European

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top European leaders met with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss plans to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Trump convened the meeting after last week’s three-hour summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Putin rejected the idea of a ceasefire before reaching a comprehensive peace deal and urged Ukraine to surrender territory in the east in exchange for freezing the front line elsewhere.

Trump and Zelenskyy’s interactions were notably warmer than during their tense encounter at the White House in February, with the US president even praising his counterpart’s suit.

Here are the key takeaways:

Trump says US will give Ukraine ‘very good protection’

Trump said the US would back Europe in protecting Ukraine as part of a deal to end the war with Russia.

“When it comes to security, there’s going to be a lot of help,” Trump said, describing European countries as the “first line of defence”.

“We have people waiting in another room, right now, they’re all here from Europe,” Trump added. “Biggest people in Europe. And they want to give protection. They feel very strongly about it, and we’ll help them out with that.”

Trump also said that US support for Ukraine would continue regardless of the outcome of the talks.

“It’s never the end of the road. People are being killed, and we want to stop that. So, I would not say it was the end of the road. I think we have a good chance of doing it,” he said.

Zelenskyy hailed the pledge as “a major step forward”.

He later told reporters that Ukraine had offered to buy about $90bn worth of US weapons.

Zelenskyy says he’s open to elections in Ukraine, if safe

Zelenskyy backed elections, provided they are held under safe circumstances.

“Yes, of course. We are open, yes… We need to work in the parliament because during the war, you can’t have elections, but we can, we can do security,” Zelenskyy said.

“We need a truce… to make it possible for people to do democratic, open, legal, legal elections,” he added.

Trump says ceasefire not needed

When asked if he would carry out his promise from last week to impose “severe consequences” on Russia if it does not end the war, Trump replied that a ceasefire may not be needed.

“I don’t think you need a ceasefire,” Trump said.

“You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn’t do any ceasefires. And I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically why one country or the other wouldn’t want it,” he said.

“But we can work a deal where we’re working on a peace deal while they’re fighting,” Trump added.

“They have to fight. I wish they could stop.”

Trump has claimed credit for helping to end six wars, including conflicts between India and Pakistan and Cambodia and Thailand.

Ukraine needs ‘everything’ related to security guarantees: Zelenskyy

Asked what guarantees Zelenskyy would need from Trump to agree to a deal, the Ukrainian leader responded: “everything”.

“It includes two parts. First, a strong Ukrainian army that I began to discuss with your colleagues, and it’s a lot about weapons and people and training issues and intelligence,” Zelenskyy said.

Today, important negotiations took place in Washington. We discussed many issues with President Trump. It was a long and detailed conversation, including discussions about the situation on the battlefield and our steps to bring peace closer. There were also several meetings in a… pic.twitter.com/YqkdRlyKCI

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 19, 2025

Trump sits down with European leaders

After his initial meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump held a multilateral meeting with the Ukrainian leader and European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The US president described it as an “honour” to convene with them at the White House, saying they were united in their goal of ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“We’ve had a very successful day thus far, and important discussions as we work to end the killing and stop the war in Ukraine,” Trump said.

President Trump and President Zelenskyy en route to meet with the European leaders pic.twitter.com/EHvttm7nDl

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) August 18, 2025

Trump will seek summit between Zelenskyy and Putin

“At the conclusion of the meetings, I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social after the talks.

Trump said Russia agreed to accept security guarantees for Ukraine

“This is one of the key points that we need to consider, and we’re going to be considering that at the table,” Trump said.

He expressed optimism that, collectively, an agreement could be reached to deter further aggression against Ukraine.

Putin-Zelenskyy discussions will likely involve Ukraine ceding territory

Trump also said discussions would need to address the possible exchange of territory.

“Ultimately, this is a decision that can only be made by President Zelenskyy and by the people of Ukraine, working also in agreement with President Putin,” Trump said.

Russia controls about one-fifth of Ukraine, according to open-source estimates. Ukraine, which took control of a large swath of Russia’s Kursk region during a surprise counter-offensive last year, is not believed to hold any Russian territory at present.

Trump added that he expected Putin to release Ukrainian prisoners soon.

European leaders lay out positions

• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the priority must be to stop the killing, as well as the destruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure, thanking Trump for having “broken the deadlock”.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the focus must be on a “just and lasting peace for Ukraine”, and added: “Every single child has to go back to its family,” referring to the forced removal of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he “can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire”, urging allies to “work on that and try to put pressure on Russia”.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stressed that one of the most important issues is security guarantees and “how to be sure that it won’t happen again, which is the precondition of every kind of peace”.
• French President Emmanuel Macron said the aim must be a “robust and longstanding peace”, and called the idea of a trilateral meeting “very important because this is the only way to fix it”. He also suggested that “we will need boots on the ground” to secure peace.

Everybody around this table is in favor of peace. pic.twitter.com/F7wYi8MQ8M

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 18, 2025

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the talks were not just about Ukraine but “the security of Europe and the United Kingdom as well, which is why this is such an important issue”.
• Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the gathering itself was “symbolic, in the sense that it’s Team Europe and Team United States helping Ukraine”. Noting Finland’s long border with Russia, he added: “We found a solution in 1944, and I’m sure that we’ll be able to find a solution in 2025 to end Russia’s war of aggression, find and get a lasting, just peace.”

What’s next?

European Council leaders will hold a video call tomorrow to review Monday’s talks, President Antonio Costa said.

In a post on X, Costa said the call would take place at 1pm Brussels time (11:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

European leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Washington, DC, seeking an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, after United States President Donald Trump dropped both his push for a ceasefire and the threat of punitive actions against Russia following his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, more than three years after Russia’s invasion, had been one of Trump’s core demands before Friday’s Alaska summit, to which Ukraine and its European allies were not invited.

