Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated that he would step down if it meant his country would be given membership to Nato.
The Ukrainian leader said he was “exchangeable for Nato”, though he added that elections cannot be held in the country while it is partially occupied by Russia and that it would be difficult to bar him from running again.
His comments at Stansted Airport come after Republicans including senator Lindsay Graham and speaker Mike Johnson suggested he should step down from his position following the fiery White House exchange with US president Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky emphasised Kyiv’s gratitude to the US for its support during the war against Russia, after accusations he has not been thankful enough.
Despite numerous instances of Mr Zelensky showing gratitude towards the US, he has been forced to reiterate his thanks after the infamous spat which saw Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance shouting at the Ukrainian president live on camera.
"Of course, we are aware of the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we have received from the United States of America,” Mr Zelensky said. “There has not been a day when we have not felt this gratitude."
Key Points
- UK government disagrees with its ambassador to US over Ukraine policy
- Zelensky emphasises gratitude to US after Trump clash
- Partial truce could show if Putin ready for peace talks - French foreign minister
- Zelensky says he can salvage relationship with US
- Starmer proposes ‘a coalition of the willing’
- Zelensky suggests he will resign if Ukraine given Nato membership
UK says there are a 'number of options' on the table for Ukraine peac
12:57
,
Tom Watling
Britain, France and other nations are looking at a number of options to end Russia's war against Ukraine, a spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, after French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a limited initial one-month truce.
Macron said on Sunday that his idea was for a one-month ceasefire in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure.
“There are clearly a number of options on the table,” Sir Keir's spokesman said on Monday when asked about that proposal. “I'm just not getting into a running commentary on the options.”
Mapped: Russia's invasion of Ukraine
12:44
,
Tom Watling
Should Donald Trump’s state visit with King Charles go ahead?
12:23
,
Tom Watling
Plans for the US president's state visit have sparked division in the wake of his Oval Office clash with Volodymyr Zelensky.
While Lib Dem leader Ed Davey sees it as an opportunity to secure stronger US commitments on Ukraine, SNP leader John Swinney argues that Britain should not reward a president who has undermined a key ally.
Ukrainian commander seeks punishment for negligence in Russian strike on training camp
11:57
,
Tom Watling
The commander of Ukraine's land forces said on Monday he would seek punishment for apparent negligence after a deadly Russian missile strike on a military training ground at the weekend.
Russia's defence ministry shared a video of what it described as an Iskander-M ballistic missile strike inflicting dozens of deaths and injuries on a camp in Dnipropetrovsk region on Saturday.
Ukraine confirmed an attack, but did not specify numbers of dead and injured.
“Everyone who made decisions that day, and everyone who did not make them on time, will all be held accountable. No one will hide behind explanations or formal reports,” land forces commander Mykhailo Drapatyi said on Telegram.
“We are witnessing untimely decisions and unlearned lessons,” he added, saying those who endangered servicemen's lives and neglected safety would be investigated.
During three years of Russia's full-scale invasion, Russian forces have inflicted casualties various times in attacks on Ukrainian military educational institutions and various formal outdoor gatherings.
Ukraine's law enforcement agency, the State Bureau of Investigations, said it had opened a criminal investigation into possible negligence over the attack.
UK ambassador to US calls for Zelensky to give in to Trump
11:29
,
Tom Watling
Former Polish president condems Trump argument with Zelensky
11:22
,
Tom Watling
Former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa signed a letter to US president Donald Trump expressing “horror and distaste” at his argument with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House, a social media post from Walesa showed on Monday.
Walesa signed the letter together with other former Polish political prisoners, the post on Facebook showed.
Canada PM: I stand with Ukraine's Zelensky
11:00
,
Tom Watling
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has said he stands with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and that Russian leader Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted.
Mr Trudeau, who was in London yesterday for a summit on supporting Ukraine, backed Mr Zelensky in his efforts to convince US president Donald Trump that Mr Putin cannot be taken at face value.
