A senior US official has thrown doubt over the possibility of President Donald Trump announcing a minerals deal with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky during his address to Congress.
Asked about the deal, treasury secretary Scott Bessent telling CBS News a deal is "not at present" on the table.
It follows reports the president has told advisers he wants to announce the agreement during his address to Congress - though sources cautioned the deal had yet to be signed and the situation could change.
The signing of the deal to provide the US with rare earth was set to take place when Mr Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met at the White House last week - but the talks were aborted after the pair fell out.
After the US announced it was stopping military aid on Monday night, Mr Zelensky issued a statement stating he was ready to enter peace talks “as soon as possible”, while calling last week’s clash “regrettable”.
The Ukrainian president also said he is ready to sign the rare minerals deal with the Trump administration.
Mr Trump’s speech to Congress will take place inside the U.S. House of Representatives at 9.10 pm (02.10 GMT on Wednesday).
Key Points
- US treasury secretary says Ukraine minerals deal not on table 'at present'
- US and Ukraine prepare to sign minerals deal on Tuesday, sources say
- Former Trump adviser calls Zelensky a 'crook' and a 'punk'
- Zelensky urges swift peace talks and calls for constructive US cooperation
- Starmer welcomes Zelensky's 'steadfast commitment' to peace
French prime minister again lashes out at US over Ukraine
23:21
,
Holly Evans
France’s prime minister decried the U.S. pause on providing military aid to Ukraine as “unbearable” on Tuesday, describing it as tantamount to abandoning Ukrainians and allowing for a possible victory by Russia.
“The word ‘suspension’ fools no one,” Prime Minister François Bayrou said, addressing French senators and mounting what was his second sharp criticism of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump in as many days.
“The suspension in war of assistance to an aggressed country signifies that the aggressed country is being abandoned and that one accepts — or hopes — that its aggressor wins,” he said.
Read the full article here:
Voices | Donald Trump isn’t done with twisting the knife into Ukraine
23:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
US treasury secretary says Ukraine minerals deal not on table 'at present'
22:49
,
Holly Evans
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday a rare earths minerals deal with Ukraine is not on the table.
When asked by CBS News if the economic deal was still on the table, Mr Bessent said, "Not at present."
Russian drone attack kills one, triggers power cuts in Odesa for second day
22:35
,
Holly Evans
A Russian drone attack late on Tuesday killed one person and triggered power, water and heating cuts in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa for the second day running, the regional governor said.
Oleh Kiper, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said a woman aged 77 had died of shrapnel wounds on the outskirts of the city.
Drone strikes damaged critical infrastructure, leaving neighbourhoods without services, he said.
Kiper said fragments from downed drones had damaged private houses and started fires in outlying city districts. A missile strike had destroyed an empty sanatorium near the town of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, south of Odesa, he added.
East of the capital Kyiv, drones targeted a multi-storey apartment building near the town of Boryspil, smashing windows and triggering a fire in a business. Local officials reported no casualties.
How will lack of US aid affect the battlefield?
22:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
The US move won’t have an immediate impact on the battlefield, where Kyiv’s forces are struggling to stem a relentless Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have slowed Russian advances along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, where Russia is slowly gaining ground at a huge human and material cost.
The pause in aid will weaken air defenses and will hit Ukraine’s ability to hit Russian targets far behind the front lines.
Alexander Kots, a Russian war blogger, noted that while Ukraine’s European allies can fill some of the gaps and provide artillery systems, they don’t have alternatives to the U.S.-made Patriot and NASAMS air defense missile systems and longer-range HIMARS missile systems that can strike ground targets up to 300 kilometers (200 miles) away.
Kots said that for Ukraine, “the U.S. aid suspension is unpleasant but not deadly.”
Ukraine has stockpiles of artillery shells and other munitions, and has ramped up domestic production of drones, which are now among the most important weapons in the war. It’s estimated that just over half of the military hardware used by Ukraine is domestically produced.
Chalmers, the RUSI expert, said that the Ukrainians have built up their defense production, and “are innovating at an incredible rate because of the pressure they’re under.”
“I think they will survive for quite some time,” he said. “But it’s a material blow, and it’s also a challenge to Europe.”
UK foreign minister says European partners 'are stepping up' on Ukraine
21:48
,
Holly Evans
British foreign minister David Lammy on Tuesday said he had spoken to counterparts in France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain about Ukraine and that their determination to strike a peace deal remained clear.
"We will step up and we are stepping up - together," Lammy said in a post on X.
Speaking to counterparts from today, our determination to work with the US to deliver a just and lasting peace in Ukraine remains clear.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) March 4, 2025
Ukraine's security is Europe's security. We will step up and we are stepping up - together.
