Free Republic

This is the gravest crisis for Western security since the end of World War Two, and a lasting one. As one expert puts it, "Trumpism will outlast his presidency". But which nations are equipped to step to the fore as the US stands back? ... Donald Trump is the first US President since World War Two to challenge the role that his country set for itself many decades ago. And he is doing this in such a way that, to many, the old world order appears to be over - and the new world order has yet to take shape....

Keir Starmer has warned Vladimir Putin to stop playing games over a ceasefire as he gathers allies to hammer out peacekeeping plans. Some 25 countries will join a call led by the Prime Minister from Downing Street on Saturday to discuss forming a “coalition of the willing” to shore up peace in Ukraine. Mr Starmer will say allies need to turn the screws on Russia's economy and be prepared to support long term peace in Ukraine. Leaders from European countries, the EU Commission, NATO, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand are expected to join the virtual summit which follows days...

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine's capital on Thursday with a pledge to help guarantee the country’s security for a century, days before Donald Trump is sworn in as U.S. president. The British government says Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a “100-Year Partnership” treaty in Kyiv covering areas including defense, science, energy and trade. Starmer’s unannounced visit is his first trip to Ukraine since he took office in July. He visited the country in 2023 when he was opposition leader, and has twice held talks with Zelenskyy in London since becoming prime minister.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been accused of a "flagrant abuse of intelligence" after he revealed that British troops are helping the Ukrainian military launch long-range Storm Shadow missiles on Russian positions. Tobias Ellwood, a senior Conservative lawmaker and the former head of the UK's Defense Select Committee, said Berlin endangers the lives of British troops in Ukraine, the Telegraph reported on Thursday. "This is a flagrant abuse of intelligence deliberately designed to distract from Germany's reluctance to arm Ukraine with its own long-range missile system. This will no doubt be used by Russia to racket up the escalator ladder."