logo
NATO Chief Warns of Possible Trump-Zelensky Clash At June Summit, Urges Kyiv To Stay In Sync With US

NATO Chief Warns of Possible Trump-Zelensky Clash At June Summit, Urges Kyiv To Stay In Sync With US

Time of India5 days ago

TOI.in
/ May 28, 2025, 07:31AM IST
Tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine are casting a shadow over the upcoming NATO summit, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte voicing concern about a potential clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Rutte fears renewed friction could embarrass Zelensky and undermine the summit's unity. The warning follows a heated Oval Office meeting in February that escalated into a public spat. Rutte has reportedly urged Zelensky to mend ties with Trump, as his leadership faces a critical test during the high-stakes gathering.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rubio Speaks To Lavrov, Reiterates Trump's Push For Continued Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks
Rubio Speaks To Lavrov, Reiterates Trump's Push For Continued Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks

News18

time19 minutes ago

  • News18

Rubio Speaks To Lavrov, Reiterates Trump's Push For Continued Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks

Last Updated: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rubio discussed de-escalation of Moscow-Kyiv tension ahead of peace talks in Istanbul. A day before Moscow and Kyiv's peace talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed prospects for de-escalating the tensions between them. The Russia-Ukraine talks were set to be held in Turkey's Istanbul on Monday, Lavrov's ministry said. 'The situation linked to the Ukraine crisis was discussed," the ministry said in a statement on its website. 'S.V. Lavrov and M. Rubio also exchanged views on various initiatives concerning a settlement of the Ukraine crisis, including plans to resume direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul on June 2," the statement further read. The US State Department reiterated Donald Trump's call for continued direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to achieve 'a lasting peace." US noted the call was at Russia's request. The statement mentioned that as the two leader held talks over phone call, Rubio expressed condolences over deaths that occurred when two bridges were blown up in separate Russian regions bordering Ukraine. 'It was stressed on the Russian side that competent bodies will proceed with a thorough investigation and the results will be published. The guilty parties will be identified and will without doubt be subject to a worthy punishment," the statement further read. Reuters, citing Russian officials, reported that at least seven people were killed and 69 sustained injuries when the two bridges were blown up on Saturday. Further, hours ahead of the peace-talks, tensions escalated between Russia sand Ukraine after the latter launched a massive drone attack against Moscow on Sunday, prompting it to shoot down many of Ukrainian drones. Russia's health ministry confirmed the retaliatory action on Monday morning. 'Air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 162 Ukrainian drones" between 1710 GMT and 2300 GMT on Sunday, news agency AFP quoted the Russia's health ministry's statement. The statement mentioned that majority of the drones were brought down over regions bordering Ukraine, with 57 intercepted over the Kursk region and 31 over the Belgorod region. First Published: June 02, 2025, 15:08 IST

UK to build attack subs as part of major defence review
UK to build attack subs as part of major defence review

Time of India

time21 minutes ago

  • Time of India

UK to build attack subs as part of major defence review

UK prime minister Keir Starmer (Image credit: AP) LONDON: Britain announced it will build 12 new attack submarines as it was set to unveil Monday a major defence review to deal with "growing" Russian aggression and the changing nature of warfare. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told BBC radio that "there is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats." His Labour government will later publish its Strategic Defence Review, a document that will assess threats facing the UK and make recommendations. The review warns that Britain is entering "a new era of threat" as drones and artificial intelligence transform modern warfare, The Guardian newspaper reported over the weekend. "I wanted a review that told me the challenges we're actually facing and likely to face for the foreseeable future," Starmer told the BBC Monday. "And the principles are clear: war-fighting readiness, integrating our forces... and a Nato first approach," he added. The UK has been racing to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that US President Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe. Starmer said it would serve as "a blueprint for strength and security for decades to come". Daily attacks: His government pledged in February to lift defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 in the "largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War". And despite budget constraints, it aims for spending to rise to three per cent in the next parliamentary term, due in 2029. The Labour government has said it will cut UK overseas aid to help fund the spending. Based on the recommendations of the review, which is led by former Nato secretary general George Robertson, the government said Sunday that it would boost stockpiles and weapons production capacity, which could be scaled up if needed. This includes £1.5 billion ($2 billion) for building "at least six munitions and energetics factories", procuring 7,000 domestically built long-range weapons, and spending £6 billion on munitions over the current parliamentary term. The government also said late Sunday that it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its Aukus military alliance with Australia and the United States, and invest £15 billion in its nuclear warhead programme. The defence ministry last week pledged £1 billion for the creation of a "cyber command" to help on the battlefield. "We're in a world that is changing now... and it is a world of growing threats," defence secretary John Healey told the BBC in an interview Sunday. "It's growing Russian aggression. It's those daily cyberattacks, it's new nuclear risks, and it's increasing tension in other parts of the world as well," he said. Sophisticated challenge: The last such defence review was commissioned in 2021 by the previous Conservative government, and was revised in 2023 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While launching the new review, Robertson said it would tackle threats from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, calling them a "deadly quartet". But in an op-ed in The Sun newspaper, Starmer did not mention China, while warning that "The Kremlin is working hand in hand with its cronies in Iran and North Korea." The softer rhetoric on China is in line with the Labour government's efforts to thaw relations with Beijing, which reached new lows under former prime minister Rishi Sunak 's Conservative government. The review describes Russia as an "immediate and pressing" threat, but calls China a "sophisticated and persistent challenge", according to The Guardian. At a time when Washington is demanding that its Nato allies bolster their own defences, Britain is considering strengthening its deterrent by buying nuclear-missile capable aircrafts from the United States, The Sunday Times reported. Without confirming or denying, Healey said Sunday that "strong deterrence is absolutely essential in order to keep Britain and the British people safe".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store