesterday for breaking the one-day Easter ceasefire that President Vladimir Putin announced, with both sides accusing the other of launching attacks overnight.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of creating a false appearance of honoring the Easter ceasefire, saying his country’s forces had recorded 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults by units along the front line, as well as dozens of drone strikes.

    “As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

    In a later update, Zelenskyy said that despite Ukraine declaring a symmetrical approach to Russian actions, there had been an increase in Russian shelling and drone attacks since 10 a.m. local time. He said, however, that it was “a good thing, at least, that there were no air raid sirens”.

    Read Also: Kaigama to Nigerian leaders: Embrace selflessness

    “In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage,” he wrote.

    Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry said that Ukrainian forces launched overnight attacks in the Donetsk region and had sent 48 drones into Russian territory.

    According to the ministry, there were “dead and wounded among the civilian population,” without giving details. It claimed Russian troops had strictly observed the ceasefire.

    Russia-installed officials in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson also said that Ukrainian forces continued their attacks.

  • Ukraine at the Crossroads: Trump or Europe?

    Ukraine at the Crossroads: Trump or Europe?

    By Jonathan Sweet and Mark Toth

    Ukraine is at an existential crossroads. President Donald Trump’s war on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shows no signs of abating.

    Kyiv, as a result, is facing a stark choice. Capitulate to Trump – and by extension Russian President Vladimir Putin – or pivot toward building a European coalition of the willing to continue fighting on to expel the Russian invader.

    Europe is increasingly the better option. The European Union heads of state unanimously approved an €800 billion “ReArm Europe Plan” – and France’s offer to provide the EU with a nuclear umbrella alongside a proposal called “Sky Shield” to enforce a no-fly zone in Western Ukraine are gaining momentum.

    Opting for Europe over the US is not without risk. As evidenced by Team Trump suspending military aid and intelligence sharing, the implications on the battlefield are all too real and immediate.

    Yet sticking with Trump is no longer a sure bet either. While Trump says that he “likes Zelensky personally,” his actions reflect a different reality.

    As Mafia boss Michael Corleone told his brother Sonny in the 1972 film The Godfather, “It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.” And this, for Trump, is business.

    In the world of high-stakes geopolitics and international diplomacy, personal sentiments often take a backseat to strategic interests and national priorities.

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    Not here.

    Trump carries a personal bias – conscious or not – against Zelensky. It stems from the fallout over the “perfect” phone call that eventually led to Trump’s first impeachment.

    During that conversation, Trump suggested “future US military support for Ukraine might be contingent on [Zelensky] helping investigate the business dealings [in Ukraine] of Hunter Biden.” Despite Zelensky defending Trump by insisting he faced “no blackmail,” it devolved into guilt by association.

    Transcending Trump’s ill-will was made all the harder as a result of Zelensky clashing with the president and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office. It also made it easier for Team Trump to move past Ukraine.

    Just as the Trump Administration is aggressively focused on undoing everything former President Joe Biden put into place during his one term in office. Now, that clearly also includes ending Biden’s policy of “supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

    Ukraine could become Trump’s Afghanistan – and his legacy.

    Team Kyiv needs to understand what they are up against. Trump narrowly views US national security from a business transaction perspective.

    What is the rate of return? From his perspective, it has not been nearly enough to justify continued investment.

    Trump sees Ukraine as a money pit, an endless war that is draining the US Treasury. Money he thinks would be better spent on domestic issues: illegal immigration, spiraling criminal and gang activity, and the influx of fentanyl into the country.

    Hence Trump insisting on the $1 trillion rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine that ended up being left unsigned.

    By walking away, Zelensky made it easy for Trump to pivot to Putin. Already, Trump sees Russia as a potential business partner due to its vast natural resources and strategic access to the Northern Sea Route. He envisions a series of deals and transactions with Russia that could benefit the US economically and geopolitically.

    However, Zelensky’s resistance to Russian aggression blocks the way ahead. Trump sees Zelensky as an obstructionist who hinders his path to peace and subsequent economic opportunities with Russia.