Special US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that Putin agreed at the summit with Trump to allow the US and European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee resembling NATO’s collective defence mandate as part of an eventual deal to end the 3 1/2-year war.

“We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO,” he said on the CNN news programme State of the Union. Witkoff said it was the first time he had heard Putin agree to that.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, speaking in Brussels on Sunday after meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said the current front lines of the war should be the basis for peace talks.

“We need real negotiations, which means we can start where the front line is now,” Zelenskyy said, adding that European leaders support this and reiterating his long-held position that it was necessary to establish a ceasefire in order to then negotiate a final deal.

But after the summit on Friday with Putin yielded no clear breakthrough, Trump ruled out an immediate ceasefire – a move that aligns with Putin, who has long argued for negotiations on a final peace deal.

According to a New York Times report, after his meeting with Putin, the US president also told European leaders that he had offered to support a plan to end the war that involved Ukraine giving up parts of its territory to Russia.

Ukraine and its European allies have criticised Putin’s stance as a way to buy time and press Russia’s battlefield advances, and they have expressed unease over Trump’s land swap proposal from the outset.

In an effort to try show a firm, united front to the US president in White House talks on Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and von der Leyen will accompany Zelenskyy to Washington, DC.

“The talks will address, among other things, security guarantees, territorial issues, and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression,” the German government said in a statement about the trip to the US capital. “This includes maintaining pressure on sanctions.”

Ahead of the visit, von der Leyen said on X that she would welcome Zelenskyy for a meeting in Brussels on Sunday, which other European leaders would join by video, before accompanying the Ukrainian leader on his US trip at his “request” and with “other European leaders”.

This afternoon, I will welcome @ZelenskyyUa in Brussels.

Together, we will participate in the Coalition of Willing VTC.

At the request of President Zelenskyy, I will join the meeting with President Trump and other European leaders in the White House tomorrow.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 17, 2025

Strength and safety in numbers appear to be factors in the group visit, with memories still fresh about the hostile reception Zelenskyy received in February from Trump and US Vice-President JD Vance in a public White House dressing-down, castigating the Ukrainian leader as being ungrateful and “disrespectful”.

No land swaps

While Zelenskyy has welcomed Trump’s efforts to end the war, in a post on social media on Saturday, he warned that “it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater – peaceful coexistence with its neighbors for decades”.

The Ukrainian president has also repeatedly reiterated that Kyiv will not swap any of its land to attain a ceasefire. Ukraine’s constitution forbids the ceding of territory.

According to Zelenskyy, Putin has asked that Russia be handed over all of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, a third of which Kyiv still holds.

In exchange, Russian forces would halt their offensive in the Black Sea port region of Kherson and Zaporizhia in southern Ukraine, where the main cities are still under Ukrainian control.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian president said that  “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier” and pointed out that he doesn’t have the authority to sign off on land swaps. He said that changing Ukraine’s 1991 borders runs counter to the country’s constitution.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has been gradually advancing for months.

In his statement after the Alaska summit, Putin signalled no movement in Russia’s long-held demands, which also include a veto on Kyiv’s desired membership in the NATO alliance.

He also warned Ukraine and its European allies not to “create any obstacles” and “that they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue”.

Trilateral summit in the works?

The diplomatic focus now switches to Zelenskyy’s talks at the White House on Monday with the European leaders in tow.

In an interview with broadcaster Fox News after his sit-down with Putin, Trump had suggested that the onus was now on Zelenskyy to secure a peace deal as they work towards an eventual trilateral summit with Putin.

“It’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done,” Trump said.

European powers, however, want to help set up a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy to make sure Ukraine has a seat at the table to shape its future.

They also want security guarantees for Ukraine with US involvement, and the ability to crank up pressure on Moscow if needed.

“They will spell out what they consider essential in terms of security guarantees: what they can do themselves, what falls to the coalition of volunteers, and also what they expect from the United States,” a European government official told the Reuters news agency.

“Indeed, they expect a very robust commitment.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will join a video call with European allies on Sunday ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House next week.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join Sir Keir in hosting the “coalition of the willing”, after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to reach a ceasefire deal at a summit in Alaska.

On Saturday, the prime minister praised Trump for having brought an end to the war in Ukraine “closer than ever before”, but warned that the “path to peace” could not be decided without Zelensky.

It comes after the US president said he wanted to bypass a ceasefire to move directly to a permanent peace deal.

On Saturday, the US president said on his Truth Social platform that it was “determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement”, in a major shift in position.

Zelensky later said that Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire “complicates” efforts to end the war.

On Monday, the Ukrainian leader will travel to Washington DC, where US President Trump has said he will urge Zelensky to agree to a peace deal.

In the wake of the Anchorage summit, Sir Keir spent Saturday morning speaking to Western allies.

Following the calls, he said in a statement: “I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.

“President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

“His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended,” Sir Keir said.

Until Putin stops his “barbaric assault”, allies would “keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions”, he added.

A Downing Street source told the BBC that any peace deal needed security agreements and “US involvement is a key part of that”.

Following a call with Trump on Saturday, Zelensky called for a lasting peace, “not just another pause between Russian invasions”.

He stressed Kyiv should be included in future discussions, and said he expected Russia to “increase pressure and strikes” in the coming days to “create more favourable circumstances for talks with global actors”.

On Friday, Zelensky visited Sir Keir at Downing Street, and the pair greeted each other in a warm embrace before holding talks over breakfast.

It was seen as a carefully co-ordinated show of support from the UK, ahead of the the Trump-Putin summit.

