Donald Trump has given his approval for Republicans to push ahead with a bill in Congress that would punish countries for buying Russian oil.
Senator Lindsey Graham said the president "green-lit" the new sanctions legislation when the pair met yesterday.
Citing China, India and Brazil as the biggest offenders, he said: “This bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin’s war machine.”
The "secondary sanctions" bill has been in the works for months, but the Trump administration has focused its efforts on a push for peace rather than punishing Vladimir Putin for his war on Ukraine.
Earlier on Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelensky said he believes Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine could be brought to an end in the first half of this year, insisting that negotiations reached a new milestone with talks this week in Paris.
The Ukrainian president appeared at a ceremony marking the start of Cyprus's six-month EU presidency, and said he "sincerely believe that this war can be ended" in that timeframe.
Read MoreBritish troops on the ground in Ukraine should peace be reached, Number 10 says
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Starmer to face first PMQs of 2026 after pledging boots on the ground in Ukraine
Key Points
- Trump finally gives green light to major Russia sanctions bill
- Zelensky says war could end in first half of 2026 as 'new milestone' reached
- MPs to get vote on deploying UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine
- Blackouts across southeastern Ukraine amid Russian strikes
- Zelensky says allies yet to provide clear details of security guarantees
Watch: MPs to get vote on deploying UK peace-keeping troops to Ukraine
04:01 , Arpan RaiTrump will allow Russia sanctions bill to advance in Congress, US Senator says
03:37 , Arpan RaiUS president Donald Trump will allow a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting countries doing business with Russia to move forward in Congress and it could be put to a vote as early as next week, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday.
Graham said in a statement Trump had "greenlit" the legislation after the pair met yesterday.
The legislation, which Graham has been working on with fellow Republicans and Democrats for months, would impose sanctions on countries doing business with Russia, including buyers of its energy exports, over Moscow's failure to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“This bill will allow President Trump to punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin’s war machine," Graham said, citing China, India and Brazil as potential targets of the legislation.
Graham, a senator from South Carolina, said he is looking forward to a "strong bipartisan vote" on the legislation to take place as early as next week.
Zelensky says war could end in first half of 2026 as 'new milestone' reached
03:33 , Arpan RaiPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said he believes Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine could be brought to an end in the first half of this year, adding that the negotiations have reached a new milestone.
The Ukrainian leader was speaking at a ceremony marking the start of Cyprus’s European Union presidency.
“As Cyprus begins its presidency of the Council of the EU, we note that the negotiations have reached a new milestone together with our European partners and, of course, the United States, and all members of the Coalition of the Willing,” Zelensky said.
“We sincerely believe that this war can be ended during your presidency of the Council of the EU,” he said.
The Mediterranean nation’s presidency of the Council of the EU will end in six months, at the end of June.
MPs to get vote on deploying UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine
03:25 , Arpan RaiMPs will get a vote in the House of Commons before the UK deploys peacekeeping troops on the ground in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
But the prime minister would not be drawn on the number of service people the UK could send to defend the country, in the event of a ceasefire in its war with Russia.
Neither would No 10 guarantee that the vote would be binding. Asked if MPs could prevent a deployment, the PM’s official spokesperson said: “I think we are getting ahead of ourselves.”
On Tuesday, Britain and France signed a historic agreement committing to boots on the ground as soon as any peace deal is in place.
MPs to get vote on deploying UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine
Blackouts across southeastern Ukraine amid Russian strikes
03:04 , Arpan RaiRussian strikes have knocked out power almost entirely in southeastern Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, the Energy Ministry said late on Wednesday.
"As a result of the attack, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions are almost completely without electricity," the ministry said in a statement on Telegram.
“Critical infrastructure is operating on reserve power."
Zelensky says allies yet to provide clear details of security guarantees
03:03 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he has received no “unequivocal answer” from European leaders on how they plan to defend Ukraine in the event Russia attacked it again after a peace deal was reached.
On being asked if he was sure that European allies would help Ukraine defend his country in the event of another invasion from Russia, Zelensky said he had no “clear” answer” on that.
“I personally very much want to get a very simple answer: yes, if there is aggression again, all partners will give a strong response to the Russians. And that’s the exact question I put to all our partners. And so far I haven’t received a clear, unequivocal answer,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky said there was “political will” from Ukraine’s allies to “give us strong security guarantees”.
“But until we have such security guarantees – legal ones, backed by parliaments, backed by the United States Congress – we cannot answer this question,” he said.
