Close Trump jokes with tech CEOs that he thought Ukraine war would be easy to solve

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US president Donald Trump has urged European leaders to cease buying Russian oil, which he argued is helping Moscow fund its war in Ukraine.

He also emphasised that Europe “must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts”, a White House official said.

Trump made the remarks during a call with the “Coalition of the Willing”, a group of 30 European nations led by French president Emmanuel Macron, which gathered in Paris yesterday to discuss further security guarantees for Ukraine.

Following the meeting, which was attended by the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron said that 26 countries – including the UK and France – have pledged to deploy troops in Ukraine as a “reassurance force” in the event of a ceasefire.

Despite Zelensky expressing willingness to talk, a ceasefire agreement is not currently on the table, and it remains unclear whether Russian president Vladimir Putin will agree to a cessation of hostilities. He said on Wednesday that in the absence of a deal, Russia will have to achieve its goals “by military means”.

US President Donald Trump urged European leaders to halt purchases of Russian oil, warning that such trade was helping Moscow fund its war in Ukraine. He also called on European countries to increase economic pressure on China over its support for Russia’s invasion, the White House said.

According to a White House official, President Trump made the remarks during a call with the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of nations led by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss new measures in support of Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

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“President Macron and European leaders called President Trump into their ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting,” the official said.

Speaking via video conference with European leaders in Paris, Trump said, “Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,” a senior White House official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

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Trump made the remarks during a call with the “Coalition of the Willing”, a group of 30 European nations led by French president Emmanuel Macron, which gathered in Paris yesterday to discuss further security guarantees for Ukraine.

Following the meeting, which was attended by the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron said that 26 countries – including the UK and France – have pledged to deploy troops in Ukraine as a “reassurance force” in the event of a ceasefire.

Despite Zelensky expressing willingness to talk, a ceasefire agreement is not currently on the table, and it remains unclear whether Russian president Vladimir Putin will agree to a cessation of hostilities. He said on Wednesday that in the absence of a deal, Russia will have to achieve its goals “by military means”.

Key Points Donald Trump issues warning to European leaders over pressure on China

Macron says 26 nations will provide postwar military backing to Ukraine

Putin ally says Russia will seize British assets and seize more of Ukraine

Russia responds to latest proposal for European post-war security guarantees

Two mine-clearing workers killed in Russian rocket attack

Trump cutting funding to train and support European troops in countries bordering Russia 07:53 , Arpan Rai 07:53 , Arpan Rai The Trump administration is halting what may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in security funding to those European nations bordering Russia. The upcoming cuts, which have not been publicly announced, come as the administration has not sought to renew European portions of what’s known as Section 333 funding and the Baltic Security Initiative, which supports nations near the Russian border like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the Financial Times reports. “This action has been co-ordinated with European countries in line with the executive order and the president’s long-standing emphasis on ensuring Europe takes more responsibility for its own defense,” a White House official told the paper. The apparent shift has alarmed European defense leaders, who see the presence of US troops and support as a key deterrent against Russia. “The Russians genuinely only care about American dollars, American troops and the American flag,” a European official told The Washington Post. Trump cutting millions in funding to European armies bordering Russia: report

India says ending Ukraine war ‘in interest of everyone’ 07:34 , Arpan Rai 07:34 , Arpan Rai India’s envoy to the UN has called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the war in Ukraine. Parvathaneni Harish, India’s permanent representative to the UN, said on Thursday that his country was concerned over the loss of innocent lives and stressed that “no solution can be found on the battlefield”. “Prime minister (Narendra Modi) remains in touch with President Putin, President Zelensky and European leadership on the evolving situation. We believe all these diplomatic efforts hold the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up prospects for a lasting peace,” he said, addressing a live session of the UN General Assembly. “An early end to the conflict in Ukraine is in the interest of everyone. As Prime Minister Modi has said, ‘This is not an era of war.’ India stands ready to support diplomatic efforts for an early end to the conflict,” he said. #IndiaAtUN

