Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky urges Trump to keep supporting Kyiv amid clashes with North Korea troops
Mr Zelensky calls on Mr Trump to help bring a ‘just peace’ for Ukraine if he gets into the White House
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Donald Trump, who has returned to the White House, and urged the Republican to keep supporting Kyiv against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
With concerns rising that support for Ukraine could diminish under a second Trump administration, Mr Zelensky praised Mr Trump’s “peace through strength” philosophy, calling it t a just peace for Ukraine. Mr Trump has said he would look to end the Ukraine war as soon as possible, with Kyiv wary that he will push for it to give up territory to Moscow.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has reported “small-scale” clashes with North Korean troops in Kursk, marking their first battlefield confrontation with Kim Jong Un’s soldiers, Ukraine’s defence minister Rustem Umerov said.
Mr Zelensky has said “the first battles with North Korean soldiers open a new page of instability in the world”. US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments say up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops are being sent by Pyongyang to Russia for deployment on the frontline in Ukraine under a pact with Moscow.
PINNED: Zelensky’s statement in full
The Ukrainian President said: “Congratulations to Donald Trump on his impressive election victory!
“I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-US strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.
“We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.
“We are interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both of our nations. Ukraine, as one of Europe’s strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies.
“I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the United States.”
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 10:10
Keir Starmer urged to change Trump’s mind on Putin
During Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoonm, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has asked Sir Keir Starmer what he will do to encourage Donald Trump to change his mind about Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Sir Keir said he will continue to talk out about “Russian aggression” and said that he looks forward to working with Mr Trump “to ensure that [special] relationship stays”.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 12:24
ICYMI: Germany pledges €200m in winter aid for Ukraine
Germany will give Ukraine another €200 m (£167m) in aid to support the country during its third winter at war with Russia, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said during a visit to Kyiv yesterday.
Ms Baerbock has stressed Germany’s continued backing for Ukraine during the trip, which comes amid growing nerves over the impact today’s election in the United States will have on military support for the country.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 12:15
Russia has no illusions about Trump, vows to defend national interests
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has said it has “no illusions” about Donald Trump and vowed to defend its national interests.
In a statement, the Kremlin said that Moscow would engage with the incoming US administration under President Donald Trump.
The statement added that Russia’s priorities in relation to its ongoing military operation in Ukraine would remain unchanged.
It also reiterated its focus on achieving the objectives of what it refers to as its “special military operation,” underscoring that its position on the conflict would not be influenced by the change in leadership in Washington.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 12:00
Trump wins US election: What has the Kremlin said?
The Kremlin has responded cautiously following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
Officials suggested that while Trump’s rhetoric on ending the Ukraine war was noteworthy, it remains to be seen if it will translate into tangible policy changes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made clear that, despite Trump’s campaign promises to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, Russia viewed the US as an “unfriendly” state that remained deeply involved in the conflict.
“Let us not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country, which is both directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state,” Mr Peskov told reporters, adding that Moscow would wait to see if Trump’s statements on Ukraine would result in concrete actions.
Despite the continued animosity, Russian state media during the election campaign showed a clear preference for Trump, suggesting some hope in Moscow that his administration could be more amenable to dialogue than the current one.
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a former Goldman Sachs banker with prior contacts to Trump’s team, said that a Trump presidency could offer a “new opportunity” for a reset in US-Russia relations.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 11:50
G7 and allies warning over use of North Korean troops in Ukraine
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven democracies and three key allies said on Tuesday they were gravely concerned by the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and the possibility they may be used in the war against Ukraine.
“The DPRK’s (North Korea) direct support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, besides showing Russia’s desperate efforts to compensate its losses, would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict,” the ministers said in a statement.
Besides G7 members the United States, Japan, Italy, Britain, Germany, France and Canada, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
The ministers said they condemned “in the strongest possible terms” increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including Russia’s “unlawful procurement” of North Korean ballistic missiles.
They said they were deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear or ballistic missile-related technology to North Korea, and would work with international partners “for a coordinated response to this new development”.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 11:35
Edwina Currie on selling her antiques to raise money for Ukraine
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 11:20
In pictures: Austrian former intelligence official Egisto Ott stands trial over Russian spying links
Egisto Ott, a former Austrian intelligence official, has appeared in court for allegedly violating official secrecy laws, the first charges in a high-profile case linked to Russian espionage.
Mr Ott, who was detained for two months earlier this year, faces accusations of passing sensitive information to Russian intelligence services and to Jan Marsalek, a fugitive entrepreneur with alleged ties to the Kremlin.
The trial has drawn significant attention, particularly given its connection to the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), which emerged as the top party in Austria’s September elections for the first time.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 11:05
North Korea’s troops heading to Ukraine’s frontline as cannon fodder: ‘They will surely be killed’
The G7, involving some of the world’s richest nations, have made clear that they believe the reports of thousands of North Korean troops being used to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine show Vladimir Putin’s “desperation” to compensate for losses on the frontline.
Read the full story below:
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 10:50
ICYMI: Poland to spend £577m to boost ammunition production
Poland plans to invest 3 billion zlotys (£577 million) to boost ammunition production, according to a bill published late on Monday, aiming to ensure it has sufficient supplies in the event of an attack from Russia.
Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has become Nato’s biggest spender on defence in relation to the size of its economy, with the 2025 budget allocating 4.7 per cent of gross domestic product for the purpose.
“The draft act aims to create opportunities to provide financing for activities aimed at increasing the capacity for ammunition production,” the bill says, with a particular need to expand large-caliber production to bolster the potential of the Polish Armed Forces.
The government aims to adopt the bill during the fourth quarter, according to its website.
Some Nato officials have said the Kremlin might be ready militarily to attack Nato countries in five to eight years’ time, once it has rebuilt its forces after the war in Ukraine. Moscow has regularly dismissed Western suggestions that it might consider an attack on Nato.
In September Maciej Idzik, a board member of the state-owned Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), told Reuters that Warsaw aimed to ramp up its production of 155 mm artillery rounds.
Salma Ouaguira6 November 2024 10:35
