Versuchen GOLD - Frei

Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks

The Independent

|

February 17, 2025

A senior White House team is heading to Saudi Arabia ahead of possible peace talks on Ukraine amid consternation that the country is being left out of negotiations over its own future.

- SAM KILEY

Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks

Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz were planning to head to Riyadh to begin setting up talks, which will also sideline Europe in discussions that will determine the future safety of the continent.

"I am going tonight," Mr Witkoff said in a Fox News interview.

image"I'll be travelling there with the national security adviser, and we'll be having meetings at the direction of the president, and hopefully we'll make some really good progress." Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is due to meet in Paris today with the French president Emmanuel Macron, who will also host German chancellor Olaf Scholz, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at a hastily convened summit to discuss how to deal with the Trump peace proposals.

The urgent meeting in Paris follows a week of attacks on Nato by Mr Trump's officials, who also gave away some of Ukraine's key negotiating cards before any talks with Putin could begin.

WEITERE GESCHICHTEN VON The Independent

The Independent

ON THIS DAY

AD54: Roman Emperor Claudius I died after eating poisoned mushrooms as a result of a plot inspired by his wife, the Empress Agrippina.

time to read

1 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Striking a powerful chord to destigmatise menopause

Well, this is a bit of a downer, isn't it? Those were my precise thoughts about halfway through the first episode of Riot Women, the new BBC One drama from Happy Valley mastermind Sally Wainwright. Like Happy Valley, it's set around Calderdale in West Yorkshire; like Happy Valley, its focus is firmly trained on women in midlife. But somehow, the introductory 30 minutes or so of Riot Women seemed to be even more depressing than a show that dealt with inherited trauma, addiction, murder and sexual assault. Or so I thought.

time to read

3 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The next two days are critical for peace in Gaza

To describe the next 24 to 48 hours as crucial to the future of the Middle East would be an understatement. Even as the leaders of more than 20 countries, including the US president, prepare to converge on the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh for the signing of the agreement that Donald Trump initiated, the risks are as evident as the hopes.

time to read

3 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Added vow factor: inside India's fake wedding craze

In a country where weddings power an industry worth nearly £100bn and the uber-rich spend millions celebrating a single union, a counter-trend is quietly gaining ground: young urban Indians are paying to attend “weddings” where no couple is tying the knot and where the only promise is a night of music, dancing and spectacle.

time to read

5 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

I felt a wave of disgust

The Independent's Arpan Rai tells of her anger after being barred from covering a Taliban leader's visit to India

time to read

3 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Star was more complex than romcoms gave her credit for

Audiences adored Diane Keaton's klutzy charm - but beyond that persona lay an inspiring, restless artist, says Adam White

time to read

4 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Shanghai Masters delivers a Cinderella story for the ages

When Valentin Vacherot arrived at the Shanghai Masters two weeks ago, he was ranked 204th in the world and did not even have a place in the tournament.

time to read

4 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Why must we cast women in roles they never wanted?

For a long time, one of Hollywood’s most pressing questions was why Jennifer Aniston didn’t have children. It was right up there with why they ever did a second Sex and the City film and how Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriends always seemed to stay 25.

time to read

2 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Former MI6 chief questions collapse of China spy trial

There are growing questions over the collapse of a case against two men accused of spying for Beijing, with the former chief of the Secret Intelligence Service saying he is unsure why the prosecution was dropped.

time to read

3 mins

October 13, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Police sexual misconduct claims double in five years

Sexual misconduct and discrimination complaints against police officers have doubled in five years - but more than half of claims have gone uninvestigated, The Independent can reveal.

time to read

3 mins

October 13, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size