Category Archives: Ukraine

Putin Claims European Leaders Are On The Cusp Of ‘Losing Face’ Amid Ukraine Peace Talks

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Vladimir Putin has claimed that it is “almost impossible” for European leaders not to “lose face” as Donald Trump continues to side with Russia over the Ukraine war.

In his push to end the conflict as soon as possible, the US president has already suggested Kyiv – whom he has falsely blamed for starting the war – may have to cede occupied territory.

The Trump administration even split from its allies, the UK and France, in a UN Security Council resolution yesterday by refusing to blame Moscow for starting the conflict, even though Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.

As Europe scrambles to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty amid Trump’s push for peace, the Russian president seemed to revel in the continent’s panic.

According to Russian state news agency TASS, Putin noted that Europe is tied to Ukraine now, adding: “They have said and promised too much.

“And now it is very difficult or practically impossible for them to get out of this situation without losing face.”

Putin also said Moscow would not oppose it if any European peacekeeping troops were deployed to Ukraine.

And, despite agreeing to initial peace discussions with the US last week, the Russian president claimed he sees the position of other nations as important, worth treating “with respect”.

Apparently forgetting that he has annexed five different regions of Ukraine, Putin even claimed he was not opposed to preserving the country’s statehood too, and expressed hope “that it eventually becomes a friendly neighbouring state”.

Unsurprisingly, the Russian leader piled praise on Trump during his interview.

He said: “He can move forward and work toward a settlement of the conflict. And it’s in his character, I guess – he acts straightforwardly and without much embarrassment.

“He has a unique position. He doesn’t just say what he thinks, he says what he wants.

“Well, that’s the privilege of a leader, one of the great leaders.”

Trump has been pushing for Ukraine to settle its debts after three years of military support from the States by signing a revenue-sharing agreeing on Ukrainian minerals – a plan which Kyiv has rejected.

Putin alluded to this deal during his interview, saying Moscow would be happy to work with any other country to offer them rare earth mining projects within Russia.

He said: “They will make a decent profit, and the corresponding amounts of aluminum will be delivered to the domestic market at absolutely acceptable market prices. There is a lot to think about here.”

The Russian president touched on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer to step down in exchange for peace and Nato membership after Trump falsely accused him of being a dictator.

Putin claimed Russia would benefit from Zelenskyy remaining power, but called for an election in Ukraine.

He suggested it was time to “bring to power people who enjoy the trust of the Ukrainian people”, overlooking how Ukraine’s presidential election was postponed in Ukraine because of Putin’s barbaric invasion.

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Donald Trump Has Changed The Global Situation ‘For The Better’, Says No10

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Donald Trump has changed the global situation “for the better”, according to No.10.

Keir Starmer’s official spokesman made the comments as the prime minister prepares for his first face-to-face talks with the president in Washington on Thursday.

Trump has faced widespread criticism over his approach to foreign affairs since being re-elected.

Trump has been accused of excluding Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy – who he described as a “dictator” – from peace talks to end the country’s war with Russia.

He has insisted that US troops will play no part in maintaining any ceasefire agreement, while his defence secretary Pete Hegseth has ruled out the prosepct of Ukraine joining Nato.

Trump has also accused the UK and France of doing nothing to end the war, which began exactly three years ago when Russia invaded its neighbour.

Speaking to world leaders earlier today, Starmer said: “President Trump has changed the global conversation over the last few weeks. And it has created an opportunity. Now, we must get the fundamentals right.”

Asked if the PM believes Trump has changed the international situation for the better, his spokesman said: “Absolutely for the better. He’s brought about these talks that could bring a lasting peace for Ukraine, which is what we all want to see.

“We all want to see a lasting peace and we support President Trump’s US-led efforts to create a lasting peace and he looks forward to discussing with President Trump later in the week how we reach that durable peace in Ukraine.”

He added: “We all want to see an end to this war and President Trump is right that European nations must now take greater responsibility for our security.”

The comments are in stark contrast to those of German chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz, who has accused Trump being “largely indifferent to the fate of Europe”.

Merz, whose CDU party gained the most support in yesterday’s German election, said: “My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA.

“I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television programme. But after Donald Trump’s statements last week at the latest, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.”

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Europe ‘Must Step Up’ Amid This ‘Generational Challenge On National Security’, Starmer Warns

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Keir Starmer has called for Europe to “step up” amid this “generational challenge” to the continent’s security right now.

The prime minister spoke to the media as pressure rises around the Ukraine war.

Starmer will head to Paris for an emergency summit with his European counterparts today, and is expected to travel to Washington to meet with Donald Trump next week.

The continent is scrambling to respond after the White House suggested it would only consult, but not directly include, Europe while negotiating a peace with Russia over the Ukraine war.

The new Trump administration has also called for Europe to be more responsible for its own security rather than relying on American support.