In pictures: Ukrainian forces train near frontline in Zaporizhzhia region
02:00 , Shaheena UddinA member of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is seen firing a Javelin anti-tank missile system during a military exercise at a training ground near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region on Wednesday.
Europe should prepare for world without US nuclear deterrence, former Nato chief warns
01:00 , Shaheena UddinEurope could face a future without US nuclear deterrence, the former deputy head of Nato has warned, as Donald Trump’s vow to take Greenland smashes the “post Second World War order”.
The White House has doubled down on its threat against the strategic, mineral rich island, a semi autonomous territory of Nato ally Denmark. In a statement on Tuesday, Washington warned that “US military force is always an option” to achieve Trump’s “national security priority”.
The Independent’s Chief International Correspondent, Bel Trew, reports:
Europe should prepare for world without US nuclear deterrence, ex Nato chief warns
Zelensky discusses the prospect of joining the EU with President of Moldova
00:00 , Shaheena UddinThe joint path of Ukraine and Moldova toward European Union membership must be coordinated. We are working closely on this matter, and today I discussed it with President @sandumaiamd, focusing primarily on the simultaneous opening of the first negotiating clusters.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 7, 2026
We also paid… pic.twitter.com/lBcfmKajPU
Trump has “greenlit” a Russia sanctions bill, Senator Lindsey Graham says
Wednesday 7 January 2026 23:24 , Shaheena UddinTrump has “greenlit” a Russia sanctions bill, and a vote is possible as soon as next week, Senator Lindsey Graham says.
After a very productive meeting today with President Trump on a variety of issues, he greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that I have been working on for months with Senator Blumenthal and many others.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 7, 2026
This will be well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace…
In pictures: Ukraine Solidarity Campaign Campaigners take part in a protest outside Conservative Party headquarters
Wednesday 7 January 2026 23:00 , Shaheena Uddin Putin branded the ‘Anti-Christ’ by church leaders after claiming Ukraine war is ‘holy mission’
Wednesday 7 January 2026 22:00 , Shaheena UddinChurch leaders have branded President Vladimir Putin the ‘Anti-Christ’ after the Russian leader said his war with Ukraine was part of a “holy mission”.
Putin called Russian soldiers “warriors” who were acting “as if at the Lord's behest” in a speech marking Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday.
The Independent’s reporter Maira Butt tells more:
Putin branded ‘Anti-Christ’ by church leaders after claiming war is ‘holy mission’
Russian strikes trigger power and water cuts in Ukraine
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:12 , Shaheena UddinRussian strikes on Wednesday evening triggered widespread power and water supply cuts in parts of southeastern Ukraine, according to regional officials .
Power cuts hit the city of Dnipro, where the metro had stopped running, as well as other parts of the region, public broadcaster Suspilne said. The head of the regional council told the broadcaster is was uncertain when power would resume.
Electricity cuts also affected parts of the Zaporizhzhia region, according to power company DTEK.
Farage says he would vote against deploying British troops to Ukraine
Wednesday 7 January 2026 21:00 , Daniel KeaneReform UK leader Nigel Farage has said that he would vote against proposals to send British troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanual Macron announced last night that troops from both countries would create “military hubs” in Ukraine to deter a future Russian invasion if a ceasefire is agreed.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Farage claimed that Britain “does not have the manpower nor the equipment to go into an operation that clearly has no ending timeline.”
“If it was a sort of Korean-style UN where lots of countries were involved and we could rotate in and out, I might consider it then.
“But frankly, what you saw yesterday was [French president Emmanuel] Macron standing there with the British prime minister. Giorgia Meloni [the Italian PM] was outside having a cigarette, not getting involved. The German gave a speech and said nothing. The coalition of the willing is just two countries.”
Zelensky seeks a new meeting with Trump as peace negotiators tackle land issue
Wednesday 7 January 2026 20:30 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian President Zelensky said he wanted another meeting with U.S President Donald Trump soon to ensure Washington backed security for Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters over WhatsApp on Wednesday, Zelensky said he wanted to guage Trump’s openness to Washington ensuring security for Kyiv for more than 15 years in the event of a ceasefire,
Kyiv is currently pushing back on Russian demands to cede its easter Donetsk region and give up control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Ukraine is under pressure from the U.S. to secure peace but wants to secure guarantees from the allies.
Zelensky said: "The Americans, in my view, are being productive right now; we have good results... They need to put pressure on Russia. They have the tools, and they know how to use them,"
The Ukrainian president urged Trump to escalate his pressure on Russia, which has been pressing on its massive air attacks on Ukraine’s cities and energy grid, despite the U.S. peace push.