PR @AmbHarishP delivered 🇮🇳’s statement at the General Assembly Debate on ‘The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine’. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @UN pic.twitter.com/lGWuU6JI8Q — India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) September 4, 2025

Ukraine claims responsibility for attack on Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery 07:13 , Arpan Rai 07:13 , Arpan Rai Ukrainian forces attacked Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery, the commander of Kyiv’s drone forces said this morning. The Ukrainian military also attacked a key oil depot in the Russia-occupied Luhansk region, he added in a statement on his Telegram channel. Ukraine does not usually claim responsibility for attacks on Russia, but says attacks on transport and power infrastructure are legitimate ways to weaken Moscow’s military and its ability to fund its invasion.

Putin claims Western companies want to return to Russia 06:57 , Arpan Rai 06:57 , Arpan Rai Russian president Vladimir Putin has said Western companies want to return to Russia. Putin was speaking at an economic forum in the far eastern city of Vladivostok in Russia. Western governments have sanctioned scores of billionaires on top of hitting Russia’s financial, energy and military sector in order to isolate the Russian leader, choke off financial support for his invasion of Ukraine. Putin was joined by Mongolia prime minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar, who said his country was now open to buying Russian gas. The Russian president welcomed the announcement and said it represented an important energy project for his government. Russia’s president Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Laotian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Kremlin says Russia leading in prosthetic limbs thanks to Ukraine war 06:31 , Arpan Rai 06:31 , Arpan Rai Russia has become a world leader in manufacturing prosthetic limbs, an official has said, thanks to the number of soldiers it has seen wounded in fighting Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. The flow of injured soldiers returning from the battlefield is a key “driver” pushing forward Russia’s innovation in prosthetics, said Russia’s deputy defence minister Anna Tsivilyova, addressing a conference in Vladivostok. “We are probably leading in this direction now,” Tsivilyova, a relative of Russian president Vladimir Putin, said at the Eastern Economic Forum. “It is precisely the participants in the special military operation who have allowed us to reach such a priority flagship level,” Tsivilyova said, referring to the Russian term used for the invasion of Ukraine. Mykhailo Yurchuk, a former Ukrainian paratrooper of the 95th brigade, learns to run on his prosthetic leg at the Unbroken rehabilitation center in Lviv (AP)

Zelensky says he spoke to Trump about ‘economic pressure’ on Russia 06:14 , Arpan Rai 06:14 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky says he used a call with Donald Trump and European allies to push for greater economic pressure on Russia to “deprive Moscow’s war machine of money”. “Today we spoke with President Trump. I thank him for his support. It was a long and detailed conversation about how to push the situation toward real peace. “We discussed various options. The most important: applying the right pressure. Strong measures, particularly economic ones, to force an end to the war. The key to peace is depriving Russia’s war machine of money and resources,” Zelensky said on X. He added: “We also raised the issue of maximum protection of Ukraine’s skies. This means saving lives. Until peace comes, our people must not be at the mercy of constant Russian attacks – Russian missiles and drones must not take lives. This is possible. We count on this program and agreed on further contacts.” Today we spoke with President Trump. I thank him for his support. It was a long and detailed conversation about how to push the situation toward real peace. We discussed various options. The most important: applying the right pressure. Strong measures, particularly economic ones,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 4, 2025

Trump tells European leaders that buying Russian oil is helping Moscow fund war against Ukraine 06:04 , Arpan Rai 06:04 , Arpan Rai US president Donald Trump told European leaders that countries in the continent must stop buying Russian oil, claiming that it is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine, a White House official said. Trump joined a call of the “Coalition of the Willing” countries, led by French president Emmanuel Macron, who were meeting in Paris on security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a peace deal with Russia. He struck a combative tone amid slow diplomatic progress to end the fighting and emphasized that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war – as Russia received 1.1 billion euros in fuel sales from the EU in one year, the official said. Trump also said in the call that “European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts,” the official said. Trump has been frustrated at his inability to bring a halt to the fighting in Ukraine after he initially predicted he would be able to end the war swiftly when he took office last January. He has withheld new sanctions on Russia and China, a top Russian oil buyer. Buying Russian oil is helping Moscow fund war against Ukraine, Trump says

