Donald Trump’s shock decision over the weekend to place firm support behind Vladimir Putin while berating Volodymyr Zelensky has left Ukraine’s European allies scrambling.
The “energy ceasefire” the White House announced over the weekend would in theory be a positive development, if it led to Russia halting its attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
However, as we have already seen, that ceasefire may not have been worth the pixels with which it was published on social media – Zelensky has already accused the Russians of violating the agreement and striking a Ukrainian thermal power plant in the critical city of Kharkiv in the country’s east.
What Trump’s Russia-Ukraine ‘energy ceasefire’ means
The US President made the surprise announcement as he continues to pressure Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries.
What did Trump announce?
On Sunday, Donald Trump wrote on social media: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”
In his regular evening address, Volodymyr Zelensky said “it is only logical” to establish a ceasefire and stop the war, and an energy ceasefire was “good news for everyone”.
Andy Burnham said a ceasefire is “the best route to get energy and fuel back into world markets”.
Russia did not comment on the ceasefire deal on Sunday.
What does this mean?
However, today Zelensky said the surprise announcement was not followed through by the Kremlin.
Speaking in Warsaw, the Ukrainian president said “immediately after [Trump’s] post, Russia launched a targeted strike on a power plant in Kharkiv, causing further damage to our energy system”.
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Trump’s diesel deal
On Friday, Trump announced a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, claiming Russia would supply more than 2.25 million barrels of diesel to the US and global markets.
Reacting to a possible deal, Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius told Sky News: “We’re not proud of it. It’s shameful, disgraceful… I’m not sure if it’s even under way or if it’s just a political claim.”
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The latest updates after man dies in Yorkshire tiger attack
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has said it will remain closed on Monday as investigations continue into the death on Saturday.
What happened?
- Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on 10 October.
- A witness claimed that a man had entered the tiger enclosure “to play” with the animal.
- One witness told he saw the man “dancing happily with his headphones in” 20 minutes before entering the enclosure.
- Police said the man was pronounced dead at the scene, and his family have been informed.
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The sequence of events
- Reports that a man jumped into the tiger enclosure at the wildlife park began circulating on social media on Saturday afternoon.
- The park confirmed emergency services were contacted after a man entered the enclosure and was “attacked” by the tiger after 1.30pm.
- Emergency services attended, with two ambulances and a helicopter rushing to the scene.
- Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by a tiger in the enclosure.
- One video also appeared to show him wagging a finger at the tiger in an apparent attempt to stop the attack.
The latest updates
The park was evacuated after the incident on Saturday, and a message to ticket holders on Monday morning said anyone with a booking would be offered the chance to reschedule.
The wildlife park said Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, will not be euthanised. Members of park staff who were “deeply affected” by the incident were receiving specialist support.
How remnants of a hurricane will affect UK weather this week
The UK is set for a week of warmer weather, with particularly mild night-time temperatures and conditions getting windier towards the middle of the week.
The forecast this week
Just as autumn beds in, the UK is set to turn milder again this week with the remnants of Hurricane Isaias which hit the US on Saturday.
Day temperatures will be average but the nights will feel warmer, with parts of England forecast to stay as high as 18°C on Monday night.
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What to expect and when
Mild weather returns
Early in the week, temperatures will be slightly above average, reaching the low 20s on Tuesday.
Wet and windy
Early in the week, expect showers, while mid-week will seek some strong winds, with possible gales in Scotland.
Mixed end to the week
Thursday could see temperatures above 20°C again, though this will decline again by Friday.
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has arrived at Southwark Crown Court today with his wife for the start of his trial on rape and sexual assault charges.
What are the charges against him?
Brand, 51, is accused of groping women and forcing them into sexual acts in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to 2009.
He denies three charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one allegation of indecent assault, made by six women.
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The story in pictures
What happens now
- The hearing began at 9.30am today.
- Jury selection is expected to begin for a trial, which could last up to 10 weeks.
- Brand pleaded not guilty to the charges during pre-trial hearings and is currently on bail.
