CloseDonald Trump has blamed his inability to end the war in Ukraine on its president Volodymyr Zelensky – not Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Asked why US-led negotiations had not yet resolved Europe's largest land conflict since the Second World War, Trump responded: "Zelensky”. He added that Putin “is ready to make a deal” while “Ukraine is less ready to make a deal”.
The claim from Trump is in sharp contrast with European allies who have proven Putin as the key figure ramping up military aggression and rejecting peace proposals from Trump’s envoys.
Just hours earlier, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov insisted Moscow was not interested in agreeing to a ceasefire, instead holding out for a peace agreement that would end the conflict on its terms.
Meanwhile, Zelensky has said he will declare a state of emergency for Ukraine's energy sector following sustained Russian attacks on the country’s infrastructure.
Crews are making round-the-clock efforts to restore power and heating supplies thrown into disarray, particularly in Kyiv, last week.
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Zelensky urges US to speed up security guarantees
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the US to speed up security guarantees for his country.
“Work with America on security guarantees, on economic agreements, and on the political document needs to be swift,” he said in his nightly address.
“On our end, we are being as productive as possible. We also expect energy from the American side in their work.”
Arpan Rai15 January 2026 05:51
Russia claims it has captured 300sq km of Ukrainian territory in first half of January
Russian forces have taken more than 300 sq km (116 sq miles) of Ukrainian territory in the first 15 days of this month, according to a claim by Russian army chief Valery Gerasimov.
Russia said it took a total of 6,640 sq km of territory from its smaller neighbour last year.
Kyiv has yet to respond to Gerasimov's claim.
Arpan Rai15 January 2026 05:41
Zelensky to declare state of emergency for power grid after Russian barrage
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has announced he will delare a state of emergency in the energy sector after a barrage of Russian attacks on the grid.
Crews have been working around the clock to restore power and heating supplies struck by Russia last week, particularly in the capital, Kyiv.
Repairs to thousands of apartment buildings have been compounded by bitterly cold conditions.
At night, Ukrainians have been shivering through temperatures close to -20C in one of the coldest winters in years.
“The consequences of Russian strikes and deteriorating weather conditions are severe,” Mr Zelensky wrote in English on the social media platform X.
“Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector … Many issues require urgent resolution.”
Zelensky to declare state of emergency for power grid after Russian barrage
He says the strikes, coupled with the bitterly cold winter, are having ‘severe’ consequencesArpan Rai15 January 2026 05:20
EU looks out for Ukraine's military needs with massive new loan program
The European Union will dedicate most of a massive new loan program to Ukraine's military needs over the next two years while also injecting billions into its war-ravaged economy, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.
The loan allows Ukraine, on the verge of bankruptcy, to purchase its much-needed military equipment from non-European markets. The International Monetary Fund estimates Ukraine will need €137bn (£118bn) over the two years.
Under the "Ukraine Support Loan" programme, EU leaders agreed last month to loan Ukraine €90bn (£78bn) to help cover its needs in 2026 and 2027 and Kyiv would only have to pay the money back once Russia ends its war and pays reparations for the damage it has inflicted over almost four years.
“We all want peace for Ukraine, and for that Ukraine must be in a position of strength," von der Leyen said as she explained the commission's spending plans to reporters.
She said €60bn (£52bn) would be for military support, and €30bn (£26bn) for budget aid.
“With the military assistance, Ukraine can stand strong against Russia, and at the same time it can integrate more closely into Europe's defence industrial base," von der Leyen told reporters.
Arpan Rai15 January 2026 05:07
Zelensky says 'state of emergency' will allow for more repairs as thousands freeze
Volodymyr Zelensky said he is declaring a state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector to make up for lost time and tackle issues of disrupted power supplies following sustained Russian attacks on infrastructure.
Ukrainian cities are now in dire need of energy supply but repairs to thousands of apartment blocks have been compounded by frigid weather, with night-time temperatures dipping close to – 20 deg C.
Russia’s relentless assault on Ukraine’s cities, especially major cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, have surged in the past peak winter week in Vladimir Putin’s bid to count more on freezing weather than diplomacy to end the war, Zelensky had said.
Zelensky said not enough had been done to deal with the aftermath of the attacks and the state of emergency would allow authorities “more options and flexibility.”
He called for the establishment of more centres where residents can stay warm and charge electronic devices, and said nightly curfews could be lifted in areas where the security situation permitted it.
Arpan Rai15 January 2026 04:40
Military chief says UK has no plan for defending nation in event of war
The UK does not have a plan for the defence of the nation if a war breaks out, the country’s top military chief said.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton was answering questions from MP on Monday when he confirmed that the Ministry of Defence does not have funding to cover its equipment programme and additional ambitions published in a sweeping review of defence.
Sir Richard also admitted there is not enough money to continue all planned military programmes on top of doing everything outlined in the strategic defence review (SDR), but became visibly irritated when MPs suggested the military may have to make cuts.
UK has no plan for mobilising doctors if war breaks out, top military chief admits
The revelations will further concern over the state of Britain’s hollowed out armed forces in the face of growing threats from Russia and ChinaArpan Rai15 January 2026 04:22
Ceasefire before peace deal not 'serious' proposition, says Russia
Russia will not agree to a ceasefire before a peace deal, the country’s veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said.
Mr Lavrov added that it would be helpful if the US updated Moscow on the latest developments in peace proposals for Ukraine.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are seeking to travel to Moscow to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Jane Dalton15 January 2026 03:50
Recap: Trump warns Putin ‘not looking to stop’ war with Ukraine
In his remarks in July last year, Donald Trump warned that Vladimir Putin is “not looking to stop” the war with Ukraine following a “disappointing” phone call between the Russian and American leaders.
The US president revealed that a conversation with Putin earlier in the day resulted in no progress to end the fighting.
“I’m disappointed with the conversation I had today with president Putin, I don’t think he’s there. I don’t think he’s looking to stop,” he said.
Arpan Rai15 January 2026 03:49
Watch: Zelensky to declare state of emergency over Putin’s attacks on energy grid
Arpan Rai15 January 2026 03:15
Trump suggests he might meet Zelensky in Davos next week
Donald Trump has hinted at a likely meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland next week.
"I would – if he's there," Trump said. "I'm going to be there."
Asked why he believed Zelensky was holding back on negotiations, Trump did not elaborate, saying only: "I just think he's, you know, having a hard time getting there."
Zelensky has publicly ruled out any territorial concessions to Moscow, saying Kyiv has no right under the country's constitution to give up any land.
