US president Donald Trump has said he is ready to impose ‘major sanctions’ on Russia over the war in Ukraine - on one condition.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, Trump said he would proceed if all Nato countries stop buying Russian oil.
“As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking!” he wrote. “It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when? “
His new statement comes after Nato announced plans to beef up the defence of Europe's eastern flank as the US has vowed to defend "every inch” of its ally after Russian drones breached Polish airspace earlier this week.
The US joined other Nato countries to express concern about Russian drones entering Poland, accusing Moscow of violating international law and the founding UN Charter.
At the UN, the US called the Polish airspace violations "alarming" and vowed to defend “every inch” of Nato territory.
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Key Points
- US pledges to protect 'every inch of Nato' after Russian drones enter Poland
- Poland rejects Trump's suggestion Russia's drone incursion could have been 'a mistake'
- What is the new Nato mission?
- Prince Harry makes a surprise visit to Kyiv
- Kremlin: Negotiations with Ukraine paused, Europe to blame
Russia jets with hypersonic missiles take part in military exercises
13:51
,
Sam Rkaina
Russians MiG-31 fighter jets equipped with hypersonic ballistic missiles completed a four-hour flight over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea as part of ongoing 'Zapad 2025' military exercises, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday.
Russia and Belarus began the joint drills on Friday during a tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The Kinzhal, which means "dagger" in Russian, is an air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
Russia has previously used the weapons against Ukraine.
G7 finance ministers discuss possible sanctions on supporters of Russia's war
13:01
,
Athena Stavrou
G7 finance ministers discussed imposing sanctions and tariffs on countries that they consider to be "enabling" Russia's war in Ukraine on Friday.
The G7 finance ministers held the meeting to discuss further measures to increase pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, according to a statement released by the Canadian finance ministry.
They "discussed a wide range of possible economic measures to increase pressure on Russia, including further sanctions and trade measures, such as tariffs, on those enabling Russia’s war effort."
Trump says his patience with Putin is 'running out fast'
12:34
,
Athena Stavrou
On Friday, Donald Trump has said that his patience with Vladimir Putin is “running out fast”, days after Russian drones breached Polish airspace in an act of provocation.
Speaking to Fox News, the US president said: “It's sort of running out and running out fast.“
Trump has given Putin several deadlines to take steps to end the three-year conflict, but so far has not imposed sanctions or other penalties on Moscow.
Trump says he is ready to impose major sanctions on Russia - on one condition
12:33
,
Sam Rkaina
Donald Trump has posted a lengthy statement about his position on the Ukraine war, on his Truth Social account.
In it he says he is ready to impose major sanctions on Russia - provided Nato countries stop buying Moscow’s oi.
The post read: “A LETTER SENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO ALL NATO NATIONS AND, THE WORLD: “I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.
“As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to “go” when you are. Just say when?
“I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.
“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip. This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I was President!), it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives (7,118 lives lost last week, alone. CRAZY!).
“If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Prince Harry discusses Invictus Games with Ukrainian PM
11:58
,
Athena Stavrou
Ukraine’s prime minister has said it is the country’s “dream” to host the Invictus Games, after meeting Prince Harry.
In a Telegram post, Yulia Svyrydenkon said she and the Duke of Sussex spoke about work on the rehabilitation and recovery of veterans.
“I thanked the prince for his support of our Ukrainian military after service at various venues, including the Invictus Games,” she wrote.
“This year, Ukraine was represented at the Games by a record-breaking team of 35 participants.
“Now our dream is for the Invictus Games to come to Ukraine. We have every opportunity to do this.
“Moreover, invincibility is a synonym for the Ukrainian spirit. And our defenders demonstrate it every day.”
Watch: Orthodox nun stripped of status for opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
11:21
,
Athena Stavrou
In focus: If Europe was at war, who would be called up first and how would they be trained to fight?
10:45
,
Athena Stavrou
The events in Poland this week have reminded us that Europe is not immune to war. For Britain, the question is whether its people are ready – and if not, how quickly they could be trained.