'Fight today as well as secure the peace tomorrow”
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:45 , Shaheena UddinDefence Secretary John Healey addressed the House of Commons on Wednesday and said that the UK’s commitments to Ukraine is “our mission - both to support the fight today as well as secure the peace tomorrow”
He concluded his statement with: “Our government will always act in the interest of national security, we’re committed to countering the threats opposed by our adversaries, we are committed to standing by our closest allies and we are committed to keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
Defence Secretary John Healey says UK and France will create military hubs in Ukraine
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:38 , Shaheena UddinDefence Secretary John Healey made a statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday and said: “The UK and France will take a leading role first in using military, economic and diplomatic instruments to ensure the conclusion of a peace agreement.
“Second in supporting the development of Ukraine’s defence capabilities and third in commanding a national to national force for Ukraine which plans to deploys to Ukriane after a ceasefire has been agreed.
“There a plans to employ from nations in the ‘coalition of the willing’ to carry out defence and deterrent operations in the air, on the land and at sea to conduct training, planning recovery and regeneration of Ukrainian forces.”
Mr Healey also explained that they will also create military hubs to support this work across the country and to build protective facilities within Ukraine for weapons and equipment.
Bel Trew: A key hurdle to Ukraine peace deal has been overcome thanks to Britain and France
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:30 , Daniel KeaneZelensky himself has admitted that a ceasefire is unlikely given Moscow’s refusal to accede to its demands. But a pledge by the UK and France to deploy troops in Ukraine if there is a peace deal represents progress, writes Bel Trew.
A key hurdle to Ukraine peace deal has been overcome – this is what’s next
Watch: Putin calls Ukraine invasion his ‘holy mission’ in bizarre Christmas address
Wednesday 7 January 2026 19:00 , Daniel KeaneNo new demands should be placed on Ukraine in peace talks, Zelensky says
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:30 , Daniel KeanePresident Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that no additional demands should be placed on Ukraine in peace talks.
He also called on Kyiv's allies to step up their pressure on Russia, in particular via sanctions.
"We are doing everything required on our side in the negotiation process. And we expect that no additional or excessive demands will be placed on Ukraine," he said during a visit to Cyprus, which has assumed the EU's rotating presidency.
CIA spy who sold US secrets to Russia dies in prison aged 84
Wednesday 7 January 2026 18:00 , Maira ButtAldrich Ames, the notorious CIA turncoat responsible for one of the most devastating intelligence breaches in US history, has died at the age of 84 in a Maryland prison.
His death on Monday was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons.
Ames confessed to receiving $2.5 million (£1.85m) from Moscow between 1985 and his 1994 arrest, in exchange for US secrets.
His treachery involved revealing the identities of ten Russian officials and one East European agent working for the United States or Great Britain.
CIA spy who sold US secrets to Russia dies in prison aged 84
In pictures: Ukrainian forces train near frontline in Zaporizhzhia region
Wednesday 7 January 2026 17:25 , Maira ButtA member of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is seen firing a Javelin anti-tank missile system during a military exercise at a training ground near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region on Wednesday.
Zelensky meets Cypriot president as country takes over EU presidency
Wednesday 7 January 2026 16:52 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky met President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia as Cyprus formally assumed the European Union’s rotating presidency, which runs for six months.
“We are working to make as much progress as possible during this period on opening negotiating clusters and on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union,” Zelenskiy said after the meeting, in a statement posted on X on Wednesday.
“The President and I talked about strengthening sanctions against Russia, which must remain in place as long as Russia’s aggression and occupation continue.”
Christodoulides said that Ukraine will be a “central priority” of the presidency.
Ukraine will hope to push its bid for EU membership in the forthcoming months.
Analysis: Britain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker
Wednesday 7 January 2026 16:20 , Maira Buttritish RAF spy planes and submarine hunters circled above as US special forces boarded an empty Russian-flagged Venezuelan oil tanker in the north Atlantic in an expensive performance verging on satire.
The Marinera was chased across the oceans, switched its nationality to Russian mid-journey, painted Moscow’s flag on its side and chugged along shadowed by one of Vladimir Putin’s submarines.