People planning to use their Blue Badge abroad need to check local guidance before heading off

For those with severe mobility issues planning a trip abroad, using their UK Blue Badge may be possible, depending on their destination. Some countries acknowledge the parking permit and allow tourists to use it as they would back home.

However, other nations may have slightly different regulations that need to be considered, while some do not recognise the Blue Badge at all. The Gov.uk website provides current information on European countries and their varying requirements for Blue Badge holders.

European countries that recognise UK Blue Badge

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Even in countries that accept the Blue Badge, additional rules and regulations may apply. For instance, in Denmark and Switzerland, you’ll need to have a parking disc clock to make use of parking time concessions.

Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg and Romania are all listed as ‘accepting non-EU parking cards’ rather than explicitly recognising a UK Blue Badge. The official government guidance states that it has ‘no information’ on whether a UK Blue Badge is accepted in Bulgaria.

In Lithuania and Italy, non-EU parking cards are accepted only in certain regions. In Spain, the recognition of a UK Blue Badge is determined by local administrations.

The UK Government advises checking its specific guidance and contacting the relevant local authority for detailed information if needed. Tourist centres can also provide advice on parking rules for disabled tourists.

It’s also suggested to have supporting documents on hand when using your Blue Badge abroad. This could include a doctor’s note or translation of your Blue Badge entitlement.

A Blue Badge permits people with physical disabilities or health conditions that affect their mobility to park in nearer or more accessible spots. In some instances, it can also allow the person to park for free or be exempt from other parking restrictions.

Obtaining a Blue Badge can cost up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, but the permit is free in Wales. It typically lasts for three years before needing a renewal.

Certain benefits recipients can automatically receive a Blue Badge, while others will need to apply for the permit. They will need to provide proof of identity, address and eligibility,y such as prescriptions or diagnosis letters.

Znojmo, a town in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic, is one of the most pleasant yet overlooked places in Europe and the flights are so cheap.

A stunning European destination where you can visit for merely £16 and savour a glass of wine for just 50p ranks among the continent’s most undervalued gems. You’ll want to visit it.

Znojmo, situated in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic, stands as one of Europe’s most delightful yet overlooked locations.

Frequently likened to Tuscany for its wine tourism and vineyard landscapes, this hidden European treasure also boasts numerous vineyards and breathtaking vistas. In other travel news, a woman claims ‘I work in a hotel – you should never turn your lights on when entering your room’.

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With 34,000 residents, Znojmo represents one of Czechia’s most ancient municipalities, tracing its origins to the 11th century. Established by King Ottokar I of the Premyslid dynasty, this enchanting Royal settlement continues to radiate its abundant heritage from every cobbled lane, reports the Express.

Znojmo has earned recognition for its viticultural traditions, which have flourished since mediaeval times. Within Znojmo’s historic heart sits Enotéka, a wine establishment featuring a contemporary café.

Positioned on the grounds of the Znojmo brewery, offering spectacular panoramas of the settlement and Dyje river valley, guests can sample over 120 varieties of regional wines from prominent local vintners for as little as 50p. Nevertheless, Znojmo offers far more than viticulture. The settlement features a complex maze of tunnels beneath the town centre, known as the “underground passages”.

Guests can participate in a 60-minute guided exploration, discovering the settlement’s history and its tunnels, which have generated numerous theories regarding their purpose. Some reckon these were once used as storage spaces and for transporting goods, while others suggest they served as hideouts from foes.

READ MORE: Easyjet, Ryanair and Jet2 passengers urged to ‘pack a roll of cling film’ in luggage

Don’t miss out on visiting the Znojmo castle, Louka Monastery – one of Europe’s most significant monastery complexes dating back to the 12th century, now housing millions of wine bottles – and Podyjí National Park, nestled between the towns of Znojmo and Vranov nad Dyjí.

Despite its relatively small size, the park is teeming with natural beauty. It tempts travellers with its stunning vistas, untouched charm, pervasive tranquillity, and hundreds of rare animal and plant species. Podyjí is a must-visit for every nature enthusiast.

With Ryanair flights starting at just £16 from the UK to Brno, a nearby airport, you can reach this delightful destination in merely two hours. Brno, the country’s second-largest city, is just over 70 km away from Znojmo, while Vienna, Austria’s capital, is less than 90 km away. The short distance from these two popular cities makes Znojmo an ideal day trip destination.

If you’re planning a journey to the south of Czech Republic or even to Vienna, make sure to include Znojmo in your travel plans!

By&nbspEuronews&nbspwith&nbspAP

Published on 13/08/2025 – 12:38 GMT+2
•Updated
12:54

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Shares charged higher in Europe and Asia on Wednesday after US stocks hit new records when data that showed inflation across the United States improved slightly last month.

Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added to its record set a day earlier.

The future for the S&P 500 was up 0.2%, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed.

A recent rally in share prices has been driven partly by relief over an extended truce in President Donald Trump’s trade war with China, and partly by persisting hopes the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. Those were reinforced by a moderation in the consumer price index in July.

Germany’s DAX rose 0.8% to 24,207.78 and the CAC 40 in Paris picked up 0.4% to 7,784.63. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1% higher, to 9,157.26.

Asian markets

“Asia woke up in full risk-on mode, riding the coattails of a US session that looked like someone hit the ‘infinite bid’ button after CPI didn’t blow the inflation doors off,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

China and the US agreed to a 90 day extension, from 12 August, of their pause in drastically higher tariff rates on each others’ exports to allow more time for talks on a broad trade agreement. Although uncertainty over what the negotiations will yield remains, the truce has relieved pressure on companies and countries across Asia that rely heavily in supply chains routed through China.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 2.6% to 25,613.67, while the Shanghai Composite index added 0.5% to 3,683.46.

