'No surrender' from Ukraine and 'Policing minister provokes ridicule'
- Published
Ukraine leads the majority of the papers on Thursday, ahead of peace talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. "There will be no surrender" declares the Metro, reporting on comments from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he said he would not cede any territory to Russia.
"Protect Ukraine from 'bluffing' Putin, Zelensky urges Trump" says the i Paper, after the Ukrainian president and other European leaders, who are not attending the meeting in Alaska, held a joint call with Trump on Wednesday to reiterate their position.
The Financial Times writes that Trump promised "severe consequences" for Putin if he refused to end the war in Ukraine. The paper reported that European leaders have been worried that Trump "might be prepared to strike a deal on territory" without the input of Zelensky, and that the Wednesday meeting went some way to "calm their fears".
After meeting with European leaders, the Guardian reports that Trump said he would push for a second meeting with Putin "almost immediately" if his Friday summit in Alaska goes well. According to the paper, the second call would include Zelensky. The front page also features a story on foreign aid, with the paper reporting that ministers are considering "scrapping" a commitment to spend 80% of foreign aid on projects that support gender equality.
The Telegraph says that the meeting in Alaska will see Trump offer Putin access to "rare earth minerals" as an "incentive" to end the war in Ukraine, and that the US president is also prepared to lift sanctions on the Russia's aviation industry. The paper splashes with a photograph of incoming Match of the Day presenter Kelly Cates ahead of her debut as a host later this week.
The Times has similarly headlined with Trump's "warning to Putin on eve of talks", and allege the US and Russia have already discussed a "model" for ending the war that would "mirror Israel's occupation of the West Bank". The White House has denied that any such discussions have taken place.
A man who plotted the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing has been charged with attempting to murder three prison officers, according to the Mirror's headline. The paper alleges Hashem Abedi used hot oil and knives in the attack.
"Fight house" reads the Daily Star's front page, as the paper reports Trump is planning to "host UFC fight bouts on the lawns of the White House" in 2026 to celebrate 250 years of America.
The BBC has apologised after a contributor to the Radio 4 Today programme's Thought for the Day slot accused shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick of "xenophobia". The Mail leads with "'xenophobe' slur on top Tory", and writes that guest Dr Krish Kandiah "prompted fury" with his comments.
The Express says policing minister Dame Diana Johnson "provoked ridicule" after her comments on BBC Radio 4 when she condemned shoplifters but said "stores need to play their part in making sure that items that are high value are not at the front". Model and disability advocate Ellie Goldstein beams on the paper's front page, after she was announced as a contestant on the forthcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing.
The Sun reports that police are investigating the links between a shooting and an alleged blackmail plot, and the £64m signing of footballer Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal.
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