https://www.scmp.com/rss/521469/feed Volodymyr Zelensky is the President of Ukraine. He was elected in 2019 after running on an anti-corruption platform, transitioning from a political outsider to a global figure. His leadership during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has been widely recognised, demonstrating exceptional resolve in rallying his nation and mobilising international support. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A Ukrainian unit said on Wednesday that it has carried out more than 100 attacks on the front using ground robots, after President Volodymyr Zelensky recently hailed the capture of a Russian position thanks to this new method. “In total, there have already been over 100 such operations,” said a source within the NC-13 company, which specialises in the use of these combat machines and is part of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade. “These operations include the elimination of enemy personnel, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3350228/ukraine-unit-says-it-has-launched-over-100-robot-attacks-russias-forces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3350228/ukraine-unit-says-it-has-launched-over-100-robot-attacks-russias-forces?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:40:10 +0000 dpa dpa Former British prime minister Boris Johnson has hit out at the “delay” and “timidity” in helping Ukraine after travelling through the country unprotected during a 72-hour trip for a documentary. The former prime minister travelled beyond the capital Kyiv to the so-called kill zone near the city of Zaporizhzhia where he witnessed first-hand the war between Russia and Ukraine. The 61-year-old said Ukraine can and will win the war, but that “we are risibly failing to live up to our pledges” to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349952/ex-uk-pm-boris-johnson-criticises-timidity-over-ukraine-after-visit-film?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349952/ex-uk-pm-boris-johnson-criticises-timidity-over-ukraine-after-visit-film?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:34:27 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A truce between Russia and Ukraine to mark the Orthodox Easter formally expired on Monday, both sides having accused each other of thousands of violations, despite a lull in Russian air raids. The truce lasted 32 hours, from 4pm on Saturday until the end of the day on Sunday. Both sides had agreed to observe the ceasefire, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Thursday and which Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky proposed more than a week earlier. But as with a similar... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349820/russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-violating-putins-easter-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349820/russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-violating-putins-easter-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:44:53 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine entered into force on Saturday, with Kyiv warning it would respond “immediately” if Russia violated it. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the ceasefire on Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Easter, more than a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky first made the proposal. Both sides have agreed to observe it. The ceasefire is due to last for 32 hours, from 4.00pm on Saturday until the end of the day on Sunday, according to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349757/russia-and-ukraine-begin-32-hour-ceasefire-orthodox-easter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3349757/russia-and-ukraine-begin-32-hour-ceasefire-orthodox-easter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:25:14 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainians on Friday were wary of Russia’s pledge to pause fighting for an Orthodox Easter ceasefire – first proposed by Kyiv – this weekend. The Kremlin said it had ordered a temporary truce to be in effect from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday, a 32-hour period during which Russia would stop fighting “in all directions”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – who has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the four-year war – said Kyiv was willing to reciprocate. But in Kyiv there was... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349710/ukrainians-sceptical-russias-putin-orders-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349710/ukrainians-sceptical-russias-putin-orders-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:06:03 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russian ⁠President Vladimir Putin’s special ⁠envoy Kirill Dmitriev is currently in the United States and is meeting members of US President Donald Trump’s administration for ‌discussions on a peace deal for Ukraine and US-Russia economic cooperation, sources with knowledge of the visit said on Thursday. The visit comes before the US decision on ⁠whether to extend sanctions relief on Russian oil, ‌which expires on April 11 and could also be on the agenda. The ‌United States issued a 30-day waiver... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349572/russian-special-envoy-us-meet-trump-administration-officials?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349572/russian-special-envoy-us-meet-trump-administration-officials?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:00:23 +0000 Agencies Agencies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on ⁠Monday that he ⁠stood by a ⁠proposal made to Russia for a ceasefire contingent on Moscow halting all attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelensky said in his nightly video address that the proposal had ‌been conveyed to Moscow through the US. He also said work was continuing with US negotiators on security guarantees, which he called the key to lasting peace. Ukraine has been fighting a full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years. Due to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349194/3-dead-15-injured-russia-hits-ukraines-port-city-odesa-major-drone-strike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349194/3-dead-15-injured-russia-hits-ukraines-port-city-odesa-major-drone-strike?