Is the deck stacked against Zelenskyy? Inside the 23 May Guardian Weekly
Before entering politics, Zelenskyy was a TV sitcom actor who – absurd as it even feels to recall now – played the character of a teacher who was accidentally elected president. Amid the offers, counter-offers, ultimatums and deflections, Zelenskyy's unwavering ability to play the straight man under pressure from all sides has been vital to keeping alive his country's hopes of a halfway-acceptable peace deal.
But, as Shaun Walker, Pjotr Sauer and Peter Beaumont outline, a hectic week of geopolitical manoeuvring does not seem to have brought peace in Ukraine any nearer, largely due to Russia's unwillingness to meaningfully engage. A phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump merely allowed the leaders to reaffirm their strange fondness for one another without making any tangible progress on talks.
And even if the winds of justice do one day turn against Putin, commentator Simon Tisdall outlines why a discredited international legal system means he is unlikely to ever face punishment for his crimes in court.
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Spotlight | Gaza's fight for survival amid new offensive and hungerCeasefire rumours are of little interest, say the bereaved who face starvation after one of Beit Lahiya's 'hardest nights'. Jason Burke and Malak A Tantesh in Gaza report
Science | Inverse vaccines offer hope against autoimmune diseaseScientists hope a potential breakthrough treatment, which suppresses a particular part of the immune system rather than amplifying it, could be available within f ive years, writes David Kohn
Feature | Should the convictions of Lucy Letby be overturned?When the British nurse was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, a 1980s research paper was key to the prosecution. But the author of the paper believes there has been a miscarriage of justice – and so too do other doctors. David Conn investigates
Opinion | Keir Starmer must regain his political nerveLabour has good ideas and years left to change Britain, argues John Harris. Why is it acting as if its time is almost up?
Culture | Inside the British Museum's mesmerising look at Indian religionsA show full of deities, snakes and shrines puts three ancient faiths in the spotlight. David Shariatmadari seeks out its inspiration in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai
Heart Lamp, a short-story collection centring the lives of Indian women, by Banu Mushtaq won the 2025 International Booker prize, but all the shortlisted books here are going on my reading list. Intriguing and very different in style from much English-language fiction and, as John Self points out, mostly coming in at under 200 pages so not heavy in a commuter-reader's rucksack. Isobel Montgomery, deputy editor
My local football club Crystal Palace ended a 120-year wait to win a major trophy by beating Manchester City in last weekend's FA Cup final. Palace may not be one of London's glamour teams but the club has a deep-rooted connection to the diverse community in the capital's southern suburbs, as this poignant piece by lifelong Eagles fan and Guardian football writer Ed Aarons explains. Graham Snowdon, editor
Audio | What does the Nationals' split from the Coalition mean for Australian politics?
Video | It's Complicated: How 'forever chemicals' have seeped into almost everything
Gallery | Nightclubbing Ibiza-style, 1998-2003
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Channel 4
12 minutes ago
- Channel 4
What can we learn from past summits before Trump-Putin meeting?
'Will he become my new best friend?' mused the owner of the Miss Universe Pageant, after inviting President Putin to the beauty parade in Moscow in 2013. Alas, the Russian leader was too busy with affairs of state to attend. He can't have known that he was passing up a meeting with the future US president. Maybe he wouldn't have gone even if he had known. The former KGB agent knows that keeping people waiting and guessing is a superpower. Fast forward 12 years: the summit in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday will be the sixth encounter between President Putin and President Trump . Best friends would be overdoing it, but both men will be trying to make the most of the understanding they have developed. Putin will have read reams of intelligence on Trump – his prejudices, his predilections, his vulnerabilities. Trump, by contrast, eschews the offerings of the CIA, saying he knows within a couple of minutes after walking into a room whether there's going to be a deal. 'He is an instinctive operator,' says Professor David Reynolds, author of Summits: Six Meetings that Shaped the Twentieth Century. 'European leaders are afraid that Trump will be outwitted by Putin one-on-one in a room.' That happened, famously, when the two men met in Helsinki in 2018. American security services had told Trump that the Russians had interfered in the 2016 election – to his advantage. 'I have great confidence in my intelligence people but I will tell you President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,' said Trump. He had bought the Kremlin's line. He trusted Putin, a trained KGB operator, who knows exactly how to manipulate a man like Trump who is susceptible to flattery and persuasion. The most infamous example of a leader trusting another too much came in 1938 when Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from a meeting with Adolf Hitler in Munich brandishing a piece of paper that said the Führer had promised not to continue his blitzkrieg across Europe in exchange for Britain and France allowing Germany to keep part of Czechoslovakia. But 'peace in our time' ended up as 'appeasement'. Hitler had no intention of stopping, and Chamberlain's attempt at negotiation has gone down in infamy. At the end of the Second World War, the Big Three – Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt – met at Yalta to carve up Europe. Winston Churchill, then British prime minister, far preferred the company of the Russian dictator, Josef Stalin, to that of US President Franklin D Roosevelt, who was in ill-health and somewhat subdued. 