Ukraine

• Het Huis van Afgevaardigden staat op het punt te stemmen over wetgeving die militaire en humanitaire hulp aan Oekraïne biedt, terwijl het conflict tussen Rusland en Oekraïne voortduurt met aanhoudende Russische drone- en ballistische raketaanvallen. • Rusland voerde nieuwe aanvallen uit op Kyiv, waarbij ten minste 4 mensen gewond raakten, wat de urgentie van de discussies over Amerikaanse steun in het Congres onderstreept. • De stemming vertegenwoordigt een kritiek moment voor de Amerikaanse betrokkenheid bij de Oekraïense defensie, terwijl de onderhandelingen over de omvang en aard van de Amerikaanse hulp voortduren.

• De wijdverspreide aard van de aanvallen leidt tot waarschuwingen dat Moskou probeert de luchtverdedigingssystemen te overbelasten • Russische raketten en drones bestoken Oekraïne voor de tweede dag op rij, waarbij het land wordt getroffen door bijna continue zware aanvallen. Kyiv draagt de zwaarste last van een aanval waarbij in de hoofdstad minstens acht mensen omkwamen, waaronder een 13-jarige, en 44 mensen gewond raakten. • De nachtelijke aanvallen volgden op zware raids overdag met raketten en drones in het hele land op woensdag, een van de langste enkelvoudige aanvallen van de oorlog. Lees verder...

• Rusland heeft de afgelopen twee dagen meer dan 1.500 drones ingezet, aldus de Oekraïense president Volodymyr Zelenskyy • Na een gespannen dag van intense aanvallen op woensdag heeft Rusland 's nachts zijn bombardementen op Oekraïne voortgezet, waarbij in de hoofdstad Kyiv ten minste één persoon omkwam en 40 mensen gewond raakten na meldingen van treffers op civiele infrastructuur. • De Oekraïense president Volodymyr Zelenskyy reageerde op de aanvallen door te stellen: “Dit zijn zeker geen acties van mensen die geloven dat de oorlog ten einde loopt. Het is belangrijk dat partners hier niet over zwijgen.” Lees verder...

Moskou en Kyiv wisselen langeafstandsaanvallen uit na een kortstondige wapenstilstand en de bewering van Donald Trump dat de oorlog spoedig zou kunnen eindigen Europe live – laatste updates Rusland viel Oekraïne woensdag aan met meer dan 200 drones in een grootschalige aanval overdag, uren nadat een eerdere barrage op burgergebieden minimaal acht mensen had gedood. De aanvallen vonden plaats terwijl Kyiv en Moskou langeafstandsaanvallen uitwisselden na een kortstondig staakt-het-vuren, en ondanks de meest recente suggestie van Donald Trump dat de oorlog weldra ten einde zou kunnen komen. Lees verder...

Sergei Lavrov reageert voordat de leiders van de 'Bucharest Nine' later vandaag bijeenkomen met Nato-secretaris generaal Mark Rutte. De Russische minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, Sergei Lavrov, stelde dat ondanks enkele vroege positieve signalen over de Amerikaans-Russische relaties onder Donald Trump, er in werkelijkheid "niets gebeurt", aangezien het vredesproces om de oorlog in Oekraïne te beëindigen vast lijkt te lopen. In gesprek met de Russische media zei Lavrov dat "goede woorden" over potentiële samenwerkingen met de VS tot nu toe geen resultaten hebben opgeleverd, omdat er "in het echte leven niets gebeurt." Lees verder...

Ministers zullen ook bespreken hoe de defensieproductie kan worden opgevoerd en de situatie in het Midden-Oosten

Sinds het begin van het huidige conflict zijn meer dan 20.500 Oekraïense kinderen meegenomen door Rusland.

• Anti-corruptieinstanties stellen dat Andriy Yermak wordt verdacht van deelname aan een criminele groep die 10,5 miljoen dollar witwaste in een woningbouwproject, waarvan hij ontkent de eigenaar te zijn • Oekraïense autoriteiten hebben de machtige voormalige stafchef van Volodymyr Zelenskyy aangewezen als verdachte in een groot corruptieonderzoek, een stap die waarschijnlijk de druk op het presidentskantoor zal verhogen op een gevoelig moment in de oorlog met Rusland. • De politieke klasse van Kyiv werd vorig jaar geschokt door een uitgebreid onderzoek dat leidde tot publieke woede en ervoor zorgde dat de voormalige topadviseur en rechterhand van Zelenskyy, Andriy Yermak, aftrad. Lees verder...