But the elite sailors beneath the sea offered the aging tanker no real protection. And while the Kremlin has loudly condemned Donald Trump’s abduction of Venezuela’s president Nicola Maduro, the Marinera’s voyage did not end with nautical fisticuffs between two nuclear powers.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:
=
Britain is now helping Trump play Big Man in the Atlantic with oil tanker raid
Trump says Nato 'couldn't pay bills' before his help
Wednesday 7 January 2026 15:47 , Maira ButtIn a lengthy post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said that Nato’s economic stability was secured by his support.
“Remember, for all of those big Nato fans, they were at 2 per cent GDP, and most weren’t paying their bills, UNTIL I CAME ALONG,” he wrote on Wednesday.
“The USA was, foolishly, paying for them! I, respectfully, got them to 5 per cent GDP, AND THEY PAY, immediately. Everyone said that couldn’t be done, but it could, because, beyond all else, they are all my friends.”
Trump hits out at Nato saying Russia has 'zero fear' of alliance without US
Wednesday 7 January 2026 15:23 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has lashed out at Nato after the alliance made several critical comments about US military ambitions in recent days.
The US leader said that if it weren’t for his involvement “Russia would have all of Ukraine right now”, adding that Russia had “zero fear of Nato” without the support of the US.
"Without my involvement, Russia would have ALL OF UKRAINE right now,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.
“RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE ZERO FEAR OF NATO WITHOUT THE UNITED STATES, AND I DOUBT NATO WOULD BE THERE FOR US IF WE REALLY NEEDED THEM.”
He continued: “EVERYONE IS LUCKY THAT I REBUILT OUR MILITARY IN MY FIRST TERM, AND CONTINUE TO DO SO. We will always be there for Nato, even if they won’t be there for us.”
Putin reportedly sends navy escort as Trump 'plans to seize' Venezuelan oil tanker
Wednesday 7 January 2026 15:15 , Maira ButtReports have suggested that President Vladimir Putin has sent a navy escort to join an oil tanker as it moves across the Atlantic ocean towards Russia.
The Marinera is one of a Venezuelan “shadow fleet” of tankers carrying oil in breach of US and international sanctions. Currently empty, it hastily renamed itself from the Bella 1 and painted a Russian flag on its side in an apparent bid for Russian protection.
Russian news outlet RT has cited a source as saying attempts are being made to board the Marinera on Wednesday afternoon.
Separately, the US Coast Guard has also intercepted another Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters, US officials told Reuters.
It comes after US forces entered Venezuela on Saturday to seize its now-deposed president, Nicolas Maduro, who is in New York facing drug charges.
Follow below for live updates.
UK’s peacekeeping force in Ukraine needs ‘serious numbers’ to face down Russia, former Nato chief warns
Wednesday 7 January 2026 14:45 , Maira ButtPlans for a British and French peacekeeping force in Ukraine will require “serious numbers” of troops to face down Russia, a former army chief has warned.
Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Nato's deputy supreme allied commander in Europe between 2011 and 2014, said allied forces would need to “overmatch” Russia to ensure they could fight back if Vladimir Putin’s country broke a ceasefire agreement.
But he suggested this would not be possible under Britain’s current level of defence spending, warning: “A government without a sword is useless.”
Sir Richard’s assessment was shared by former defence secretary Sir Gavin Williamson who said Britain would need to deploy around 40,000 troops to ensure the operation was effective. Last year, figures showed there were around 147,000 people in the UK armed forces, with just over half assigned to the army.
The Independent’s Kate Devlin and David Maddox report:
UK’s peacekeeping force in Ukraine ‘needs serious numbers to face down Russia’
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says Ukraine agreement shows 'fundamental lack of respect'
Wednesday 7 January 2026 14:15 , Maira ButtKate Devlin reports:
At Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it was "astonishing" Sir Keir Starmer was not making a statement in Parliament on the Ukraine agreement with France.
Mrs Badenoch said the decision showed a "fundamental lack of respect" for MPs and their constituents.
To shouts of "when" from Conservative MPs, Sir Keir added: "There will be a statement to the House at the earliest opportunity."
He added: "If there were a decision to deploy, under the agreement that was signed yesterday, then I would put that matter to this House for a debate beforehand and for a vote on that deployment - that is consistent with recent practice and I'll adhere to that."
Pressed by Ms Badenoch on how many UK troops could be sent and whether they would have a combat role, the prime minister said that any deployment would only be after a ceasefire and would be to “support Ukraine’s capabilities, it would be to conduct a deterrence operations and to construct and protect military hubs”.
Zelensky hopes to meet Trump soon as he demands clarity from Europe
Wednesday 7 January 2026 13:45 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to meet US President Donald Trump very soon, possibly in Washington, as peace talks continued in Paris.
