Closing summary
Here’s a recap of the latest developments:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has played a mediating role between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia comes on the eve of separate, high-stakes meetings between Ukrainian and US officials. Ukrainian officials are expected to propose a ceasefire covering the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes, as well as the release of prisoners. The Ukrainian delegation is also ready to sign an agreement with the US on access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, according to reports.
Keir Starmer told Donald Trump that he wants US-Ukraine talks to have a “positive outcome” that will result in the resumption of military aid and intelligence-sharing. Starmer is scheduled to lead a call with like-minded allies from the “coalition of the willing” on Saturday.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio said he hoped Washington’s cutoff of military aid could be “resolved” during US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia. Rubio said it is important to “establish clearly Ukraine’s intentions” on peace, and that Ukraine “is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians will.”
Military officials from more than 30 nations are set to meet in Paris on Tuesday for talks on the creation of an international security force for Ukraine. The force being envisaged by France and Britain would aim to reassure Ukraine and deter another large-scale Russian offensive after any ceasefire, and could include heavy weaponry and weapons stockpiles that could be rushed within hours or days to aid in Ukraine’s defence,
The Ukrainian armed forces commander-in chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said its forces are not in danger of encirclement in Russia’s Kursk region, despite reports of a recent counteroffensive by Russian forces that has included North Korean troops.
The UK rejected Russian allegations that two British diplomats were suspected of carrying out espionage activities. Russia’s FSB security service claimed “counterintelligence work had revealed an undeclared British intelligence presence under the cover of the national embassy.”
French president Emanuel Macron warned that Moldova is facing “increasingly uninhabited” Russian attempts aiming at the destabilisation of the country. Moldova shares a border with Ukraine and wants to join the EU by 2030.
Macron slams 'Russian attempts at destabilisation’ in Moldova
French president Emanuel Macron has warned that Moldova is facing increasingly blatant Russian attempts aiming at destabilising the country.
Macron, at a joint press conference with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu, said:
Moldova, whose airspace is regularly violated by Russian drones and missiles, also has to contend with increasingly uninhibited Russian attempts at destabilisation, targeting your country’s democratic institutions in particular.
Updated
A senior Ukrainian politician said the cost of Donald Trump’s decision to halt the supply of weapons and some intelligence sharing with Ukraine will be measured “in the life of our soldiers”.
The pause will mean that we’ll lose more and more soldiers”, Yehor Cherniev, deputy chairman of Ukraine’s defence and intelligence committee told the BBC.
He said he did not believe the impact will be felt immediately on the frontline, adding that Ukraine has sufficient stocks to fight on for another six months.
Ukraine is less reliant on US-supplied weaponry and ammunition than it was at the start of Russia’s full scale invasion, he said.
Ukraine to propose limited ceasefire and ready to sign US minerals agreement - report
A Ukrainian delegation meeting with US officials in Saudi Arabia tomorrow will propose a ceasefire covering the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes, as well as the release of prisoners, Associated Press reports, citing two senior Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian delegation is also ready during the talks to sign an agreement with the US on access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, Ukrainian officials told the news agency.
The Ukrainian armed forces commander-in chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said its forces are not in danger of encirclement in Russia's Kursk region, despite reports of a recent counteroffensive by Russian forces that has included North Korean troops.
Russia has taken control of several villages in the Kursk region and claims its forces are close to surrounding thousands of Ukrainian troops fighting on Russian territory.
Syrskyi, who said he was visiting the forces fighting in Kursk, said:
Despite the involvement of a significant number of Russian troops in the offensive, reinforced by North Korean infantry, the enemy is suffering significant losses in manpower and equipment.
And as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meetings in Riyadh continue and we wait for more details to emerge from behind the closed doors, let me hand you over to Leonie Chao-Fong who will guide you through the evening.
Over 30 nations expected at Paris military talks on Tuesday
Going back to genuinely important topics, let’s take a quick look at what is expected tomorrow as, thousands of miles away from Jeddah, a number of military officials will meet in Paris for talks on the creation of an international security force for Ukraine, which would be needed in case of a ceasefire with Russia.
A French military official told journalists earlier today that more than 30 nations are expected to join the forum, convened by French president Emmanuel Macron, including Asian and Oceania representatives joining remotly.