Ukraine peace plan that denies Putin a victory ‘essential work’, says May
21:34
,
Holly Evans
Hammering out a peace plan that is acceptable to Ukraine and denies Russian leader Vladimir Putin a victory is “essential work”, Tory former prime minister Theresa May has told Parliament.
But while hailing the stance taken by Sir Keir Starmer, the Conservative peer stressed the urgency of the situation after the White House paused military aid to Kyiv.
Baroness May of Maidenhead sought assurances at Westminster that the UK Government was “redoubling its efforts” with its allies to come forward with a proposal that could be put to the US.
Donald Trump has criticised calls by European leaders, including Sir Keir, for the US to provide security guarantees for any Ukraine peace agreement, arguing it showed weakness to the Kremlin.
The Prime Minister has said a proposed minerals deal between the US and Ukraine was “not enough” of a security guarantee on its own.
Plans for Mr Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky to sign the pact was put on hold after the Ukrainian leader left the White House early following their Oval Office bust-up.
JD Vance denies disrespecting UK and France over Ukraine peacekeeping force
21:13
,
Holly Evans
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has denied disrespecting Britain and France by describing a planned peacekeeping force in Ukraine as 20,000 troops from some "random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years".
Vance's comments about the planned British- and French-led European peacekeeping force caused politicians and veterans in both countries to say he was dishonouring hundreds of troops killed fighting alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Vance said it was "absurdly dishonest" to suggest he had criticised British or French troops in his comments, made in an interview with Fox News on Monday.
"I don't even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond," he said on X.
Only Britain and France have publicly committed to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
This is absurdly dishonest.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) March 4, 2025
I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond. https://t.co/hrkb5pTV8p
Trump reportedly wants to announce deal in Tuesday speech
21:01
,
Holly Evans
Reuters has reported that US President Donald Trump had told advisers he wanted to announce the deal in his speech to Congress on Tuesday night. However, it was cautioned that nothing had been signed and the situation could change.
Mr Zelensky had earlier said Ukraine is “ready” to sign the deal at “any time and in any convenient format”, describing it as a “step towards greater security”.
He also has called for a “truce in the sky” and a “truce in the sea” if Russia agrees to the same, and said it is “time to make things right” after his clash in the Oval Office with Donald Trump last week.
What really lies behind Trump’s fury with Zelensky – and what it means for Ukraine
20:45
,
Holly Evans
Puce with rage, he leaned over and wagged his finger as he told the leader of a nation under assault from Russia: “You’re playing cards, you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.” But when Donald Trump got furious with Volodymyr Zelensky, it wasn’t just business, it was personal.
As in all mafia tales, the relationship between the two leaders has been poisoned by business – specifically the business of Russia. But it would be dangerous to believe Trump’s support for Russia is just fuelled by his animus to Zelensky. It’s much worse than that.
Trump likes Putin, with whom he says he shared the experience of the “scam” of allegations that Russia interfered in his 2016 election as president. And Trump hates Zelensky for not helping him campaign against Joe Biden when he lost his second term run.
Read the full article here:
I will be proud to invite Zelensky to address Holyrood, says Presiding Officer
20:30
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Holly Evans
Holyrood’s Presiding Officer has said she will be “proud” to extend an open invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to address the Scottish Parliament.
MSP Alison Johnstone was speaking following calls by veteran Scottish Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw for the invitation to be extended to the Ukrainian premier.
Ms Johnstone, who as part of her role controls invitations to the Parliament, issued the statement after discussing the issue with party leaders.
“On behalf of all parliamentarians, I will be proud to extend an open invitation to President Zelensky to address the Scottish Parliament,” she said.
“The Parliament has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine. This morning I discussed this matter with all party leaders.”
Watch: Ex-Trump strategist calls Zelensky a 'punk'
20:15
,
Holly Evans
Kemi Badenoch praises Zelensky's leadership
20:00
,
Holly Evans
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised Volodymyr Zelensky for “keeping a cool head in very difficult circumstances”.
In a post on X referring to the Ukrainian leader’s earlier message, Mrs Badenoch said: “A good statement from President Zelensky who is keeping a cool head in very difficult circumstances.
“He wants peace, but some define that as simply an immediate end to fighting. It needs to be much more than that – a long-term peace guarantee. This requires both the US and Ukraine at the negotiating table.
“It will be a lot easier to do that if the criticisms of both Ukraine and the US from various commentators are sparing and focused on material issues.
“This matters for the UK’s national interest. If the US withdraws from this process, or if Ukraine fails to get peace, the cost to the UK in terms of national security, possible troop deployment as well as taxpayers’ money will be significantly increased.”