Russia’s war against Ukraine did not start on February 24, 2022. It started over a decade ago — in Crimea.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 3, 2025
And every day since, Canada has been clear: we stand with the people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/ZnpxkeRZvn
Democratic Senator calls Trump's White House 'an arm of the Kremlin' after Zelensky spat
10:40
,
Tom Watling
Zelensky: We need more strength from the world
10:32
,
Tom Watling
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the country’s supporters to show “great collective strength” in backing its fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
In a message on X, he wrote that over the past week, Russia had fired more than 1,050 attack drones, nearly 1,300 aerial bombs, and more than 20 missiles at Ukraine “to destroy cities and kill people”.
“Those who seek negotiations do not deliberately strike civilians with ballistic missiles,” he wrote. “To force Russia to stop its attacks, we need greater collective strength from the world.”
Ukraine is fighting for the normal and safe life it deserves, for a just and reliable peace. We want this war to end. But Russia does not, and continues its aerial terror: over the past week, more than 1,050 attack drones, nearly 1,300 aerial bombs, and more than 20 missiles have… pic.twitter.com/OkZMY9hhgT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 3, 2025
Trump rants about ‘rape gangs, drug lords and mental institutions’ after Zelensky debacle
10:24
,
Tom Watling
Kremlin claims Zelensky does not want peace
10:13
,
Tom Watling
The Kremlin has claimed that US president Donald Trump’s berating of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over calls for American security guarantees shows that Kyiv does not want peace and will need to be “forced” to change its position.
Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “What happened at the White House on Friday, of course, demonstrated how difficult it will be to reach a settlement trajectory around Ukraine.
“The Kyiv regime and Zelensky do not want peace. They want the war to continue.
“It is very important that someone forces Zelensky himself to change his position. Someone has to make Zelensky want peace. If the Europeans can do it, they should be honoured and praised.”
Mr Peskov added that Europe’s funding pledges to Ukraine, including a $2 billion air-defence missiles deal from Britain, will cause the war to drag on.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, having already ordered an invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014, and his armed forces have killed hundreds of thousands of people subsequently.
Mr Zelensky has sought security guarantees from the US because Mr Putin violated previous peace deals in 2014 and 2015. Kyiv maintains that Russia will do the same again unless Mr Trump provides support. Mr Trump believes that Mr Putin will honour his word to the US president, a faith that Kyiv and senior European officials say is misplaced.
The only country prolonging the invasion of Ukraine is Russia, the country prosecuting this war.
Nigel Farage refuses to criticise Trump for his behaviour in Oval Office clash with Zelensky
10:01
,
Tom Watling
Nigel Farage has refused to criticise Donald Trump for his attacks on Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday, instead blaming the Ukrainian president for having “played it very badly”.
Asked if he thinks Mr Trump and JD Vance bullied Mr Zelensky, the Reform UK leader told LBC: “I think president Zelensky was very unwise to tell the Americans what would happen to them if they didn't back him. I think it was unwise. Yeah, sure, Vance and Trump bit back. But I think in diplomatic terms, I think Zelensky played it very badly.”
Asked if he would treat a guest like that: “I wouldn't expect a guest to be rude to me a my own house. Absolutely not. I would expect a guest with respect.”
When pressed on whether he saw any problem with the way Mr Trump behaved, Mr Farage said: “I'm not defending what they did”.
He was then asked whether he himself would behave like that, to which he responded: “I try not to”, adding: “This is irrelevant.”
The morning after the White House spat, Mr Farage wrote on X that the only winner of the exchange was Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine’s rare earth minerals: Everything we know ahead of Trump deal
09:41
,
Tom Watling
Daryl Hannah makes rare political statement at Oscars after Trump and Zelensky spat
09:20
,
Alex Croft
Daryl Hannah voiced her support for Ukraine at the Oscars in a rare political statement following Friday’s disastrous meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump and his deputy JD Vance.
The Oscars ceremony on Sunday night (2 March) was largely devoid of politics until the Kill Bill actor went off-script when she arrived onstage to present the award for Best Film Editing.
As she approached the microphone, she made peace signs with her hands and calmly said: “Slava Ukraine.”
The phrase, which means “Glory to Ukraine,” has been a patriotic battle cry among Ukrainians for generations.
Read more here:
Macron outlines Anglo-French peace plan for Ukraine
09:06
,
Alex Croft
French president Emmanuel Macron has outlined the initial stages of a peace plan for Ukraine proposed by the UK and France.