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:13:04 +0000 Reuters Reuters Ukraine and Syria pledged greater security cooperation in talks on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said as Kyiv seeks to promote its military expertise across the region following the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran. Zelensky, continuing his tour of Middle East countries, ‌met with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus. “We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. In a later post,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3349106/zelensky-syria-discuss-security-cooperation-president-ahmed-al-sharaa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3349106/zelensky-syria-discuss-security-cooperation-president-ahmed-al-sharaa?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:01:40 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that a prolonged US-Israeli war on Iran could further erode America’s support for Ukraine as Washington’s global priorities shift and Kyiv braces for reduced deliveries of critically needed Patriot air-defence missiles. Ukraine desperately needed more US-made Patriot air defence systems to help it counter Russia’s daily barrages, Zelensky said, speaking to The Associated Press in an exclusive interview on Saturday in Istanbul. Russia’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349073/ukraines-zelensky-fears-iran-war-may-lead-less-support-fight-russias-invasion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349073/ukraines-zelensky-fears-iran-war-may-lead-less-support-fight-russias-invasion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:25:11 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russia and Ukraine traded deadly strikes overnight and on Saturday morning, killing 10 people and wounding several dozen more, officials on both sides said on Saturday. The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He will also meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians. “We are working to strengthen our partnership to ensure the real protection of lives,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349053/russia-ukraine-strikes-kill-10-zelensky-travels-turkey-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349053/russia-ukraine-strikes-kill-10-zelensky-travels-turkey-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:48:49 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russian strikes killed at least eight people across Ukraine on Friday, including in a “massive” missile and drone attack near the capital, local authorities reported. Ukrainian officials claim the Kremlin is changing its tactics to increase civilian suffering, shifting to daytime barrages and preparing to target more key infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky has signalled Kyiv’s openness to a potential Easter truce. The holiday is celebrated on April 12 in Ukraine and Russia. Zelensky... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349002/8-die-ukraine-russian-strikes-kyiv-holds-door-open-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349002/8-die-ukraine-russian-strikes-kyiv-holds-door-open-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:57:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters ⁠The Russian defence ministry said on Wednesday that its ⁠forces had taken full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, suggesting they had wrested control of a small sliver of land which had remained beyond their reach since 2022. Reuters could not independently verify the ‌battlefield report and a Ukrainian military spokesman said there had been no battlefield changes in the area in the last six months. More than 99 per cent of Luhansk, one of four Ukrainian regions Russia claimed as... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3348720/russia-says-it-has-taken-full-control-ukraines-luhansk-region?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3348720/russia-says-it-has-taken-full-control-ukraines-luhansk-region?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:55:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A drone strike claimed by Ukraine triggered a fire at Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga as the regional governor on Sunday reported new damage at the major exporting hub hit for a second time in days. Ukraine has intensified retaliatory attacks on Russian infrastructure – including refineries, oil depots and ports – saying they are justified as part of the effort to cut revenues funding Russia’s offensive. “There is damage to the port of Ust-Luga. There were no casualties,” Russian regional... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3348316/ukrainian-drone-strike-russian-baltic-port-starts-fire-damages-infrastructure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3348316/ukrainian-drone-strike-russian-baltic-port-starts-fire-damages-infrastructure?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:02:25 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that his country had “undoubtedly changed the geopolitical situation” in the Middle East with a series of decade-long defence agreements with Gulf states being hit with Iranian drones and missiles. Has he? And how important are the agreements for Ukraine, more than four years into the Russian invasion and facing its own maelstrom of military, economic and diplomatic challenges? The Ukrainian leader has been on a whirlwind tour of the Gulf... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3348273/irans-drones-swarm-gulf-ukraines-wartime-tech-lands-billion-dollar-deals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3348273/irans-drones-swarm-gulf-ukraines-wartime-tech-lands-billion-dollar-deals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 03:57:47 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Critics of US President Donald Trump during his first term, from former FBI director James Comey to a former White House speech-writer, depicted him as a man who rarely laughed in public, suggesting his presidency was one defined by a lack of humour. But on March 19, during an... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348079/us-allies-trumps-oval-office-offers-most-uncomfortable-seat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348079/us-allies-trumps-oval-office-offers-most-uncomfortable-seat?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:30:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who has close ties with both US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, fears US-led Ukraine peace talks may be over, he said in an interview published on Thursday. “It may be due to the war in Iran, which is drawing a lot of attention away from the war in Ukraine. But it may also be that the negotiations have come to a halt because they’ve reached the end of the road and are not making any further progress,” Stubb said in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348027/finlands-president-says-ukraine-talks-may-be-end-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348027/finlands-president-says-ukraine-talks-may-be-end-road?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:40:05 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Iran war has deflected global attention from Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbour Ukraine as Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II enters its fifth year and an emboldened Kremlin undertakes a spring offensive. The past week showed that neither side was easing up. Russia on Tuesday fired almost 1,000 drones and 34 missiles at Ukraine in one of the war’s biggest bombardments. The following day Ukraine launched almost 400 drones in the largest reported overnight attack on Russian... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347956/iran-war-deflects-attention-ukraine-russia-starts-spring-offensive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347956/iran-war-deflects-attention-ukraine-russia-starts-spring-offensive?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:08:22 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A major Russian drone and missile attack on civilian areas of Ukraine killed six people and injured at least 46, officials said on Tuesday, while Moscow’s army stepped up efforts to break through Ukrainian frontline defences in what could be the start of an anticipated spring ground offensive. Russia fired almost 400 long-range drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force said, in its biggest attack in weeks. The onslaught continued into Tuesday as dozens of drones targeted the capital Kyiv... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347764/4-dead-russia-fires-nearly-400-drones-ukraine-signs-spring-offensive-has-begun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347764/4-dead-russia-fires-nearly-400-drones-ukraine-signs-spring-offensive-has-begun?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:48:16 +0000 Reuters Reuters Ukrainian and US delegations concluded a second day of talks in Florida on finding ways to end the four-year war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. Russian representatives were not present at the talks, which opened in Florida on ‌Saturday. They were originally expected to attend the negotiations, which were expected to take place in Abu Dhabi. The US team is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. “It is clear that the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3347513/ukraine-and-us-teams-conclude-talks-zelensky-says-new-prisoner-exchange-possible?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3347513/ukraine-and-us-teams-conclude-talks-zelensky-says-new-prisoner-exchange-possible?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 21:11:33 +0000 Reuters Reuters European Union leaders failed to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday to lift his blockade on a €90 billion (US$103 billion) EU loan to help Ukraine keep up its fight against Russia’s invasion. After a summit in Brussels, several leaders voiced deep frustration with Orban, who has cited a dispute over a war-damaged pipeline to justify blocking the implementation of the loan agreed back in December. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Orban - who maintains cordial ties... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347233/eu-leaders-clash-hungarys-orban-blocking-ukraine-loan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347233/eu-leaders-clash-hungarys-orban-blocking-ukraine-loan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 02:27:20 +0000 Agencies Agencies European Union experts have arrived in Ukraine to assess the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline, state energy firm Naftogaz said, after its closure in January caused a row with Hungary that is blocking an EU loan to Kyiv. The EU last week proposed sending a mission to inspect the pipeline. Ukraine later said it had accepted the EU offer of technical support and funding to restore oil flows through the damaged pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia have been cut off from Russian oil deliveries via... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347183/eu-inspects-druzhba-pipeline-bid-unclog-hungarys-block-ukraine-aid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347183/eu-inspects-druzhba-pipeline-bid-unclog-hungarys-block-ukraine-aid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:26:56 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged the European Union to overcome a veto by Hungary on a €90 billion (US$103 billion) loan vital for his country. Zelensky, during a visit to Madrid to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, said he considered that the “main issue” of an EU summit to be held Thursday and Friday in Brussels. “We are really counting on the countries and the EU to find ways to resolve this issue,” he said. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban – Russian... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347075/zelensky-urges-eu-bypass-hungarys-blackmail-veto-vital-us103-billion-loan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347075/zelensky-urges-eu-bypass-hungarys-blackmail-veto-vital-us103-billion-loan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:35:57 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia and Iran “brothers in hatred” on Tuesday as he sought support from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a time when the Iran conflict has robbed momentum from US-brokered talks to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During talks with Starmer at 10 Downing Street, Zelensky urged Ukraine’s allies not to forget about his country and suggested the US and others should make use of Ukraine’s anti-drone technology during a Middle East war that has also... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346941/zelensky-starmer-urge-continued-support-ukraine-iran-conflict-steals-focus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346941/zelensky-starmer-urge-continued-support-ukraine-iran-conflict-steals-focus?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:43:37 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The UK will “welcome” Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, British Defence Secretary John Healey told parliament, with the Ukrainian leader expected to travel to Madrid, Spain the next day. “Our total determination to stand with Ukraine remains steadfast and we will welcome President Zelensky to this country tomorrow,” Healey said on Monday. Healey’s announcement came hours after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would be meeting the Ukrainian leader “soon”. Ukraine’s European allies have vowed... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346802/zelensky-visit-uk-starmer-says-it-vital-continue-supporting-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346802/zelensky-visit-uk-starmer-says-it-vital-continue-supporting-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:24:41 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Sean Penn, who won a best supporting actor Oscar for One Battle After Another on Sunday, was in Ukraine on Monday where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky in a show of support for the war-torn country. An Agence France-Presse reporter saw the Mystic River star getting out of a black car in central Kyiv earlier on Monday, wearing sunglasses and carrying a box of cigarettes. Penn, a vocal advocate for Ukraine who has visited the country several times, on Sunday won his third acting Oscar but was... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346801/oscar-winner-sean-penn-skips-academy-awards-ceremony-visit-zelensky-kyiv?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346801/oscar-winner-sean-penn-skips-academy-awards-ceremony-visit-zelensky-kyiv?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:32:57 +0000 Reuters Reuters Ukraine wants money and technology in return for helping Middle Eastern nations defend against Iranian kamikaze drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, after Kyiv ‌sent specialists to four countries in the region. Zelensky told reporters in comments cleared for release on Sunday that each of the three teams sent to the Middle East consisted of dozens of people who will conduct expert assessments and demonstrate how drone defences should operate. Gulf states have ⁠expended large quantities of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3346657/ukraine-wants-cash-technology-return-helping-middle-east-nations-fight-drones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3346657/ukraine-wants-cash-technology-return-helping-middle-east-nations-fight-drones?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 09:22:19 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russian and Ukrainian officials are making contradictory claims of battlefield successes in their four-year-old war, with Ukraine saying it has pushed Moscow’s forces back in some places on the front line but the Kremlin insisting that Russia’s invasion of its neighbour is making progress. At the same time, Russia’s almost daily aerial attacks on civilian areas of Ukraine continue. Three powerful glide bombs struck the centre of the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, killing four people, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3346143/russia-ukraine-both-claim-frontline-success-while-us-led-talks-remain-hold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3346143/russia-ukraine-both-claim-frontline-success-while-us-led-talks-remain-hold?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:46:43 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Iran has named a son of its late supreme leader as his successor. US President Donald Trump already had expressed disdain for Mojtaba Khamenei, calling him “unacceptable”. The Islamic Republic’s war strategy now has a new commander, and the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has pledged allegiance. Oil prices shot above US$100 a barrel. Both sides in the war struck new targets over the weekend, including civilian ones. Bahrain accused Iran of hitting one of the desalination plants that... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345933/where-things-stand-after-another-weekend-war-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345933/where-things-stand-after-another-weekend-war-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:39:05 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press At least seven people were killed and 10 others, including three children, were wounded on Saturday by a Russian missile that hit a five-storey residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack and called for an international response. He said that Russia struck Ukraine overnight with 29 missiles and 480 drones, targeting energy facilities in Kyiv and other central regions, with damage reported in at least seven... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3345809/least-7-killed-ukraine-russian-missile-hits-kharkiv-apartment-building?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3345809/least-7-killed-ukraine-russian-missile-hits-kharkiv-apartment-building?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 09:19:54 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with US intelligence on the matter. The officials, who were not authorised to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that US intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran on what to do with the information as the US and Israel continue their bombardment and Iran... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345785/us-says-russian-intelligence-iran-not-making-any-difference-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345785/us-says-russian-intelligence-iran-not-making-any-difference-war?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:05:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainian military personnel are expected to arrive in the Gulf soon to help countries there fend off Iranian drone attacks, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that the United States had appealed for help from Kyiv downing Iranian drones that have been pummelling Israel and the Gulf over recent days. Those Iranian strikes across the region have come in response to US and Israeli attacks against Tehran that killed its supreme leader Ayatollah... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345630/us-asking-ukraine-help-against-irans-drones-middle-east-zelensky-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345630/us-asking-ukraine-help-against-irans-drones-middle-east-zelensky-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:47:10 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg A protracted war in the Middle East could reduce the availability of air defences for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, acknowledging potential ripple effects from the US-led bombing campaign in Iran. Washington has all but stopped providing military aid to Kyiv since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, but the US continues to sell weapons financed by Ukraine’s allies, mainly from Europe. Zelensky said that he had discussed military assistance with German... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3345176/long-iran-war-could-hurt-ukraines-fight-against-russia-says-zelensky?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3345176/long-iran-war-could-hurt-ukraines-fight-against-russia-says-zelensky?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:47:45 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The US military said on Saturday that it has been using single-use drones to attack Iran for the first time in combat, signalling adoption by the world’s wealthiest military of a technology already surging to prominence in the Ukraine-Russia war. “Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat,” US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement posted on social media. Centcom said the drones, which are expendable but cheaper than traditional... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345000/us-says-it-used-drones-based-irans-own-shaheds-attack-american-made-retribution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345000/us-says-it-used-drones-based-irans-own-shaheds-attack-american-made-retribution?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 21:20:22 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg US President Donald Trump put his son-in-law Jared Kushner and long-time friend Steve Witkoff in charge of resolving the war in Ukraine and a stand-off with Iran. On Thursday, they juggled those momentous issues within hours of each other. Dispatched to Geneva, Switzerland, Kushner and Witkoff met Iranian officials at the Omani ambassador’s residence in a bid to seal a deal over Tehran’s nuclear programme and avoid what could be a massive strike by US and Israeli forces. Hours later, they... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3344820/trump-puts-fate-worlds-top-conflicts-hands-2-men?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3344820/trump-puts-fate-worlds-top-conflicts-hands-2-men?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 04:25:19 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang China has doubled down on its hard line against any nuclear escalation in Ukraine and called for restraint following Russia’s claims that Britain and France are planning to give Kyiv nuclear weapons. Asked on Wednesday about Moscow’s accusation towards the two European nations, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning urged all sides to avoid actions that could cause misunderstandings or escalate tensions. “We call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid any moves... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344689/china-affirms-no-nukes-position-amid-claims-european-plan-arm-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344689/china-affirms-no-nukes-position-amid-claims-european-plan-arm-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that he and US President Donald Trump agreed that the next session of trilateral talks in March on a war settlement should lead to a meeting of the countries’ leaders. Zelensky, speaking after a phone conversation with Trump, said the three-sided talks with Russia and the United States would take place early next month. US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also took part in the ‌phone call. “We expect this meeting to create an... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344656/zelensky-speaks-trump-says-talks-should-lead-leaders-meeting-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344656/zelensky-speaks-trump-says-talks-should-lead-leaders-meeting-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:44:30 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russia ⁠accused Ukraine on Tuesday of trying ⁠to obtain a nuclear weapon with help from Britain and France, an allegation Kyiv called an absurd lie. A French foreign ministry spokesman said the allegation was “blatant disinformation”. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “There’s no truth ‌to this.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously criticised Kyiv’s decision to give up its former Soviet nuclear arsenal in the 1990s without obtaining proper, binding... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344516/russia-accuses-ukraine-seeking-acquire-nuclear-weapon-help-uk-and-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344516/russia-accuses-ukraine-seeking-acquire-nuclear-weapon-help-uk-and-france?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:14:44 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the four-year anniversary of the Ukraine war by accusing Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of trying to take over Ukraine, saying he had failed to achieve this and other war goals. In a video address that showed Ukrainians carrying out acts of resistance against Russian soldiers in the opening days of the conflict, Zelensky added that Ukraine was ready to do “everything” it could to secure a strong, lasting peace. Hundreds of thousands have died since Russia... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344478/4-years-ukraine-conflict-zelensky-says-russias-putin-did-not-win-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344478/4-years-ukraine-conflict-zelensky-says-russias-putin-did-not-win-war?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:29:35 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashing the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. As the conflict reaches its four-year mark, here’s a look at the state of the conflict and some of the consequences for both countries. Destruction The war has resulted in widespread destruction in Ukraine. Entire cities in Ukraine’s east and south, among them Bakhmut, Toretsk and Vovchansk, have been reduced to rubble by fighting. The World Health Organization has... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344429/where-ukraine-and-russia-stand-war-enters-fifth-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344429/where-ukraine-and-russia-stand-war-enters-fifth-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:49:25 +0000 dpa dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has already begun” World War III, in an interview with British broadcaster BBC. Speaking in Kyiv over the weekend ahead of the fourth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday, Zelensky said that his view of the conflict was different from that of US President Donald Trump. “We have different views regarding a third world war,” Zelensky said in the interview, translated... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344316/ukraines-zelensky-says-he-believes-putin-has-started-world-war-iii?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344316/ukraines-zelensky-says-he-believes-putin-has-started-world-war-iii?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 07:09:21 +0000 dpa dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday described a pair of explosions in Lviv as a “cynical and brutal terrorist act” that was “organised by Russia”. Two explosions rocked the western Ukrainian city in the early hours, killing a 23-year-old policewoman and injuring 25 others. “This was a terrorist attack,” Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said in a video posted on his Telegram channel, adding that police have detained a female Ukrainian national. Police said that the detained woman was a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344281/police-officer-killed-24-people-wounded-bomb-explosions-ukraines-lviv?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344281/police-officer-killed-24-people-wounded-bomb-explosions-ukraines-lviv?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:00:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Russia fired scores of missiles and drones at targets across Ukraine on Sunday, crashing into energy and rail infrastructure and residential buildings, just two days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Journalists in Kyiv heard a series of blasts starting at around 4.00am, shortly after an air raid alert was issued, with the air force later widening the alert nationwide, citing the threat of missiles. “Moscow continues to invest in strikes more than in diplomacy,” Ukrainian... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344258/russian-barrage-strikes-ukrainian-infrastructure-war-drags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3344258/russian-barrage-strikes-ukrainian-infrastructure-war-drags?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:08:46 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Kyiv said on Friday that 10 people were arrested in Ukraine and Moldova on suspicion of planning to assassinate senior Ukrainian political figures on Moscow’s orders, with payouts of up to US$100,000. Kyiv has previously accused Russia, which invaded Ukraine four years ago, of plotting to kill several senior officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and the head of Ukraine’s intelligence service. “As part of the work of a joint investigative team of Ukrainian and Moldovan law enforcement... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344159/10-arrested-over-russian-plot-kill-top-ukrainian-officials?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344159/10-arrested-over-russian-plot-kill-top-ukrainian-officials?