- The case is being overseen by High Court judge Mr Justice Bennathan.
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Closer look at accusations
- Previous hearings have heard Brand accused of raping a woman in a hotel room at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.
- He has also been accused of grabbing a TV worker’s breasts and forcing her into a sex act in a toilet, and kissing and groping a radio station worker.
- Brand has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty in a pre-trial hearing.
NHS rolls out new prescriptions alerts – what we know
The latest feature follows the launch of the “Amazon-style” prescription tracker on the NHS app, which officials said has been used by almost 2.9 million people.
What you need to know
- Millions of NHS app users in England can now get alerts on their phones and smartwatches when their prescriptions are ready. Thousands of pharmacies are already live with the service.
- The update will help tackle unnecessary calls or premature trips to the chemist to pick up medication, NHS England said.
- Health innovation minister James Frith urged people to enable push alert notifications on the NHS app to benefit from the new feature.
Embracing new technology
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said it would free up staff time from answering phone calls and encourage more patients to use the NHS app.
“Pharmacies want to do all they can to embrace new technology and make the vital services they offer as easy and convenient as possible for patients to access,” he said.
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Welcome progress
It’s something many people have been asking for, and alongside other non-digital ways of accessing information and support, can help make it easier for patients to get the information they need in a way that works for them.
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association
The likely benefits cuts after PM hints at shake-up
Two reviews due this autumn will shape what comes next for universal credit and personal independence payments (PIP).
Andy Burnham said his Government will show “the same boldness as we did on the triple lock” in responding to youth unemployment.
What could Milburn recommend?
Alan Milburn, a former health secretary, is examining why nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training .
The group’s out-of-work and disability benefits reportedly cost the government around £8.1bn a year.
His review is expected to recommend wholesale changes to get young people into work and bring down the benefits bill.
But Burnham told the Labour conference that savings would come not from “crude cuts” but from “investing in people in their success”.
Universal credit health element
Ministers are considering removing the universal credit health element for under-25s and replacing it with an intensive back-to-work scheme.
Young people who fail to take up intensive support to help them into work will face benefit sanctions, The i Paper understands
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Personal independence payments
PIP helps with the extra living costs of a long-term condition or disability, whether or not you work.
It is now claimed by four million people, with spending forecast to rise from £28.5bn this year to £41.5bn by 2030-31.
The Timms Review is looking at ways to improve PIP and reduce costs.
has reported that the Government is considering new eligibility criteria, though people with the most severe conditions would not be affected.
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What happens next?
- Parliament is expected to debate the Timms proposals before the end of the year, with the Government responding soon after.
- Milburn’s review is likely to be published shortly after the Budget, with savings not expected until 2027.
It is likely to require primary legislation, which provides scope for a Labour rebellion.
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Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Tarantino’s West End play
star Sacha Baron Cohen will headline when it premieres in London next year.
Quentin Tarantino said he was “keen with anticipation to give the West End a great night out”.
What we know so far
The production marks Tarantino’s first play written for the stage – which he will also direct.
Set in 1830s Europe, has been billed as a “rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen”.
What did Baron Cohen say?
Baron Cohen, best known for comedy characters including Borat and Ali G said: “Quentin called, I said yes before he even got to say his first ‘motherf**ker.”
He added: “When the best director in the world calls, you don’t ask questions. I am beyond delighted that we will be losing our West End virginity together. I have made him [a] promise not to be gentle.”
How can you see it?
- It will premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End on 18 March, 2027.
- Tickets go on sale on Monday 12 October.
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Trump has meanwhile announced a deal to import Russian diesel into the US, while blaming Ukrainian strikes on the country’s oil refineries for rising fuel prices.
Allies are concerned that the ceasefire announcement is little more than a trap for Ukraine, where Russia continues its attacks while any proportionate response from Kyiv will result in Ukraine being blamed by Trump for breaking its word and ultimately adding to the global energy crisis that the US President sought to solve.
Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said that Britain’s main role now was to “try and bring our friends back together” and get the Americans back onside – whatever that means at this point in the war.