It would involve an initial month-long truce on air, sea and energy infrastructure, he told Le Figaro.
The initial truce will not involve the frontline. “In the event of a ceasefire, it would be very difficult to verify that the front is respected," Mr Macron said.
European soldiers would not be deployed until the second stage of a peace plan, he added.
“There will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks. The question is how we use this time to try to obtain an accessible truce, with negotiations that will take several weeks and then, once peace is signed, a deployment.
"We want peace. We don't want it at any price, without guarantees."
Macron calls for 'de-escalation' between Zelensky and Trump
08:55
,
Alex Croft
French president Emmanuel Macron has called for a “de-escalation” between presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky after their spat in the White House on Friday.
“In the coming days, we should succeed in getting things moving again,” Mr Macron told Le Figaro. The French president has stayed in regular touch with Mr Trump since meeting with him last Monday.
Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump clashed after the Ukrainian president repeatedly emphasised the need for US security guarantees as part of a peace settlement, before he was kicked out of the White House and told not to come back until he was ready for peace.
UK government disagrees with its ambassador to US over Ukraine policy
08:37
,
Alex Croft
The UK government has openly disagreed with its ambassador to the United States about its stance on peace negotiations in Ukraine.
Lord Peter Mandelson, the new ambassador, had told US broadcaster ABC that Ukraine should be the first to commit to a ceasefire.
He said the relationship between Kyiv and Washington needs a “radical reset” and called on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to give his “unequivocal backing to the initiative that president Trump is taking to end the war”.
But UK defence minister Luke Pollard has told Sky News that Mr Mandelson’s proposals are “not government policy”.
NEW: UK Defence minister @LukePollard has just told @SkyNews : “That’s not government policy” in response to UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson saying Ukraine should be the first to commit to a ceasefire
— Mhari Aurora (@MhariAurora) March 3, 2025
https://t.co/TUDIKuyEYR
Man 'planning terrorist attacks' in Moscow shot dead by Russian authorities
08:26
,
Alex Croft
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has “neutralised” a man who was planning “terrorist attacks” on the Moscow metro and Jewish religious institution in the region.
The suspect was shot dead by return fire after resisting the FSB officers attempt to arrest him, the agency added.
He had planned to travel to Afghanistan and join a terrorist group after the attacks, it added.
Starmer warns West is at a crossroads after Ukraine crisis talks
08:16
,
Arpan Rai
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned the West is at a “crossroads in history”, following crunch talks with European leaders on the Ukraine crisis.
The prime minister held a press conference following the talks with European leaders on Sunday (2 March).
The London summit followed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s unprecedented Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump and JD Vance on Friday, in which he was accused of being “disrespectful”.
Following the meeting on Sunday, Sir Keir said: “We are at a crossroads in history today. This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
Trump shares Truth Social post from Tucson wedding DJ to back-up new Ukraine policy
08:13
,
Arpan Rai
President Donald Trump has shared a Truth Social post of commentary from a Tuscon-based wedding DJ who praised him for playing Russia and Ukraine “like a master chess player.”
Michael McCune of Arizona has found viral fame after Trump shared excerpts from a Facebook post he shared Friday following the showdown in the Oval Office with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump shared McCune’s words with his nine million Truth Social followers Sunday.
Report: Zelensky emphasises gratitude to US after Trump clash
07:54
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed the significance of American support for his country, just days after an unprecedented clash at the Oval Office.
In a video message on X, Mr Zelensky showed gratitude for US military and financial assistance in Kyiv’s war against Russia while underscoring that his country’s resilience depended on its allies.
"There will be diplomacy for the sake of peace. And for the sake of us all being together – Ukraine, all of Europe and definitely, definitely America," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address after meeting with UK and European leaders on Sunday.
The statement came just two days after the heated encounter at the White House where US president Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance criticised him for not being sufficiently appreciative of US assistance.
Read the full report:
Russia launches 83 drones overnight
07:42
,
Alex Croft
Russia launched 83 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian military said on Monday.
A total of 46 of were shot down while another 31 were “lost” and failed to reach their targets, likely due to electronic warfare measures, the military said.