Russia is ready to discuss nuclear fuel at Zaporizhzhia with US 05:38 , Arpan Rai 05:38 , Arpan Rai The head of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev said on Friday the company was ready to discuss with the US’s Westinghouse the issue of nuclear fuel at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, RIA news agency reported. In June, Russia asked the UN nuclear watchdog to mediate between Moscow and Washington to resolve the question of what to do with US nuclear fuel stored at the Ukrainian power plant controlled by Russian forces. Westinghouse and US energy officials had previously raised intellectual property concerns with Russia in connection with the fuel issue, according to Likhachev.

Kremlin objects to European security plan for Ukraine 05:08 , Arpan Rai 05:08 , Arpan Rai Security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be provided by foreign military contingents and much work needs to be done before a high or top-level meeting between Moscow and Kyiv on settling the conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin said this morning. “Can Ukraine’s security guarantees be ensured and provided by foreign, especially European and American, military contingents? Definitely not, they cannot,” the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s RIA state news agency on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok. The remarks from the Kremlin spokesperson come just hours after 26 nations pledged to provide postwar security guarantees to Ukraine, which are to include an international force on land, sea and in the air. “This cannot serve as a security guarantee for Ukraine that would be acceptable to our country,” he said. Peskov also told RIA that all needed security guarantees for Ukraine were contained in the provisions of the agreements reached at peace talks in Istanbul in 2022. Russian president Vladimir Putin chats with Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov after a joint press conference following a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin ally says Russia will seize British assets and seize more of Ukraine 04:55 , Arpan Rai 04:55 , Arpan Rai A senior aide to Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that Russia would take more Ukrainian territory and go after British property after the UK government said it had spent around $1.3bn of money raised from frozen Russian assets on weapons for Ukraine. Defence secretary John Healey said more than £1bn of military support for Ukraine had been paid for by frozen Russian assets. “Given that the money cannot be recovered in court for obvious reasons, our country has only one way to return the valuables: return it in kind. That is ‘Ukrainian land’ and other immovable and movable property located on it,” former president Dmitry Medvedev said on Telegram. Medvedev also suggested that Russia would respond to “any illegal seizure of frozen Russian funds or profits” by seizing the “valuables of the British Crown” including British property in Russia, calling David Lammy, the foreign secretary, “the English idiot”. Referring to the redirecting of Russian funds to Ukraine, he said: “British thieves transferred Russian money to neo-Nazis. Consequences? Britain committed an offence.” Deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev speaks during a plenary session in Russia (Sputnik)

Two mine-clearing workers killed in Russian rocket attack 04:39 , Arpan Rai 04:39 , Arpan Rai At least two mine-clearing workers were killed in a Russian rocket attack in Ukraine, officials said. “The attack claimed the lives of two Ukrainian colleagues and left eight others injured,” the Danish Refugee Council said. The Russian rocket attacks hit near the outskirts of the regional capital of Chernihiv, 125km (80 miles) north of Kyiv. “At the time of the incident, DRC teams were conducting purely civilian humanitarian activities – working to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war,” the refugee organisation said. The attack was also confirmed by the regional Ukrainian governor. “First, the Russians littered the area with explosives and mines. Now they are killing people, civilians who are risking their lives to clear our land,” said Vyacheslav Chaus, the regional governor.

