Russia

US withdraws from formal Ukraine peace negotiations

May 9, 2025

The United States will no longer mediate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia after Vladimir Putin refused to sign up to a ceasefire. The State Department said it is changing “the methodology of how we contribute” to the talks and will no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat” for meetings. […]

Russia creates security strip in Sumy after ‘breaking’ Kyiv

May 9, 2025

Moscow’s forces are trying to create a “security strip” in the border areas of Ukraine’s Sumy region after driving Ukrainian troops out of Russia’s neighbouring Kursk region. Ukraine claims it still has a small foothold in Kursk, but has warned for months that Russia is planning an offensive into Sumy. Vladimir Putin said in March […]

Starmer to promise ‘defence dividend’ from UK military spending

May 9, 2025

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is shown an interactive map during a visit to Leonardo, one of the biggest suppliers of defence and security equipment to the UK MOD, in Luton, north of London, Britain, May 2, 2025. HENRY NICHOLLS/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) – […]

Russia, Ukraine Swap 205 Prisoners Of War In Latest Deal

May 9, 2025

Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two issues: Why EU and Ukraine trade will be less free going […]

Russia says it stands by three-day ceasefire plan after Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow

May 9, 2025

Strikes continue days before Russia's Victory Day ceasefire Image source, EPA For the second night in a row, Russia says Ukraine has launched an overnight drone attack targeting Moscow. The city's mayor says at least 19 Ukrainian drones were destroyed, while the Russian military says it shot down more than 100 across the country. Russia, […]

Over 70 former Eurovision contestants call for Israel ban as Yuval Raphael has first rehearsal

May 9, 2025

Requests to have Israel banned from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest are nothing new. The latest one comes from more than 70 former Eurovision participants, who wrote an open letter, posted on artistsforpalestine.org.uk on Tuesday, demanding that Kan, Israel’s government broadcaster, not be allowed to send its contestant, Yuval Raphael, to take part. The […]

UK inflation rate: How quickly are prices rising?

May 9, 2025

UK inflation rate: How quickly are prices rising? 17 hours ago Share Save Share Save BBC Prices in the UK rose by 2.6% in the 12 months to March, less than in the previous month but still above the Bank of England's target. The Bank of England moves interest rates up and down to try […]

World War II ended in Europe 80 years ago, but V-E Day is haunted by conflict in Ukraine

May 9, 2025

LONDON (AP) — Even if the end of World War II in Europe spawned one of the most joyous days the continent ever lived, Thursday’s 80th anniversary of V-E Day is haunted as much by the specter of current-day conflict as it celebrates the defeat of ultimate evil. Hitler’s Nazi Germany had finally surrendered after […]

Putin’s parade cynically exploits WWII to justify his own criminal invasion

May 9, 2025

Dozens of foreign leaders are expected in Moscow on May 9 for the largest international event in the Russian capital since Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. Officially, they are gathering for a military parade to mark eighty years since the World War II victory over Nazi Germany, […]

Ukraine updates: Vance calls for direct Moscow-Kyiv talks – DW – 05/08/2025

May 9, 2025

US Vice President JD Vance said US President Donald Trump's administration wants Russia and Ukraine to agree on some guidelines for direct talks, which Vance said would be necessary to end the war. Separately, on his first trip abroad, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Paris that a visit to Ukraine in the coming weeks […]