Ukraine-Russia war latest: Pope ‘ready' to host peace talks while Putin stages visit to battle-scarred Kursk
Poep Leo XIV has confirmed his willingness for the Vatican to host the next round of Ukraine peace talks, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said.
"Finding in the Holy Father confirmation of the readiness to host the next talks between the parties in the Vatican, the prime minister expressed deep gratitude (to) Pope Leo XIV for his unceasing commitment to peace," a statement from Ms Meloni's office said.
The Vatican has not commented on possibly hosting peace talks.
It comes as Russian president Vladimir Putin staged a visit to the war-battered Kursk region on Wednesday, including a trip to its nuclear power plant.
Donald Trump was urged to pressure Russia with further sanctions, after Ukraine 's Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin is 'trying to buy time' to continue his war.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said Russia 's failure to negotiate in good faith should trigger threatened US sanctions.
The UK and the EU announced new waves of sanctions against Russia on Tuesday. The British measures alone impact around 100 entities and individuals.
In pictures: International soldiers on exercise in Ukraine's Kharkiv region
Tom Watling21 May 2025 09:00
Putin attends meeting in Kursk
Russian president Vladimir Putin has sat down with volunteers in Kursk in the wake of his forces largely ousting Ukrainian troops in the region.
Russia's presidential service posted a picture of Putin's meeting with volunteers.
Tom Watling21 May 2025 08:46
With little progress after phone calls and talks, Ukraine's allies hit Russia with new sanctions
With little progress after phone calls and talks, Ukraine's allies hit Russia with new sanctions
Kyiv's European allies have slapped new sanctions on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine
Tom Watling21 May 2025 08:32
Trump eyes foreign aid funds to remove migrants including Ukrainians who came to the US from war zones: report
The Trump administration is considering using foreign aid funds to remove migrants — including Ukrainians — who came to the US fleeing violence and returning them to active war zones, according to a report.
Hundreds of thousands of migrants, including those from Ukraine and Haiti, are being considered in the plans that would see the administration spend up to $250 million earmarked for foreign assistance, according to The Washington Post.
In draft documents obtained by the newspaper, Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Sudanese, Syrians and Yemenis could also be targeted in the administration's voluntary deportation program. Afghans are likely to be the first group targeted with the voluntary packages, despite the risk they face at home from the Taliban, according to the Post.
Rhian Lubin reports from New York:
Trump 'could use foreign aid to remove migrants who came to U.S. from war zones'
Hundreds of thousands of migrants, including those from Ukraine and Haiti, are reportedly being considered in the plans
Arpan Rai21 May 2025 08:21
Trump misjudged his influence on Putin, says German defence minister
US president Donald Trump misjudged his influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Germany's defence minister Boris Pistorious has said.
"I suspect he assessed his negotiating position incorrectly," Mr Pistorius told the Deutschlandfunk radio broadcaster yesterday, following Mr Trump's now-abandoned efforts to pressure Putin into accepting an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
A phone call between the two leaders on Monday yielded no progress in Ukraine peace talks and has prompted Europe to announce new Russia sanctions.
The European Union is currently working on its next package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. Mr Pistorius said it remained to be seen whether Washington would join those measures as talks continue via the usual diplomatic channels.
Arpan Rai21 May 2025 07:34
Russian missile attack kills six servicemen and injured 10
A Russian missile attack killed six servicemen and injured at least 10 more during training yesterday, Ukraine's national guard said in a statement this morning.
The national guard said an internal investigation was underway and the commander of the military unit had been suspended
Arpan Rai21 May 2025 07:22
Putin visits Kursk region for first time since ejecting Ukrainian forces
Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region, the Kremlin said, announcing his visit for the first time since Russia claimed its forces ejected Ukrainian troops from the area.
The Kremlin said that Mr Putin met volunteer organisations in the region and visited the Kursk-II nuclear power plant.
21 May 2025 07:07
Ukraine attacks Moscow in overnight attacks as 159 drones downed
Russia's defence ministry said its air defences shot down 159 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions.
The majority were over Russia's western regions but at least six were shot down over the Moscow region, which has a population of over 20 million, the ministry said.
Arpan Rai21 May 2025 06:37
Zelensky says he and Merz discussed Ukraine's post-war recovery
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he and German chancellor discussed matters surrounding Ukraine's recovery after the war in a phone call yesterday.
The Ukrainian president said: 'We must already be thinking about this and have a clear plan that can help bring genuine peace closer now and provide support later. We will work together to make it all happen. I am grateful for the support.'
Arpan Rai21 May 2025 06:25
Starmer speaks to Zelensky after announcing sanctions
Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Volodymyr Zelensky after the UK announced 100 new sanctions on Russia in a bid to ramp up pressure on Vladimir Putin.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'The prime minister spoke to president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, this evening.
'The leaders began by reflecting on their meeting in Tirana, Albania, on Friday before discussing the UK's latest package of sanctions on Russian military, energy and financial sectors announced today.
'It was vital to keep the pressure on Russia while they continued their illegal invasion of Ukraine, the leaders agreed.
'Looking ahead to further peace talks, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine and said he was steadfast in his commitment to helping Ukraine secure a just and lasting peace.
'The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.'
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