Macron says 26 nations will provide postwar military backing to Ukraine 04:20 , Arpan Rai 04:20 , Arpan Rai At least 26 nations have pledged to provide postwar security guarantees to Ukraine, which will include an international force on land and sea and in the air, French president Emmanuel Macron said after a summit meeting of Kyiv’s allies. Macron said he, fellow European leaders and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky held a call with US president Donald Trump after their summit and US contributions to the guarantees would be finalised in the coming days. The meeting of 35 leaders from the “coalition of the willing” – of mainly European countries – was intended to finalise security guarantees and ask Trump for the backing that Europeans say is vital to make such guarantees viable. Macron initially said the 26 nations – which he did not name – would deploy to Ukraine. But he later said some countries would provide guarantees while remaining outside Ukraine, for example by helping to train and equip Kyiv’s forces. Security guarantees are intended to reassure Ukraine and deter Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, from attacking its neighbour again. “The day the conflict stops, the security guarantees will be deployed,” Macron told a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, standing alongside Zelensky. European officials say peace looks a distant prospect for now but they want to be ready whenever the war ends. They also see the planning of security guarantees as a way to reassure Kyiv of their support and hope Trump will join their efforts. French president Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for a summit of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, at the Elysee Palace in Paris (Reuters)

What Donald Trump told European leaders 03:13 , Alex Ross 03:13 , Alex Ross During his call with leaders of the so-called coalition of the willing, US president Donald Trump said Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that he said is helping Moscow fund its war against Ukraine, a White House official said. “The president also emphasized that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts,” the official said. The official gave no details on the discussion around security guarantees, but Trump has previously expressed support for Ukraine without making a specific pledge. Macron said the coalition and the US had agreed to work more closely on future sanctions, notably on Russia’s oil and gas sector, and on China.

What European leaders say on security guarantees for Ukraine 02:10 , Alex Ross 02:10 , Alex Ross Germany and other countries pledged they would be involved in that effort. But Berlin said it would decide on a military commitment only when conditions were clear, including the extent of U.S. involvement in security guarantees. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made clear she would not send troops to Ukraine but said Italy was open to monitoring a ceasefire and training Ukrainian troops outside the country. France and Britain, which co-chair the coalition of the willing, have indicated they are open to deploying troops to Ukraine after the war ends. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni (LaPresse)

Polish national arrested on suspicion of espionage 01:06 , Alex Ross 01:06 , Alex Ross Belarusian counter-intelligence agents have arrested a Polish national on suspicion of espionage for having in his possession documents related to forthcoming Belarusian-Russian military exercises, media quoted state television as reporting on Thursday. The state Belta news agency said Belarus-1 television reported that agents from the state security service, still known by its Soviet-era abbreviation KGB, detained the man in the city of Lepel, east of the capital Minsk. A Belarusian national was also detained. Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko is one of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s closest allies and allowed Moscow to use his country’s territory for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though he has said Belarusian servicemen will take no part in it. Belta said the Polish suspect had in his possession a copy of a document outlining the Zapad-25 exercises due to take place this month. He also had Belarusian and foreign cash and a portable telephone SIM-card registered to someone else. “There is irrefutable evidence of the Polish citizen’s espionage activities,” Belta said. “A few minutes before his arrest, he received a secret military document. All of this was captured on video.” Belarus and Poland have long had strained relations over a number of issues related to Lukashenko’s support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict and his crackdowns on dissent.

Russian drones kill three in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, governor says Friday 5 September 2025 00:03 , Alex Ross Friday 5 September 2025 00:03 , Alex Ross Russian drones killed three people and injured three late on Thursday in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, the regional governor said. Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the strike at about 9.30 p.m. killed two men and a woman in the village of Khotimlia, east of the regional centre of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city.