Trump hurling abuse at Ukraine while lifting sanctions on Russia is an unhelpful development for Kyiv. One of the biggest fears Westerners have as winter rolls around is that Ukraine will suffer electricity blackouts and limited heating, hammering morale and resolve.
Reports have also emerged that Trump is threatening to pull out of the Purl (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) scheme – under which Europeans buy weapons from American stockpiles for Ukraine – and cut off intelligence that aids Ukraine with deep strikes in Russia, unless it stops hitting the nation’s energy networks. This could be devastating.
It is therefore understandable that Streeting and his European counterparts want to act as a bridge between Kyiv and Washington DC, to keep Trump in the room and get things on a more level footing as quickly as possible. But Trump’s latest acts of vengeance against Ukraine’s President, egregious even by his standards, should give Europeans pause and force them to ask the question: at what cost?
Even the most generous reading of Trump’s Ukraine policy since taking office is a damning story of America shaping the world to the advantage of Putin. Russian attacks have escalated, while the US government has committed zero new dollars to Ukraine’s defence. Indeed, Europeans have picked up the tab in America’s absence. Even in the last few weeks, billions of fresh euros have been committed to the war effort, with more to come.
Trump still has the power to do enormous damage to the Ukrainian war effort, either by withdrawing US support or simply by throwing further diplomatic support behind Russia. But the conflict no longer rests as heavily on the whims of the US President as it did when he first returned to office.
Europe has got its act together in the last two years. Through financial aid, military aid, more credible investment in its own defence and broad solidarity for Ukraine, it is no longer a bystander in this conflict. Both the EU and the so-called European pillar of Nato have taken greater responsibility for continental security.
With initiatives like the Joint Expeditionary Force, a 10-nation partnership that can act without US approval in responding to threats in Europe’s north, and the Coalition of the Willing, an alliance that pledges support for Ukraine ranging from cash to potential peacekeeping troops, Europe has levels of autonomy that previously didn’t exist in any meaningful way.
The past few weeks, in which Russia has used increasingly powerful jet-powered drones to strike strategic and civilian targets in Ukraine, have heightened fears of the bleakest winter since the start of the conflict.
European security officials privately talk about their concerns that “Ukraine fatigue” might finally set in, as an energy crisis and Ukraine’s dwindling air defences change the game and dovetail with other diplomatic priorities. What will Trump’s America look like post-midterms? What will the European political landscape look like following critical elections in Germany and France – when pro-Kremlin populists look set to win power and influence?
However, such knee-jerk reactions might be needlessly pessimistic. The recent troubles Ukraine has faced come off the back of months where deep strikes and territorial gains had given Kyiv’s allies reason for hope.
“It feels like the narrative flips between the cup not being half full or half empty, but 80 per cent full or 80 per cent empty,” said a European security official last week. “In reality the margins are a lot finer and things don’t change that quickly.”
Ukraine has already adapted, for example by using new automated turret guns to shoot down jet-powered drones last week. More innovations will come.
And America may yet assist. On Monday, Nato’s top commander warned Russia that his forces would destroy “anything and everything” involved in any attack if Moscow were “foolish enough” to target alliance territory. “We will stop the attack and deny them the ability to achieve their objectives, whatever those might be,” said US General Alexus Grynkewich, Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe. “We will, in short, ensure any attack, against any ally, proves utterly futile.”
“No one should question the commitment of the United States to this alliance,” he added.
As for Europe, it is only powerless in this conflict if it chooses to be so; it has come a long way since 2022. What is now critical is that the continent does not break in its resolve to maintain its support for Ukraine and find ways to go further. America is important, but it is not everything. Keeping Trump inside the tent is helpful, but his value to Ukraine and Europe has proven time and again to be limited and often absent.
The idea that America is the only power that can broker peace in Ukraine is an outdated cliche that wilfully ignores the leaps Europe has made. There are plenty in Ukraine who see Europe as their most important ally. Europe can continue to play this role, provided it doesn’t go into meltdown every time Trump does what he does best – sow chaos.