A good statement from President Zelensky who is keeping a cool head in very difficult circumstances.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) March 4, 2025
He wants peace, but some define that as simply an immediate end to fighting.
It needs to be much more than that - a long-term peace guarantee.
This requires both the US and… https://t.co/NikGXAmLHs
Zelensky stresses importance of stable and genuine partnership with US
19:44
,
Holly Evans
Steve Bannon praises Trump's 'brilliant' approach to Russia
19:31
,
Holly Evans
A former White House strategist and adviser to Trump has said that Zelensky will never secure security guarantees from the US and military intervention will not happen.
Steve Bannon also argued that the minerals deal was a “gift” to Ukraine and that it was not necessary for the US to carry out such a deal.
However, he said that Putin was “not trustworthy” but praised President Trump’s “brilliant” approach in dealing with Russia since returning to the White House.
"The rapprochement of the US with Russia breaks the control of the Chinese Communist Party - it's a brilliant stroke," he says.
Former Trump adviser calls Zelensky a 'crook' and a 'punk'
19:22
,
Holly Evans
Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, has told Sky News that Volodymyr Zelensky is a “crook and a punk”.
Talking to Ali Fortescue, he also goes on to claim that Zelensky is not a democratically elected leader, despite this being factually inaccurate. The Ukrainian president was elected with 73 per cent of the vote in 2019, and has remained on in power due to his country being in a state of martial law.
Bannon says the UK and Europe need to "wake up" and realise they do not have to be worried about Russia invading the rest of Europe, as they do not have the army to do it.
"Zelenskyy is untrustworthy. He's a crook and a punk. And he showed what a punk he was in the Oval Office the other day," Bannon says
"He should never be allowed back in. I don't think he should ever be allowed back in to the United States."
US and Ukraine prepare to sign minerals deal on Tuesday, sources say
19:18
,
Holly Evans
U.S. President Trump's administration and Ukraine plan to sign the much-debated minerals deal following a disastrous Oval Office meeting Friday in which Ukrainian President Zelensky was dismissed from the building, four people familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.
Mr Trump has told his advisers that he wants to announce the agreement in his address to Congress Tuesday evening, three of the sources said, cautioning that the deal had yet to be signed and the situation could change.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ukraine’s presidential administration in Kyiv and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
U.S. officials have in recent days spoken to officials in Kyiv about signing the minerals deal despite Friday's blow-up, and urged Zelensky's advisers to convince the Ukrainian president to apologize openly to Trump, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.
On Tuesday, Zelensky posted on X that Ukraine was ready to sign the deal and calling the Oval Office meeting "regrettable."
Trump has fully embraced Russia’s war fantasy, but there’s a hidden trap for Putin
19:01
,
Holly Evans
The announcement that the United States is to suspend all military aid to Ukraine has turned support for Kyiv from an urgent problem for Europe into an immediate one. It’s a vital test for the continent’s decision-makers, and the cost of failing it could be catastrophic.
There have been signs that Europe’s leaders have, belatedly, grasped the urgency. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen chose the moment to present a long-overdue “Rearm Europe” plan.
But that comes on top of efforts already underway to find an end to the conflict and preserve Ukraine as a viable state. Sunday’s summit of Western countries backing Kyiv made all the right noises about stepping in to make a peace settlement work. But the four-point plan announced by Keir Starmer leaves a lot of questions unanswered – not least, how it is going to work without cooperation from Russia or the United States.
Read the full article here:
Zelensky instructs defence minister to secure information on US military assistance
18:38
,
Holly Evans
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday he had instructed his defence minister and other officials to secure precise information on military supplies after the United States announced it was pausing assistance.
"I have instructed Ukraine's minister of defence, intelligence chief and diplomats to contact their counterparts in the United States and obtain official information," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "People should not be left to guess."
He said maintaining a "normal, partnership relationship with America is crucial for truly ending the war. None of us wants an endless war."
Germany's likely next governing parties seek looser debt rules for more defence spending
18:27
,
Holly Evans
The prospective partners in Germany's next government said Tuesday that they will seek to loosen the nation's rules on running up debt to allow for higher defence spending.
They said they also will seek to set up a huge 500 billion euro ($533 billion) fund to finance spending on Germany's infrastructure over the next 10 years.
Center-right election winner Friedrich Merz, who is trying to put together a coalition government with the center-left Social Democrats of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said the two sides will propose exempting spending of more than 1 per cent of gross domestic product on defense from rules that limit the government's ability to borrow money.
