A variety of stories lead the Sunday papers. The Sunday Telegraph says Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has launched a “broadside” at Donald Trump over his “bad faith” criticisms of Nato. Speaking to the paper, Sir Keir says he told European leaders at the Munich Security Conference that he would seek to “rebuild, renew, and resource” the alliance instead of trying to “divide and threaten” it. The paper calls the comment a “thinly-veiled” reference to a recent warning by the former US president that he would “not protect” Nato members who failed to meet the bloc’s defence spending targets.
The Observer says Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a desperate plea for more arms after his army commanders announced they were withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka, the scene of heavy fighting in recent months. The paper says the withdrawal has handed Russia “its first major military victory since last May” and notes that it comes just days before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. It quotes Zelensky, who has also been in Munich, telling leaders that the “artificial deficit of weapons” in Ukraine was having a direct impact on the frontline. Republicans in the US Congress are currently refusing to pass a $60bn package of air to Ukraine until more steps are taken to secure the US-Mexico border.
Just Stop Oil activists are planning a “nationwide blitz” ahead of the next election that will see them attempt to occupy MPs’ homes, target their offices, and disrupt their speeches, according to the Mail on Sunday. It says one activist told an undercover reporter that they were prepared to look “a bit loony” if it helped them to “get attention” for their cause. The paper says the action would amount to a “chilling campaign of intimidation and harassment that strikes at the heart of the democratic process” and that it “comes amid growing fears for the safety of MPs”.
The Sunday Express says the Prince of Wales has “quashed any prospect of a royal reconciliation” with his brother, the Duke of Sussex. It follows reports that the duke had signalled he would be willing to return to royal duties temporarily to help support the family while the King undergoes treatment for cancer.
Prince William remains angry about the public criticisms his brother has made of the family in recent years and believes he can’t be trusted, according to the Sunday Mirror. The paper says William would “reject any offer” of help made by the duke and that he has told friends there is no way back for him.
The Sun on Sunday says royal courtiers are also opposed to Prince Harry returning in any kind of hybrid role. It adds that the prince was stopped from joining the King at Sandringham during his visit to the UK last week.
And the Daily Star Sunday says a bear called Baloo who is caged in squalor and force-fed alcohol to entertain visitors in Romania is to be freed thanks to a campaign by the paper. A speech bubble on the front page reads: “Forget about your worries and your strife”.