Partial truce could precede full ceasefire, says French foreign minister
07:28
,
Alex Croft
A truce between Russia and Ukraine on air, sea and energy infrastructure could allow Kyiv and its allies to assess whether Moscow was ready to begin meaningful negotiations on a longer-term peace deal, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.
Mr Barrot’s comments came after French president Emmanuel Macron said France and Britain were proposing a one-month partial truce which could not cover ground-fighting.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and US president Donald Trump may be willing to engage in talks after their White House clash last week, Mr Barrot added.
The King shows extraordinary courage in supporting democracy after the Oval Office car crash
07:15
,
Arpan Rai
The King’s invitation to President Zelensky has caused reverberations around the world. It is the most direct step yet by the King into the political arena.
We know that the King supports Ukraine. He has spoken on many occasions of the “indescribable aggression” that has faced the Ukrainians since the “unprovoked attack on their land”. He has shown solidarity and support for the president of a country invaded by a tyrannical nation. He is on the side of right in defending democracy.
But now he openly defies the injustice shown to Zelensky three days ago by President Trump.
Editorial: It’s time for Europe to take the lead in Ukraine peace talks
06:30
,
Arpan Rai
Sir Keir’s London summit of European leaders, aimed at “Securing our Future”, is a testament both to the influence and goodwill Britain still enjoys with its partners and neighbours, and to the prime minister’s personal standing.
It is, as Sir Keir declares, a “once in a generation” moment for European security. The “optics” of the meeting powerfully transmitted an image of Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine firmly in the European family of free nations, surrounded by friends, with real and metaphorical hugs.
The peace proposal emerging from the conference will be presented to President Trump on behalf of Ukraine and its European allies – a united front. Even if the US drops its support, Europe and others will do their utmost to sustain Ukraine.
Zelensky breaks silence on reported truce after European leaders’ summit
06:00
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky joked at a press conference that he was “aware of everything” when asked about a Ukraine reportedly proposed by Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer.
The Ukrainian president was asked about reports in Le Figaro that the French president and UK prime minister had proposed a truce of one month.
“I know everything. I'm aware of everything,” the Ukrainian president told reporters after attending a summit of European leaders discussing a peace plan for Ukraine.
Le Figaro reports that Mr Macron and Sir Keir do not support a ceasefire signed by the US and Russia and have proposed an alternative month-long truce.
Watch the video here:
Starmer knows Ukraine must avoid a ceasefire in any peace talks – and it will test Trump’s loyalty to his allies
05:30
,
Arpan Rai
ritain’s prime minister has no choice. In saying “I do not think the US is an unreliable ally”, Sir Keir Starmer is showing that hope is winning over recent experience. Whether he is being diplomatic, or naïve, will be put to the test when he presents a multinational plan for peace in Ukraine to Donald Trump.
Whatever the French and British-led multinational proposals are, they will have to avoid sliding into the death trap of a ceasefire.
Starmer painstakingly avoided using the dreaded term. But it’s one that would delight Vladimir Putin. And it has already been used by Trump.
Europe 'privately' sets plan for defence spending in London
05:14
,
Arpan Rai
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said that some European leaders had privately set out new plans on defence spending during a meeting in London, but he declined to give details, saying it was for individual leaders to set them out.
"Today at the table I heard new announcements, and I'm not going to announce them to you, because they should do this. But this was very good news that more European countries will ramp up defence spending," Rutte told reporters outside the meeting yesterday.
Reeves loans £2bn in frozen Russian assets to fund weapons in Ukraine
04:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Europe must boost defence spending, says von der Leyen
03:55
,
Arpan Rai
Several European leaders said they must increase defence spending - something that could help bring Donald Trump on side to offer a US security guarantee in the event of peace.
"After a long time of underinvestment, it is now of utmost importance to step up the defence investment for a prolonged period of time," Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the EU's executive body, told reporters.
Europe needs to turn "Ukraine into a steel porcupine that is indigestible for potential invaders," she said.
How reliant is Ukraine on US weapons as Trump threatens to withdraw support?
03:51
,
Jabed Ahmed
Zelensky leaves London with 'Europe's clear support'
03:42
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky said after the meeting that he left London with "Europe's clear support" and readiness to cooperate.