Europe's options include joint EU borrowing
18:16
,
Holly Evans
One option facing the EU is to borrow 150 billion euros against the security of the EU budget to provide loans to governments for defence investment. The borrowing could be decided with qualified majority of EU governments, so no single country could block it.
The funds would be for projects that benefit all in the EU and would pool demand and entail buying together.
The projects would include pan-European air and missile defence, artillery systems, missiles and ammunition drones and anti-drone systems as well as cyber and military mobility.
The money from the EU, even though a loan, could be attractive to most EU governments because the Commission borrows more cheaply with a AAA rating, while most European countries have a lower rating.
Maturities of the loans would be "pretty long", EU officials said, and the loans would be allocated on the basis of demand -- countries would apply with proposals to get them.
If North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia-Ukraine war are captured ‘their families will be executed’
17:59
,
Holly Evans
A former North Korean sergeant has said Pyongyang troops fighting in Ukraine were told their families would be executed if they are captured alive.
"If the soldiers are captured and tell information to the enemy, their families will be punished, go to a political prison camp, or worse, they will be executed in front of the people," North Korean defector and researcher, Pak Yusung, told ABC News.
Ryu Seong-hyeon, who defected to South Korea in 2019, said few North Korean soldiers had been captured as a result.
Read the full article here:
Watch | JD Vance describes Britain as 'random country that hasn't fought a war in 40 years'
17:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
As Trump pulls military aid, is the UK ready to put boots on the ground in Ukraine?
17:43
,
Jabed Ahmed
Zelensky shares gratitude for UK's advice and support
17:35
,
Holly Evans
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful for Sir Keir Starmer’s “advice and support during this challenging time” following their call.
The Ukrainian president said: “We discussed the current developments and exchanged views on the next steps.
“We are co-ordinating our positions and doing everything to achieve guaranteed peace as soon as possible and bring an end to this war.
“Peace is needed for all of us. A just peace with clear security guarantees.
“Together with the leadership of the United States and all of Europe, this is absolutely achievable.
“I am grateful for the advice and support during this challenging time. We will always remember everything the British people have done for Ukrainians and our shared security.”
I spoke with UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer. We discussed the current developments and exchanged views on the next steps.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025
We are coordinating our positions and doing everything to achieve guaranteed peace as soon as possible and bring an end to this war.
Peace is needed for… pic.twitter.com/Cv6SOykPi7
Zelensky statement in full
17:19
,
Jabed Ahmed
“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
“None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
“We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same. Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Russia's Putin says Myanmar military unit to take part in May 9 parade in Moscow
17:12
,
Holly Evans
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday a military unit from Myanmar would take part in this year's military parade in Moscow on May 9 marking Victory Day celebrations.
Putin was speaking after talks with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Moscow, whom he also invited to attend the May 9 celebrations.
On the Ground | Ukraine’s troops say Trump suspending military aid is a betrayal: ‘I couldn’t imagine this in a nightmare’
16:55
,
Jabed Ahmed
Askold Krushelnycky in Kyiv speaks to soldiers deployed to the frontlines around Ukraine about their shock at Donald Trump’s decision – but that they have faith European allies like the UK will ensure they can keep fighting
Starmer welcomes Zelensky's 'steadfast commitment' to peace
16:51
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky’s “steadfast commitment to securing peace” in a call with the Ukrainian leader, Number 10 has said.
Issuing a readout of the call on Tuesday afternoon, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, this afternoon.
“The Prime Minister updated on his discussion with President Trump last night. It was vital that all parties worked towards a lasting and secure peace for Ukraine as soon as possible, the Prime Minister added.
“Turning to President Zelensky’s most recent calls for further diplomatic efforts to achieve the swiftest possible end to the war, the Prime Minister welcomed President Zelensky’s steadfast commitment to securing peace.
“Underscoring that any peace for Ukraine needed to be lasting and secure, the Prime Minister said no one wanted peace more than Ukraine.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days.”
French PM accuses US of abandoning Ukraine after military aid suspension
16:49
,
Jabed Ahmed
France's prime minister has said that US president Donald Trump's decision to suspend weapons' deliveries to Ukraine in the middle of a war signalled that the United States was abandoning Kyiv and letting Russia win.
"Suspending aid during a war to a country under attack means abandoning the country under attack and accepting or hoping that the aggressor will win," Francois Bayou said during a parliamentary debate on Ukraine.
He added that Europe now needed to quickly and efficiently replace US weapons' deliveries.
Recap | Watch what was said during Zelensky's visit to the White House
16:37
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ex minister suggests Europe will ‘fill the gap’ before Ukraine runs out of weapons
16:24
,
David Maddox, Political Editor
Former foreign minister and defence select committee chairman Tobias Ellwood has disputed claims that Ukraine could run out of munitions within days suggesting it would be supplied for at least two months.
