The Ukraine summit ignored the difficult questions
What a lovely meeting Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies had with Donald Trump. The US President complimented Zelensky on…
The 12 minutes of the Trump-Putin summit that shook the world
The Trump-Putin press conference in Anchorage was 12 minutes that shook the world. Putin got precisely what he wanted, which…
Trump’s Alaska meeting is a gift for Putin
From the Kremlin’s point of view, holding a US-Russia summit in Anchorage, Alaska is an idea of fiendish brilliance. The…
Trump and Putin fundamentally misunderstand each other
Let the trolling begin. Chicken Kiev was the airline meal served to the first planeload of Russian diplomats, government officials…
Giorgia Meloni’s Italian renaissance
Rome Last weekend, Rome hosted nearly a million young pilgrims to celebrate the Papal Jubilee of Youth. Part Woodstock festival,…
What Putin wants from his meeting with Trump
With just a day to go until the expiry of his ultimatum to Vladimir Putin to halt the war on…
Zelensky’s war on Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies is a disaster
Cries of ‘Shame!’ rang out in the Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, today as lawmakers from Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People…
Ukrainians have lost faith in Zelensky
Donald Trump this week boosted Ukraine’s air defences with new Patriot batteries, threatened Vladimir Putin with sanctions if he does…
For Trump, solving Ukraine won’t be as easy as Iran
For the moment, at least, the world seems to be going Donald Trump’s way. Instead of setting the Middle East…
Venice deserves Jeff Bezos
Venetians are once again revolting. Not, this time, against cruise ships, wheeled luggage, over-tourism or rule from mainland Mestre. No…
Why Russia wants war between Israel and Iran
Israel’s assault on Iran represents a double helping of good news for the Kremlin. Years of two-track diplomacy have allowed…
Who started the Cold War?
It was America, with its decision to build a global liberal order – not the Soviet Union, with plans to spread communism in Europe, argues Vladislav Zubok
Putin has no interest in peace in Ukraine
It was Groundhog Day in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace. On one side of the grand conference room sat a long row…
Putin has no interest in peace
It was Groundhog Day in Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace. On one side of the grand conference room sat a long row…
How long can Putin openly defy Trump?
What happens when you repeatedly defy President Trump’s direct orders? Or lie to his face, again and again? How about…
Why the Trump-Putin dialogue is so dangerous for Ukraine
“Look, are you serious? Are you real about this?” That question, according to US vice president J.D. Vance, was the essence…
Putin only wants to talk to one man
A week of diplomatic manoeuvring, ultimatums and psychological gambits has ended with a sadly predictable result: Vladimir Putin will not…
Why Trump met Syria’s interim president
Few career arcs in modern history can be as remarkable as that of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa – or Abu Mohammed…
Ukraine’s Victory Day drone swarm is dangerous for Putin
Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May should mark a triumphal double apotheosis for Vladimir Putin. Not only will it…
What does Putin want? Whatever he can get away with
The US general Mark Clark knew a thing or two about dealing with Russians. In the aftermath of the defeat…
How Rome copes with the Conclave
Ordinary Romans, famous for their cheerful working-class familiarity, loved Pope Francis for his common touch. For the first time in…
‘Vladimir, STOP!’ – Trump is being humiliated by Putin
Theodore Roosevelt was a believer in speaking softly but carrying a big stick. But where does that leave Donald Trump,…
Why London’s Ukraine ceasefire talks will fail
There’s one key thing that one should know about the Ukraine peace talks scheduled to begin in London today, and…
Why London’s Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will fail
There’s one key thing that one should know about Ukraine peace talks scheduled to begin in London today, and that…
Has the Kremlin talked Trump out of sanctions?
After a two-hour phone call last month, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin announced that an improved bilateral relationship between the…
