White House manages expectations over Trump-Putin talks as European leaders raise pressure
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Scottish Sun
8 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
US and Russia fire off veiled nuclear threats ahead of Alaska showdown talks between Trump and Putin
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSIA and America swapped veiled nuclear threats yesterday ahead of showdown talks between their two presidents over the war in Ukraine. At a British air base used by US nuclear bombers Vice President JD Vance warned that peace was only possible if the 'bad guys' were afraid of America. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Russia and the US have exchanged veiled nuclear threats, pictured Mr Zelensky is met in Berlin by Germany's Chancellor Merz Credit: AFP 5 The diplomatic war games came as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russia's President Putin in Alaska tomorrow Credit: Getty 5 Mr Trump warned there would be 'very severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire Credit: AP Meanwhile it was announced that joint exercises to be held by Russian and Belarusian troops will include nuclear weapons drills. The diplomatic war games came as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Alaska tomorrow. Mr Trump yesterday warned there would be 'very severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire. He spoke out after a video call with European leaders including Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Europe's political chiefs also vowed to hit tyrant Putin with more sanctions if talks fail. Mr Vance, in Britain on holiday, yesterday addressed US airmen at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. The base is routinely used as a staging post by US nuclear bombers. He said: 'It is impossible to bring peace anywhere unless the bad guys are worried that we have got a hell of a fine air force and a hell of a fine military to back up the peace to begin with. 'You make it possible for us to accomplish the President's goals through negotiation. 'You make it possible for us to go into a room and say, 'yes, we want peace, yes we want to work together, yes we want to bring an end to this terrible conflict but we have also got some great airmen'. Trump & Putin's 1-on-1 meeting is a 'listening exercise', WH says as 'Vlad wants Ukraine to withdraw for ceasefire' 'The fact that people are afraid of you is why we are able to do what we do as an administration.' A British defence source said last night: 'It's the big stick theory. It is deterrence — don't f*** with me because I will f*** you more. 'If we can't get that message over then we fail.' Peace isn't possible unless the bad guys fear you've got hell of a military JD Vance Mr Vance's warnings came as Belarus announced it will hold joint nuclear drills with Russia. Defence minister Viktor Khrenin said its troops would train for the deployment of nuclear weapons. Kremlin said the drills were 'predominantly strategic deterrence' abut added: 'We should be ready for everything.' President Trump has downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, saying his meeting with Putin was to get the lie of the land. He also touted the possibility of a second meeting to include Mr Zelensky, who has been frozen out of the peace talks. 5 Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a video conference Credit: EPA Mr Zelensky, who was in Berlin for the video conference yesterday, warned that Putin was bluffing over peace after Russian military advances in eastern Ukraine. Mr Zelensky insisted America, Ukraine and allies all want 'peace in Ukraine, peace in Europe'. Putin doesn't want peace — he wants to occupy our country Zelensky But he declared: 'Putin is bluffing, he is trying to push forward along the whole front. 'Putin doesn't want peace — he wants to occupy our country.' And he repeated calls for more economic pressure on Moscow, saying: 'In reality, the sanctions are very effective, and they're hurting the Russian military economy.' But Moscow's foreign ministry warned 'any attempts on our property will result in a painful response'. Europe's 'coalition of the willing' has demanded a ceasefire, stronger sanctions and 'robust and credible security guarantees' that Ukraine will not lose any territory. Russia wants a land swap to end the three-year conflict. In a statement PM Sir Keir later insisted the UK's support for Ukraine is 'unwavering'. He has previously vowed to send British peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. His spokesman said Europe's leaders thanked President Trump for his 'efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe and America must 'increase the pressure' on Russia if peace talks fail. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said 'the ball is now in Putin's court'. But Mr Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton reckoned inviting Putin to the US was 'a great victory' for the tyrant. He said: 'He's a rogue leader of a pariah state and he's going to be welcomed into the United States.'