Ukraine commander seeks improved use of interceptor drones Thursday 4 September 2025 21:12 , Alex Ross Thursday 4 September 2025 21:12 , Alex Ross Ukraine wants to see improved performance by interceptor drones to counter Russian aerial attacks more effectively, the country’s top commander said on Thursday. Ukraine’s military has looked to interceptor drones in recent months as the most effective means of dealing with increasingly intense Russian drone assaults. The military also sees interceptors as cheaper and less wasteful than using more traditional means, such as air defence missile systems. Top Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, writing on social media, said a meeting of senior officials on Thursday devoted to aid defences sought ways of building more effective systems against incoming drones. “We are creating a layered system to counteract enemy Shahed and Geran drones,” he wrote, referring to the most commonly used Russian drones. “Our shared task is to train more crews, more interceptor operators, and provide them with more effective weapons and radars … Following the meeting, tasks were set to eliminate shortcomings and strengthen work on interceptor drones.” Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, left, speaks to a member of the 38th Separate Brigade in Pokrovsk (Telegram/Oleksandr Syrskyi)

Recap: 26 countries pledge to deploy troops to Ukraine after fighting ends Thursday 4 September 2025 20:16 , Alex Ross Thursday 4 September 2025 20:16 , Alex Ross French President Emmanuel Macron has said that 26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy troops as a “reassurance force” for the war-torn country once fighting ends in the conflict with Russia. Speaking after a meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” in Paris, Mr Macron said the countries had committed to deploying troops in Ukraine – or to maintaining a presence on land, at sea, or in the air – to help guarantee the country’s security the day after a ceasefire or peace is achieved. Mr Macron said at a news conference alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky that the reassurance force “does not have the will or the objective of waging war against Russia”, but will aim “to prevent any new major aggression and to involve the 26 states very clearly in the lasting security of Ukraine”. Although details of any US participation in the security guarantees remains unclear, both Mr Macron and Mr Zelensky said Washington had expressed willingness to be part of the plan, and the Ukrainian president said he was grateful about that. “As for in what format, I am not yet ready to tell you in detail,” Mr Zelensky added. “The planning work will be finalised with the United States,” Mr Macron said.

Russia launched drone attack on Uraine overnight, Ukraine’s Air Force says Thursday 4 September 2025 19:17 , Alex Ross Thursday 4 September 2025 19:17 , Alex Ross Russia fired 112 strike and decoy drones across the country overnight on Thursday, according to Ukraine’s Air Force morning report. Air defences intercepted or jammed 84 drones, the statement said.

Pictured: The coalition of the willing meets in Paris Thursday 4 September 2025 18:30 , Daniel Keane Thursday 4 September 2025 18:30 , Daniel Keane (via REUTERS) (via REUTERS)

These Ukrainians refused to leave their homes. Now they have no choice Thursday 4 September 2025 18:00 , Daniel Keane Thursday 4 September 2025 18:00 , Daniel Keane Residents of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region are facing devastating conditions as evacuations continue amid ongoing conflict. Read our full story below. These Ukrainians refused to leave their homes. Now they have no choice

Russia destroys drone launch site in Chernihiv Thursday 4 September 2025 17:30 , Daniel Keane Thursday 4 September 2025 17:30 , Daniel Keane Russia says it has destroyed a launch site for long-range drones in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region. It comes after Ukrainian officials said earlier today that a Russian missile strike on a humanitarian demining mission near the city of Chernihiv had killed two people.

Finland leader says Trump wants US and Europe to act together on sanctions against Russia Thursday 4 September 2025 16:17 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 16:17 , Taz Ali Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said Donald Trump suggested the US and Europe should act together on further sanctions against Russia. “Trump’s approach was very much that we must act together on sanctions policy and now look for ways in particular to halt Russia’s war machine by economic means,” Stubb told Finnish media, according to Reuters. He said there were two main targets for sanctions – Russian oil and gas, adding that the EU and Trump’s top advisors “will discuss this over the next 24 hours”.

Trump demands Europe to stop buying Russian oil Thursday 4 September 2025 16:09 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 16:09 , Taz Ali “President Trump emphasised that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war — as Russia received €1.1bn in fuel sales from the EU in one year. The president also emphasised that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts.”

