Sir Keir says Ukraine cause akin to Second World War Allies

Ukraine is fighting for the same values as the Allies did in the Second World War, Sir Keir Starmer has said ahead of a summit in Alaska that could see an end to the conflict against Russia.

The prime minister addressed a reception, including veterans, to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which marked the Allies’ defeat of Japan.

Speaking in Downing Street, Sir Keir said: “I sat on this terrace this very morning with president (Volodymyr) Zelensky, who is fighting for the same values as we were fighting for. And so when we say never forget, we must pass on the stories of those who have gone before us.”

It came as US president Donald Trump suggested European leaders could be invited to a second meeting if the summit is successful, which could pave the way to peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr Trump will meet Russian president Vladimir Putin today at the summit which could see the drawing up of peace terms for Ukraine.

Mr Trump and Sir Keir have spoken optimistically about a potential ceasefire, including at a virtual meeting of Ukrainian allies on Wednesday.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 08:00

Putin hails ‘heroism’ of North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine

Russian president Vladimir Putin held a phone call with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to “reaffirm” their close relationship ahead of his summit with Donald Trump in Alaska today.

The Russian president “highly appreciated once again the support provided” by North Korea and the “the bravery, heroism and self-sacrificing spirit displayed by service personnel of the Korean People’s Army in liberating Kursk” region in western Russia in the war against Ukraine, KCNA reported.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 07:45

In pics: Ukraine supporters in Alaska protest against Trump-Putin rally(REUTERS)(REUTERS)(REUTERS)

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 07:30

Russia’s Lavrov arrives in Alaska ahead of Trump-Putin talks

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the US, Alexander Darchiev, have arrived in Alaska ahead of talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

The Russian leader has arrived in Magadan town in Russia’s Far East, located about 3,162km from Anchorage in Alaska, where he will meet Mr Trump later in the day.

“We never make any plans in advance. We know that we have arguments; we have a clear, understandable position. We will outline it. Much has already been done here during [Trump’s envoy] Steve Witkoff’s visits, the president [Putin] said so,” Mr Lavrov told Russian media.

“Witkoff spoke on behalf of president Trump. I hope that we will continue this very useful conversation today,” he said, according to Sputnik International.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 07:19

Ukraine’s military strikes Russian port in Astrakhan

The Ukrainian military said it struck the port of Olya in Russia’s Astrakhan region yesterday, hitting a ship with drone parts and ammunition from Iran.

Russia uses the port as an important logistics hub for the supply of military goods from Iran, the Ukrainian military said in a statement this morning.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 06:52

‘I have been fighting with Ukrainian soldiers for two years. Trump and Putin can’t bring peace overnight’

Drew Scott, a former British soldier, joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2023 and has fought in some of the war’s most vicious battles. As the US and Russian leaders prepare to meet in Alaska, he tells Askold Krushelnycky the mood on the frontline is one of weary resignation to more conflict.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 06:50

Trump hopeful of reaching Ukraine ceasefire deal

Speaking on the eve of today’s summit with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump said that he thought the Russian leader would do a deal on Ukraine – but the US president has blown hot and cold on the chances of a breakthrough in recent days.

Mr Trump and Mr Putin hold talks in Alaska today, where the US president hopes to seal a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine. The meeting at a Cold War-era air force base in Alaska comes amid Ukrainian and European fears that Trump might sell Kyiv out.

A source close to the Kremlin told Reuters it looked as if the two sides had been able to find some unspecified common ground beforehand.

“Apparently, some terms will be agreed upon tomorrow (Friday) because Trump cannot be refused, and we are not in a position to refuse (due to sanctions pressure),” said the source.

Mr Putin has set stringent conditions for a full ceasefire, but one compromise could be a phased truce in the air war, although both sides have accused the other of flouting a previous accord.

Analysts say Mr Putin could try to look like he’s giving Mr Trump what he wants while remaining free to escalate in Ukraine if he wants to.

“If they (the Russians) are able to put a deal on the table that creates some kind of a ceasefire but that leaves Russia in control of those escalatory dynamics, does not create any kind of genuine deterrence on the ground or in the skies over Ukraine… that would be a wonderful outcome from Putin’s perspective,” said Sam Greene, director of Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 06:30

Ukraine supporters held at rally against Trump-Putin summit in AlaskaPro-Ukraine protesters held at rally against Trump-Putin summit in Alaska

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 06:10

Trump to meet Putin at 3pm ET today

US president Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin will take place at 3pm ET (1900 GMT) in Anchorage, Alaska, the White House said in a press schedule statement.

Mr Trump will depart the White House at 6.45am ET (1045 GMT) and leave Anchorage at 5.45pm Alaska Time the same day. He is scheduled to return to the White House early Saturday morning.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 05:50

Trump says 25% chance that summit with Putin will fail

US president Donald Trump yesterday said there was only a 25 per cent chance that the summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin would fail.

The US president will meet his Russian counterpart today at the Alaska summit for the first time since 2018.

Mr Trump said if the meeting with Mr Putin succeeds, he could bring Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting.

In a radio interview with Fox News, Mr Trump also said he might be willing to stay in Alaska longer, depending on what happens with Mr Putin.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar15 August 2025 05:35