Top EU-diplomaat Kaja Kallas stelt dat de Kremlin-vriendelijke voormalige Duitse kanselier niet als onpartijdig kan worden beschouwd

• Buitenlandse ministers komen samen om het laatste te bespreken over Oekraïne, het Midden-Oosten en de westelijke Balkans. • EU-buitenlandse ministers komen vanochtend bijeen in Brussel om de laatste ontwikkelingen in Oekraïne, het Midden-Oosten en de westelijke Balkans te bespreken. • De gesprekken zullen zich richten op de situatie in Oekraïne, waarbij de Oekraïense minister van Buitenlandse Zaken, Andrii Sybiha, bij aankomst vanochtend sprak over "een nieuw gevoel van momentum".

Russian president damns western support that has allowed Ukraine to hold out and asks for talks with Gerhard Schröder in remarks after diminished Victory Day paradeVladimir Putin has said he thinks the Ukraine war is winding down – remarks that came a few hours after he had vowed to defeat Ukraine at Moscow’s most scaled-back Victory Day parade in years.“I think that the matter is coming to an end,” Putin told reporters of the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe’s deadliest conflict since the second world war. He said he would be willing to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, and that his preferred negotiating partner would be Germany’s former chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Continue reading...

As ceasefire begins, Zelenskyy says ‘Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home’Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Europe.A three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine kicks off today that will include “a suspension of all “kinetic activity” and a swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country. Though it was first announced by Donald Trump on social media, it has since been confirmed by both sides.In recent days, there have been many appeals and signals regarding the setup for tomorrow in Moscow in connection with our Ukrainian long-range sanctions. The principle of symmetry in our actions is well known and has been clearly communicated to the Russian side.An additional argument for Ukraine in determining our position has always been the resolution of one of the key humanitarian issues of this war – namely, the release of prisoners of war. Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be brought home. Continue reading...

US president posts on Truth Social ceasefire will include suspension of all ‘kinetic activity’ and prisoner swapsDonald Trump has announced on social media that there will be a three-day ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine from 9 to 11 May.The US president said the ceasefire would include a suspension of all “kinetic activity” and a prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country. Continue reading...

• President Trump stated on May 8, 2026, that he hopes Friday's meeting will lead to a second sit-down involving Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy. • Trump tempered expectations for the diplomatic push amid ongoing tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. • The initiative underscores U.S. efforts to broker peace, potentially altering European security dynamics and aid allocations.

Ukraine suggested an indefinite ceasefire this week but it was repeatedly violated by RussiaAFP noted that Kyiv said Moscow ignored a Ukrainian call to halt fighting earlier this week that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy cast as a test of whether the Kremlin was serious about providing a brief respite in the four-year war.Russia has threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day parade on Saturday, repeatedly urging foreign diplomats to evacuate the Ukrainian capital ahead of time. Continue reading...

Dozens killed despite ceasefire announced by Zelenskyy, after Moscow asked for Saturday truce for its annual military paradeEurope live – latest updatesKyiv has criticised Russia for attacking several Ukrainian cities overnight with more than 100 combat drones and three missiles, in spite of a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire called by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Ukraine’s president had announced the truce after the Kremlin said it wanted a ceasefire on Saturday during its annual military parade in Red Square. He promised to reciprocate if Vladimir Putin broke Ukraine’s ceasefire, which ends at midnight on Wednesday. Continue reading...

‘Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war,’ Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in sharp criticism of PutinUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Russia’s “utter cynicism” of launching more attacks on Ukraine while also calling for a short ceasefire enabling it to stage its 9 May Victory Parade in Moscow.In a post on X condemning the latest series of attacks, he said:“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s defence ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill.” Continue reading...

The prime minister is backing the deal as it would allow British firms to access the contracts funded by the loanGood morning. In the UK many MPs will be spending the bank holiday campaigning for the elections on Thursday, but Keir Starmer is in Armenia, where he has announced that he wants the UK to join the EU’s €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine.Starmer is attending a European Political Community summit in Yerevan. The EPC is the group set up four years ago comprising all the EU countries, plus almost all the other European countries that are not EU members. Mark Carney, the Canadian PM, is also attending (on the grounds, presumably, that in the light of the geopolitical upheavel caused by Donald Trump, the Canadians now count as honorary Europeans.)In relation to the EU loan that we are discussing participating in, that is very good for Ukraine, because it will give Ukraine capability that is desperately needs in year five of this conflict.It’s very good for the UK, because of the capability that leads to jobs in the United Kingdom.The extra funding to Ukraine could unlock opportunity for British businesses to fill urgent capability needs for Ukraine as part of the initiative and give British defence industry access to major contracts.The move is a significant step towards a new ambitious relationship between the UK and EU – building on the prime minister’s calls at the Munich Security Conference in February to deepen defence and security cooperation to match the rapidly evolving threats faced by both sides. It also comes ahead of the UK – EU summit, expected to be held this summer, where both sides will discuss further economic and security cooperation. Continue reading...