In Japan, relief over the Trump administration’s confirmation that its exports will face a flat 15% US import duty has driven strong buying of computer chip-related companies and other exporters.

The Nikkei 225 gained 1.3% to 43,274.67.

Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea’s Kospi advanced 1.1% to 3,224.37. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.6% to 8,827.10.

Taiwan’s Taiex was up 0.9% and the Sensex in India gained 0.5%. In Bangkok, the SET climbed 1% after the Bank of Thailand cut its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1.5%.

US markets

On Tuesday, the S&P 500 rose 1.1% to top its all-time high set two weeks ago. It closed at 6,445.76.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.1% to 44,458.61, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.4% to set its own record of 21,681.90.

The better-than-expected report on inflation raised hopes the Federal Reserve will have the leeway to cut interest rates at its next meeting in September.

Tuesday’s report said US consumers paid prices for groceries, gasoline and other costs of living that were overall 2.7% higher in July than in the previous year. That’s the same inflation rate as June’s, and it was below the 2.8% that economists expected.

Lower rates would give a boost to investment prices and to the economy by making it cheaper for US households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment. President Donald Trump has angrily been calling for cuts to help the economy, often insulting the Fed’s chair personally while doing so.

The Fed has hesitated, worried that Trump’s tariffs could make inflation much worse.

The Fed will get one more report on inflation and another on the US job market, before its next meeting, which ends 17 September. The most recent jobs report was a stunner, coming in much weaker than economists expected.

Critics say the broad US stock market is looking expensive after its surge from a bottom in April. That’s putting pressure on companies to deliver continued growth in profit.

In other dealings early Wednesday, US benchmark crude oil dropped 26 cents to $62.91 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, declined 20 cents to $65.92 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar fell to 147.24 Japanese yen from 147.84 yen. The euro climbed to $1.1727 from $1.1677.

German chancellor has arranged a series of meetings, beginning with European leaders and followed by a call with the US president.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European leaders and top United States officials ahead of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week.

Both the German and Ukrainian governments confirmed the visit on Wednesday, which comes as Kyiv and its European allies push to ensure their voices are heard in discussions about ending the war.

Merz has arranged a series of virtual meetings, beginning with European leaders and followed by a call with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance about an hour later.

The day will conclude with a separate discussion among leaders of the so-called “coalition of the willing” – an assemblage of Western countries allied with Ukraine.

At a news briefing on Wednesday, Merz also pledged to help Ukraine develop long-range missile systems without Western-imposed restrictions on their use or targets.

Trump to meet Putin

Trump has described Friday’s summit with the Russian leader in Alaska as “a feel-out meeting” to gauge whether Putin is serious about ending the conflict.

But he has unsettled European allies by suggesting Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory and by floating the idea of land swaps, without specifying what Moscow might surrender.

European governments have insisted Ukraine must be part of any peace negotiations, warning that excluding Kyiv could benefit Moscow.

On Monday, Trump declined to commit to pushing for Zelenskyy’s participation in his talks with Putin, saying a meeting between himself, Putin and Zelenskyy could be arranged afterwards.

Zelenskyy claimed he rejected an offer on Tuesday that Putin had proposed, where Ukraine would withdraw from the 30 percent of the Donetsk region it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal.

Kyiv and European officials fear that any US–Russia agreement reached without them could legitimise Moscow’s seizure of Ukrainian territory – including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson – four regions which are partly occupied by Russia.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said Trump and Putin would discuss “all the accumulated issues” at the meeting.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexei Fadeev also said that consultations requested by European countries were “insignificant”.

Russia’s position on ending its war on Ukraine was set out by President Vladimir Putin in June 2024 and has not changed, he added. Putin at that time demanded a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the four regions of the country that Russia has claimed as its own territory but does not fully control.

Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine

Meanwhile, fighting continues along the front line, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting 165 clashes with Russian forces over the past day, with the heaviest fighting in the Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka and Lyman sectors.

In the Kherson region, Russian forces used a drone to strike a civilian car on the Novoraisk–Kostyrka highway, killing a man and a woman, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin on Telegram.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its air defences destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territory and the Sea of Azov.

Debris from intercepted drones fell on the roof of an apartment block in the southern city of Volgograd and in the yards of four residential buildings in Slavyansk-on-Kuban.

The AFP news agency has also reported that Ukraine is continuing to lose more ground, with evacuations in Bilozerske, while Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported that Russian forces had advanced in Nikanorivka, Shcherbynivka and near Petrivka in the Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff said its forces were engaged in “difficult” fighting near Pokrovsk in Donetsk, a key logistical hub for Kyiv’s forces, whose capture would deal a significant blow to its front-line defences and prospects at securing a favourable peace deal with Russia.

A travel influencer and foodie has revealed the three European cities she ‘would have skipped’ after spending time in 17 different destinations across the continent

One woman has revealed the three European destinations she’d avoid going to again, having visited 17 different cities last year. Sooyeon, who lives in San Francisco in the US, went on the adventure of a lifetime to visit the continent.

Having stopped off at more than a dozen cities, she found herself disappointed by three locations in particular. On her TikTok channel @soos. foods, she revealed: “These are three cities I probably would’ve skipped,” before clarifying, “Doesn’t mean these are bad destinations, I just didn’t enjoy them as much as other cities.”

Madrid topped her list of disappointments, reports the Manchester Evening News. Despite spending two and a half days there in 2022 following a visit to Barcelona, she confessed that the coastal city won her over far more than Spain’s majestic capital.

She explained: “The main reason is because I went to both Madrid and Barcelona on the same trip, and I feel like Madrid didn’t have as many interesting things to do for me at least, other than the palace and museums.