    Trump’s resulting crackdown on Ukraine is brutal. To begin advancing his agenda, Team Trump immediately began taking measures to discredit and delegitimize Zelensky on the world stage and in Ukraine.

    It began with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing doubt over “whether [Zelensky] wants to forge a peace agreement to end the war in Eastern Europe.” Then Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) piled on calling for “Zelensky to resign or be dismissed.”

    The campaign culminated with Trump declaring on X, “I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for Peace.”

    Then all hell broke loose.

    A few days earlier the Trump Administration had voted against a Ukraine-sponsored United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine. Team Trump began echoing Russian demands for Ukrainian elections while arbitrarily ceasing offensive US cyber activities against Russia.

    After the Oval Office fiasco, the White House turned off the intelligence-sharing with Kyiv and blocked Ukrainian access to satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies. Trump is also considering revoking temporary protections for thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the US.

    Trump’s irrational disdain for Zelensky puts Ukrainian civilians and soldiers on the front lines defending their country at risk. Russia continues to strike residential neighborhoods and critical energy infrastructure with ballistic missiles and drones.

    Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Oblast are trying to contain a Russian advance to prevent a partial or complete encirclement. While on the front lines in the Donbas, relentless Russian “human wave” assaults, often with previously wounded and disabled soldiers leading the way, results in over 1,000 soldiers being killed or wounded everyday – 882,950 as of March 7.

    Increasingly, it is evident that Team Trump’s path to a peace plan is not in Ukraine’s best interest. Rather, it appears designed to get Putin to the negotiation table.

    Trump’s scorn for Zelensky is only getting worse. On Friday during an Oval Office press spray, Trump said that he is “finding it more difficult… to deal with Ukraine.” Adding that it may be “easier to deal with Russia.”

    Zelensky is clearly the odd man out in this three-way drama. Team Trump is doing everything they can to make that happen and accommodate Putin – at the expense of Ukraine.

    To reverse course, Zelensky and his generals might well need to call Trump’s repeated bluff that either Ukraine accepts in effect what would be a Washington-Moscow dictated peace agreement or “I’m out.”

    Turning to Europe would be the most expedient way of doing that. It would leave Trump on the outside looking in. Not only in terms of future EU expenditures on “ReArm Europe” weapons and munitions, but also Europe bagging the $1 trillion REM deal.

    Contrary to Trump’s assertion, Ukraine does have cards to play. And Europe, increasingly, is willing to deal.

    · This article was originally published in www.kyivpost.com

  • Russian War: U.S., Ukraine negotiators reconvene in Saudi Arabia

    Russian War: U.S., Ukraine negotiators reconvene in Saudi Arabia

    Top Ukrainian and U.S. officials are on Tuesday set to sit down in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia in an effort to get Russia’s war against Ukraine stopped.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would not be there, though he was in the Gulf state on Monday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

    Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, Presidential Office Chief, Andrii Yermak and his deputy Pavlo Pallisa will represent Ukraine, Zelensky said.

    On the U.S. side, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who have been working on the Gaza-Israel negotiations, are expected to attend.

    The Ukrainians recently supported an initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron in favour of a partial ceasefire on airstrikes and attacks from the sea, which Russia rejected last week.

    Kiev also wanted an exchange of all prisoners with Russia as a first step.

    Read Also: Ukraine may not survive war with Russia, says Trump

    Washington, on the other hand, wanted a quick and comprehensive ceasefire followed by elections in Kiev.

    Ukraine had been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years with western support.

    Following a fractious meeting at the Oval Office on Feb. 28, in which U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance castigated Zelensky and called him ungrateful, Washington had paused arms deliveries to Ukraine and access to key intelligence information.

