Ukraine war latest: Zelensky warns Putin will attack Nato next year as Chernobyl hit

The UK’s Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says the Prime Minister should “seize the moment” and go to the Munich Security Conference to make clear to Donald Trump that his proposals on Ukraine are “unacceptable”.

Responding to news of Sir Keir Starmer’s call with the US president on Thursday, Sir Ed said: “Keir Starmer must be clear with Donald Trump that his proposals on Ukraine are unacceptable.

“There is not a moment to lose. It is critical that the Prime Minister joins the gathering of global leaders taking place this weekend at the Munich Security Conference, and does all he can to bolster support for Ukraine.

“Keir Starmer must seize the moment and ensure that Trump’s plans to lock Ukraine, the UK and European allies out of decisions about our shared future do not succeed.”

Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Donald Trump on Thursday night to discuss “his forthcoming visit to the US”, Downing Street has said.

Sir Keir discussed the visit when he met Mark Burnett, Washington’s special envoy to the UK, No 10 revealed.

A spokeswoman said: “Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.”

However, the readout of the call between the two leaders made no mention of Ukraine.

Earlier today, Sir Keir reaffirmed Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” to becoming a member of the alliance, as Britain, its European allies, and Kyiv all insist they should not be left out in the cold as negotiations to end the war begin.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated European Nato allies should give more aid to Ukraine, and cast doubt on whether Kyiv could join the alliance in the future.

Nato security general Mark Rutte says members have to invest more in defence spending.

The organisation’s current target is 2 per cent of GDP on military spending – but that figure has come under scrutiny amid the threat from Russia and the war in Ukraine.

US president Donald Trump has called for defence spending to rise to up to 5 per cent of GDP.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mr Rutte said spending must increase to make it “fair for the Americans” and to improve the protection of member countries.

Earlier, Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorious also said more needed to be spent on defence by Nato countries.

“Nobody can believe any longer than 2% is enough,” he said.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte says European countries should come up with concrete plans for Ukraine if they want to have a say in a peace deal for the country.

He was speaking on the side of the Munich Security Conference, where US president Donald Trump’s announcement of the start of talks to end the war in Ukraine has dominated the agenda.

“I really believe that what my Europeans friends need to do is to come up with concrete plans (…) and then they’ll be part of the conversation,” Mr Rutte said.

Earlier, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed reporters ahead of his meeting with US vice-president JD Vance.

He was asked what intelligence he had on Russian president Vladimir Putin’s plans.

He said: “I think that he preparing the war against Nato countries next year. I think so, but I don’t know, I don’t have 100 per cent. God bless, we will stop this crazy guy.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia could send up to 3,000 more North Korean troops to the front in its Kursk region, in comments at a press conference at the Munich Security Conference today.

Zelensky said he had discussed North Korea in a conversation with US president Donald Trump earlier this week.

As we’ve previously reported, Kim Jong Un’s forces suffered severe losses after being dispatched to the Kursk region in January, according to Ukrainian and American officials.

German defence secretary Boris Pistorius has told reporters it was a mistake to take Nato membership off the table and make territorial concessions amid talks to end the Ukraine war.

As we’re reported, US secretary for defence, Pete Hegseth, said it was an unrealistic objective for Ukaine to become a Nato member, and return to its pre-2014 borders.

His comments came after Donald Trump announced he had spoken to Russian president Vladimir Putin on ending the Ukraine war.

At another press conference at the Munich Security Conference today, Mr Pistorius told reporters that Mr Hegseth’s comments were a mistake.

He also said more money needed to be invested in defence by Nato countries, and that Europe needed help from US in next few years.

As we’ve been reporting, Ukraine has accused Russia of launching a drone attack on Chernobyl after an explosion occurred on a shelter of one of the plant’s reactors.

The Kremlin has dismissed the allegation.

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency did not attribute blame, saying only its team stationed at the site heard an explosion and were informed that a drone had struck the shell.

The three-year Russia-Ukraine war has brought repeated warnings of dangers to Ukraine’s four nuclear plants, especially at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

IAEA chief Rafael Rossi said on X that the Chernobyl strike and the recent increase in military activity near the Zaporizhzhia plant “underline persistent nuclear safety risks,” adding that the IAEA remains “on high alert.

“The IAEA said its personnel at the site responded within minutes of the strike, adding there were no casualties.

“Radiation levels inside and outside remain normal and stable,” the IAEA said on X.

We’re now hearing from US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, who is talking about his country’s relationship with Poland, where thousands of US troops are currently based.

He says: We want to achieve peace through defence together”

Poland is geographically located next to Ukraine, sharing a 330-mile border.