Latest news with #Volodymyr Zelensky
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Opinion: Trump and Farage are the only grown-ups in the room
As a lifelong fan of dystopian writers such as HP Lovecraft and Mervyn Peake, I've always been fascinated by strange universes and parallel dimensions, places where the rules of physics don't apply. Well, this week it felt like I had woken up in one. The usual parameters of power seemed to have been replaced by an upside-down world in which almost nothing made sense. How else would you describe a situation in which Donald Trump increasingly seems like the only grown-up in the room? Trump's mini state visit this week, to his golf courses in Turnberry and Balmedie, met with all the usual protests and was beset by one or two unintentionally comical moments. But when it came down to it, his encounter with Sir Keir Starmer was a masterclass in the kind of statesmanlike power-play that the American President is increasingly demonstrating. Let's face it, he can be childish and petulant at times: just look at how he treated Ukraine 's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. But this time he was a model of restraint, in particular on Gaza. Trump said what everyone, even the staunchest supporters of Israel must now acknowledge: that we are seeing 'real starvation' in the region, adding that 'those children look very hungry' and 'you can't fake that'. He stressed that the top priority was making sure aid got through and reiterated the US's commitment to working with the EU to establish food centres across Gaza. He topped that off with a reminder to Israel that it was their duty to allow 'every ounce of food' into the Strip. On the question of recognising a Palestinian state – the current political hot potato – he was calm and measured, simply saying he was 'not going to take a position on Palestinian statehood at the moment'. Blimey. Can this really be the same President Trump who, back in February, was advocating taking over Gaza, relocating its citizens and turning it into a Levantine Las Vegas? Such compassionate, reasoned analysis of the situation is not what his detractors have come to rely on. They must be absolutely livid. As if that weren't enough, he then proceeded to offer a blisteringly accurate analysis of Starmer's political woes, urging him to cut taxes, get tough on illegal immigration and ditch the obsession with wind energy in favour of North Sea oil and natural gas. The cherry on the cake was his frank and accurate assessment of Sadiq Khan: 'I'm not a fan... I think he's done a terrible job.' This is something every single person I know, even Labour-voting London friends of mine, would heartily agree with. I must confess that in the past I really haven't been keen on Trump. And there remain lots of unanswered questions around him, particularly when it comes to his relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein. But in terms of the issues currently facing America, Britain and the wider world, you would be hard pushed to say that his judgment this week has been anything other than spot on. His handling of the EU was masterful, too. He effectively negotiated them into a corner on a trade deal, as many of them have belatedly realised. So after years of political paralysis and diplomatic stagnation, Trump finally seems to be getting somewhere. Against a backdrop of ineffectual leadership, this feels encouraging – and perhaps even exciting. Again, an unfamiliar feeling of late. And the truth is when politicians show that they can get things done, the public are far more inclined to overlook their personal shortcomings. While Trump's own character failings are admittedly quite hard to ignore, his best defence against his enemies is his sheer effectiveness – and that's what we've seen this week. Whatever you think about him, no one can deny that he's a man of action. He has that pragmatic, objective business brain that knows how to see a situation for what it is, not what one would wish it to be. What I can't quite tell, though, is whether this is simply a function of the 'mainstream' political class being so utterly useless – an 'in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king' situation – or whether Trump has actually sobered up a bit and started to take his political responsibilities seriously. My feeling is that it's the latter. This may partly explain his fall in popularity among his core MAGA base, who loved him when he pretended to be as swivel-eyed as they are but are unhappy with his failure to release the putative 'Epstein files' said to implicate high-ranking business tycoons and other politicians with the late paedophile, or with his willingness to bomb Iran's nuclear sites. But Trump may find that what he loses there he will gain elsewhere, among more moderate, middle-class Americans who, like moderate, middle-class Brits, just want some semblance of law, order and fairness restored. His 'good friend' and British mini-me, Nigel Farage, is entering similar territory. Far from imploding under the pressure of public scrutiny, as his rivals had hoped and, to some extent, been counting on, the Reform leader also seems to be gaining in credibility. Increasing numbers of my small-c conservative friends are now starting to tell me they could 'see themselves' voting for him: a year ago, that would have been unthinkable. There is an army of 'shy Faragistes' out there – and it's growing. Again, in what mad parallel universe does Farage now sound sensible and sane? The answer is, one where the prevailing political class has completely lost its credibility, its moral compass – and its cojones. Could it be that after years of obfuscation and gaslighting, we are now entering a brave new world of politicians who tell it like it is and get the job done? One hardly dares to hope. What a strange and alien place that would be. But thrilling, nonetheless.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