“…If I were to do this trip again, I would probably skip Madrid and spend more time in Barcelona.” Catania proved another destination that failed to meet Sooyeon’s hopes.

Situated on Sicily’s eastern coastline, the ancient port city initially appeared like a perfect ‘Italian holiday’ destination, yet it didn’t match her expectations. Sooyeon shared: “The city just felt a little run down and not the safest.

“People were also not afraid to stare at you – I’m sure they weren’t trying to be rude or mean, but it felt a little uncomfortable as a female traveller.” Berlin also featured on Sooyeon’s list, though her concerns with the German capital differed from her gripes about Catania and Madrid.

She recognised Berlin’s ‘welcoming’ atmosphere and its selection of ‘cool cafes, shops and roads’, yet felt something was missing. “Don’t get me wrong, I would love to live in Berlin,” Sooyeon confessed.

“But, as a tourist, I feel like the main attractions are history museums which I personally am not the biggest on, especially because at this point on my trip I was getting severe museum fatigue.”

She also observed that the dining scene was rather international, making it trickier for her to discover genuine local dishes, which remains a priority during her travels.

“The food scene was also pretty international, so I didn’t find as many options for authentic local food, which is something I try to eat everywhere I go. Again, this is just my experience – what doesn’t work for me, could work for you.”

Sooyeon’s honest assessments triggered a wave of reactions on TikTok, with users split over her views on these beloved destinations. One user championed Madrid, declaring: “I will not accept any Madrid slander! I’ve been like four times and it’s an incredible city.”

Others urged travellers not to dismiss Catania, with one comment stating: “Everyone here pls don’t skip Catania,” whilst another user challenged her perception of Berlin’s cleanliness: “Berlin is clean? What girl?”

One spectacular train route, on the highest railway track in Europe and the steepest in the world, offers passengers a breathtaking journey between two beautiful European cities

Rail travel across Europe is one of the finest methods for discovering the continent’s hidden beauty, with one route offering a breathtaking journey.

Europe features countless railway journeys that provide sweeping panoramas of the continent’s most magnificent attractions. Numerous routes wind through spectacular countryside and awe-inspiring mountain ranges, delivering thrilling and picturesque vistas unlike anything you’ve witnessed previously.

Yet, when it comes to selecting just one, one particular route connecting two gorgeous European destinations could well be the ultimate choice. It comes after reports of a small fishing village with some of the UK’s best seafood but hardly any tourists.

READ MORE: Travel fans urged to visit European country now – ‘before it becomes popular’READ MORE: ‘Secret codes’ cruise ship workers use in front of passengers, according to ex employee

The Bernina Express holds the distinction of being Europe’s highest railway line and the world’s steepest, reports the Express. This extraordinary expedition runs from Switzerland’s alpine hub of Chur to Tirano in northern Italy, passing through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges while delivering passengers an absolutely stunning rail experience.

Gazing from the carriage windows, travellers encounter brilliant azure lakes, imposing viaducts, and expansive meadows that transform into magnificent snow-capped peaks as the journey progresses through the diverse terrains spanning both nations. The 76-mile voyage requires four hours to finish, and passengers can board the train in either direction.

The service features carriages with panoramic windows, plus an additional Bernina Express coach service linking Tirano and Lugano, which passes through gorgeous scenery and alongside Lake Como.

One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor that they “recommend everyone to go on the train,” describing it as a “fantastic experience ” and noting that the “adventure was beautiful.”

Another shared: “Once we mastered how to effectively book this train (train ticket first, later on seat reservations) the whole route from Chur to Tirano is spectacular. Observation cars are where most of the seats are, affording fabulous views.

“The train makes a stop for 15 minutes at a mountain viewpoint, so you can have a leg stretch. At Tirano we had 1.15 hours to have a potter and grab a drink. The engine runs round, so I.T. changes ends, so if you were sat on one side outwards you will be on the opposite side going back. Excellent day out.”

Ticket options include second class, first class, second class return, and first class return. Prices range between 66 CHF (£61.50) and CHF 226 (£210) for the full route from Chur to Tirano. Seat reservations are compulsory for the train and can be purchased on the official website.

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UKRAINE’S fight against Putin’s illegal invasion is vital for all of Europe.

The Ukrainian people are fighting bravely for their freedom, their independence and their rights.

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But American security is on the line there, as well as British and European security.

That is why we and European allies have been providers of military aid to Ukraine.

And we recognise the indispensable role of the US in that.

It is also why President Trump’s recent decision to make more weapons available for Ukraine’s brave resistance is very welcome.

And we share the President’s frustration with Putin’s continual delaying tactics and maximalist demands.

It is clear that Putin is not negotiating in good faith.

Tighten screws

The pressure must continue to grow on Putin, to make clear that this awful war, and his wanton campaign of aggression, must come to an end.

As the UK and US get down to hard talks ahead of next week’s summit, Europe must ramp up the pressure, too.

We, as HM Opposition, will not write the Government a blank cheque.

But we stand squarely with them in defending our national interest and that means resisting Putin’s illegal war.

Russia has so far failed to achieve its war objectives.

It has suffered enormous casualties and, in desperation, Putin has had to turn to Iran for weapons and North Korea for troops.

Three years on, and despite what Russia claims, the cost to its economy has been enormous and is unsustainable.

I am proud the Conservative government, working with allies, helped to drive forward the largest and most severe set of sanctions Russia has ever seen to cripple Putin’s war machine.

Through the tough and wide-ranging sanctions delivered by the international community, Putin has been denied $400billion of funds since February 2022 — money that could otherwise have been spent on this illegal war.

But we cannot stop here. The screws must continue to tighten.

Pulling in the same direction

The US is right that we need all the world’s major economies to be pulling in the same direction.