"There will be diplomacy for the sake of peace," he said in his nightly video address. "And for the sake of us all being together - Ukraine, all of Europe and definitely, definitely America."
Earlier, Mr Zelensky told reporters that Ukraine would not cede any territory to Russia as part of a peace agreement and said he was still willing to sign a minerals deal with the United States.
The Ukrainian war-time president said he believed he could salvage his relationship with Donald Trump after Friday's shouting match, but that talks would have to take place behind closed doors.
"The format of what happened, I don't think it brought something positive or additional to us as partners," he said.
JD Vance protesters line streets of Vermont where vice president takes ski holiday after Zelensky clash
03:30
,
Jabed Ahmed
Macron shares a glimpse of European peace plan's first month
03:21
,
Arpan Rai
Before arriving in London, French president Emmanuel Macron suggested in an interview with a French newspaper that he and prime minister Keir Starmer are proposing a "truce in the air, on the seas and energy infrastructures" that would last a month.
There would be no European troops in the coming weeks and troops would only be deployed on the ground at a later stage, he said.
The question, Mr Macron said, is "how we use this time to try and get an accessible truce, with negotiations that will take several weeks and then, once peace is signed, a deployment”.
03:15
,
Jabed Ahmed
Watch | Pro-Ukraine protesters rally outside White House after Trump-Zelensky clash
03:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Starmer announces outlines of plan to end Ukraine war
02:53
,
Arpan Rai
Prime minister Keir Starmer rallied his European counterparts Sunday to shore up their borders and throw their full weight behind Ukraine as he announced outlines of a plan to end Russia's war.
"Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can, bringing different capabilities and support to the table, but all taking responsibility to act, all stepping up their own share of the burden," he said.
Sir Keir said he had worked with France and Ukraine on a plan to end the war and that the group of leaders – mostly from Europe – had agreed on four things.
The steps toward peace would: keep aid flowing to Kyiv and maintain economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine's hand; make sure Ukraine is at the bargaining table and any peace deal must ensure its sovereignty and security; and continue to arm Ukraine to deter future invasion.
Oil refinery in Russia's Ufa on fire, RIA agency reports
02:44
,
Arpan Rai
An oil refinery in the Russian city of Ufa was on fire, the state RIA news agency reported today, citing the regional branch of Russia's emergency ministry.
"There is no threat to residents of nearby areas," the emergency ministry said. It added that necessary personnel and equipment were sent to monitor the air quality.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
Several Russian Telegram channels, including the SHOT news channel, reported the fire followed an explosion at the refinery.
Comment | The King shows extraordinary courage in supporting democracy after the Oval Office car crash
02:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
The involvement of a member of the royal family can have incalculable benefits – but this visit by President Zelensky to the King in his Norfolk home is unprecedented, writes Hugo Vickers
JD Vance is emerging as the real power in White House – it could mean a decade of ‘mafia-style malice’ for Europe
01:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
JD Vance is campaigning for the 2028 elections and he is no friend of Europe or the UK, world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes
Zelensky say he had 'very good meeting' with King
Sunday 2 March 2025 21:51
,
Jabed Ahmed
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he had a "very good" meeting with King Charles.
"I am very grateful for this meeting and for how His Majesty supports Ukraine," he added.
"We are very thankful for the Royal Family for their support."
Zelensky says mineral deal is ready to be signed
Sunday 2 March 2025 21:47
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to sign the minerals deal with US president Donald Trump.
He told the BBC: “It is out policy to continue what happened in the past, we’re constructive.
“If we agreed to sign the minerals deal, we’re ready to sign it.”
““The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready,” he concluded.
UK and France propose one month ceasefire - report
Sunday 2 March 2025 21:44
,
Jabed Ahmed
France and the UK have proposed a one-month truce in Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron has said.
The French president told Le Figaro: “There will be no European troops on Ukrainian soil in the coming weeks.
“The question is how we use this time to try to obtain an accessible truce, with negotiations that will take several weeks and then, once peace is signed, a deployment.”
He added: “We want peace. We don’t want it at any price, without guarantees.”
Marco Rubio bashes Zelensky for trying to ‘Ukraine-splain’ to Donald Trump