Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Ukraine President Zelensky praises British 'leadership' in Ukraine war

“Weapons, finance, sanctions — on these three issues, Britain shows leadership,” he said.

Ukraine President Zelensky praises British 'leadership' in Ukraine war

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday praised British leadership and its support for Kyiv's fight against Russia during an unannounced visit from UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

"Words turn into actions. That's the difference between Ukraine's relationship with Great Britain and other countries," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video statement.

"Weapons, finance, sanctions -- on these three issues, Britain shows leadership," he added.

Ukraine has urged the West to deliver more heavy weapons to resist a powerful Russian offensive in the eastern Donbass region, where fighting is currently centred around the industrial city of Severodonetsk.

Wallace praised Ukraine's "extraordinary" efforts to rebuff the onslaught, praising both Zelensky's leadership and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

The two-day working visit was an opportunity to see "first-hand" how Ukraine's military needs are developing, Wallace said in a statement.

"This will ensure that the UK's continued support is evolving to meet those requirements and is tailored to the situation on the ground," he said.

Wallace discussed with Zelensky and Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov "the range of equipment and training the UK is currently providing" and "further support" Britain is ready to offer, the statement said.

Zelensky gifted Wallace commemorative stamps depicting Ukrainian soldiers on the Black Sea's Snake Island rebuffing demands from a Russian warship to surrender.

The Russian warship, the Moskva, was later sunk.

Following Washington's lead, London announced the delivery of multiple rocket launcher systems -- with a range of about 80 kilometres (50 miles), slightly superior than the Russian systems.

It was not clear when Ukraine will be able to start using them.

The visit comes after two British citizens who joined Ukrainian forces were sentenced to death by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner along with Moroccan Saaudun Brahim were captured earlier and sentenced this week by separatist authorities in the eastern Donetsk region for attempting to overthrow the government.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he was "appalled" by the sentence and that he was working with Kyiv for their release, according to Downing Street.

(AFP)

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less