President Trump’s tariffs on India in part show that there can be no place for Russian oil.

Europe must adopt the same approach.

There can be no place for Russian oil on our continent. There must be no safe harbour for Russian ships.

There must be no let-up in our collective fight against Russia in every corner of the continent.

That is why Britain must continue to maintain a leadership position in this fight.

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We must take the lead in mobilising sanctioned Russian sovereign assets to help Ukraine.

We must ensure our Government is using the full weight of the Whitehall legal machine to find more creative mechanisms through which those assets can be legally leveraged to support Ukraine’s military efforts.

And we must encourage all our European partners to do exactly the same.

It is clear that by leveraging our full economic might, and crippling Russia’s, we can continue to support Ukraine, and force Putin to the table.

The entire Euro-Atlantic alliance must be unflinching in the face of Putin’s aggression.

From sanctions, to Operation Interflex and the 100-year Partnership, Britain’s support for Ukraine has been unwavering and must continue to be so.

Shoulder to shoulder

So we must stand up for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and ensure that at no stage is Putin’s aggression rewarded.

Because the lesson of the past 20 years is crystal clear: Putin only comes back for more.

We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends as they fight not just an imperialist Russian, but a whole axis of authoritarian states seeking to sow destruction on our own continent.

Ukraine is in a battle for its own sovereignty as well as the principles that underpin our whole way of life — democracy, liberty and the rule of law.

Britain has a history of standing up to threatening authoritarianism.

The invasion of Ukraine demands that we do so again.

We must keep rising to the challenge.

Putin has to know that if he tests the Euro-Atlantic alliance, he will fail.

White sand, dark past on the German Baltic

Spend some time on Rügen, Germany’s largest island, on its Baltic coast. White sandy beaches and darker history await. Visit Lauterbach, by the sea. From there, catch the coastal ferry to the tiny fishing village of Baabe, a near three-mile (5km) walk/cycle through rolling countryside and catch the “Raging Roland” steam train back again. Not far away, you can walk the cliffs that inspired Caspar David Friedrich. For a very different day, visit Prora and its massive beachside concrete apartment blocks, originally planned as a Nazi holiday complex, before becoming a Soviet army barracks, and now a part ruin, part reunification commercial and residential redevelopment.
Richard

Deserted beaches on the Danish Riviera

Who needs the scorching Med when you have the Danish Riviera. The water is clean and refreshing. No wetsuits allowed – you’ll be laughed off the beach. Danish summer hols are in July so you’ll have the beach to yourself in August. Book a summer cottage near Gilleleje, a charming fishing village about an hour from Copenhagen. Denmark is expensive, so self-catering is best. Ice-cream at Hansens. Lunch in Gilleleje harbour. Culture at Louisiana modern art museum and Hamlet’s Castle in Helsingør. And day trips to Copenhagen.
Christina

To Hel and back in Poland

Hel is a tiny spit of land north of Gdańsk. Guys selling hot smoked fish meet you as you get off the ferry. Getting there is an adventure in itself, as the ferry takes you past the colossal cranes of Gdańsk’s shipyards. Long sandy beaches, pine forests and a small picturesque village make Hel a fantastic place to spend a few days. Famous for its seals, as well as its seaside, it really is the opposite of its fiery namesake.
Lucy Moore

Swimming and seafood in Sweden

We’ve just returned from a Scandi road trip and had four fantastic, chilled nights on Björkö. It’s only 30 minutes from central Gothenburg by (free!) car ferry and regular buses. Great swimming and beaches; micro breweries and fresh fish; sunsets and sunrises to die for; days out in Gothenburg, including the excellent Liseberg theme park, with no queues for proper scary rides – highly recommended.
James

Rowing in Finland’s Åland archipelago

Fuelled by our kids’ love of flags and a craving for quiet, we chose Åland, thousands of islands scattered between Sweden and Finland like granite gods wept there. We cycled between clouds and old boat sheds, stopping for smoked herring and cardamom pancakes with stewed prunes (sexier than it sounds). By the time Ivar lent us ancient alder oars to row to the next island, knowing they’d be returned by a friend, we’d learned that Åland doesn’t welcome visitors – it absorbs them.
Eliza Ainley

Cliff-edge drama in north-west Spain

Based in Oviedo (the ideal compact city), in Asturias, we would explore the coast one day, mountains the next, finding unexpected Gaudí buildings, gingerbread houses in Ribadesella, amazing cemeteries on cliff edges, enjoyable easy driving on perfect roads, gorgeous unspoilt beaches and great weather! Few tourists, thousands of Camino pilgrims along the way and (very weak) cider! Cannot wait to return and yes, we’d love to live there.
Annie Hargreaves

An idyllic island off Brittany, France

Camping Panorama du Rohou, near Paimpol in northern Brittany, has excellent views over to the beautiful Île de Bréhat. Walk down through the forest behind the campsite to take a short ferry ride to the island. Hire a bike or walk to explore its rocky coves and quaint villages. A lighthouse at the far end of the island has great views and is a good spot for a picnic, or to have a Breton galette or crepe at nearby Paradise Rose. Les Scènes de Bréhat is an annual festival with live music at the beginning of July; late-running ferries get you back to the mainland.
Stella

Arctic beach holiday, Norway

When we booked a trip to northern Norway’s stunning Lofoten Islands and Andøya we didn’t expect a beach holiday, but blessed with August temperatures in the high 20s we spent days swimming in the Arctic Ocean. Bleik beach on Andøya is one of the longest in Norway – “bleik” means “white” or “pale” in Norwegian, and the almost empty white sand, coupled with refreshing blue sea and the towering cliffs behind the beach, made for a perfect end to a day’s hiking. Puffins abound here, and whale watching trips are available from Andenes, just a few miles to the north.
Rachel

