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Sir Keir Starmer said that he was “deeply concerned” that a Russian frigate had fired warning shots to divert a UK-flagged civilian yacht in the Channel, branding the incident “reckless”.
Vladimir Putin’s Admiral Grigorovich warship was sailing some 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight on Tuesday when it fired its guns, including small arms fire, ahead of the yacht, according to Russia’s foreign ministry, insisting the firing was designed to prevent a collision.
“That shouldn’t have happened. It is reckless, and the couple on the yacht must’ve been terrified,” Sir Keir said, adding that Britain’s assessment was that the ship was “drifting” when it fired “warning shots”.
The prime minister spoke on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, where US president Donald Trump said he had a “very good” meeting with president Volodymyr Zelensky and called on Russia to make peace with Ukraine.
President Trump said he would do “whatever I can” to end the war and said Russia “should make a deal”, after G7 leaders commended Ukraine for its “progress on the battlefield in recent months”.
“To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities,” a joint statement read.
Macron says Trump ‘took note of fact Russia does not want peace’
Emmanuel Macron has said that President Trump “took notice” of the fact that Russia was not seeking peace.
Speaking at a press conference at the G7 summit, the French president said Washington acknowledged that Moscow was not looking to end its war in Ukraine.
He said the G7 had “showed a real change in the approach from the US on Ukraine”.
Trump had earlier suggested that the US could impose sanctions on Russia if it did not take steps to end the war.
Daniel Keane17 June 2026 16:25
In pictures: 
(Getty)
World leaders including Zelensky pose for a photo at the G7 summit on Tuesday (Reuters)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks to European Council President Antonio Costa as they participate in a meeting with leaders during the G7 summit, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP)
Maira Butt17 June 2026 15:40
Trump says he had ‘very good talks’ with Zelensky
President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has had “very good talks” with Ukrainian leader president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian president Vladimir Putin as he spoke with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit.
He was seen speaking to Zelensky at the sidelines of the G7 summit on Tuesday.
(Ukraine President’s Office)
Maira Butt17 June 2026 15:23
Lavish banquet and a personalised football shirt: How Europe is still mollycoddling Trump at the G7
Pomp and circumstance, gifts and warm welcomes were all on display for the US president, with the diplomatic awkward barbs exchanged forgotten for now.
The Group of Seven is coming together for a series of meetings that started on Monday to discuss the wars in Ukraine and Iran, as well as the global economy and AI.
The date of the annual summit was pushed back by a day in order to allow Trump to celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday, and a series of additional adjustments appear to have been made in order to capture the attention of the mercurial president.
Maira Butt17 June 2026 15:10
Watch: Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot with long-range drones
Maira Butt17 June 2026 14:40
More boots on the ground needed in the Baltics, Latvian PM says
There needs to be more NATO military forces stationed in the Baltic countries, Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said on Wednesday.
“We need more boots on the ground and we need more Allied Forces presence not only in Latvia, in the Baltics and the eastern flank and that is a necessary part,” Kulbergs said in a joint press conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte.
James Reynolds17 June 2026 14:37
Ukraine denies Russian claims of drone strike on bus carrying children
Ukraine’s military has denied Russian claims of a Ukrainian drone strike on a bus carrying children in Russia’s Bryansk region.
James Reynolds17 June 2026 14:27
Watch: Trump jokes ‘I’m the boss’ ahead of session with G7 leadersTrump jokes ‘I’m the boss’ ahead of session with G7 leaders
James Reynolds17 June 2026 14:26
Allies filling gaps in NATO crisis forces left by US, Rutte says
Other Nato members have increased their contributions to the alliance’s crisis forces to fill many of the gaps left by US cuts to its commitments, chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.
“There are … areas that require more work but the overall picture is looking good,” Rutte told reporters at Nato headquarters in Brussels ahead of a meeting of alliance defence ministers on Thursday. He did not provide further details.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte delivers a speech during a press conference on the eve of a meeting of Nato Ministers of Defence at Nato headquarters in Brussels on June 17, 2026. (AFP/Getty)
Maira Butt17 June 2026 14:10
Watch: British couple describe moment Russian warship fired shots near themBritish couple describe moment Russian warship fired shots near them
Maira Butt17 June 2026 13:41