Zelensky says allies have general framework for security guarantees Thursday 4 September 2025 15:53 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 15:53 , Taz Ali Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv and European partners have agreed on a general framework for security guarantees, and that documents were being prepared in each of the countries that have agreed to contribute. Speaking at a news conference in Paris on Thursday, he added that a strong Ukrainian army would be central to any such commitments, as he urged European defence firms to boost their work to full capacity. European leaders have been tight-lipped about the nature of the security guarantees, which are expected to include the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

Zelensky speaks during a press conference following the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ summit Thursday 4 September 2025 15:43 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 15:43 , Taz Ali (Getty Images)

New sanctions against Russia if Moscow continues to reject peace talks: Macron Thursday 4 September 2025 15:37 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 15:37 , Taz Ali Russia will face further sanctions if Moscow continues to reject peace talks, French President Emmanuel Macron said. He added that the coalition was ready to coordinate sanctions on Russia with the US.

26 countries committed to providing reassurance force in Ukraine: Macron Thursday 4 September 2025 15:32 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 15:32 , Taz Ali French President Emmanuel Macron said 26 European nations are committed to taking part in a reassurance force in post-war Ukraine. Macron made the comments in a press conference on Thursday alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following the meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris. He added that US support to security guarantees will be finalised in the coming days.

Trump put pressure on European leaders over Russian oil purchases: White House Thursday 4 September 2025 15:23 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 15:23 , Taz Ali US President Donald Trump spoke with European leaders during a videoconference call on Thursday, a White House official said. Trump told leaders that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil, a White House official said, according to Reuters. The US president also emphasised that they must place economic pressure on China “for funding Russia’s war efforts”. The call took place after Ukraine and its allies met in Paris to discuss security guarantees in the event of a peace deal.

Zelensky thanks allies after Paris meeting Thursday 4 September 2025 15:00 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 15:00 , Taz Ali The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has thanked members of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing”, as he singled out Donald Trump for “all his efforts” to end the war. During a meeting of the coalition in Paris on Thursday, Zelensky said members “discussed in detail each country’s readiness to make a contribution to ensuring security” for Ukraine. In a statement posted on X, he said: “We share the same view that Russia is making every effort to drag out the negotiation process and prolong the war. “Support for Ukraine must be increased and pressure on Russia must be intensified.”

EU chief says India has crucial role to play in pressing Russia to end war Thursday 4 September 2025 14:31 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 14:31 , Taz Ali European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she spoke with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as part of Europe’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She asserted that India has a crucial role to play in pressing Russia to end its war, according to a post on X, as she thanked Modi for his “continued engagement” with the Ukrainian president. We had the pleasure of speaking with Prime Minister @narendramodi.

We warmly welcome India’s continued engagement with President Zelenskyy.

India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace.

This war… pic.twitter.com/ri5Vkep6MQ — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 4, 2025

Putin cannot be trusted, says Sir Keir Starmer Thursday 4 September 2025 13:45 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 13:45 , Taz Ali Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Russian President Vladimir Putin “could not be trusted” as Moscow continues to delay peace talks and launch attacks on Ukraine. “That was further underlined by the indiscriminate attacks in Kyiv last week, causing significant damage to the British Council and EU delegation buildings,” he added, according to a statement by Downing Street. Speaking to members of the Coalition of the Willing virtually from Glasgow, Sir Keir “emphasised that the group had an unbreakable pledge to Ukraine, with President [Donald] Trump’s backing”, the statement read. He said they “now needed to go even further to apply pressure on Putin to secure a cessation of hostilities”. He also welcomed announcements from other coalition partners that they would to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street in August (PA)

Pictures: The ‘Coalition of the Willing’ gathers in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine Thursday 4 September 2025 13:01 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 13:01 , Taz Ali White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff shakes hand with French President Emmanuel Macron (AP) The meeting at the Elysee presidential palace (AP) French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for the summit (Reuters)

