ENDED · The Guardian · 38 updates
French cities ‘calm overnight’ after targeted curfews, prime minister says – Europe live
Ukraine thankful that intelligence on missile strikes ‘works now’, says Zelenskyy – as it happened
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US envoy Witkoff to travel to Russia with new ideas discussed with Ukraine, Europe - summary
US peace envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to St Petersburg on Wednesday to relay to Russia some new peace proposals discussed with Ukraine, Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre said after hosting the US-Ukraine talks in Oslo (19:06). The leaders discussed a number of contentious issues, includin…
dpa-international.com
Peace process 'back on track,' hopeful Stubb says ahead of Witkoff's talks with Russia
In his closing comments, Finland’s Stubb says “it was a good day for peace,” as he acknowledges that “the top priority of the US administration is to find a peaceful solution to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.” He repeats that they “have made a lot of progress under the radar in the past wee…
'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' Zelenskyy insists
Zelenskyy gets asked if today’s meeting changes his view that the US is trying to pressure Ukraine to capitulate, and reports of a possible US, China, Russia trilateral meeting. He stresses the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” “So I don’t know what about the trilateral meeting…
The leaders also get asked about Trump’s comments that he doesn’t want to push Putin too hard so they don’t help Iran. Zelenskyy says his impression is that Russia had helped Iran anyway. Stubb jumps in to point out that Ukraine, in turn, has been very supportive of countries in the Gulf, sharing t…
Ukraine is thankful that intelligence on missile strikes 'works now,' Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy says the talks covered security guarantees, among others, and he hopes to hear Russia’s response tomorrow. He says Ukraine needs “strong security guarantees after the war ends.” He also pointedly says that he is thankful that intelligence sharing “works now” (that’s my emphasis), and it h…
huffpost.com
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Norway’s Støre jumps in to respond to a question on why Witkoff is not answering questions with the three other leaders. He diplomatically points out that “this is a press conference among political leaders,” hinting that Witkoff is essentially of a different diplomatic rank. But more broadly, he t…
Zelenskyy hints at further talks with US Rubio in the next 48 hours
Asked about his confidence in doing deal with Trump, Zelenskyy is very diplomatic. He goes back to his conversation with Rubio earlier today, and says it was the right channel to discuss “sensitive issues” such as Stalink, interceptors, and intelligence sharing. He says he hopes to talk with Rubio…
By the way, you can watch the Oslo briefing here:
In the Q&A, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy gets asked about his concessions and whether he is losing the war now. He says the discussions revolved around “sensitive” issues, but he wants to “push as quick as possible to end this war” and focus next discussions on reconstruction. He insists “we are not losing…
'Peace requires patience, but unfortunately war does not wait,' Stubb says as he hails 'genuine progress'
Finland’s Stubb says he believes today’s talks achieved some “genuine” progress “on two levels: … the short term and the big picture.” “We found some elements of peace which will be taken forward to Saint Petersburg tomorrow.” He says the discussions focused on “key issues such as air defence, ener…
'Ukraine wants peace more than anyone,' Zelenskyy says as he calls for trilateral meeting with US, Russia
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy is up next. He thanks Norway for hosting the talks, and Finland’s Stubb for joining the process. He says today’s talk with the US were “important” as he says all parties need to “keep talking at all levels and work together on the decisions needed to end this war.” He thanks US…
tampafp.com
Norway’s Støre hails 'positive' meeting with Witkoff flying to Russia to discuss proposals tomorrow
Norway’s Støre is the first to speak. He says Norway remains supportive of Ukraine, and “we have always made it clear there will be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” He thanks Trump’s envoys Witkoff and Kushner for joining the talks, and says: “We believe that peace is possible and necessary…
Zelenskyy, Støre, Stubb briefing the press after Oslo talks with US
Oh, welcome back. Zelenskyy, Støre and Stubb are here. Let’s listen in.