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:58:33 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded a second day of US-mediated talks in Geneva on Wednesday, though neither side signalled they were any closer to ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. The talks wrapped up after just two hours, much shorter than the six hours of meetings on Tuesday, according to the head of Russia’s delegation. Neither side elaborated on what they discussed or whether they had agreed on anything, but both signalled the discussions had been tricky. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343925/ukraine-russia-talks-geneva-wrap-2-hours-no-sign-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343925/ukraine-russia-talks-geneva-wrap-2-hours-no-sign-breakthrough?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:04:57 +0000 Reuters Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US President Donald Trump was exerting ⁠undue pressure on him in ⁠trying to secure a resolution to ⁠the nearly four-year-old war pitting Kyiv against Moscow. Zelensky, in an interview with US website Axios published on Tuesday, also said any plan requiring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia had not captured in the eastern Donbas region would be rejected by Ukrainians ‌if put to a referendum. Axios quoted Zelensky as saying it was “not fair” that... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3343864/zelensky-says-trumps-peace-demands-focused-only-ukraine-not-fair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3343864/zelensky-says-trumps-peace-demands-focused-only-ukraine-not-fair?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:44:22 +0000 Reuters Reuters Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met for the first of two days of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with US President Donald Trump pressing Kyiv to act fast to reach a deal. Trump is urging Moscow and Kyiv to reach a deal to end Europe’s biggest war since 1945, though Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has complained that his country is facing the greatest pressure to make concessions. Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov said ahead of the talks that the two sides would... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3343847/ukraine-and-russia-meet-geneva-trump-piles-new-pressure-kyiv?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3343847/ukraine-and-russia-meet-geneva-trump-piles-new-pressure-kyiv?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:30:01 +0000 Reuters Reuters European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday she felt that EU governments were not ready to give Ukraine a date for membership despite a demand to do so from ‌President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky repeated on Saturday that he needed a date as part of security guarantees for a final peace package with Russia. “My feeling is that the member states are not ready to give a concrete date,” Kallas told a panel at the Munich Security Conference. “There’s a lot of work to be... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343638/eu-not-ready-give-ukraine-date-membership-says-blocs-foreign-policy-chief-kallas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343638/eu-not-ready-give-ukraine-date-membership-says-blocs-foreign-policy-chief-kallas?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 12:49:25 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Russia’s army chief Valery Gerasimov visited Moscow’s troops in Ukraine and said the Kremlin’s forces seized a dozen eastern villages in February, the defence ministry said on Sunday. Gerasimov’s visit comes days before US-mediated talks with Kyiv in Geneva on ending almost four years of war and ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale offensive against Ukraine. “In two weeks of February, despite severe winter conditions, combined forces and military units of the joint task force... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3343629/russia-seized-12-eastern-ukraine-villages-so-far-february-army-chief-tells-troops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3343629/russia-seized-12-eastern-ukraine-villages-so-far-february-army-chief-tells-troops?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:55:02 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities in overnight attacks, officials reported on Thursday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow was “hesitating” about another round of US-brokered talks on stopping the fighting. Washington has proposed further negotiations next week between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Miami or Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, which was the location of the last meeting, Zelensky said late on... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343358/russia-launches-missile-drone-barrage-ukraine-peace-talks-stall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343358/russia-launches-missile-drone-barrage-ukraine-peace-talks-stall?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:29:18 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Russia sustained around 9,000 more battlefield losses in Ukraine than it was able to replace last month, according to assessments from Western officials, signalling progress for Ukraine’s ambition to inflict heavier damage on the front line. Russian forces were unable to achieve significant gains on the ground in January even as they sustained heavy losses, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The assessment, which could not be independently verified, could bolster Kyiv’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343274/russian-losses-ukraine-now-exceed-recruitment-western-officials-claim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343274/russian-losses-ukraine-now-exceed-recruitment-western-officials-claim?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:13:19 +0000