Guy Walters looks at the MoD scheme that fast-tracks Ukrainian civilians into soldiers, and asks if it could work for the UK, too:
Pictured: Prince Harry meets Ukrainian PM
10:01
,
Athena Stavrou
Robodogs, laser beams and drone-zapping microwaves: The weapons that could decide the wars of the future
09:34
,
Athena Stavrou
As wars are increasingly fought with the use of unmanned drones piloted from miles away, Taz Ali looks at what other weapons will shape the conflicts to come:
Pictured: Yvette Cooper visits Ukraine
09:11
,
Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry meets Ukrainian prime minister
08:46
,
Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry met with Ukraine’s prime minister during his surprise visit to the country this week.
Yulia Svyrydenkon shared pictures of the meeting as she and the Duke of Sussex visited damaged premises of the Ukrainian government building in Kyiv.
Three die in Ukraine's Sumy region
08:12
,
Athena Stavrou
An early morning Russian attack killed three people on Friday in northern Ukraine's Sumy region, a regional official reported.
Sumy Regional Governor Oleh Hryhory said a 6 am drone and missile attack killed three residents in or near Sumy and injured five.
But Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian operation in the region "has been completely foiled by our forces."
Russian forces have tried in recent months to gain a foothold in areas like Sumy, a border region next to Russia's Kursk region.
They have captured a string of villages near the border and subject larger towns, like the city of Sumy, to frequent shelling.
Zelenskiy has reported successes in other operations in Sumy in recent weeks. He said Kyiv's forces were also actively repelling Russian troops in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, the two main areas on the front line.
‘There is light at the end of the tunnel’, Harry says on surprise Ukraine trip
07:47
,
Athena Stavrou
The Duke of Sussex has said there is “light at the end of the tunnel” as he visited ex-service personnel during a surprise trip to Ukraine.
Harry travelled to Kyiv with a team from his Invictus Games Foundation following an invitation from the Ukrainian government and Olga Rudneva, chief executive of the Superhumans Centre, an orthopaedic clinic and rehabilitation centre for adults and children affected by the war in Ukraine.
His trip comes after spending several days in the UK, where he reunited with his father the King for their first face-to-face meeting for more than a year.
Asked about advice for those leaving military service and who may miss the camaraderie, Harry said: “You will feel lost at times, like you lack purpose, but however dark those days are, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
What is the new Nato mission?
07:32
,
Athena Stavrou
A number of Nato allies have agreed to join a new mission to beef up the defence of Europe's eastern flank.
A new deterrence initiative called "Eastern Sentry" is to be launched in response to Russia's drone attack.
Nato’s top military official, Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich, a US Air Force general, said it was a flexible operation to bolster defences along Nato’s entire eastern flank, which stretches from the Baltic states in the north to Romania and Bulgaria in the south.
The mission, which began on Friday evening, will involve a range of assets integrating air and ground bases.
Nato already has substantial forces in eastern Europe, including thousands of troops and it did not specify how many additional troops would be involved in the new operation.
Allies including Denmark, France, Britain, and Germany have committed to the mission with others set to join.
The announcement detailed a modest number of additional military assets - including two F-16 fighter jets and a frigate from Denmark, three Rafale fighter jets from France, and four Eurofighter jets from Germany.
Spain said it would provide air assets and Britain said it would detail its contribution soon.
'What affects one ally affects us all,' says Nato chief
06:42
,
Vishwam Sankaran
After announcing the beefing up of Nato's eastern flank, the military alliance's chief Mark Rutte said the focus of the immediate new operation is Poland as “what affects one Ally affects us all".
He said the situation in Poland due to Russia's drone incursions two days ago "transcends the borders of one nation”.
The alliance's chief said the aim of the operation is to integrate air and ground-based defences, increase information sharing among Nato allies, incorporate unspecified enhanced capabilities, and strengthen Nato's posturing to protect the alliance.