The Ukrainian leader said that he is seeking solid post-war guarantees from both the US and European allies to deter Russia from attacking, adding he had not received a clear answer from partners about what their response to such an attack would be.
ICYMI: Putin calls Ukraine invasion his 'holy mission' at Orthodox Christmas service
Wednesday 7 January 2026 13:30 , Maira ButtRussian president Vladimir Putin attended a Russian Orthodox Christmas service early on Wednesday, where he hailed his invasion of Ukraine as a “holy mission” to defend Russia.
Putin combined the ceremony with a holiday address on unity, charity and support for the armed forces.
His appearance came as the war Russia launched with its full scale invasion of Ukraine neared the end of its fourth year, with the Kremlin casting the conflict as a national mission and leaning heavily on patriotic and religious symbolism.
Video footage showed Putin in a dark suit without a tie among uniformed servicemen, alongside wives and children, as clerics conducted the service at the St George Victory Bearer church near Moscow.
“Russia’s warriors have always, as if at the Lord’s behest, carried out this mission of defending the Fatherland and its people, saving the Motherland and its people,” Putin said at the church after the service.
“At all times in Russia, this is how people have regarded their warriors, as those who, as if at the Lord’s behest, carry out this holy mission."
Finland's foreign minister says Russia threat to whole of Europe will persist
Wednesday 7 January 2026 13:00 , Maira ButtFinland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has said that Russia will continue to target the whole of Europe in a hybrid manner for the foreseeable future, on Wednesday.
“We know from our painful history that Russia unfortunately only understands strength,” she added, while speaking at a meeting of the German conservative CSU party in southern Germany.
Watch: Starmer launches Russia jibe at Reform in first PMQs of 2026
Wednesday 7 January 2026 12:35 , Maira ButtBreaking: MPs to get vote on deploying UK peace-keeping troops to Ukraine
Wednesday 7 January 2026 12:25 , Maira ButtMPs will get a vote in the House of Commons before the UK deploys troops on the ground in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
But he would not be drawn on the number the UK could send to defend the country, in the event of a ceasefire in its war with Russia.
He said that on Tuesday, that “along with President Macron and President Zelensky, we agreed a declaration of intent for the deployment of forces in the event of a peace deal. We will set out the details in a statement at the earliest opportunity”.
MPs to get vote on deploying UK peace-keeping troops to Ukraine
Watch: Starmer confirms 'real progress' made on Ukraine security guarantees
Wednesday 7 January 2026 12:23 , Maira ButtPrime minister Starmer says vote to be held on Ukrainian troop deployment
Wednesday 7 January 2026 12:16 , Maira ButtBritish PM Keir Starmer has confirmed that a vote will be held in the House of Commons on the deployment of troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
Yesterday, I stood side by side with our European and American allies and President Zelensky at the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris,” he said during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
“We made real progress on security guarantees, which are vital for securing a just and lasting peace.
“Along with President Macron and President Zelensky, we agreed a declaration of intent for the deployment of forces in the event of a peace deal. We will set out the details in a statement at the earliest opportunity.
“I will keep the house updated as the situation develops and, were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the House for a vote.”
'Concrete results' achieved during peace talks, says Zelensky's chief of staff
Wednesday 7 January 2026 12:10 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov has hailed the achievement of “concrete results” during peace talks in Paris, which entered their second day on Wednesday.
“Ukrainian national interests will be defended,” Budanov wrote in a post on Telegram. He said “not all information can be public” and did not clarify the areas where progress had been made.
Russia swarms Ukraine with 95 drones in overnight attack
Wednesday 7 January 2026 11:40 , Maira ButtRussian forces fired a powerful Iskander missile at Ukraine along with a swarm of 95 drones in an overnight attack on the territory.
The onslaught began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of the morning on Wednesday.
Ukrainian air defences shot down or disabled 81 of the drones, according to the Ukrainian air force.
UK is in 'no position' to put boots on the ground in Ukraine, says Farage
Wednesday 7 January 2026 10:59 , Athena StavrouReform leader Nigel Farage has said that the UK is in “no position” to put boots on the ground in Ukraine.
When asked at a press conference whether he agreed with the government’s plan to put boots on the ground, he said: “With what boots? What kit?“We might be able to go for six to eight weeks but … We’re in no position to do it”
On Wednesday Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to a historic deal to support Ukraine with troops once a ceasefire with Russia is in place.