EU urges Ukraine to uphold independent anti-corruption bodies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the bill could be adopted as early as next week. (EPA Images pic) BRUSSELS : European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called on Sunday for president Volodymyr Zelensky to uphold independent anti-corruption bodies, with the Ukrainian leader signalling that supporting legislation could be adopted within days. 'Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path. It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law,' von der Leyen said in a post on X after a call with Zelenskiy. After a rare outburst of public criticism, Zelensky on Thursday submitted draft legislation to restore the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies – reversing the course of an earlier bill aimed at stripping their autonomy. 'I thanked the European Commission for the provided expertise,' Zelenskiy said in a post on X after his Sunday call with von der Leyen. 'We share the same vision: it is important that the bill is adopted without delay, as early as next week.' Von der Leyen also promised continued support for Ukraine on its path to EU membership. 'Ukraine can count on our support to deliver progress on its European path,' she added.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Five dead after Ukraine and Russia trade drone and missile attacks as talks stall
In Ukraine's Dnipro region, three people died in Russian shelling, while two were killed in Russia's Rostov region after a Ukrainian drone strike. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 235 drones and 27 missiles in a 'massive combined attack' overnight. Ten missiles and 25 drones found their targets, striking nine locations, while air defences shot down or intercepted the rest, according to Ukraine's Air Force. 'A terrible night. A massive combined attack on the region,' Serhiy Lysak, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, wrote on Telegram. An additional six people were injured, he said, posting photos of smashed buildings, burnt-out cars and firefighters battling blazes. In Dnipro city, a multi-storey building and a business were damaged, and a fire engulfed a shopping centre outside the city. Ukraine's southern Dnipro and northeastern Sumy regions also came under heavy rocket and drone attack. Officials in Sumy reported three people injured after Russian drones hit a central square and damaged the regional administration building. Kharkiv also sustained intense bombardment. Ukraine's emergency services said six people were hurt, including four rescuers injured in a so-called 'double tap' strike, where a second attack follows the first to target emergency workers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that Russia would feel the consequences. Russian military enterprises, Russian logistics, Russian airports must feel that the Russian war has real consequences for them,' he said. 'There can be absolutely no silence in response to such strikes, and Ukrainian long-range drones ensure this.' Ukraine's attacks on Russia have also intensified in recent months. Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 54 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 24 over the Bryansk region and 12 over Rostov. Officials in Moscow and other areas also reported drone attacks, though most were shot down. In Russia's Rostov region, which borders Ukraine, acting governor Yuri Slyusar said a Ukrainian drone attack killed two people. Drones also struck an industrial facility in the neighbouring Stavropol region, sparking a brief fire, according to governor Vladimir Vladimirov. Officials also reported drone attacks on Moscow and the Penza region southeast of the capital, though they were intercepted. In Russia's Ingushetia region in the North Caucasus, a woman and three children were injured after a drone fell on a home, regional health officials said. On the battlefield, Russia's Defence Ministry claimed to have seized the village of Zelenyi Hai in the eastern Donetsk region and Maliivka in the Dnipro region. Kyiv did not comment on the claims. Mr Zelensky said he had been briefed by Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrsky on 'active and long-range actions on Russian territory,' including clashes in Pokrovsky and efforts to repel Russian advances into the Sumy region. 'Our forces are consistently blocking Russian attempts to advance deep into the Sumy region from the border,' he said. Mr Zelensky added that drone production in Ukraine this year would 'significantly exceed' earlier forecasts. In Moscow, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that peace talks had never truly been on the West's agenda. 'If the West wanted 'real peace' in Ukraine, it would stop supplying Kyiv with weapons,' she said, according to state news agency TASS. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its overnight strikes had hit Ukrainian military sites 'that manufacture components for missile weapons, as well as produce ammunition and explosives.' The Independent could not verify this claim.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Putin rejects request to meet Zelensky
