Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Former Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi wanted Putin to defuse India-Pakistan standoff

His suggestion came in May 2002 when India and Pakistan amassed troops on their border, UK government files reveal.

Former Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi wanted Putin to defuse India-Pakistan standoff

Italia’s former leader Silvio Berlusconi suggested to world leaders in 2002 that Russian president Vladimir Putin could be used to broker peace between India and Pakistan, according to the UK’s now-revealed confidential papers.

Berlusconi, Italy’s prime minister at the time, put forth the idea at a lunch organised for world leaders at the Nato-Russia Council in May of that year.


His suggestion came when India and Pakistan amassed troops on their border as tensions heightened between the Asian neighbours, the papers released by the National Archives revealed.

But the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice dismissed as “a terrible idea” Berlusconi’s suggestion that other NATO leaders should join Putin.

Sir David Manning, British prime minister Tony Blair’s foreign policy adviser, said: “Condi Rice commented to me that this was ‘a terrible idea’ that could only complicate our efforts to handle the crisis.”

The India-Pakistan stand-off, following a terror attack on India’s parliament in 2001, threatened to escalate into a war between the two nuclear powers.

The newly released files also show Blair gifted silver cufflinks to Putin on his birthday.

Blair described Putin as a “Russian patriot” and advocated that the West should take him on board.

At a meeting with vice-president Dick Cheney at Camp David, Blair said “it was better to allow Putin a position on the top table and encourage Putin to reach for western attitudes as well as the western economic model”.

A Downing Street memo in January 2001 summarises Blair's contacts with Putin, who had become Russia’s president less than a year earlier.

It says: "On NATO, Putin told the Prime Minister in Moscow that he did not want to be viewed as anti-NATO and would not try to slow down the process of NATO enlargement".

However, the Russian defence minister Igor Sergeyev told his Nato counterparts any further expansion of the US-led military alliance would be a political error and his country would “take appropriate steps” in response.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navroop Singh

Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

Man jailed for life over rape and attempted rape in west London

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.

Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Keep ReadingShow less