We are waiting for press conference after Ukraine-US talks in Oslo
We are now pausing our coverage as we wait for the Ukraine-US talks in Oslo to wrap up. I will be back when the leaders of Ukraine, Norway and Finland show up for their press conference, which is currently expected around 6pm UK (7pm Oslo). We will bring you the presser live here. In the meantime,…
UN human rights chief condemns protests violence, worries about 'excessive use of force' by authorities
Meanwhile, UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk has condemned “all acts of violence” during the last week’s protests in Albania, Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal, and called on all parties to “reduce tensions and prevent further violence.” In a statement he insisted that “the best and only way forw…
Russia hits energy facility in Kyiv, mayor Klitschko says
Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko said that an energy facility in Kyiv was hit this afternoon, as Russian attacks on Ukraine continue. No details were immediately available, but the attack fits the pattern of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks. Earlier today, Klitschko rep…
Danish authorities investigating two men for suspected espionage
Meanwhile, two men are appearing in a Danish court this afternoon for suspected espionage for Russian intelligence, the country’s public broadcaster DR reported. A short press release issued by the police quoted the head of investigation at the North Jutland force saying that “this is a case we are…
For what it’s worth, we are expecting to hear from Zelenskyy, Stubb and Støre after today’s talks, probably around 6pm UK time (7pm Oslo). We will bring you the key lines here, alongside a live stream to follow along. In the last few minutes, Zelenskyy posted a video from today’s talks alongside th…
Russia continues attacks across Ukraine, prompting alarms in neighbouring Poland
As high-level talks between Ukraine and the US continue in Oslo – and we are expecting some updates later today – Russia continues its relentless strikes across Ukraine. The intensity of the attacks on western Ukraine is such that neighbouring Poland has issued as many as four security alerts today…
France to deploy some military forces during Saturday protests, interior minister says
And back to the debate in the French parliament, the interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, confirmed that military forces will be deployed to reinforce police during the upcoming protests on Saturday. “We will deploy the Sentinelle force, obviously as a substitute to interior security forces... mo…
the-independent.com
Diplomat Niculescu confirmed as Romania's new prime minister
Elsewhere, there are some positive news from Romania, where Luca Niculescu has been confirmed as the country’s new prime minister in centrist president Nicușor Dan’s fourth attempt at getting a new government in place. Niculescu, a former journalist and diplomat who served as Romania’s ambassador t…
winknews.com
France faces choice between 'violence and the Republic,' French PM says, as he signals 'massive' police presence this weekend
Back to France, the French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, told lawmakers of plans for “massive” deployment of police forces ahead of further protests expected on Saturday. In a passionate speech in the parliament, Lecornu framed the situation as a choice “between violence the Republic,” as he d…
france24.com
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Crosetto warns that city riots are part of 'hybrid war' against the West
Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto has warned that recent riots in Milan and other parts of Italy were part of a broader “hybrid war” against the West, the Italian news agency Ansa reported. Speaking at a conference in Rome, Crosetto said: “The events in Milan and elsewhere in Italy are fundam…
the-independent.com
As we mentioned in a previous post, US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Norway ahead of talks with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy which are aimed at ending the war with Russia. It comes as relations between Zelenskyy and the US president, Donald Trump, are at their lowest sin…
fox10phoenix.com
Portuguese police clear housing protest camps, arrest 55 people
Meanwhile, Portuguese police cleared protest camps in Lisbon and Porto before dawn, removing activists who had occupied two central squares to protest against a worsening housing crisis, and making 55 arrests, Reuters reported. Activists had occupied Lisbon’s Rossio square since Saturday, pitchi…
kfgo.com
Italy poised to approve tougher security measures in response to protests
Italy is poised to approve new security measures after parts of the country were rocked by waves of protests over the weekend. Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, said that as part of the crackdown police will be able to detain under-18s at police stations for 12 hours, even if they have…
reuters.com
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France to offer interest-free loans to help businesses as criminal cases against rioters begin
France will offer interest-free loans of up to €50,000 to businesses affected by the riots and looting over the weekend, economy minister Roland Lescure said. The scheme is expected to open on Friday, and should help traders with cash flow issues as they seek to get insurance payouts, the minister…
Southeastern France affected by severe rainfall
In other news, it looks like France may have another problem coming its way, with heavy rainfall in the south of the country. Parts of Corsica are now under a red alert for rain and flooding, with local flooding observed last night in several towns and village in the region. An all-time rainfall re…
Zelenskyy to meet Norway's new king and Norwegian, Finnish leaders on margins of talks with US
Nordic correspondent As well as Steve Witkoff, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also meet the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre and the Finnish president Alexander Stubb and Norway’s new King Haakon during his visit to Oslo. Jared Kushner is scheduled to attend digitally. Ahead…
More than a month after elections, Sweden is still without a government - analysis
Nordic correspondent More than a month after the country went to the polls, Sweden is still without a government. The Centre party’s Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist this week became the second party leader to be tasked with attempting to form a new coalition government (Europe Live, yesterday). It comes…