Russia has no say on deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, says Nato chief Thursday 4 September 2025 11:57 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 11:57 , Taz Ali Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia has no right to decide whether Western troops can be deployed to Ukraine as part of security guarantees if a truce is reached. Speaking at an event organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Prague on Thursday, he expressed his support for the deployment of Nato troops to Ukraine as a peacekeeping force. He emphasised that Russia has no say in the matter. “Why are we interested in what Russia thinks about troops in Ukraine?” Rutte said. “Ukraine is a sovereign nation, if Ukraine wants to have security guarantee forces in Ukraine to support a peace deal, it’s up to them. “Nobody else can decide about it. And I think we really have to stop making (Russian President Vladimir) Putin too powerful.” The Kremlin has rejected the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine and said it would not accept a peacekeeping force as part of any deal.

Zelensky to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff Thursday 4 September 2025 11:28 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 11:28 , Taz Ali Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris, Reuters reported. Witkoff was pictured earlier being greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the summit on Thursday. (AP)

Russian official suggests Moscow may seize British assets over frozen funds Thursday 4 September 2025 10:51 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 10:51 , Taz Ali A senior Russian official warned Moscow would go after British property and seize more Ukrainian land after the UK announced it had spent £1bn on weapons for Ukraine with money raised from frozen Russian assets. “Given that the money cannot be recovered in court for obvious reasons, our country has only one way to return the valuables: return it in kind. That is ‘Ukrainian land’ and other immovable and movable property located on it,” former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted on his Telegram channel on Thursday. Medvedev also suggested that Russia would respond to “any illegal seizure of frozen Russian funds or profits” by seizing the “valuables of the British Crown” including British property in Russia. It comes after the defence secretary, John Healey, said more than £1bn of military support for Ukraine had been paid for by frozen Russian assets.

Macron opens meeting of leaders in Paris Thursday 4 September 2025 10:18 , Taz Ali Thursday 4 September 2025 10:18 , Taz Ali French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed leaders at the summit in Paris, giving brief opening remarks to the media before the meeting commenced. (AP)

Sanchez to attend Paris summit by video call after technical problem on plane Thursday 4 September 2025 09:29 , Daniel Keane Thursday 4 September 2025 09:29 , Daniel Keane Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will attend a summit on Ukraine held in Paris on Thursday by video call after a technical problem on his plane forced him to return to Madrid, a spokesperson at his office said. It comes just a week after EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen’s plane was forced to land blind after suspected Russian interference in the aircraft’s GPS system.

Pictured: Cargo truck burns inside warehouse after Russian drone strike on Odesa Thursday 4 September 2025 08:59 , Daniel Keane Thursday 4 September 2025 08:59 , Daniel Keane (via REUTERS) (via REUTERS)

Trump commits to pursing Russia-Ukraine peace – reports Thursday 4 September 2025 08:41 , Arpan Rai Thursday 4 September 2025 08:41 , Arpan Rai President Donald Trump said he remains committed to pursuing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine despite uncertainty over face-to-face talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, CBS News said in a report. “I’ve been watching it, I’ve been seeing it, and I’ve been talking about it with President Putin and President Zelensky,” Trump said in a phone interview with the broadcaster. “Something is going to happen, but they are not ready yet. But something is going to happen. We are going to get it done.”

Trump issues fresh warning to Putin Thursday 4 September 2025 07:59 , Arpan Rai Thursday 4 September 2025 07:59 , Arpan Rai Donald Trump warned “you’ll see things happen” if the US is unhappy with Vladimir Putin’s decisions over the war in Ukraine. Speaking alongside Polish president Karol Nawrocki on Wednesday, the US president said he was awaiting a decision from Putin, as he spoke of the ongoing loss of lives in the region due to the conflict. Putin had earlier said he would be prepared to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow following weeks of apparent stalling on peace talks since the summit in Alaska. “I have no message to President Putin,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “He knows where I stand and he’ll make a decision one way or another. Whatever his decision is, we’ll either be happy about it or unhappy about it and if we’re unhappy about it, you’ll see things happen,” he said. Putin said on Wednesday he believed “that if common sense prevails, it is possible to agree on an acceptable option for ending the conflict,” adding that Trump has “a sincere desire” to find a settlement. “It seems to me that there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel,” Putin said at a news conference in Beijing, wrapping up a four-day visit to China. “Let’s see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to achieve our goal by military means.”

