Trump says he COULD jet in to Ukraine peace talks as they begin today after coward Putin sends novichok poison spy boss

Putin 'will rebuild depleted army to attack Nato in TWO YEARS '
Vladimir Putin could launch a direct attack on Nato by 2027 if he is allowed to rebuild his army during a ceasefire, military experts say.
The world has been calling for a pause in the gruelling conflict but fears are mounting that this could have a major knock on effect for the future security of Europe.
If a ceasefire can finally be agreed upon, then it will allow Putin time to regroup and come up with a fresh attack plan - which could now include other European nations.
Russia could rebuild its military to a worrying capacity as early as 2027, according to a report by a top security think tank.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies said Putin may deploy his army onto a 'war footing' and try to test Nato by evoking Article 5.
This may see the Kremlin decide to leave Ukraine alone as it continues to recover from Russia's three-and-a-half year onslaught.
Instead, Putin could commit to an attack on Nato states in the Baltics.
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The Independent

24 minutes ago

• The Independent

Ukraine-Russia war latest: One dead and fourteen injured after Moscow launches overnight drone strike on Odesa

One person has died and 14 people left wounded after a Russian drone attack hit several high-rise apartment blocks in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Footage showed emergency services battling fires at one apartment block as they rushed to rescue civilians. They reported at least 10 drone strikes overnight. Odesa governor Oleh Kiper said there was damage to residential buildings, a higher education institution, a gas pipeline and private cars. Ukrainian state railways Ukrzaliznytsia reported that Odesa railway station was damaged during the attack, with power wires and rails damaged. Ukraine 's air force said Russia fired a total of 86 drones at Ukraine in its latest aerial attack, 70 of which were either shot down or lost. Officials in Ukraine's northeast city of Kharkiv also reported damage. Ukrainian politicians urged Kyiv 's western supporters to put more pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire in light of the latest attacks. 'With no meaningful consequences, Russia feels free to escalate. Every delay, every diluted sanction, every excuse for inaction is taken in Moscow as permission,' economics minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X, sharing footage of the attack in Odesa. Moscow's defence ministry, meanwhile, claimed that Ukraine fired 61 drones at targets across Russia. North Korea will send 5,000 military construction workers to Russia, Kremlin says North Korea is sending 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Russia 's Kursk oblast, where Moscow is repairing widespread damage from a Ukrainian incursion, according to a top Kremlin official. Presidential security adviser Sergei Shoigu said the workers would help rebuild the strategic border region, which was invaded by the Ukrainian military last August and retaken by Russian forces earlier this year. The dispatch of the workers was discussed in Mr Shoigu's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, state media outlet KCNA reported on Wednesday. North Korea will send 5,000 military construction workers to Russia, says Kremlin Sergei Shoigu says North Korean workers will help repair damage from Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Tom Watling20 June 2025 10:00 In pictures: Russia launches drone attacks at Kharkiv Earlier, we reported that six people had been wounded, including a 12-year-old, in the northeast Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. Below, you can see some pictures of the aftermath of those attacks. Tom Watling20 June 2025 09:24 Tried and tested in war: For European drone manufacturers, Ukraine is the place to be About once a month, French drone manufacturer Henri Seydoux makes what has become a necessary pilgrimage for many in his business — he goes to Ukraine. Because for drone technology, there is no harder place to survive than the frontlines of the war against Russia's invasion, where both sides are using unmanned aerial machines of all shapes and sizes to kill and to observe, reshaping modern warfare. Tried and tested in war: For European drone manufacturers, Ukraine is the place to be For European drone manufacturers, being able to say that their equipment has been tried in war by Ukrainian forces is becoming a sales pitch Tom Watling20 June 2025 09:00 At least six people, including 12-year-old, injured in Ukraine's Kharkiv While footage continues to come out from Ukraine's port city of Odesa following a large Russian drone attack, we bring you news from Kharkiv, where there have been additional casualties. The northeastern Ukrainian region, which borders Russia, is one of the most frequently bombed areas of the country. Its eponymously named capital is also home to some 1.3 million Ukrainians, making it the second largest city in the country behind Kyiv. Local officials said Russia launched at least eight strikes overnight on the region, injuring three people, including a 12-year-old and 17-year-old girl, in the city. At least six apartment blocks were damaged. Another three people were injured in villages outside the city but within the region. 20 June 2025 08:38 Olena Zelenska: Russia is turning our nights into a nightmare Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia of 'turning our nights into nightmares' with the latest aerial attacks. Russia has ramped up its assaults on Ukraine in recent weeks, even as Vladimir Putin has repeated claims he is interested in ending the war. Moscow says it is only striking military targets but footage last night showed civilians fleeing a residential apartment block after drones damaged the property and caused fires. 'Russia is deliberately turning each of our nights into a nightmare, trying to break our spirit. But Ukraine will persevere,' Ms Zelenska wrote on X. 'The future belongs to those who save, rebuild, and never give up.' Tom Watling20 June 2025 08:19 Putin sends warning to Germany over Ukraine supplies: 'Serious damage' Tom Watling20 June 2025 08:03 Mapped: Russia's invasion of Ukraine Below we have a map of the frontline in Ukraine after more than three years of Russia's full-scale invasion. Tom Watling20 June 2025 07:48 Russia downs two drones that tried to attack Moscow, mayor says Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Friday that air defence systems had downed two drones en route to Russia's capital. He posted twice on Telegram, first at 4.55am GMT and secondly at 6.07am, claiming two separate attacks. He said emergency services were working at the site of the fallen debris. Earlier, Moscow's defence ministry claimed that Ukraine fired 61 drones at targets across Russia overnight. Tom Watling20 June 2025 07:37 In pictures: Russian drone attack hits high-rise in Odesa Earlier, we told that you an overnight Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa had killed at least one person and left 14 more wounded. The Russian attack hit several high-rise apartment blocks, setting them on fire. Below, you can see pictures from the scene. 20 June 2025 07:31 Russia fires 86 drones at Ukraine overnight Ukraine's air force said on Friday that Russia had launched 86 drones on Ukraine overnight. The military noted its air defence units shot down 34 drones while another 36 drones were lost - in reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them - or they were drone simulators that did not carry warheads. Tom Watling20 June 2025 07:20