Russia stages major military drills with ally Belarus
06:27
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Russian and Belarusian troops began a major joint military exercise yesterday for the first time since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The joint exercises are set to occur in Russia and Belarus, including Belarus’ Vitebsk, Minsk, and Grodno oblasts, and in the Baltic and Barents seas from 12 to 16 September.
The Zapad 2025 exercises consist of two stages, with the first consisting of air and ground defence operations, and the second including exercises to clear the territory of enemy forces and conducting counteroffensive operations, according to Belarusian Chief of the General Staff Pavel Muraveiko.
Both countries have carried out these joint exercises biannually, but cancelled the Zapad 2023 drills, likely due to Russia’s equipment and manpower requirements for its war in Ukraine.
The latest joint exercise also appears to be notably much smaller than the 2021 drills, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Nato announces plans to beef up Eastern flank's defence
06:05
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Nato said yesterday it would strengthen the defence of Europe's eastern flank following Russia's airspace violations over Poland.
Nato's announcement comes two days after Warsaw shot down Russian drones making an incursion over its airspace.
It said a new deterrence initiative called "Eastern Sentry" would be launched in response to Russia's drone attack.
"Eastern Sentry will add flexibility and strength to our posture and make clear that, as a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend," the military alliance's secretary general Mark Rutte said.
At the UN, the US called Russia's drone incursions over Polish airspace "alarming" and vowed to defend every inch of Nato territory.
Russian offensive in Sumy oblast 'thwarted', Zelensky says
05:30
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Russia's offensive in Sumy Oblast has been "completely thwarted", Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.
"As of today, we can state that the Russian offensive operation on Sumy has been completely thwarted by our forces," the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address.
"Fighting continues in the border areas of Sumy Oblast, but the Russian group in the Sumy area has lost offensive capabilities due to the losses suffered," he said.
The region has been a key target for Moscow's troops since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 due to its location on the northeastern frontier, and faces near-daily strikes.
However, Kyiv says it has maintained control over most of the region.
US pledges to protect 'every inch of Nato' after Russian drones enter Poland
05:00
,
Vishwam Sankaran
The US told the UN Security Council on Friday that it would defend "every inch of NATO territory" after Russian drones breached Polish airspace earlier this week.
"The United States stands by our NATO allies in the face of these alarming airspace violations," said Dorothy Shea, the US acting ambassador to UN.
Ms Shea's remarks come after US president Donald Trump said the Russian drone incursion into Poland "could've been a mistake", a claim refuted by Poland.
"These actions, now with the addition of violating the airspace of a U.S. ally – intentionally or otherwise – show immense disrespect for good-faith US efforts to bring an end to this conflict," the acting ambassador said.
Putin’s goading Nato: He’s gambling that all it can launch against him is fearsome rhetoric
04:45
,
Alex Croft
On the face of it, the intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace overnight would appear to be an open and shut case for invoking Nato’s famous Article 5, which, as commonly summed up, means that an attack on one is deemed an attack on all and warrants a corresponding response.
This guarantee is much of the reason why, after the Soviet Union’s collapse, the newly independent states of eastern and central Europe wanted to join the alliance, and why Ukraine is so keen to do so now. Nato and Article 5 are seen as the gold standard of security guarantees.
Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, was quick to warn that his country is at its closest to open conflict since the end of the Second World War. The incursion into Polish airspace was, he said, “a test Nato has to answer”.
Mary Dejevsky writes:
Trump says he will 'come down strong' on Putin - ICYMI
04:30
,
Alex Croft
President Trump has said he had long had a good relationship with Putin, but expressed frustration at his failure to end the war.
"We're going to have to come down very, very strong," he told Fox News.
Trump said sanctions on banks and oil were an option, along with tariffs, but European countries also needed to participate.
"But I've already done it. I've done a lot," Trump said, noting that India - one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil - was facing a 50% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
EU's next sanctions package on Russia must be 'tough as possible' - Danish foreign minister
04:15
,
Alex Croft
The European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia must be "as tough as possible", Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.
Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency will push for the adoption of a 19th round of sanctions during its term which ends in December, Mr Lokke said.
"It must be a full-fledged sanctions package, addressing circumvention, the shadow fleet, the financial sector... we also need stronger transatlantic cooperation," he told a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Rasmussen said that Denmark would also welcome any initiative from the United States on sanctions.
He added that the Nordic country would encourage more Ukrainian defence companies to establish themselves in Denmark in order to start production there.
"We are actually in dialogue with quite a few Ukrainian companies," he said.
The Danish government earlier this month said that Ukrainian Fire Point, maker of Flamingo missiles, will start producing fuel for long-range missiles in Denmark, marking the first expansion abroad by a Ukrainian defence company.
Warsaw again refutes Trump's suggestion that Russian incursion was a mistake
04:01
,
Alex Croft
There can be no mistake with such a large-scale attack on Poland, a Polish official said in response to US president Donald Trump’s suggestion that Wednesday’ Russian drone incursion might have been accidental.
"I think this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there's no question of a mistake - this was a deliberate Russian attack," deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk told local TV broadcaster Polsat News.
Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who visits Kyiv on Friday, also responded to Trump's words. "On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine. These were not mistakes," he said in a video posted on X.
At Poland's request, the UN Security Council will meet in New York on Friday. The meeting will begin at 3pm local time (8pm UK time), Polish foreign affairs ministry said.
French Rafale fighters deployed to protect Poland
03:01
,
Alex Croft
France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after this week's drone incursions into its airspace, French president Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday on X.
"The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," he said.
A French military official said the warplanes had already been deployed to Poland prior to Tuesday's incursions.
The twin-engined jet is designed for various purposes including in-depth and anti-ship strikes, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, and nuclear deterrence missions.
Watch: Russian Black Sea Fleet ship hit by Ukraine
01:30
,
Alex Croft
German parliament calls for Nato to down Russian drones over Ukraine
Saturday 13 September 2025 00:00
,
Alex Croft
The defence committee of Germany’s parliament has said the Nato alliance must down Russian drones which could threat its territory even if they are still in Ukrainian airspace.
Thomas Röwekamp, the committee’s chair, said Nato is capable of countering the “very serious challenges” posed by Russia.
“The best way to counter drones during a war is to destroy their production facilities and launch systems", he said, adding that it is important "that Nato partners quickly equip Ukraine so that it can take measures against these targets on Russian soil”.
He added:"It should be possible, with the consent of the affected country, such as Ukraine, to down drones that threaten NATO territory, even when they are in their airspace."
Fresh UK sanctions to target ships carrying Russian oil
Friday 12 September 2025 23:01
,
Alex Croft
We earlier brought you the news that the UK has launched a new package of sanctions on Russia.
Here’s a little more detail on what the sanctions include.
- They will target ships carrying Russian oil as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to produce Russian weapons.
- 70 more ships transporting Russian oil and 30 companies and individuals supplying weapons kits are being targeted.
- Firms located in China and Turkey are among the sanctions.
- The package has been issued as a response to recent Russian aggression, referring to the higher number of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine and the recent violation of Nato airspace in Poland.
- New foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: "International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital.”
Prince Harry arrives in Ukraine as he pledges help for soldiers injured in war
Friday 12 September 2025 22:03
,
Alex Croft
Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to pledge his support for Ukrainian soldiers injured in the country’s war against Russia.
The Duke of Sussex, who served in the British army for a decade, was invited by the Ukrainian government as he said he aims to do “everything possible” to help the thousands of wounded military personnel, say reports. According to the European Disability Forum, as of February, 300,000 people had been left disabled as a result of the war.
Tara Cobham reports:
Russia drone incursion into Poland 'unacceptable' - Hungarian PM
Friday 12 September 2025 21:02
,
Alex Croft
Russia’s drone incursion into Polish airspace on Wednesday is unacceptable, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday.
Hungary has shown solidarity with Poland, a country that was its "historic ally", he said.
