Volodymyr Zelenskyy is travelling to Saudi Arabia next week, with peace talks set to kick off there. He said his „team“ will stay for talks with US officials. He confirmed the plan as he and European leaders met in Brussels – while Russia launched another drone attack on a Ukrainian city.
Thursday 6 March 2025 23:30, UK
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That’s all from us for now, but we’ll be back in the morning.
Before we go, here’s a recap of today’s main developments:
Emmanuel Macron suggested extending France’s nuclear capability to provide an umbrella over more European countries.
It’s drawn criticism from Moscow – but what would this mean? And how is it different to what the UK offers?
Our military analyst Sean Bell explains…
We’ve just heard from the former head of MI6.
Sir John Sawers, who worked for the British government for more than 30 years, said Donald Trump’s approach to the war in Ukraine has tilted the conflict in Russia’s favour.
Speaking on The World with Yalda Hakim, he added: „I think at some point the Americans will discover the obstacle to peace isn’t Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it isn’t the Ukrainians, it’s Russian ambitions.
„And then we’ll see how President Trump and his administration respond.“
What we’ve seen over the past few weeks – such as the US voting alongside Russia at the UN – is unheard of until now, he added.
The US is „basically siding with invader“ and „putting pressure on the victim“.
But while the US is an „unpredictable“ partner, he said it is not yet unreliable – and the UK must continue „talking“ to them.
Donald Trump is clearly determined to press ahead with his plan to get a peace deal and get it done quickly, our correspondent David Blevins has said.
Speaking in Washington, he said Trump’s plans to visit Saudi Arabia (see our 20:22 post) shouldn’t come as a surprise.
„Trump likes to see himself as a peacemaker, and he is the transactional president,“ he said.
„So we shouldn’t be terribly surprised that he’s talking about going to Saudi Arabia himself if he thinks they’re going to clinch a deal.“
It’s hard to believe Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House just six days ago, following his disastrous meeting with Trump, Blevins added.
Since then, the US has ramped up the pressure – and Blevins said that as far as Trump is concerned it’s having the desired effect.
By Siobhan Robbins, Europe correspondent
Hungary’s vetoing of a statement of support for Ukraine isn’t a surprise, but it will be a disappointment to a bloc keen to show it’s united.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had flagged his opposition well in advance, calling for the EU to engage in direct negotiations with Russia.
He’s never hidden his admiration for the Russian president and has repeatedly blocked aid for Ukraine.
Less than 24 hours before today’s meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron invited him to Paris, no doubt hoping he could win him over.
But Orban clearly chose to stick with Donald Trump, another strongman leader who he’s sided with on Ukraine since his return to office.
In the end, the remaining 26 members backed the statement without him.
It was a quick-fix this time, but there’s no disguising deep divisions in the EU position when it comes to Vladimir Putin.
Devil will be in detail
The statement on Ukraine includes a pledge to step up pressure on Russia with further sanctions.
Again, Hungary could prove itself the problem child of the EU family if it blocks these in future.
On a more positive note, European Union leaders have backed new spending plans aimed at freeing up billions for Europe’s security.
But behind the seemingly united front, countries seem to have different views about the best way forward – suggesting the devil could be in the detail when they meet again later this month.
Russian attacks on Ukraine have not abated – and we’ve just got word of more drone strikes, this time in the port city of Odesa.
According to the regional governor, the drones have damaged energy infrastructure and sparked fires.
It’s been described as a mass attack.
Posting in the Telegram messaging app, Oleh Kiper said: „The enemy has again resorted to another massive drone attack on the Odesa region.“
He said three „private residential buildings“ are burning in the suburbs.
„Information about the victims is being clarified,“ he added.
If you caught The World with Yalda Hakim just now, you would have seen she has interviewed Russia’s ambassador.
He ruled out NATO peacekeepers and said Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia should be recognised as Russian.
Here’s the interview in full if you didn’t catch it on air…
We’ve been reporting on the emergency summit in Brussels between EU leaders today.
The main news from those talks is the bloc has backed new defence spending plans aimed at freeing billions for the continent’s security.
Plans have become more urgent since Donald Trump has made clear he expects Europe to spend more on fending for itself.
To that end, the 27 leaders signed off on a move to loosen budget restrictions so that willing EU countries can increase their spending.
The bloc’s executive branch estimates around €650bn (£544bn) could be made available this way.
Leaders also took note of a European Commission offer of a loan package worth €150bn (£125bn) to buy new military equipment and invited staff „to examine this proposal as a matter of urgency“.
Donald Trump has once again warned the US won’t defend NATO countries he feels are not paying enough for defence.
He said there are still member states contributing too little, adding he has told other countries he will not defend them if they are „delinquent“.
More now on the report Donald Trump is planning to revoke temporary legal status for 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war to the US.
The White House had earlier dismissed the story as „fake news“, insisting „no decision has been made“.
Now Trump has echoed that statement, telling media he will make a decision soon.
In the same remarks, he has said he will be going to Saudi Arabia over the next month and a half.
That comes just as Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed he plans to visit the country next week – see the post below.
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Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy plans Saudi trip next week as peace talks set to begin – Sky News