Seafood and sailing in Hanko, Finland

Hanko, Finland’s southernmost seaside gem, sits on a sandy dune that stretches out into the Baltic Sea. The town comes alive in early July during the celebrated Hanko Regatta, a sailing festival that draws about 200 yachts. To reach Hanko from Helsinki, take the VR train from Helsinki Central for about €15. Rent a bike once you arrive to explore the sandy beaches bordered by an ancient pine forest, historic villas and nature reserve. In the evening, enjoy fresh seafood with Baltic views and sit down for a pint of Lonkero. Don’t miss the spa scene and wild swimming!
Liina

Winning tip: Bike to the beach in North Holland

Aan Noordzee campsite, on the North Holland coast, has a simple, tranquil feel and no entertainment facilities. With separate cycleways everywhere, you can explore the beautiful coastline up to Den Helder and, by ferry, Texel island (sandy beaches, pretty towns and robust Texel sheep). An unspoilt beach walkable from the campsite awaits, with dune footpaths that lead to restaurants built on stilts. The sunsets over the North Sea are stunning. Alkmaar is accessible via a regular bus service.
Nicola Hull

Europe is packed with amazing city break destinations but there’s one destination that gets overlooked despite its laidback vibes and spectacular natural beauty

One European destination offers a city break for those looking to seek adventure and reconnect with nature in a way that other cities don’t.

I’ll be honest, while I was desperate to visit Switzerland, Geneva itself was not at the top of my list. Although, with the help of Geneva Tourism’s immersive itinerary, I was able to see it for exactly what it is: a breath of fresh air.

The global city has acted as an international centre for diplomacy for decades and hosts the highest number of international organisations in the world, which is why it is known as the ‘peace capital’. This idea of peace extends beyond the bounds of bureaucracy into the lifestyle of the locals and the kind of getaways it offers to tourists.

Unlike other city breaks, a weekend away in Geneva is spent surrounded by the mountains, with ample opportunity to tuck into Swiss favourites from the local vineyards and that world-famous chocolate. The whole trip felt incredibly wholesome. It’s not necessarily the cheapest of city breaks, but it does offer a quiet luxury that rivals the likes of Monaco or Paris.

To make exploring as seamless as possible, Geneva offers a City Pass, starting at £28, giving you access to over 60 attractions for free or at a discounted price. This one pass works as your key to the city; whether you use it to travel from place to place, unwind with a vineyard tour, go sailing along the lake, or visit a museum, there’s plenty on offer.

I used it to travel around the city on the bus and tram systems, which I found easy to use and locate, and even on a less ordinary mode of transport – the Mont Salève cable carts. Sitting on the outskirts of Geneva, accessible by bus, the cable cars, within minutes, take you to the highest heights, offering panoramic views of the city and the French Alps.

At the heart of the city is Lake Geneva, which has breathtakingly clear water. The city is built around the lake, meaning the best way to explore Geneva is to take to the lake. There are water sports opportunities and boat trips galore. The Geneva Tour cruise is free with a City Pass and allows you to set sail for a one-hour getaway along the water. After leaving the harbour, this boat tour offers unparalleled views of Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains, local monuments and picturesque villas.

I set out to make waves with Genevaboat, on a small but luxurious – and most impressively private – motor that took us far and wide across the vastness of the deep blue. For those wanting to experience the true freshness of its turquoise blue waters, this boating experience offered a wakeboard and skis, or you could simply hop off for a dip on your own in the serene setting.

One highlight not to be missed is the River Rhône. From barbecues to picnics, sunbathing and a quick swim, it’s popular with locals looking to reconnect with nature and soak up the translucent water. My way of enjoying the river was slightly more adventurous and had me hammering down the rapids in a raft.

If you’re a seasoned city breaker, you’ve most likely done your fair share of boat trips. As beautiful as they can be, it can be a slightly predictable way to see a place. Not so with this activity, which was provided by Rafting Loisir. Not only do you get to have some peaceful moments floating along the water with the tip of Mont Blanc as your backdrop, but you also get the adrenaline-fuelled chaos of the dams as you get drenched with water.

That said, if your instructor is half as fun as ours was, they’ll use any excuse to get you into the water, or simply resort to playfully pushing you in. Geneva is a city that lets you embrace the great outdoors, in whichever way you feel most comfortable: quite literally in the deep end, or from your comfort zone.

As for exploring a little further afield? I never considered a biking tour while on a trip, but my god, it was the best way to see the hidden hills of the countryside in Geneva. And to make life even more easy-going, just like the Swiss, Welo bike tours offered electric bikes, so you’re only really doing half of the work.

The quiet life can be found just 20 minutes or so outside of the city, just a stones throw away from the French border in a patch of dream-like countryside. We made a pit stop to one of the local family-run vineyards for a wine tasting session which is an absolute must if you want a real taste of Switzerland, or if you’re just looking for a bit of a buzz.

From a tourist perspective, the Swiss are all about a casual glass (or bottle) of wine with dinner, and less so a rowdy round of beers in a bar. Throughout the three days I spent there, I didn’t spot a single patch that was bustling with punters, despite the plentiful euros and the gorgeous sunshine.

As for foodies, the city offers an impressive selection of spots for real fine dining. It’s knowing where to find them that is the tricky part in a city that feels incredibly compact. Geneva Tourism makes it a lot easier with their numerous food guides which are available online, listing the top spots for whatever vibe you’re after.

The most impressive of the food came when we paid a visit to L‘Auberge D‘Hermance, a quaint restaurant buried in a mediaeval village by the lakeside. I tasted fresh local vegetable dishes, while the others tucked into their famous chicken, and the table was met with plenty of satisfying ‘hmmm’ sounds with each bite.