    Trump has been keen to get a minerals’ deal signed with Zelensky, but the Ukrainian president has demanded security guarantees.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Ukraine: As Starmer and Macron Rekindle Hope

    Ukraine: As Starmer and Macron Rekindle Hope

    In the complex theater of international relations, where the interplay of power many a times often overshadows principles, recent diplomatic engagements about  Ukraine by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have again rekindled the hopes  of many liberals that their coordinated efforts represent a significant recommitment to the foundational values of the post-war international order at a time when such values face unprecedented challenges owing to President Trump’s  ambivalence on the subject.

    The diplomatic initiatives undertaken by Starmer and Macron in Ukraine reflect more than mere political maneuvering; they embody a conscious reaffirmation of democratic principles in the face of authoritarian aggression. Through their diplomatic channels, both leaders have articulated a vision that places human dignity, justice, freedom and the territorial integrity of the people of Ukraine at the forefront of international discourse.

    Similarly, Macron’s persistent engagement with the Ukrainian situation reflects France’s historical commitment to democratic values. His diplomatic overtures have consistently emphasized the protection of civic freedoms and self-determination as non-negotiable principles rather than bargaining chips in geopolitical negotiations.

    Starmer’s approach, which has sought to give Ukraine some room to negotiate with Russia is highly commendable. His “Coalition of the Willing” which will see 18 countries commit themselves to ending Russia’s aggression via a continuos commitment to maintaining the flow of military aid to Ukraine while increasing economic pressure on Russia through sanctions and other measures; ensuring that any lasting peace agreement must ensure the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, with Ukraine being present at all peace negotiations; pledged assistance  to enhance Ukraine’s defensive military capabilities following any peace deal which may deter potential future invasions, and the establishment of the “Coalition of the Willing” consisting of multiple nations prepared to defend the terms of any peace agreement and guarantee Ukraine’s security afterward.

    At a point  where the US under President Trump is appearing to revise all known facts about the war in Ukraine and allow Putin a free hand while hundreds of thousands die,  while many have fled their homes, what Starmer and Macron have done is similar to what Churchill and his French counterpart in Albert Lebraun and later Charles De Gaulle took to stop Hitler  from extending his idea of Lebensraum (Expansionism) by altering the borders of Europe.

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    To kickstart such commitment  Starmer has committed £1.6 billion ($2 billion) in UK export finances to acquire  over 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine.it had initially  announced a £2.2 billion loan for military aid to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets.

    Asides these, Starmer would okay a

     “boots on the ground, and planes in the air,” a key feature in Zelensky’s demand for “gurantees” concerning a peace deal with Russia.

    Starmer’s and Macron’s efforts have also revived the willingness for Europe to rearm and increase defence spending.  In the face of abdication of the United States to the its commitment to the Free World and its traditional allies. The likes of Starmer and Macron will not only ensure the means of Ukraine to stay and fight but will also prepare Europe for any future suprises from Russia. 

    Starmer and Macron’s  efforts have laid the ground  for Europe’s must “heavy lifting,”  which will see the continent take more charge of its affairs, this however does not mean that the continent would be estranged from the US, it would however also stop Putin from the vantage point of dictating the terms of a peace deal.

    A close look at the situation would also tell that Europe’s  show of unity and stance on Ukraine has somewhat forced Trump’s  hand and saved Ukraine from being isolated and coming to the peace talks with a weak hand.

    As i write this, there is some palpable feeling that the US will attempt to descalate tensions with Zelensky, while certain elements want Zelensky out as a precondition  to the peace talks, Starmer and Macron msy not be having this as keeping Zelensky is key to a strong presence in the forthcoming nego

    tiations.

    The diplomatic efforts of Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron in Ukraine demonstrate that democratic resilience remains possible even in challenging circumstances. Their coordinated approach offers a template for values-based engagement that acknowledges geopolitical realities without surrendering fundamental principles.

    As the West continues to navigate over Ukraine and the consequences for the free world, the willingness of leaders like Starmer and Macron to defend normative frameworks despite America’s attempt at bullying Zelensky to a hurried peace deal, one that will only humiliate Ukraine and encourage aggressor nations. Their example suggests that while the path forward contains significant obstacles, the commitment to democratic values continues to animate important strands of international engagement.