'Trump really admires strong men and Putin is one of those,' says Professor Reynolds. 'Similarly, Churchill, at the back of his mind, didn't forget that Stalin was a mass murderer, but actually he was interesting. He had a dry sense of humour and he had done some amazing things to turn his country around.' Stalin did not keep the promises he made Churchill at Yalta, refusing to allow free and democratic elections in eastern Europe. The Cold War was born. Forging a peace agreement on Ukraine will require a detailed understanding of Ukrainian geography and history – not to mention the participation of the Ukrainian government and people. Trump, however, cares nothing for such complexities, nor the democratic niceties of the Ukrainian constitution. He's more interested in striding the world stage in the company of his friend Vladimir. World leaders often put great store by the chemistry between them, and their own ability to triumph in negotiation, but diplomats tend to be less convinced by the greatness of great men. 'They're terrified about having leaders in a room talking to each other,' says Reynolds. 'The diplomats are usually greatly contemptuous in private in their diaries about the leader's ignorance of everything and really do not want these men let loose on international problems.' European diplomats are watching the summit in Anchorage with trepidation. They fear that, in his haste to get a deal, and with his admiration for Putin, Trump will sell Ukraine down the river. American diplomats, who will have to finesse any agreement in which the Russians get a clear advantage, are well aware of the dangers. They might read a poem that British officials circulated during the Second World War as Great Men talked war and peace. 'And so while the great ones depart to their dinner, The secretary stays, getting thinner and thinner. Racking his brains to record and report What he thinks that they think that they ought to have thought.' This article was originally posted on Substack, subscribe to Channel 4 News here .
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
FTSE eases on weak US data as Ukraine peace summit looms
The FTSE 100 fell back after hitting a new all-time high to close lower on Friday amid caution ahead of the US-Russia peace summit, hints of more tariffs and weak US consumer sentiment. The index closed down 38.34 points, 0.4%, at 9,138.90. It had earlier reached an all-time intra-day high of 9,222.07. The FTSE 250 ended down 43.43 points, 0.2%, at 21,758.24, and the AIM All-Share finished 0.86 of a point higher, 0.1%, at 759.80. For the week, the FTSE 100 rose 0.5%, the FTSE 250 fell 0.9% and the AIM-All Share declined 0.3%. In Europe, the Cac 40 in Paris rose 0.7%, while the Dax 40 in Frankfurt closed down slightly. US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will meet later on Friday in Alaska in a summit that could prove decisive for the future of Ukraine. Mr Putin will step on to western soil for the first time since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Mr Trump extended the invitation at the Russian leader's suggestion, but the US president has since warned that the meeting could be over within minutes if Mr Putin does not compromise. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Anchorage, the US leader sounded a more positive note, saying: 'There's a good respect level on both sides and I think something's going to come out of it.' 'Investors will be watching closely for signs a credible peace deal is in the offing and any outcomes could set the mood music for next week,' said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould. Mr Trump also said he will be setting new tariffs on steel, semiconductors and computer chips from next week, but declined to say what rate would apply, according to AFP. The US president said he would keep the new levies 'lower at the beginning' to give companies 'a chance to come in and build' in the US. 'And if they don't build here, they have to pay a very high tariff, which doesn't work. 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On the FTSE 100, mining stocks rose despite weak data from China. Anglo American rose 2.1%, Glencore climbed 1.8% and Antofagasta 1.2% on hopes the soft figures will spark action from Chinese authorities. 'Chinese economic activity slowed across the board in July, with retail sales, fixed asset investment, and value added of industry growth all reaching the lowest levels of the year,' ING said. 'After a strong start, several months of cooling momentum suggest that the economy may need further policy support,' the broker added. Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered slumped 7.2% after a US politician asked the country's attorney general to investigate the bank. Republican Elise Stefanik, in a post on X, said she has asked Pam Bondi to investigate the bank for 'illicit payments to known terrorists'. Ms Stefanik shared a letter on X in which she alleged Standard Chartered had made 9.6 billion dollars from such payments. 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Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Hillary Clinton admits she will nominate Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize if he pulls off major promise