The talks’ second part will include “more precise and concrete” discussions where the participants will be invited to say whether and how their militaries might be able to contribute, the official said.
“It’s not, ‘This is what we need,’” the official said. “It’s more, ‘What are you bringing to the pot?’”
Of 32 Nato members, Croatia and Montenegro did not respond to their invitations, and the US was not invited, as European-led group wanted to demonstrate that they can take responsibility for a large part of the post-ceasefire security framework for Ukraine.
All-Italian drama at Eurovision as third Italy-related song joins the lineup
On a lighter note, please indulge me for a second as we take a slight detour to bring you some light on this otherwise depressing day.
Longstanding readers of this blog will know that I like to occassionally look at the bizarre tales of the Eurovision song contest to bring us something to laugh about, and Italy has been at the forefront of the absolute drama this year.
Over the weekend, a third Italy-related song was confirmed in the lineup for this year’s final in Basel, Switzerland, after San Marino decided to send Italian DJ Gabry Ponte with his “Tutta l’Italia,” meaning literally “All of Italy.”
What makes this pick particularly unusual is that… the song was literally the main theme of this year’s Italian song festival in Sanremo, the Italian qualifier for the Eurovision last month.
Ponte reportedly wanted to compete, but wasn’t allowed on a technicality that he is a DJ and not a singer, and instead agreed for the song to be used as the main theme played at the beginning of each and every show, during ad breaks, at the end, and 39812 many other times during the Sanremo week.
Fast forward three weeks, and Ponte was part of the lineup in the San Marino’s contest over the weekend, and… erm, he won it. A senior San Marino minister even joked that now “all of Italy will now be able to vote for him” at the Eurovision, La Repubblica reported.
“The international rebirth of Italodisco starts with San Marino,” the paper said.
Be warned: as one commenter on YouTube put it, “this song lives rent free in my head many days in the row.”
What makes the pick even more tasty is that Ponte will now face Italian-mocking controversy-inducing Estonian pick Tommy Cash – “Ciao bella, I’m Tomaso, addicted to tobacco. Mi like mi coffè very importante” – in the first semifinal, in which Italians will be able to vote and offer their view on both songs…
Also, imagine being the Italian pick, Lucio Corsi, who survived the entire week of hearing this song so many times on loop in Sanremo, only to now be confronted by its existence again, on the big stage, under the flag of San Marino (awkward!).
In other Eurovision dramas, Sweden has Finns singing about the experience of being in sauna, Ireland has a Norwegian musician singing about a Soviet space dog, and Finland has a part of its song in German (no, me neither). And here’s the Ukrainian song, announced today.
Oh, well: that’s geopolitics of the Eurovision song contest for you. At least it’s (usually) harmless.
Back to normal news before I get carried away any further. Hope this made you smile, though. At least a bit?
Updated
First pictures from Zelenskyy's visit to Saudi Arabia
As we are waiting for more updates on Zelenskyy’s meetings in Riyadh, let me bring you first pictures from his meetings there with senior Saudi officials.
UK's Starmer talked to Trump to express hopes for 'positive outcome' in US-Ukraine talks, restart of US aid, intel sharing
Ahead of tomorrow’s US-Ukraine talks, UK prime minister Keir Starmer spoke with US president Donald Trump to discuss their expectations about the meeting.
A Downing Street spokesperson said that Starmer told Trump “that UK officials had been speaking to Ukraine officials over the weekend and they remain committed to a lasting peace.”
The British prime minister also said “he hoped there would be a positive outcome to the talks that would enable US aid and intelligence sharing to be restarted.”
“The two leaders also spoke about the economic deal they had discussed at the White House and the prime minister welcomed the detailed conversations that had already happened to move this forward. Both leaders agreed to stay in touch,” the spokesperson added.
Rubio hopeful pause to US aid, intel could be resolved, as he sees promise in Ukrainian proposal for truce
We now have more details on Marco Rubio’s comments ahead of the US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, tomorrow.
The US state secretary said he hoped Washington’s cutoff of military aid could be “resolved” during critical talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, AFP reported.
“I think the notion of the pause in aid, broadly, is something I hope we can resolve. Obviously what happens tomorrow will be key to that,” the chief US diplomat told reporters.
He also spoke about the prospects of a ceasefire in the conflict, indicating a level of support for the Ukrainian proposal on air and sea truce.