Telegraph

31 minutes ago

• Telegraph

Taxpayers hand over £8bn more as Reeves's raids kick in

Taxpayers have forked out an extra £8.6bn in just two months as Rachel Reeves' Budget starts to bite, new figures show. Data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows that tax receipts hit £142.8bn for April and May, a rise of more than 6pc compared to the same period last year. Almost £3 in every additional £4 raised came from income tax and National Insurance, alongside increased revenue from capital gains and inheritance tax. Tax expert Rachel Griffin called the increase 'another chapter in the Government's stealth tax strategy', while retirement specialist Stephen Lowe said Labour's 'tax train showed absolutely no signs of running out of steam'. In her maiden Budget in October, the Chancellor raised employers' National Insurance contributions from 13.8pc to 15pc and reduced the salary at which they become due from £9,100 to £5,000. She also retained the Conservatives' plans to freeze income tax thresholds. The moves came despite Labour's manifesto promise not to raise taxes on working people. As a result of the changes, HMRC received an extra £6.1bn in revenue for the two measures over April and May compared to last year, with £3.6bn in additional income tax and another £2.5bn in National Insurance contributions. Ms Griffin, of Quilter, said: 'HMRC's latest figures for May 2025 mark another chapter in the Government's stealth-tax strategy. Despite no new headline tax rises, receipts continue to climb thanks to frozen thresholds and slashed allowances. 'With income tax thresholds still frozen, many workers are paying a larger share of their earnings in tax simply due to modest pay rises, even when those increases fail to match inflation. 'This month's figures also capture the first full month's impact of the April changes to employer National Insurance contributions. While the policy may help shore up the public finances, it could also influence hiring decisions and wage growth in the months ahead.' There was also a £97m increase in inheritance tax receipts. The amount is expected to increase quickly next year after the Chancellor's decision to halve agricultural and business property relief after the first £1m of assets. From April 2027, pensions will also be considered for inheritance tax. Mr Lowe, of Just Group, said: 'The Treasury's inheritance tax revenues continue to surge with this tax train showing absolutely no signs of running out of steam through the first couple of months in this financial year. 'The reforms announced at the autumn Budget, which included further extending the threshold freeze and tightening the exemptions for pension wealth, will likely tip more estates into paying the tax and further boost the Chancellor's coffers.' There was also an increase of £106m in capital gains receipts, which have continued to rise following changes implemented in October last year. The Chancellor increased the lower rate from 10pc to 18pc and the higher rate from 20pc to 24pc for shares and other non-property assets. Richard Bate, of law firm Weightmans, said: 'With inheritance tax thresholds frozen and key reliefs due to be curtailed from 2026, families and business owners are acting early – restructuring their estates while current capital gains tax rates and allowances remain in place. 'But in doing so, many are facing an unwelcome double tax hit – capital gains tax now, followed by potential inheritance tax later if planning isn't carefully managed.'

Reuters

33 minutes ago

• Reuters

Russia sentences activist who helped Ukrainians flee war to 22 years in prison

LONDON, June 20 (Reuters) - A Russian activist who helped collect humanitarian aid for Ukraine and evacuate Ukrainians from the war zone was sentenced on Friday to 22 years in prison by a Moscow military court, the RIA state news agency reported. Nadezhda Rossinskaya, also known as Nadin Geisler, ran a group called "Army of Beauties", which said it had assisted some 25,000 people in Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine in 2022-23, according to a report last year in The Moscow Times. Authorities arrested Geisler in February 2024 and later charged her with treason and aiding terrorist activities over a post they said she made on Instagram calling for donations to Ukraine's Azov Battalion. Geisler denied any wrongdoing, and her lawyer said she was not the author of the post, according to a trial transcript compiled by Mediazona, an independent Russian outlet. Prosecutors had requested 27 years for Geisler, who is in her late 20s. Mediazona reported that she had asked the court to imprison her for 27 years and one day, so that her prison term could surpass that of Darya Trepova, a Russian woman jailed for delivering a bomb that killed a pro-war blogger in 2023. Trepova's sentence, handed down last year, was the longest given to any woman in modern Russian history. Prosecutions for terrorism, espionage and cooperation with a foreign state have risen sharply in Russia since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine over three years ago. Pervy Otdel, a Russian lawyers' association, says 359 people were convicted of such crimes in 2024.