UK PM Starmer plans Ukraine visit to discuss peacekeeping mission, Bloomberg reports
This would mark Keir Starmer’s first visit to Ukraine since becoming prime minister.
United Kingdom
US, UK impose sweeping sanctions on Russia’s oil sector, target shadow fleet
"The United States is taking sweeping action against Russia's key source of revenue for funding its brutal and illegal war against Ukraine," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.
'Believed he was making a difference' — Scottish combat medic killed in Ukraine, family says
Jordan Maclachlan, a 26-year-old volunteer and combat medic from Scotland, was killed on the front line in Ukraine on Jan. 3, BBC reported.
UK, Baltics, Nordics step up undersea monitoring amid cable sabotage, Russian shadow fleet concerns
The U.K-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has set up a tracking system to alert allies if a ship poses a threat to undersea cable infrastructure and track Russia's shadow fleet of tankers, London said on Jan. 7.
‘They didn’t give a s**t’ — Zelensky rebukes those behind Budapest Memorandum
Zelensky said Ukraine was pressured into signing the Budapest Memorandum, and those who came up with the agreement should be jailed.
Ukraine receives $1 billion from Japan, UK through World Bank DPL program
“The funds raised will be used to strengthen our economy and finance priority expenditures in the social and humanitarian spheres,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Dec. 24.
Russian embassy condemns UK plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine aid
The Russian embassy in London criticized the U.K.'s plan to transfer more than two billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, calling it a "fraudulent scheme."
Ukraine begins receiving first funds covered by frozen Russian assets proceeds
Ukraine is already receiving U.S. funds under the framework of the G7's $50 billion loan covered by profits from frozen Russian assets, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Dec 20.
Russian losses exceed 750,000 troops, expected to surpass 1 million within 6 months, UK estimates
The U.K.'s latest estimate are in line with figures from Ukraine's General Staff, which, as of Dec. 19, sits at 768,220 troops lost since the start of the war. The figures do not specify killed or wounded, though the overall consensus is that it includes dead, wounded, missing, and captured.
UK announces $283 million military aid package for Ukraine
According to media reports, the package includes over 92 million pound ($115 million) in equipment to support Ukraine's navy, including small boats as well as reconnaissance drones. A further 39 million pounds ($49 million) will be used to supply over 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems.
UK sanctions 20 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers, announces financial aid to Ukraine
The United Kingdom sanctioned 20 vessels of Russia’s "shadow fleet" and pledged 35 million pounds ($44 million) in aid to repair Ukraine’s energy grid, the British government said on Dec. 17.
Estonia urges NATO allies to boost defense spending to counter Russian threat, Reuters reports
"Everybody in NATO and in the EU right now has the feeling in their backbone that you should increase defense expenditure because of what is happening all over the world and with Russia," Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters.
Russia's focus on Ukraine weakened support for Syria's Assad, UK Defense Ministry says
Russia’s focus on the war in Ukraine has significantly reduced its ability to support Syria’s Assad regime, increasing the risk of losing key military assets in the region, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 13 via X.
UK sanctions illicit gold trade, says it funds Russia's war
The latest round of sanctions imposes asset freezes on five individuals involved in the illicit gold trade, including the CEO of Paloma Precious, which has purchased more than $300 million of Russian gold.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers to ensure ceasefire
Key developments on Dec. 9: * Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire * Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk * Trump 'formulating a concept' to end Russia-Ukraine war * Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says
'Not a single day did this document work' — Zelensky on 30th anniversary of Budapest Memorandum
Zelensky added that effective guarantees are currently needed for Ukraine's security, namely "real alliances and a real security foundation within the country," as well as "weapons that enable defense and deterrence of the enemy."
30 years ago today, Ukraine traded nuclear arms for security assurances, a decision that still haunts Kyiv today
On Dec. 5, 1994, Ukraine had signed a set of political agreements that would guarantee the country's sovereignty and independence in return for accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Signed in Budapest, the memorandum would lay grounds for Ukraine to dispose of its nuclear arsenal
'A more dangerous Russia' — UK armed forces chief issues stark 'third nuclear age' warning
The world faces the dawn of a "third nuclear age," the head of the U.K.'s armed forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said on Dec. 4.
84 arrested in UK-led crypto laundering investigation involving Russian oligarchs, spies
The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Dec. 4 that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled criminal networks, including Russian spies and oligarchs, to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.
UK must help put Kyiv 'in strongest possible position' for peace talks, Starmer says
"We must continue to back Ukraine ... To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so that they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their future."
France, UK discuss deploying troops to Ukraine for ceasefire monitoring, sources tell RFE/RL
The official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, noted that these discussions happen in individual capitals, not within NATO.
Expert links drone sightings over military bases in UK to Russian, Chinese threats, Guardian reports
A former UFO investigator with the U.K.'s Ministry of Defense has suggested potential links between recent drone incursions at the Royal Air Force (RAF) bases in the U.K. and foreign adversaries, including Russia and China. The drones were spotted between Nov. 20 and 22 over three U.S. Air Force bases in the U.K.
Boris Johnson calls for British, European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of potential peace deal
"I don’t think we should be sending in combat troops to take on the Russians,” former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "But I think as part of the solution, as part of the end state, you’re going to want to have multinational European peace-keeping forces monitoring the border, helping the Ukrainians."
Europe in 'actual war' with Russia, former UK intelligence chief says
"I think we have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they're in a state of war with us," Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, told Sky News on Nov. 27.
UK cabinet members on list of those barred from entering Russia
Russia’s Foreign Ministry barred 30 U.K. nationals, including lawmakers, journalists, and ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, from entering its territory in a decision published on Nov. 26.
US Air Force notes drone activity over military bases in UK, Reuters reports
Unidentified drones have flown over three U.S. Air Force bases in the U.K. in the past week, U.S. officials said on Nov. 26.
Russia confirms capture of UK national fighting for Ukraine
The Russian Investigative Committee charged James Scott Rhys Anderson with "terrorism" and "mercenarism," following its long-standing practice of persecuting foreign volunteers that end up in Russian captivity.
UK not planning to send its soldiers to Ukraine, foreign secretary says
"We are not committing U.K. troops on the ground to Ukraine, but we continue to support Ukraine with training and military assistance, and we have been absolutely clear that we will continue to do that for as long as is required and is needed," U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.
UK targets 30 tankers in its largest sanctions package against Russia's 'shadow fleet'
The United Kingdom sanctioned 30 oil tankers of Russia's "shadow fleet" that carried billions of dollars worth of oil and oil products last year, the government said on Nov. 25.
Trump's reelection revives talks in Europe on sending military personnel to Ukraine, Le Monde reports
Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election revived discussion among European allies on sending military personnel or private defense contractors to Ukraine, Le Monde reported on Nov. 25, citing undisclosed sources.
UK national reportedly captured by Russia while fighting for Ukraine
A video of a man in military fatigues, who identifies himself as former British army soldier James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, began circulating on Russian Telegram channels on Nov. 24.
UK businessman faces no charges after admitting to violating Russia sanctions
Luxury perfume seller David Crisp is alleged to have hidden over $2.1 million in illegal sales to Russia. He admitted on camera to "ignoring government edicts."
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Trump hopes to 'end war' this week. Here’s what you need to know
‘Panic, screams, dead everywhere’ — Sumy in shock after double-tap missile attack kills 35
All the president's men: Inside the closed world of Putin's key advisors