“I’m not saying that alone is enough but it’s the kind of concession you would need to see in order to end the conflict,” he said.
Rubio has now landed in Saudi Arabia too, but despite Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy also being there tonight, the pair is not expected to meet.
Denmark in principle ready to take part in peacekeeping deployment in Ukraine
Denmark is in principle ready to take part in the European peacekeeping forces deployed to Ukraine, Danish foreign minister confirmed after securing key parliamentary approval.
In remarks reported by the Danish media after a meeting with the Foreign Policy Committee, Lars Løkke Rasmussen said it was important for Europe to “send the right signals to both Putin and Washington”.
No specific decision about deployment was agreed; it was more of an agreement in principle for if and when the right circumstances arise under a ceasefire arrangement between Russia and Ukraine.
As a result, Danish chief of defence, Michael Hyldgaard, will take part in tomorrow’s meeting of military chiefs of staff from multiple European countries, convened by French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
US hopes for good meeting to establish Ukraine's intentions, confirm it's prepared 'to do difficult things, like Russians will,' Rubio says
We are also getting some comments from US state secretary Marco Rubio who will be taking part in the US-Ukraine talks on Tuesday.
He is quoted by Reuters as saying that he hopes the meeting will go well, but it is important to “establish clearly Ukraine’s intentions” on peace, and that Ukraine “is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians will.”
We will bring you more from him when we have it.
Updated
Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi Arabia
We’re just getting a line that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for his talks with Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has played a mediating role between Ukraine and Russia.
Talks with Greens continue over Merz's debt reform plans
As reported earlier, the Green party in Germany is not too keen on a debt brake reform put forward by the presumed next chancellor Friedrich Merz, after they said they would vote against the proposals.
But finance minister in the outgoing German government Jörg Kukies suggested that the talks would continue in coming days as the two sides hope to find an agreement before the Bundestag meets late this week.
He was quoted by Reuters as saying that the Greens had “legitimate points,” and insisting that “agreement can be found” in time for the vote.
CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann also said the parties would hold talks with ahead of the parliamentary debate.
“I think it is completely legitimate for the Greens to say they have their own ideas,” he said, adding that their counter-proposals were “constructive”.
After the first debate on Thursday, the constitutional amendments are set to be voted on by MPs on 18 March.
Monitoring: Oil tanker and sea vessel collided off UK coast, with over 30 casualties
We are also monitoring the situation off England’s northeastern coast after an oil tanker and a cargo vessel have collided in the North Sea, with images from the scene showing at least one vessel ablaze with clouds of black smoke billowing into the air.
The latest update says that 32 casualties have been brought ashore to Grimsby. Their condition remains unclear.
For updates, you can join our separate blog here:
US expects 'substantial progress' in Ukraine talks, Trump's Middle East envoy says
The United States expects substantial progress in Ukraine talks this week and hopes that a deal on critical minerals can be signed, president Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Monday.
Intelligence sharing will also be discussed at this week’s meetings, Witkoff told Fox News just before leaving for talks in the Middle East.
However, he said, the United States never shut off intelligence for anything defensive that Ukrainians needed.
Witkoff will be part of the US delegation for talks with Ukraine, alongside state secretary Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz.
He earlier said wanted to use the talks in Jeddah on Tuesday “to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well”.
Trump's US administration 'not engaging' with EU to avoid trade war, EU trade chief says
The Trump administration does not seem to be engaging in talks to avert trade conflict with the European Union, the EU’s trade chief said, two days before the United States is set to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, Reuters reported.
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič told reporters in Brussels that he had travelled to Washington last month with the aim of starting a dialogue to avoid “the unnecessary pain of measures and countermeasures”.
The two sides identified a few areas of mutual benefit to pursue, Šefčovič said.
“But in the end, one hand cannot clap. The US administration does not seem to be engaging to make a deal,” he continued.
Šefčovič said that the European Union was ready for constructive engagement, that no one wins from tariffs and that partners with 1.6tn euros ($1.7tn) of mutual trade should be “extremely careful”.
“So our doors are open. But of course, if this would not bring the positive result, in that case we will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariffs,” he said.
“I think we’ve been very clear about it and I know they expect no less from us.”