Vladimir Putin has refused to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky unless a peace deal is on the table ready to be finalised. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said that it was unlikely that such a meeting could occur by the end of August, as Ukraine has proposed. He added: 'A summit meeting can and should put an end to the settlement and formalise the modalities and agreements that are to be worked out in the course of expert work. 'It is impossible to do the opposite. Is it possible to complete such a complex process in 30 days? Obviously, it is unlikely.' The remarks came after Mr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, proposed a four-way summit with Russia, the United States and Turkey to progress Donald Trump's efforts to end the three-year war. Earlier this week, Mr Zelensky said negotiation to bring an end to the conflict 'probably begins with a meeting of leaders. It won't work any other way with them'. It is thought that Putin is holding out on any settlement while his armed forces are on the ascendency on the battlefield in Ukraine. The situation for Kyiv's troops defending the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donetsk region, was becoming increasingly perilous, analysts said. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to reject Ukrainian and US proposals of an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire, which could pave the way for more substantial peace talks. Russia has been holding out in three rounds of direct talks with Ukrainian officials with demands Kyiv says are unacceptable, such as withdrawing troops from four regions partially occupied by Moscow. Mr Trump said a meeting between Mr Zelensky and Putin was three months overdue, before boarding a flight to Scotland on Friday. 'It's going to happen. But it should have happened three months ago. It's going to happen,' he said. Mr Trump added that the 100 per cent tariffs on Russia, and its allies purchasing Moscow's fossil fuels, could come sooner than the 50-day deadline set earlier this month. Mr Zelensky is attempting to steel himself for a long war by convincing European allies to help finance increased wages for his soldiers. He is also trying to convince allies to deliver seven Patriot air-defence systems – more than the five already agreed between Germany and the US.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Russia rules out Putin-Zelensky meeting until end of peace talks
The Kremlin on Friday ruled out any meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the last stage in signing a peace deal, definitively rebuffing the Ukrainian leader's calls for a meeting and describing the two sides' positions as 'diametrically opposed.' The statement appears to effectively preclude any kind of top-level meeting in the near future and casts doubt on further progress in the peace talks within the 50-day deadline given by President Donald Trump for a peace deal to be reached before the United States imposes new sanctions on Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that any meeting between the two leaders could only take place after a draft settlement was reached, a direct rejection of Zelensky's call on Thursday for a meeting with Putin to move the stalled peace process forward. In comments to journalists on Thursday, released Friday, Zelensky said negotiating an end to the war 'probably begins with a meeting of leaders. It won't work any other way with them.' 'We need an agenda for such a meeting — a meeting at the level of leaders,' he said. Peskov rejected the proposal on Friday. 'A summit meeting can and should put an end to the settlement and formalize the modalities and agreements that are to be worked out in the course of expert work,' he said. 'It is impossible to do the opposite. Is it possible to complete such a complex process in 30 days? Obviously, it is unlikely.' A key difference in negotiations has been Trump's demand for an immediate ceasefire which Ukraine has accepted and Moscow has rejected. The Ukrainian side, which is under intense Russian pressure on the battlefield, has called for the ceasefire to pave the way for peace talks. Putin remains confident that his forces can advance and eventually force Ukraine's capitulation, and is determined to fight on until Kyiv accepts Moscow's conditions, insisting that talks take place without a ceasefire. Peskov, who has repeatedly ruled out a meeting of leaders before a draft settlement is agreed, said Russia's position on this was well-known. He said the two sides' positions were 'diametrically opposed, and it is unlikely that they can be reconciled overnight. This will require very complex diplomatic work.' On Thursday he showed pessimism about the peace talks, saying that Russia 'did not expect a breakthrough,' which was 'hardly possible.' In June, Putin said that he was willing to meet Zelensky, but only 'if it will be some kind of final stage, so as not to sit there and endlessly divide something, but to put an end to it.' A meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials on Wednesday lasted just 40 minutes, a sign that the sides remain far apart and have so far failed to agree even on the basic parameters of the talks, let alone haggling in detail about Moscow's conditions to halt its attacks. The main achievement of talks so far has been prisoner exchanges, with agreement on Wednesday for the exchange of 1,200 more prisoners in the near future. So far Russia has stuck to its maximalist demands that would strip Ukraine of its ability to defend itself and keep it out of NATO, as Putin presses ahead with his project to force Kyiv's capitulation and turn Ukraine into a client state like Belarus. Russia is also seeking to add a new layer to the peace negotiations that could possibly bog down talks into multiple complex processes. The head of Russia's delegation at the talks, Vladimir Medinsky, said after Wednesday's meeting that Russia proposed three new working groups on political, military and humanitarian issues, raising the possibility that while prisoner exchanges could advance, political and military issues could remain stalemated. After rejecting the ceasefire earlier, Russia demanded that both sides draft memorandums on the parameters of the talks, which would then have to be reconciled — effectively stalling the process. Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Izvestia newspaper that Russia expected that there would be more talks but these would not be easy. In May, Zelensky unsuccessfully pressed Putin to fly to Istanbul to meet him for talks on a ceasefire.