Russian president welcomed decision to extend Iran ceasefire in what US president said was a ‘very good conversation’Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed the war in Iran and floated a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine in a phone call on Wednesday.In the call, which lasted more than 90 minutes, the Russian president said Moscow viewed the prospect of a US ground operation in Iran as dangerous, while welcoming Trump’s decision to extend a ceasefire in the region, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser. Continue reading...

Accusation vessel contains grain looted from Russian-occupied territories triggers diplomatic spat between both nations Ukraine has asked Israel to seize a vessel it claims is carrying grain looted from Russian-occupied territories, triggering a rare diplomatic spat between the two countries.The dispute spilt into public view this week when president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that “another vessel” carrying grain “stolen by Russia” had arrived at a port in Israel and was preparing to unload. Continue reading...

Leader mentions for first time lengths to which troops go to avoid falling into enemy hands while fighting for RussiaKim Jong-un has praised North Korean soldiers who blew themselves up with grenades in order to avoid capture while fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia’s western Kursk region, confirming the existence of the extreme battlefield policy.Mounting evidence, including from intelligence reports and testimonies of defectors, has indicated North Korean soldiers are explicitly told to resort to self-detonation or other forms of suicide to avoid falling into enemy hands. Continue reading...

Annual event at Red Square will feature no armoured vehicles or missile systems for first time in two decades Europe live – latest updatesRussia will hold a scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May, without military hardware for the first time in almost two decades due to fears of a long-range attack by Ukrainian drones.The defence ministry said no armoured vehicles or missile systems would roll across Red Square during the parade, which marks the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, citing “the current operational situation”. Continue reading...

Remarks marking 250th anniversary of American independence tell US lawmakers: ‘The actions of this great nation matter’King Charles has extolled the importance of Britain’s “special relationship” with the United States in a speech to US Congress that made pointed reference to the importance of Nato, the defence of Ukraine and the climate crisis.In a speech that will be read as a veiled plea to Donald Trump to return to the United States’ traditional European alliances and restore his country’s role as a defender of liberal values, Charles said: “America’s words carry weight and meaning, as they have since independence. The actions of this great nation matter even more.” Continue reading...

Ukraine commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster on Sunday, amid fears that Russia's four-year war could spark a repeat of the world's worst nuclear accident that led to thousands of deaths and devastating environmental consequences.

• Ukrainian officials acknowledged on Monday that Russian forces have captured additional territory in eastern Donbas region despite increased deliveries of Western arms and ammunition over the past 30 days. • Kyiv's military command reported that Russian forces are attempting encirclement operations near Bakhmut and Popasna, forcing Ukrainian units into tactical withdrawals in select areas. • The Pentagon reaffirmed commitment to Ukraine, announcing a $500 million weapons package including air defense systems and precision munitions, with U.S. officials emphasizing the long-term nature of support.

Across country, more than 10 people have been injured as Ukrainian prime minister Julia Svyrydenko prepares to visit PolandAnother night of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine overnight left more than 10 people injured, particularly damaging residential buildings in the Odesa region.The strikes caused the biggest damage in the central Prymorskyi district, where residential buildings, a hotel and facilities in the center of the city were damaged, Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration, said on Telegram in comments reported by Reuters. Continue reading...

• North Korea has deployed an additional 10,000 troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine, escalating foreign involvement in the conflict as fighting intensifies along multiple fronts. • South Korean intelligence reports indicate the troops are equipped with advanced weaponry and are positioned in the Kursk region; this represents a significant expansion of Pyongyang's military commitment to Moscow. • The deployment raises concerns among US and allied officials about the global implications of expanding proxy conflicts and potential technology transfers between Russia and North Korea.

• The European Union announced a €2.1 billion emergency aid package for Ukraine on Friday, aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts and civilian needs amid Russia's intensified spring offensive across multiple fronts in eastern Ukraine. • EU officials stated the funds would prioritize healthcare infrastructure, food security, and electricity grid repairs, with disbursement beginning within two weeks pending parliamentary approval scheduled for April 30. • Ukraine's finance minister praised the commitment but warned that current assistance levels remain insufficient to offset projected $14 billion in war-related economic losses this year alone.