Nato won't allow 'security vacuum' to emerge in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Balkans, Nato's Rutte warns
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte offered his support to Bosnia’s embattled government amid an ongoing political crisis, saying the alliance would not allow a “security vacuum to emerge” in the Balkan country.
In a strongly worded press conference, Rutte told the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina – comprising of three leaders representing the Bosniaks, the Serbs and the Croats – that “it is up to political leaders … to take their responisbility here.”
"That is the three of you, there is no other show in town,” he told them at a joint press conference
“You have got to solve it. The three of you. This is your appointment with history,” he said.
Nato secretary general’s intervention comes after a court in Bosnia has sentenced the pro-Russia Bosnian Serb president, Milorad Dodik, to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years over his separatist actions as tensions mount in the fragile Balkan state.
Dodik and his lawyers weren’t in court during the sentencing. He has said he would disobey any conviction and threatened “radical measures” in response, including eventual secession of the Serb-run entity in Bosnia called Republika Srpska from the rest of the country.
Dodik received public support from Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vučić and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán.
Rutte said that three decades on from the Dayton peace agreement in 1995, the alliance “remains firmly committed to the stability of this region and to the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
“Any actions that undermine Dayton, the constitutional order, or national institutions are unacceptable. Inflammatory rhetoric and actions are dangerous, they pose a direct threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability and security,” he said.
Rutte added that “hears concerns about security situation,” but added:
“But let’s be clear, this is not 1992, and we will not allow a security vacuum to emerge. The international community is here and committed to continuing our strong support,” he said, referring to the year Bosnia’s bloody inter-ethnic war began.
In a pointed comment, he also said he was repeating the same point “to all actors in the region.”
He said that the European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina, or EUFOR, remains “fully prepared to uphold a safe and secure environment,” as he stressed: “We will not allow hard won peace to be jeopardised.”
Last week, EUFOR said it would “temporarily increase the size of its force,” adding it was “a proactive measure aimed at assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the interest of all citizens.”
UK to host follow-up summit on Ukraine on Saturday
British prime minister Keir Starmer will host a virtual meeting of leaders to discuss the prospects for Ukraine on Saturday, following up on the meeting he held in London just over a week ago, Downing Street has just confirmed.
“You can expect the prime minister to host a second leaders’ meeting of the coalition of the willing, building on his Lancaster House summit,” the spokesperson told reporters, referring to the London meeting earlier this month.
The meeting will come at the end of a busy diplomatic week, with Ukraine-US talks planned for Tuesday, and separate European discussions involving army chief and British, German, Italian and Polish defence ministers in Paris later this week.
Kyiv to propose air, sea ceasefire with Russia during talks with US
Kyiv will propose an aerial and naval ceasefire with Russia during talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia this week, a Ukrainian official told AFP as president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to arrive in the kingdom.
Those discussions from Tuesday will be the first Ukraine-US meeting since a White House blowup between Zelenskyy and US president Donald Trump that led to Washington halting military aid to Kyiv.
“We do have a proposal for a ceasefire in the sky and ceasefire at sea,” the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Because these are the ceasefire options that are easy to install and to monitor and it’s possible to start with them.”
The air, sea ceasefire proposal was originally floated by French president Emmanuel Macron after the London summit just over a week ago.
Ukrainian and American officials will meet on Tuesday to seek a way out of the conflict more than three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Tusk asks 'friends' to show 'respect' after public spat with US over Starlink
Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk has called on “friends” to respect their allies and not be arrogant in a post on X which mentioned nobody by name but was published a day after an extraordinary social media spat between top officials in the US and Poland over Starlink satellites.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, accused Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, of “making things up” and suggested on Sunday he was ungrateful, in a strong rebuke after Sikorski said Ukraine may need an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service if it becomes unreliable.
Poland pays for Ukraine to use the services of Starlink, which provides crucial internet connectivity to Kyiv and its military.
“True leadership means respect for partners and allies. Even for the smaller and weaker ones,” Tusk wrote in English on X. “Never arrogance. Dear friends, think about it.“
Rubio had earlier said that “no one has made any threats about cutting Ukraine off from Starlink”.
“And say thank you because without Starlink Ukraine would have lost this war long ago and Russians would be on the border with Poland right now,” Rubio added.
Sikorski had later replied: “Thank you, Marco, for confirming that the brave soldiers of Ukraine can count on the vital internet service provided jointly by the US and Poland”.