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
US and Russia fire off veiled nuclear threats ahead of Alaska showdown talks between Trump and Putin
RUSSIA and America swapped veiled nuclear threats yesterday ahead of showdown talks between their two presidents over the war in Ukraine. At a British air base used by US nuclear bombers Vice President JD Vance warned that peace was only possible if the 'bad guys' were afraid of America. 5 5 5 Meanwhile it was announced that joint exercises to be held by Russian and Belarusian troops will include nuclear weapons drills. The diplomatic war games came as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Alaska tomorrow. Mr Trump yesterday warned there would be 'very severe consequences' if Putin doesn't agree to a ceasefire. He spoke out after a video call with European leaders including Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Europe's political chiefs also vowed to hit tyrant Putin with more sanctions if talks fail. Mr Vance, in Britain on holiday, yesterday addressed US airmen at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. The base is routinely used as a staging post by US nuclear bombers. He said: 'It is impossible to bring peace anywhere unless the bad guys are worried that we have got a hell of a fine air force and a hell of a fine military to back up the peace to begin with. 'You make it possible for us to accomplish the President's goals through negotiation. 'You make it possible for us to go into a room and say, 'yes, we want peace, yes we want to work together, yes we want to bring an end to this terrible conflict but we have also got some great airmen'. Trump & Putin's 1-on-1 meeting is a 'listening exercise', WH says as 'Vlad wants Ukraine to withdraw for ceasefire' 'The fact that people are afraid of you is why we are able to do what we do as an administration.' A British defence source said last night: 'It's the big stick theory. It is deterrence — don't f*** with me because I will f*** you more. 'If we can't get that message over then we fail.' Mr Vance's warnings came as Belarus announced it will hold joint nuclear drills with Russia. Defence minister Viktor Khrenin said its troops would train for the deployment of nuclear weapons. Kremlin said the drills were 'predominantly strategic deterrence' abut added: 'We should be ready for everything.' President Trump has downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, saying his meeting with Putin was to get the lie of the land. He also touted the possibility of a second meeting to include Mr Zelensky, who has been frozen out of the peace talks. 5 Mr Zelensky, who was in Berlin for the video conference yesterday, warned that Putin was bluffing over peace after Russian military advances in eastern Ukraine. Mr Zelensky insisted America, Ukraine and allies all want 'peace in Ukraine, peace in Europe'. But he declared: 'Putin is bluffing, he is trying to push forward along the whole front. 'Putin doesn't want peace — he wants to occupy our country.' And he repeated calls for more economic pressure on Moscow, saying: 'In reality, the sanctions are very effective, and they're hurting the Russian military economy.' But Moscow's foreign ministry warned 'any attempts on our property will result in a painful response'. Europe's 'coalition of the willing' has demanded a ceasefire, stronger sanctions and 'robust and credible security guarantees' that Ukraine will not lose any territory. Russia wants a land swap to end the three-year conflict. In a statement PM Sir Keir later insisted the UK's support for Ukraine is 'unwavering'. He has previously vowed to send British peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. His spokesman said Europe's leaders thanked President Trump for his 'efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end to the ongoing bloodshed'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe and America must 'increase the pressure' on Russia if peace talks fail. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said 'the ball is now in Putin's court'. But Mr Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton reckoned inviting Putin to the US was 'a great victory' for the tyrant. He said: 'He's a rogue leader of a pariah state and he's going to be welcomed into the United States.' 5
Scotsman
33 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Protesters greet JD Vance as he arrives in Scotland for family holiday
The vice-preisdent has touched down in Scotland amid a row over the cost of his visit to taxpayers Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... US Vice-President JD Vance was greeted at the resort by dozens of pro-Palestine protesters, who accused him of supporting a 'genocide' by Israel in Gaza as he arrived in Scotland on a family holiday. Donald Trump's second-in-command landed at Prestwick Airport on Wednesday evening before travelling with a large motorcade to the luxury Carnell Estate near Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was greeted there by the pro-Palestine protesters. The demonstrators were kettled by police as they bashed pots and pans, waved Palestine flags and shouted pro-Palestine chants. Police had initially told the protesters they would need to move and that officers would do so if they refused to leave to a different space nearby. Airspace restrictions are in place around the estate until Sunday. The Republican's stay is expected to require a considerable policing operation, with up to 1,000 Police Scotland officers set to be involved. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It follows a visit by his boss, US President Donald Trump, who recently spent five days in Scotland split between his golf courses in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire and during which time he met the First Minister and Prime Minister. The Scotsman revealed earlier that Vance is set to visit Mr Trump's Turnberry resort during his stay. A Police Scotland spokesperson previously said: 'Planning is under way for a potential visit to Scotland by the vice-president of the United States. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Details of any visit would be for the White House to comment on, however it is important that we prepare in advance for what would be a significant policing operation.' Mr Vance had been holidaying in the Cotswolds but travelled to the Foreign Secretary's Chevening House retreat in Kent on Friday, and he joined David Lammy carp fishing at the countryside estate. Earlier on Wednesday, JD Vance described the UK and US' relationship as 'a beautiful alliance', during a speech at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