    In a world where force and coercion remain potent instruments, the diplomatic initiatives of these leaders remind us that legitimate authority ultimately derives from adherence to principles rather than raw power. This distinction remains central to preserving an international order that can accommodate diversity while maintaining fundamental protections for human dignity and freedom.

  • Zelensky arrives at ‘watershed’ EU summit on Ukraine aid

    Zelensky arrives at ‘watershed’ EU summit on Ukraine aid

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday arrived at a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels focused on increasing aid for Ukraine and European defence capacities.

    “During all this period and last week, you stayed with us.

    “We are very thankful that we are not alone. These are not just words. We feel it,’’ said Zelensky.

    Zelensky addressed journalists together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who will chair the meeting.

    Read Also: Trump: Why Zelensky has no better path to a peace deal

    “This is a watershed moment for Europe. Europe faces a clear and present danger, and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself.

    “As we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for a lasting and just peace,’’ said von der Leyen.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Russia launches a record number of drones into Ukraine

    Russia launches a record number of drones into Ukraine

    Russia launched more strike drones into Ukraine overnight on Saturday than in any other single attack of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said  yesterday, one day before the three-year anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

    Writing on social media, Zelenskyy said 267 strike drones had been sent in what he called “the largest attack since Iranian drones began hitting Ukrainian cities and villages.” Ukraine’s air force said 138 drones had been shot down over 13 Ukrainian regions, with 119 more lost en route to their targets.

    Three ballistic missiles had also been fired, the air force said. One person was killed in a missile strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih, according to the city military administration.

    The attack came as leaders in Kyiv and across Europe are seeking to navigate rapid changes in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who in a matter of days has upended years of firm support for Ukraine, leading to fears that he would join with Moscow to force a settlement to the war without involving Ukraine and its European backers.

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    Trump’s engagement with Russian officials and his agreement to reopen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Moscow marked a dramatic about-face in U.S. policy.

    Zelenskyy has expressed fears that Trump pushing a quick resolution would result in lost territory for Ukraine and vulnerability to future Russian aggression, though U.S. officials have asserted that the Ukrainian leader would be involved if and when peace talks actually start.

    Trump, however, prompted alarm and anger in Ukraine when this week he suggested that Kyiv had started the war, and that Zelenskyy was acting as a “dictator” by not holding elections, despite Ukrainian legislation prohibiting them during martial law.

  • European leaders meet over U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine

    European leaders meet over U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine

    Reeling from shocks delivered by the Trump administration last week, European leaders are holding emergency talks in Paris to plan a response, as United States and Russian officials are set to hold talks in Saudi Arabia on how to end the war in Ukraine. The U.S. and Russian officials are meeting today without European or Ukrainian involvement.

    Aside from a brief call yesterday between French President Emmanuel Macron and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, European leaders have been sidelined at the start of a pivotal week for the continent’s security.

    Instead, the focus will be on U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio will sit down today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who said the discussion will aim to end the “abnormal period” in relations between the two “great powers”.

    The talks could lay the ground for a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Faced with the prospect of a diminished U.S. footprint in Europe, the European leaders’ meeting is expected to centre on the potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine to keep the peace after a negotiated settlement.

    United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the Paris meeting a “one in a generation” moment for the continent’s national security, wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper that he was “ready and willing” to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine to enforce a peace deal if necessary. Whether other European leaders are willing is not yet clear.

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    Over three years of war in Ukraine, Europe and the United States had remained remarkably united in their stance towards Russia. But just over three weeks into Trump’s second presidency, much of that unity had unravelled.

    The Trump administration delivered a series of blows to Europe and Ukraine last week.

    First, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that NATO membership for Ukraine was not a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement, and that European security was no longer a priority for the U.S.

    Then, Trump held a long phone call with Putin, effectively ending the Western policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

    Then Vice President JD Vance turned on European leaders in a blistering speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, lambasting them for alleged crackdowns on free speech.