In contrast, Sikorski had been told to “be quiet” and labelled a “small man” by Musk after he suggested that Poland, which says it pays $50m a year for Ukraine’s Starlink services, may need to find another provider if Musk’s service was deemed to be unreliable.
In a series of posts on X on the subject, that lasted through the day, Musk said later he would not turn off Starlink in Ukraine.
“To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals … We would never do such a thing or use it as a bargaining chip.”
Updated
Greens currently opposed to Merz's 'bazooka' spending reforms
Germany’s Green party said it would not give the votes necessary for the constitutional changes proposed by likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz to massively boost spending on infrastructure and defence, AFP reported.
“We will recommend to the members of the Green parliamentary group not to agree to these changes,” Katharina Dröge, the party’s leader in the Bundestag, told reporters. The changes need a two-thirds majority to pass.
The party initially indicated its support, but found the proposals floated by Merz as insufficiently convincing to secure their votes. It is expected that the negotiations on this issue will continue ahead of the parliamentary session on Thursday.
UK rejects 'malicious and baseless' accusations from Russia
The UK rejected Russian allegations that two British diplomats were suspected of carrying out espionage activities (9:04) as “malicious and baseless,” saying it is not the first time Russia made similar accusations.
Pompidou Centre set to temporarily close for five-year overhaul
Visitors from around the world have been flocking to the Pompidou Centre in Paris this weekend, seizing the last opportunity to enjoy Europe’s largest temple of modern and contemporary art before it closes its doors for a five-year overhaul.
In one of the most complex closures of its kind, the task of removing the museum’s 2,000-strong permanent collection will start on Monday. The Pompidou’s Chagalls, Giacomettis and myriad other treasures will be relocated to other sites in Paris and museums elsewhere in France and around the world.
Art lovers have until 9pm on Monday to take a final stroll through the permanent collection. However, Laurent Le Bon, art historian and the museum’s head, said those who missed the deadline would have plenty of other chances to see the Pompidou’s works. Calling the renovation a “an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent the Centre Pompidou”, he has said: “We will use the time we have well.”
Georgescu to challenge decision barring him from Romanian election, adviser says
Romanian far-right pro-Russian presidential contender Călin Georgescu will challenge a decision to bar him from running in a repeat May election at the Constitutional Court, one of his advisers told Reuters on Monday.
Challenges to decisions by Romania’s central election authority must be filed within 24 hours, with the court expected to rule by Wednesday.
No new talks with US planned for this week, Russia says
No talks are planned this week between Russia and the US, Russian state news agency TASS cited Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova as saying.
Her comments come after CNN had reported on Sunday that US officials would meet Russian counterparts during talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia this week.
'Most consequential election' in Greenland's history - analysis
Nordic correspondent
When it comes to the issues on the table – schools, healthcare, independence – Tuesday’s election is “not that exceptional”, says Greenlandic politician Aaja Chemnitz Larsen. And yet, it will potentially be the most consequential in the Arctic island’s history.
What makes this general election unlike any other, says the Inuit Ataqatigiit member of the Danish parliament, is the global spotlight on it. “What we’re seeing is influence from the US, Denmark and other places. It is not the same as other elections.”
Donald Trump’s fixation with acquiring Greenland “one way or the other”, as he told Congress to laughs last week, means the US – and as a result, the world – is watching Greenland’s election like never before. Denmark, which ruled the now autonomous territory as a colony until 1953 and continues to control its foreign and security policy, is also paying unprecedented attention for fear of losing a crucial part of its kingdom.
Among an electorate where little polling takes place, analysts are reluctant to predict whether the coalition led by Greenlandic prime minister Múte Egede, of Inuit Ataqatigiit (the ruling democratic socialist pro-independence party) will remain in power. Naleraq, Greenland’s largest opposition party, has been gaining traction with its prominent voice for independence and openness to collaborating with the US.
Unlike the reaction in Copenhagen, which went into crisis mode over Trump’s apparent threats, Trump’s interest in Greenland was seen by many in Nuuk with bemusement and a hope that it could be leveraged to negotiate a better deal with Denmark or to secure a quicker route to independence.