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HILLARY Clinton has admitted she would nominate her former presidential rival Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he managed to end the meatgrinder war in Ukraine. But, the former first lady warned Trump that he must convince tyrant Vladimir Putin to withdraw Russian forces from any invaded land, and rule out any territorial swaps. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Hillary Clinton, seen in 2024, has said she would nominate her former rival Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he ended the Ukraine war Credit: Getty 8 Trump and Clinton clashed on the debate stage during the 2016 presidential election cycle Credit: Reuters 8 Clinton shared the revelation ahead of Trump's high-stakes summit with Putin, which will be held at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base, located outside of Anchorage. 'I understand from everything I've read, he very much would like to receive the Nobel Peace Prize,' she told the commentator Jessica Tarlov on her Raging Moderates podcast. Clinton told how she would consider nominating Trump for the accolade if he could end the war in Ukraine. But, she warned that Trump would have to agree a deal with one of the terms being Ukraine not losing any land to Moscow. read more on news LYING DESPOT KGB officer who trained with Putin gives chilling warning ahead of Trump talks "If we could pull that off, if President Trump were the architect of that, I'd nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize," she said. She explained that she doesn't want to allow a 'capitulation' to Putin. White House officials have touted the idea of Trump being awarded the peace prize - a gong that was won by Barack Obama in December 2009. Officials are reportedly "very serious" about helping Trump win the prize, per The Hill. "There's no question the pressure's on," a former aide, who served in Trump's first term, told The Hill. "Trump sees this prize as the ultimate capstone to how history will remember him." Trump says tyrant Putin's need to kill 'might be in his genes' but onslaught 'hurts his negotiations' as leaders head to Alaska for Ukraine peace summit In July, Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary claimed: 'It's well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.' She said the president had managed to broker around a peace agreement or ceasefire per month over his first six months of his second term. Several world leaders, including Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has backed nominating Trump for the peace prize. Hun Manet, the prime minister of Cambodia, nominated Trump after a deal was struck for a ceasefire following the clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border. Netanyahu handed over a letter to Trump - a moment that the president described as very meaningful. Pakistan's government also championed a move to nominate Trump, praising the leadership he showed in striking a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Leaders in Rwanda and Gabon have also endorsed Trump. Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Rwandan foreign minister, credited Trump for how he helped end the 30-year conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports in the Norwegian press have claimed Trump cold-called the country's finance minister to discuss the peace prize. 'Out of the blue, while finance minister was walking down the street in Oslo, Donald Trump called, he wanted the Nobel prize - and to discuss tariffs," an excerpt in Dagens Næringsliv said. If Trump wins the Nobel Peace Prize, he would join a small club of ex-presidents who achieved the feat. Which countries have nominated or endorsed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize? SEVERAL countries have endorsed or supported calls for Donald Trump to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. These are: Pakistan Israel Cambodia Azerbaijan Armenia Rwanda Gabon 8 8 Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 Credit: Reuters Obama was awarded the gong for his work to strengthen international diplomacy. Jimmy Carter won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his human rights work and conflict resolution efforts in his post-White House career. Former president Theodore Roosevelt won the award for his role in ending the Russo-Japanese war that was fought between 1904 and 1905. And, Woodrow Wilson was recognized in 1919 for creating the League of Nations. Trump's meeting with Putin will be his first in six years with the Russian strongman. He warned Putin that Russia faces "very severe" consequences if he doesn't seem interested in striking a peace deal. Ahead of the summit, Russian forces launched aerial attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Ukrainian soldiers were forced to evacuate a Donetsk town. 'It's well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Karoline Leavitt Trump departed Joint Base Andrews in Maryland for Alaska earlier on Friday and during a gaggle on board Air Force One, he seemed to imply that Putin's urge for killing may be in his genes. "In [Putin's] mind it helps him make a better deal if they can continue the killing," he told reporters. "Maybe it's a part of the world, maybe it's a part of his fabric, his genes, his genetics but he thinks it gives him strength in negotiating. I think it hurts him." Russian officials have been pictured arriving in Anchorage ahead of the high-stakes summit. Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, was seen wearing a sweatshirt with Soviet Union branding on it. Lavrov's choice of clothing has been perceived a degree of trolling toward the West. Trump-Putin's meeting will not be the first high stakes summit that has taken place in Anchorage. In 1971, President Richard Nixon held a 30-minute discussion with the Japanese Emperor Hirohito at the Elmendorf-Richardson base. And in 2021, Joe Biden met with senior Chinese officials in Anchorage - just two months into his presidency. But, the choice of Elmendorf-Richardson as a location means that there will be the optics of a Russian president visiting a US military base. The White House had reportedly tried to avoid this possibility in the run-up to the summit but failed to find an alternative location. 8 Calls are mounting for Trump, pictured in 2016, to be nominated for the coveted prize Credit: AFP 8 Putin, speaking with hockey players in Magadan, will meet Trump for the first time in six years Credit: AP