"Despite the current political skirmishes, the Poles are our friends," Mr Orban said. "So we had said about the incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory right away that it was unacceptable."
Mr Orban is one of a small number of outliers in Europe who typically hold a far softer stance towards Moscow.
Russia and Belarus start 'Zapad 2025' joint military exercise
Friday 12 September 2025 20:00
,
Alex Croft
Russian and Belarus kickstarted a major joint military exercise involving drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident took place.
"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defence ministry said on Telegram.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the drills, including near the Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.
Russian drone in Polish airspace is 'an attempt to weaken NATO' says Polish Defence Minister
Friday 12 September 2025 19:01
,
Alex Croft
"This Russian provocation, as the generals and our soldiers are well aware, was nothing more than an attempt to test our capabilities, our ability to respond," Polish President Karol Nawrocki told soldiers on Thursday.
It comes after Polish air defences and Nato aircraft sprung into action on Wednesday after 19 objects intruded Polish airspace including drones entering from Belarus, said Polish prime minister Donald Tusk. There have been no injury reports and Moscow has so far denied responsibility for the incident.
Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told parliament on Thursday Poland's logistical support for Ukraine may have been a motivation for the incursions - most aid for Ukraine transits via Poland.
"This is an attempt to weaken NATO's and Poland's willingness to support Ukraine," he said.
Cooper meets Zelensky in first trip as foreign secretary
Friday 12 September 2025 18:01
,
Alex Croft
Earlier, we brought you the news that new British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper was in Kyiv.
Here are pictures of her meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Berlin summons Russian ambassador over Poland drone incursion
Friday 12 September 2025 17:15
,
Alex Croft
The German foreign ministry said in an X post on Friday that it had summoned the Russian ambassador over this week's drone incursion into Polish airspace.
Here is what the ministry said:
By sending Russian drones into #NATO airspace, #Putin is acting in a dangerous and unacceptable way. That is why the Russian Ambassador was summoned to the Federal Foreign Office today. NATO stands united in defending our Alliance territory and our security.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) September 12, 2025
Kremlin: Negotiations with Ukraine paused, Europe to blame
Friday 12 September 2025 16:30
,
Alex Croft
The Kremlin said that there was a pause in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and accused European countries of hindering a process it said that Moscow remained open to.
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have held three rounds of direct talks this year in Istanbul, most recently on July 23, which have yielded several agreements to return prisoners of war and the bodies of the dead. But the two sides remain far apart on what a possible peace deal might look like.
Russia accuses Kyiv of not recognising what it calls "the realities on the ground", while Ukraine says Moscow is feigning interest in talks while continuing to try to take more of its territory.
Efforts by US president Donald Trump to broker a deal have so far come to nothing.
Asked whether talks between Kyiv and Moscow were now deadlocked, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The channels of communication are in place and functioning. Our negotiators have the opportunity to communicate through these channels. But for now, it is probably more accurate to say that there is a pause."
Watch: Prince Harry makes surprise trip to Ukraine in support of soldiers
Friday 12 September 2025 15:51
,
Alex Croft
EU's next sanctions package on Russia must be 'tough as possible' - Danish foreign minister
Friday 12 September 2025 15:16
,
Alex Croft
The European Union's next package of sanctions against Russia must be "as tough as possible", Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.
Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating six-month presidency will push for the adoption of a 19th round of sanctions during its term which ends in December, Mr Lokke said.
"It must be a full-fledged sanctions package, addressing circumvention, the shadow fleet, the financial sector... we also need stronger transatlantic cooperation," he told a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Rasmussen said that Denmark would also welcome any initiative from the United States on sanctions.
He added that the Nordic country would encourage more Ukrainian defence companies to establish themselves in Denmark in order to start production there.
"We are actually in dialogue with quite a few Ukrainian companies," he said.
The Danish government earlier this month said that Ukrainian Fire Point, maker of Flamingo missiles, will start producing fuel for long-range missiles in Denmark, marking the first expansion abroad by a Ukrainian defence company.