Zelensky offers condolences on Lisbon accident Thursday 4 September 2025 07:38 , Arpan Rai Thursday 4 September 2025 07:38 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky has extended his condolences to the Lisbon president after an electric streetcar that is one of Lisbon’s big tourist attractions derailed and crashed, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others. “Deeply saddened by the tragic accident with Glória elevator in Lisbon, which caused dozens of fatalities and left more than 25 people injured. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, @LMontenegro_PT, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured. In this time of grief, we remain in prayer and solidarity with Portuguese people mourning the loss,” Zelensky said on X. Authorities called it an accident, the worst in the city’s recent history, and it cast a pall over Lisbon’s charm for the millions of foreign tourists who arrive every year. Officials did not immediately provide a cause of the crash. Deeply saddened by the tragic accident with Glória elevator in Lisbon, which caused dozens of fatalities and left more than 25 people injured.

On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 3, 2025

Putin vows to achieve all aims militarily if Kyiv doesn’t agree on deal Thursday 4 September 2025 07:04 , Arpan Rai Thursday 4 September 2025 07:04 , Arpan Rai Russia will continue with its goals in Ukraine invasion by military means if Moscow’s peace deal is not agreed upon, Vladimir Putin said in fresh signs of wanting to continue his military operations in Ukraine despite peace talks. Putin said there was a chance to end the war in Ukraine via negotiations “if common sense prevails”, an option he said he preferred, but that he was ready to end it by force if that was the only way. Speaking in Beijing at the end of a visit that resulted in an agreement on a new gas pipeline to China, Putin said he perceived “a certain light at the end of the tunnel”, given what he said were sincere efforts by the United States to find a settlement to Europe’s biggest land war since the Second World War. “It seems to me that if common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree on an acceptable solution to end this conflict,” Putin said in Beijing yesterday. “If not, then we will have to resolve all our tasks militarily.” “Especially since we can see the mood of the current US administration under president (Donald) Trump, and we see not just their statements, but their sincere desire to find this solution… And I think there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s see how the situation develops,” he said. “If not, then we will have to resolve all the tasks before us by force of arms,” he warned. Russian president Vladimir Putin speaks during a press conference at the end of his visit to China for the Tianjin SCO Summit in Beijing (Reuters)

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump pressured European leaders to stop purchasing Russian oil that finances Moscow’s war against Ukraine during a call with the Coalition of the Willing group.

A White House official stated that Trump emphasised Europe must cease buying Russian fuel after the EU paid Russia 1.1 billion euros in energy sales over one year.

French President Emmanuel Macron led the Paris meeting discussing security guarantees for Ukraine in any future peace deal with Russia.

Trump questioned the seriousness of European security pledges while they continue funding Russia’s economy through energy imports.

The European Commission has proposed legislation to phase out all Russian oil and gas imports by 1 January 2028 following the 2022 invasion.

Most European nations halted Russian crude imports in 2022 and stopped Russian fuel purchases in 2023.

Trump specifically urged European leaders to apply economic pressure on China for supporting Russia’s war efforts.

The US president expressed frustration over his inability to quickly end the Ukraine conflict since taking office last January.

Trump has withheld new sanctions against Russia and China while increasing tariffs on US imports from India.

He continues pressing European nations to assume more defence responsibilities and remains reluctant to commit additional American support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in the call.

Macron announced that 26 countries have pledged postwar support for Ukraine including international forces on land, sea, and air.

Trump previously warned about imposing sanctions on nations buying Russian oil but excluded Moscow from his April tariff announcements. – Reuters