Ukraine-Russia war latest: US aid could resume tomorrow, says Rubio, as Zelensky meets Saudi officials

The variety of Britons who consider the US is an ally or pleasant rival has collapsed beneath Donald Trump, a YouGov ballot has discovered.

Since December, the portion who mentioned they thought-about the US both a good friend and ally or a pleasant rival has fallen from two thirds (67 per cent) to simply over a half (53 per cent).

In contrast, the quantity who mentioned the US has an unfriendly relationship with the UK or is a “hostile menace” jumped from 12 per cent to 30 per cent. It comes amid the president’s aggressive stance on world commerce, threatening tariff wars and even a US takeover of Canada and Greenland. And the drop additionally follows Mr Trump’s Oval Workplace conflict with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

The group probably to nonetheless see America beneath Mr Trump as a pleasant nation or an ally of the UK are Reform UK voters, with two-thirds nonetheless contemplating the US positively.

Labour voters have been least more likely to take a constructive view of the connection, at simply 51 per cent.

Chief of Defence Workers Admiral Sir Tony Radakin is assembly with counterparts in Paris tomorrow to debate a “coalition of the keen” settlement on defending Ukraine.

Earlier on Monday, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s dedication to supporting Ukraine.

“We’re totally dedicated to working with Ukraine, supporting Ukraine, working with the USA and our casual companions to drive progress in the direction of a simply and lasting peace in Ukraine, and that’s our focus,” the spokesperson mentioned.

Nato Secretary Basic Mark Rutte mentioned the group’s assist for Ukraine is “unwavering” following a gathering in Sarajevo on Monday.

“Vital to be in Sarajevo right this moment. #NATO stays firmly dedicated to the sovereignty & territorial integrity of [Ukraine]. Political management is essential to additional progress & stability. NATO’s assist is unwavering,” he mentioned on X.

Volodymyr Zelensky has begun assembly with Saudi officers after touching down in Jeddah this afternoon.

Zelensky met with the Deputy Governor of Makkah Area Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, forward of his assembly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sulman later right this moment.

The Ukrainian president’s go to comes forward of US-Ukraine peace talks, however he received’t be a part of these conferences – they are going to be led by his chief of workers, and ht US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump forward of talks in Saudi Arabia a couple of peace deal to finish the Ukraine struggle.

A Downing Avenue spokesman mentioned: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump forward of the US Ukraine dialogue in Saudi Arabia.

“The Prime Minister mentioned that UK officers had been talking to Ukraine officers over the weekend and so they stay dedicated to a long-lasting peace.

“The Prime Minister mentioned he hoped there can be a constructive final result to the talks that might allow US assist and intelligence sharing to be restarted.”

Volodymyr Zelensky has landed in Jeddah forward of peace talks between Ukraine and the US tomorrow.

The Ukrainian president will not be main his nation’s delegation on the talks – that’s the job of his chief of workers, Andriy Yermak, alongside International Minister Andriy Sybiha and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.

They’ll meet with the American workforce led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following a “constructive name” between Rubio and Sybiha on Friday.

Either side hope to seek out an settlement for ending the struggle, however the talks come after a tense few weeks of US-Ukrainian relations following a disaterous White House assembly between Donald Trump, his vice chairman JD Vance and Zelensky.

Ukraine’s navy says it has struck two Russian oil refineries prior to now two days, in what it described as a strategic hit on Russian provides.

The Basic Workers of the Armed Forces mentioned in a translated put up on social media that they struck an oil refinery within the Ryazan area and the subsequent day hit a refinery within the Samara area.

The workers put up mentioned the Ryazan facility produced 840,000 tons of high-grade jet gasoline, however particulars of the particular injury have been being clarified.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his hopes for peace right this moment forward of talks between US and Ukrainian officers on a possible peace settlement tomorrow.

Zelensky was heading to Saudi Arabia right this moment forward of tomorrow’s talks in Jeddah to satisfy with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

In a put up on X, Zelensky wrote: “Ukraine has been searching for peace for the reason that very first second of the struggle, and we’ve got all the time mentioned that the one purpose it continues is Russia.

“I’m grateful to each unit and each brigade defending Ukraine’s positions, making certain the destruction of the occupiers, and making each effort to offer our nation with the power wanted to carry peace nearer.”

The US expects substantial progress in talks with Ukraine this week and hopes {that a} deal on important minerals might be signed, president Donald Trump’s Center East envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned on Monday. US negotiators have been set to satisfy with Ukrainians this week in Saudi Arabia.

“I feel that we’re going over there with an expectation that we’ll make substantial progress,” Witkoff mentioned in an interview with Fox Information.

Requested if he thought Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky would return to the US to signal a minerals deal this week, Witkoff mentioned, “I’m actually hopeful. All of the indicators are very, very constructive.”

Witkoff mentioned amongst vital objects on the desk might be safety protocols for the Ukrainians and territorial points.

Intelligence sharing additionally might be mentioned at this week’s conferences, Witkoff informed Fox Information simply earlier than leaving for the Center East for talks on Gaza. Nonetheless, he mentioned, the US by no means shut off intelligence for something defensive that Ukrainians wanted.