Starmer and Macron to host coalition of the willing meeting next week
Britain and France have led efforts to establish the coalition, a peacekeeping force aimed at policing any future ceasefire deal in Ukraine, and deterring further threats by Russia.
The effectiveness of the coalition has been called into question, as only London and Paris have so far indicated they would provide frontline soldiers towards it.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he arrives on Air Force One, Friday, July 4, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The peacekeeping mission would also be predicated on American air support, something which US President Donald Trump has been unwilling to openly say he would provide.
Russia launched a massive barrage of drone strikes on Kyiv overnight, reportedly the largest since the war began.
Some 550 drones and missiles were fired at Ukraine in the strikes, with the capital Kyiv the primary target.
At least 23 people were injured, with 14 taken to hospital, according to the city's mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The strikes came hours after Mr Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, pushing him to accept a truce.
No 10 said the continued Russia strikes were 'clear evidence that Putin was not serious about peace', as it condemned them.
The Russian strike on Kyiv was reportedly one of the biggest of the war (AP Photo/Yehor Konovalov)
A Downing Street spokesman added: 'Since Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire over four months ago, 700 civilians have been killed, more than 3,000 injured,
'We are, alongside our allies, absolutely united in support of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We are clear that must start with a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.'
The UK's immediate focus is 'stepping up our support Ukraine, ratcheting up the pressure on Russia', he said.
Mr Trump has halted some shipments of critical weapons to Kyiv in recent days, including those used for air defences.
Ukraine has warned the move will prevent it from defending against Russian air strikes.
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South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
LGBT artists decry Supreme Court ruling at rainy London Pride parade
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'They deserve the same respect, the same rights, the same privileges, same opportunities, and that's why pride is so important this year.' The solo artist and Eurovision 2024 contestant added: 'There's been a real backlash against DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies and that's been going on for years, and I think we're in a bit of a swing, that's going against where we were maybe five years ago. 'We've had the Supreme Court ruling and I feel like a lot of trans people are scared, rightfully scared, they don't understand… what their lives are going to look like.' In April the Supreme Court ruled the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. Before the march began Shon Faye, author of Love in Exile and The Transgender Issue, said 'we've just seen an unprecedented attack on queer rights and trans rights across the world'. She told PA: 'For the trans community in particular here in the UK, we've seen an onslaught of misinformation, attacks in the media, and unfortunately the roll back of human rights in the courts. 'I think (pride) is more important than ever – I think a lot of trans people have been made to feel afraid in public space and pride this year is about taking back public space, and showing what we're not going to be silenced, and we're not going to be intimidated.' Asked what she hoped would change, Faye said: 'I feel like it's not a one year change deal… movements move in generations, I think what we have to do now is accept the reality of the situation we're in and we have to work together with other groups, within the LGBT community and outside it, to really start forming strong coalitions in order to fight this stuff. 'I think where we're going in the UK, unfortunately this rightward turn is going to continue for some time. The people together are powerful.' 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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Hamas says it is ready for ceasefire talks with Israel 'immediately' - which could see a 60-day truce and 10 hostages released from Gaza
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The militant group said yesterday it was 'ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to put in place' a US-backed truce proposal. Two Palestinian sources close to the discussions told the AFP news agency that the proposals included a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel. They said the group was also demanding certain conditions for Israel's withdrawal, guarantees against a resumption of fighting during negotiations and the return of the UN-led aid distribution system. Hamas ally Islamic Jihad said it supported ceasefire talks but demanded guarantees that Israel 'will not resume its aggression' once hostages held in Gaza are freed. When asked about Hamas's response aboard Air Force One, Trump said: 'That's good. They haven't briefed me on it. We have to get it over with. We have to do something about Gaza.' 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The war has created dire humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has recently expanded its military operations. US and Israel-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, took the lead in food distribution in the territory in late May after Israel partially lifted a more than two-month blockade on aid deliveries. The group said two of its US staff members were wounded 'in a targeted terrorist attack' at one of its aid centres in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis on Saturday, adding that reports indicated a pair of assailants 'threw two grenades at the Americans'. The Israeli military said it had evacuated the injured. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Its operations have been marred by near-daily reports of Israeli fire on people waiting to collect rations. 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Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Ukraine's Zelenskiy says latest phone call with Trump his most productive yet
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