Greenland PM dismisses ‘disrespectful’ comments from Trump ahead elections
US president Donald Trump has repeated his promise to Greenlanders to “keep you safe” and “make you rich,” as he bids to “welcome [them] to be a part of the greatest nation anywhere in the world, the United States of America.”
His latest intervention came in a social media post overnight on his Truth Social network, and just days after he made similar promises in a joint address to Congress.
The timing of his comments is somewhat problematic as Greenlanders will go to the polls on Tuesday, choosing their next government.
And Greenland’s prime minister Múte B. Egede is less than impressed, as he told the Danish broadcaster DR that his comments were disrespectful.
“We deserve to be treated with respect, and I don’t think the American president has done that lately since he took office,” he said.
He added that Trump’s interventions were, in fact, counterproductive, putting some people off the idea of closer cooperation with the US.
Egede, who favours Greenland’s independence of Denmark, said that the territory needs to work more closely with countries that can show it respect and be reliable allies instead.
He also called Trump “very unpredictable,” saying it was part of a broader problem:
There is a world order that is faltering on many fronts – and a president of the United States who is very unpredictable – in such a way that makes people feel insecure.
Pro-Russia candidate Călin Georgescu barred from Romanian presidential elections
Romania’s central election authority has barred far-right pro-Russia frontrunner Călin Georgescu from running in May’s presidential election re-run.
The rejection of his candidacy, which was announced on Sunday evening and was condemned by far-right party leaders as undemocratic, can be challenged at the constitutional court.
Georgescu has 24 hours to lodge a complaint, which would then have to be decided within 48 hours, so we are going to hear the final verdict this week.
Responding to the decision last night, a group of supporters of Georgescu gathered outside the election bureau shouting “Freedom” and briefly tried to force their way through the security cordon, prompting clashes with the police.
Romania’s highest court annulled the ballot two days before the second round of voting in December, citing allegations of Russian interference in Georgescu’s favour, which Moscow has denied.
Germany hit by strikes at main airports, leaving thousands stranded
A one-day strike by workers at 13 German airports, including the Frankfurt and Munich hubs and all the country’s other main destinations, caused the cancelation of most flights on Monday, AP reported.
The 24-hour walkout, which started at midnight, involves public-sector employees at the airports as well as ground and security staff.
At Frankfurt Airport, 1,054 of the day’s 1,116 scheduled takeoffs and landings had been canceled, German news agency dpa reported, citing airport traffic management.
All of Berlin Airport’s regular departures and arrivals were canceled, while Hamburg Airport said no departures would be possible. Cologne/Bonn Airport said there was no regular passenger service and Munich Airport advised travelers to expect a “greatly reduced flight schedule.”
The ver.di service workers union’s strike also targeted the Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Dortmund, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Stuttgart and Munich airports. At the smaller Weeze and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports, only security workers were called out.
Russia expels two British 'diplomats' on spying charges
Russia said it was expelling two British “diplomats” on suspicion of carrying out espionage activities, the FSB Security Service said, reported by AFP.
Announcing the expulsion of the embassy’s second secretary and the husband of the first secretary, the FSB said “counterintelligence work had revealed an undeclared British intelligence presence under the cover of the national embassy.”
The foreign ministry also summoned an embassy representative, it said in a post on Telegram.
Morning opening: It's Riyadh Season
Since 2019, Saudi Arabia has organised what is known as “Riyadh Season,” a series of events in entertainment, sports, and culture promoting the kingdom. It included football games, boxing bouts, and massive concerts, among others.
It now appears that talks about the new global order are a part of the programme, too.
After the inaugural US-Russia talks last month, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in town today for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after which his team will stay over for critical talks with the US on Tuesday.
Overnight, US president Donald Trump said he was hoping that US-led talks could “make a lot of progress, I believe, this week,” as he suggested that a pause on sharing intelligence with Ukraine was “just about” lifted.
Over the weekend, Russia continued its attacks against Ukraine, with Zelenskyy wearily pointing out that “they are not thinking about how to end the war, but how to destroy and capture more while the world allows them to continue.”
But he insisted he was “fully committed” to talks.
“Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively,” he said.
Let’s see if this week’s talks can lead to any movement on this.
I will bring you all reactions and other developments across Europe – and from Riyadh.
It’s Monday, 10 March 2025, and this is Europe live. It’s Jakub Krupa here.
Good morning.