Speaking to broadcasters in Bristol, Starmer issued a call to action to his European neighbours. He said: “We’re facing a generational challenge when it comes to national security.

“Obviously, the immediate question is the future of Ukraine, and we must continue to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position whatever happens next, and to make sure that if there is peace – and we all want peace – that it is lasting.”

He added there is a “bigger piece here as well” noting that the challenge we face “isn’t just about the front line of Ukraine.”

“It’s the front line of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It’s our national security,” Starmer said.

Starmer confirmed overnight that he is ready to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a deal is secured, despite concerns that the sector is already underfunded.

Labour has promised to increase spending its current rate of 2.3% of GDP to 2.5%, but it has not provided a clear timeframe for doing so.

The PM told broadcasters: “We are going through a strategic review of defence at the moment, which is looking at the challenges and the capability, and then we’ll set out that path.

“Part of my message to our European allies is that we’ve all got to step up on both capability and on spending and funding. Now, that includes the UK, which is why I’ve made that commitment to spend more.”

“Until we get a peace agreement, we must ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position,” he said.

The prime minister said: “We don’t know what’s going to happen next, and we need to have realistic and credible answers to how any ceasefire, how any peace agreement, will be lasting, just and enduring, because the last thing I want to see is a pause in the fighting that simply gives Putin the chance to come again, which is why it’s very important that we have these discussions.”

Starmer also downplayed concerns about a split between the US and Europe after vice-president JD Vance attacked the continent last week.

Amid reports he was looking to act as a bridge between Washington and the rest of Europe, Starmer said: “I think what the US wants to achieve is lasting peace in Ukraine that aligns precisely with what we want in the United Kingdom, what Ukraine wants and what our European allies want.

“What we now need to do is to make sure that we work together on a plan that could get us to that point.”

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Victoria Derbyshire Corners Minister Over Europe’s Embarrassing Exclusion From Ukraine Talks

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Victoria Derbyshire cornered a minister today over Europe’s exclusion from the US’s peace talks in Ukraine with Russia.

US president Donald Trump is pushing for a quick resolution to the Ukraine war.

He has already signalled that Kyiv may have to give up occupied territory to Russia and forfeit hopes of getting into Nato any time soon.

The US is planning to hold talks with Russian negotiators in the coming weeks – but the UK and the rest of Europe have not been invited to join.

Controversially, Washington says it will just consult the continent and not directly involve them in the peace talks.

So, speaking to business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds this morning, presenter Derbyshire pointed out that the UK and its European allies were absent from the “new world order”.

On the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said: “I’m trying to understand what appears to be the new world order.

“And it appears the UK, and the Europeans, are not even at the table when it comes to discussing negotiations over how the war in Ukraine will end.”

Reynolds replied: “The US defence secretary has also said everything is still on the table, and we shouldn’t rule out potential outcomes –”

Derbyshire cut in: “Yes everything is on the table, but you’re not there!”

Reynolds said: “For a peace settlement to be durable it will simply have to have the involvement of the Europeans and the Ukrainians themselves.

“There’s been an incredible contribution from Europe alongside the US to the defence of Ukraine.”

He added that Trump “likes to win” and the way to do that is not awarding aggression.

The presenter asked: “Right, so why do you think the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier in the week Ukraine won’t be in Nato and Ukraine will have to give up some of its territory?”

“He’s also said he’s not ruling anything out,” Reynolds repeated. “That’s their position they have outlined in terms of the immediate short-term.”

The cabinet minister noted peace requires security guarantees, and “we will all have to play a part in that”.

He also said there was still a “great deal of common ground between the US and its European allies”.

Derbyshire asked how PM Keir Starmer plans to act as a bridge between the US and Europe as he joins European leaders for an emergency summit in Paris on Ukraine.

Reynolds replied: “Both allies will always be fundamentally important to us, I do think we can play a constructive role in this.

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, there’s a very assertive agenda from the US,” he said, while adding that the UK offers a lot in terms of defence and economic relations with the US.

’But there appear to be differences on Ukraine?” Derbyshire pointed out.

The minister said both sides want peace and a durable end to the war, so Ukraine can be rebuilt.

Reynolds also said the UK would “play its part” when pressed over whether it could send peacekeeping troops into Ukraine – but it was a “hypothetical right now”.

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Victoria Derbyshire, \"What appears to be the new world order.. It appears the UK and Europeans are not even at the table.. When it comes to negotiations on how the war will end\"

Jonathan Reynolds, \"The US has said everything is on the table\"

Victoria Derbyshire, \"Everything is… pic.twitter.com/IeV6VH3NEP

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Victoria Derbyshire, “What appears to be the new world order.. It appears the UK and Europeans are not even at the table.. When it comes to negotiations on how the war will end”

Jonathan Reynolds, “The US has said everything is on the table”

Victoria Derbyshire, “Everything is… pic.twitter.com/IeV6VH3NEP

— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) February 16, 2025

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