Keir Starmer

The United Kingdom is ready to follow the United States in granting Ukraine approval to use long-range missiles against Russia, according to sources within the British government.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended congratulations to Donald Trump on his victory in the recent US presidential election, calling for stronger "dialogue and communication" between the two nations, BTA reported. Xi emphasized that both countries must work toward "understanding," noting that cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation harms them.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Donald Trump on his expected victory in the U.S. presidential election, calling it the "biggest comeback in U.S. political history." Orban, a vocal supporter of Trump since 2016, expressed his enthusiasm on social media, emphasizing that Trump's victory is a "much-needed win for the world."

People-smuggling gangs sending migrants across the English Channel in small boats are a serious threat to global security and should be treated like terror networks, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told an international law-enforcement conference.

Israel's parliament on Monday approved a bill banning the main U.N. aid agency for the war-devastated Gaza Strip, sparking international outcry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he hoped the West "heard" his warning about the danger of a direct war with NATO if it allowed Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia.

Putin made the initial threat in September after Britain and the United States mulled letting Kiev use long-range arms against Russian targets, warning this would put NATO "at war" with Moscow.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday played down allegations made by Donald Trump's team of "blatant foreign interference" by his Labour Party in the U.S. election, saying it was normal for its volunteers to campaign.

Starmer also insisted that he maintained "a good relationship" with Trump, having met him for talks last month.

Britain is urgently looking to reset its trading relationship with the European Union, and sees international commerce as key to reviving U.K. growth, Trade Minister Douglas Alexander has told AFP.

Alexander said Britain's 2016 vote to leave the EU caused "significant disruption" to its trade policy and the country needed to recalibrate its global trade outlook.

U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Germany, France and Britain pledged Friday to keep up support for Ukraine and condemned "Russia's continued war of aggression".

After meeting in Berlin, the four leaders in a joint statement "reiterated their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine in its efforts to secure a just and lasting peace".

NATO must avoid becoming directly involved in Russia's war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned during his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Berlin. Scholz expressed gratitude to the US for its continued support of Kyiv.