Mr Ellwood, who has recently been in Ukraine, told The Independent: “America’s freeze is serious but Ukraine will be able to hold the line for some weeks. And planned operations to reclaim land may have to be postponed until supply lines are re-opened or (more likely) Europe fills the void.”
Former armed forces minister Nick Harvey, now chief executive of the European Movement UK, expressed his horror at Trump’s decision.
He said: “This is Donald Trump's most significant act yet. It beggars belief that he would do this just because he didn't like Zelensky's response in their White House encounter. Lives are now at risk and he is effectively siding with Russia militarily. America's defence customers - including the UK - had better take note.
“Promises made both morally and contractually can be broken at the flick of a switch. Things will never be the same again."
Starmer spoke to Zelensky today
16:23
,
Jabed Ahmed
SIr Keir Starmer spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday afternoon, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister’s spokesperson did not disclose the details of this call.
Europe must now ensure Ukraine can hold front line, France says
16:09
,
Jabed Ahmed
The United States' decision to pause military aid to Ukraine means that it is now the responsibility of Europe to do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine can hold the front line against Russia, France's foreign minister has said.
"This front line is the first line of defence for Europe and France," Jean-Noel Barrot told lawmakers.
He added that it was time for Europe to break from its dependency on American weapons.
"We Europeans are now faced with a choice that is imposed on us: that of effort and freedom, or that of comfort and servitude," he said.
Zelensky urges swift peace talks and calls for constructive US cooperation
15:55
,
Jabed Ahmed
Volodymyr Zelensky has made his first comments following the Trump administration's decision to suspend all military aid.
The Ukrainian president said Ukraine is ready to come back to the negotiating table as soon as possible.
Mr Zelensky added he “regrets” what happened during the explosive meeting between him, Trump and JD Vance on Friday.
“None of us wants an endless war,” he wrote on X.
“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
“We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same. Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Europe not ready to fight ‘new kind of war’ with drones and robots against Russia, Ukraine warns
15:41
,
Jabed Ahmed
Our Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew reports:
Explained | What are Europe's options for paying to bolster its defence readiness
15:29
,
Jabed Ahmed
European Union leaders will discuss on Thursday how to finance a sharp increase in defence readiness to deter any possible future attack from Russia and become less dependent for security on the United States.
The European Commission on Tuesday proposed several ways to raise the funds that would add up to around 800 billion euros over several years.
But how can they do this?
Relax EU spending rules
The Commission proposed that defence spending be exempt from EU laws that put annual spending limits on governments to protect EU public finances and the value of the euro currency.
Not all EU governments support the idea, as they say special treatment for defence spending already exists in the rules. What is missing, they say, is a broader definition of defence investment, an issue they would prefer to focus on.
The Commission estimated that if EU governments were to increase their defence spending by 1.5% of GDP on average, it would create fiscal space of close to 650 billion euros over four years. The downside is that such borrowing would widen budget deficits and could worry bond investors, economists said.
Money from the EU’s 2021-2027 budget
The current seven-year EU budget of 1.2 trillion euros, created well before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has no proper funds for defence.
But around one-third of it is earmarked to equalise the standard of living between regions in the 27-nation EU - the so-called cohesion funds - and some of that cash can be used for projects that would be somehow linked to defence, like shelters for civilians or strengthening roads and bridges to allow the passage of tanks.
"We will propose additional possibilities and incentives for Member States that they will decide, if they want to use cohesion policy programmes, to increase defence spending," the Commission said.
How reliant is Ukraine on US weapons?
15:12
,
Jabed Ahmed
14:54
,
Jabed Ahmed
WATCH: Ursula von der Leyen proposes €800bn ‘rearm Europe’ defence fund plan to step up Ukraine support
14:37
,
Bryony Gooch
Myanmar prime minister shows Putin support against Ukraine in Moscow meeting
14:25
,
Bryony Gooch
Myanmar’s prime minister Min Aung Hlaing shook Vladimir Putin’s hand as he visited Moscow and affirmed his country’s full support for Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
He shared his belief that Russia would soon be victorious over Ukraine.
'This is about saving lives'
14:19
,
Chris Stevenson
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told The Independent that Donald Trump's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine was "dangerous" but praised the UK for its staunch support for Ukraine:
"The UK has proven a reliable friend and partner when Ukraine needed you most.. and you can be helpful for re-stablishing relationships with the US".
"Looking at the silver lining in this huge cloud, we can count on support from European allies, particularly the UK and France," Mr Merezhko added.
The Ukrainian MP also had a message f