US and Russia to explore closer relations after Ukraine talks in Riyadh

Marco Rubio says talks ‘first step of a long and difficult journey’ while Putin adviser says meeting ‘went well’

Ukraine officials say US is ‘appeasing’ Russia with talks in Riyadh

Absurd for Moscow to talk about peace while it is killing Ukrainians, official says, as Kyiv reacts with dismay to US approach

Ukraine and Europe made to sit outside as US and Russia sharpen their carving knives

In this back-to-the-future world, Russia is fully restored to the top table, while the US envoys outdo each other to praise Trump

Security for Ukraine could be achieved with fewer troops, say UK sources

Defence figures suggest heavy use of long-range monitoring could reduce need for soldiers on the frontline with Russia

Heat pump sales in Europe fall 23% to pre-Ukraine war levels

Growth in 2022 and 2023 was driven by soaring gas prices caused by Russia’s invasion, but 2024 saw sales slump

Trump blames Ukraine over war with Russia, saying it could have made a deal

President hits back at Ukraine’s complaint that it has been left out of US-Russia talks, saying it had years to make a deal ‘without the loss of much land’

Factchecking Donald Trump’s claims about the war in Ukraine

As US-Russia talks continue in Saudi Arabia, we look at the US president’s misleading and outright false statements

Reagan-era Republicans aghast as Trump turns Russia policy on its head

Officials who served in 1980s say Trump is opposing friends and supporting enemies: ‘It makes me sick what’s going on’

Zelenskyy says Trump is living in a Russian ‘disinformation bubble’

Remarks follow US claims that Ukraine is to blame for Russian invasion

Ukraine war briefing: Russian attacks darken Odesa, Kupiansk hit by deadly bombing

Ukrainian drone strike 700km across border takes Russian refinery out of service; EU prepares to step up military aid. What we know on 1,093

Thursday briefing: The real reasons that Volodymyr Zelenskyy can’t face a new election yet

In today’s newsletter: Zelenskyy described Trump’s claims as “disinformation” – only for the US president to double down. But his claims have no plausible basis in fact

British firms among companies to have exported aircraft parts that reached Russia

Data shows aircraft parts from more than 100 western companies reached Russian aviation industry via India

‘When has Russia ever kept its promises?’: Ukrainians furious over Trump’s plan to end war

People living abroad or who fled conflict fear that US president’s actions will further destabilise their country

French foreign minister makes rules-based order plea to global south over Ukraine

Jean-Noël Barrot tells G20 to prioritise those who support the law rather than power by force

Vance reaffirms Ukraine stance and threatens European allies in CPAC speech

Vice-president says immigration is ‘greatest threat’ to both Europe and US at largest conservative voters conference

Trump’s savage attack on Zelenskyy shaped by pro-Russian coterie

‘Kremlin whisperers’ have the president’s ear and dissenters are few – but a thin skin and self-interest are also at play

Stop criticising Trump and sign $500bn mineral deal, US official advises Kyiv

National security adviser says Ukraine is wrong to push back against Trump’s approach to peace talks with Russia

Nigel Farage dissents from Trump’s Zelenskyy ‘dictator’ claim

Reform leader contradicts Trump rant, saying ‘you shouldn’t always take things Donald Trump says absolutely literally’

Don’t be fooled by Putin’s ‘imperialism dressed up as realpolitik’, Lammy warns

Foreign secretary’s speech comes as UK continues to tread fine diplomatic line between supporting Ukraine and not offending Trump

Trump official says Zelenskyy will sign US minerals deal ‘in the very short term’

National security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC agreement is expected imminently as part of ceasefire negotiations