Alongside that, I can’t help but mention the brand new Ottolenghi that just opened in the city centre, making the perfect work lunch spot for those attending Geneva on business. Hand on heart, I haven’t tasted food that good in years. While the dishes seemed simple, the flavours hidden within were unreal.

What Geneva does so effortlessly is blend a wide range of cultures, whether that’s through its food, wines, languages, or lifestyle, and a visit gives you the chance to experience it all while offering something entirely new.

Book the holiday

• Welo bike tours start from Adult 49 CHF / Child 40 CHF for three hours. Find out more on www.welo.swiss/en/.
• The Geneva CityPass starts from 30 CHF for 24 hours. Find out more on www.geneve.com.
• Genevaboats tours start from 400 CHF for an hour. Find out more on www.genevaboats.com.
• A number of airlines offer direct flights to Geneva from the UK including easyJet, British Airways and Jet2.

FORMER MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Eike Immel has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison in relation to 107 cases of fraud.

According to reports from Bild, the majority of the cases centred around the 64-year-old borrowing money and not returning it.

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The total value of the money in question is reported to be £29,775.

Immel also sold tickets to a European Championship game, keeping the money but failing to deliver the tickets.

The German was found guilty in all cases before being sentenced by the district court in Marburg on Thursday.

The former Euros-winning goalkeeper’s defence brought up his financial issues as a reason for his failure to repay the money.

Bild report that a statement given by Immel’s defence attorney read: “Mr. Immel is deeply ashamed of what is being discussed here in the courtroom today.

“He lives hand to mouth. This fact has been publicly known for years.

“[He is] not a professional fraudster, but a failed former footballer.”

Immel declared bankruptcy in 2008, and has since spoken to the media about his money troubles, last year claiming to be living off of benefits.

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The stopper made 43 appearances for Manchester City between 1995-97, but is best remembered for his tenure in the Bundesliga.

He played almost 550 league games between spells at Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart.

His domestic performances earned him 19 international caps with West Germany.

Among these appearances, he won the 1980 European Championship and was part of runner-up campaigns at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

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European equities have entered what is historically the most challenging stretch of the calendar year, as August and September consistently deliver the weakest returns for the region’s stock markets.

Following a strong first half in 2025 and a slightly positive July, history suggests that the summer momentum in European equities often loses steam as August arrives.

The month is typically defined by thinner trading volumes, greater market sensitivity to economic and geopolitical headlines, and a consistent pattern of higher volatility.

August: The weakest month for European indices

Analysis of the past three decades reveals a clear seasonal downturn in August.

The EURO STOXX 50, Europe’s blue-chip benchmark, has averaged a 1.66% decline during the month over the past 30 years, making it the worst-performing month of the year.

It has ended August in positive territory only 43% of the time, and the broader STOXX Europe 600 tells a similar story.

Over the past 24 years, this index has fallen by an average 0.7% in August, also with a 43% winning ratio. The most brutal August came in 1998, when the EURO STOXX 50 plunged 14.4%, followed closely by 2001’s 13.79% loss.

Country indices echo August’s negative trend

Zooming in on national markets, the pattern of August weakness is equally pronounced.

This period is the weakest month for Germany’s DAX, which posts an average decline of 2.2% and finishes in positive territory just 47% of the time.

In France, the CAC 40 drops by 1.47% on average in August, narrowly ahead of September’s 1.49% average fall, and sees only a 37% winning rate.

Italy’s FTSE MIB and Spain’s IBEX 35 also see the negative sign, logging average August losses of 0.7% and 0.9%, respectively.

German stocks: Some of the weakest August seasonality

A group of Germany’s blue chips consistently show downward August bias, with some of them marking it as their worst month of the year, both in terms of returns and win probability.

According to TradingView data, some of the hardest-hit stocks include:

• Thyssenkrupp AG leads the decline, tumbling an average 4.6% in August with a win rate of just 30%, meaning it has posted gains in only 9 of the past 30 years.

• BMW AG averages a 4.1% loss in August with just a 37% win rate. Volkswagen AG, meanwhile, falls 3.3% and ends the month higher only 27% of the time — proof that even automakers aren’t spared from late-summer volatility.

• Deutsche Bank AG, Germany’s largest lender, averages a 3.47% drop in August and matches Thyssenkrupp’s 30% win ratio.

• Utility giant E.ON SE and industrial titan Siemens AG also feel the seasonal drag, both slipping by nearly 2%, with win rates of 37% and 40%, respectively.

• Deutsche Börse AG, operator of Germany’s stock exchange, and consumer goods firm Beiersdorf AG both see their weakest performance in August, falling 1.72% and 1.66% on average, with win rates of 48% and 39%, respectively.

Bottom line: August’s seasonal slump hard to ignore

With the EURO STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 up 8% and 7%, respectively, European equities have delivered a solid year-to-date performance.

Much of this rebound has come on the back of a strong recovery from April’s tariff-induced downturn, mirroring a broader global equity upswing.

But history warns that August marks a persistent seasonal soft spot — particularly for Germany’s corporate heavyweights, which tend to underperform more than their European peers.

From broad indices to blue-chip stocks, the month shows a consistent pattern of lower returns, thinner liquidity, and heightened vulnerability to negative news flow.

While no seasonal trend guarantees future performance, August remains, by many measures, the most challenging month for European investors.

With its ramshackle restaurants run by babushkas, an eerie railway station and streets that look like a time-warp to the past, you may not have heard of this unusual destination that’s also a bargain to boot

You’ve probably never heard of it, but Transnistria is a narrow strip of land sandwiched between Ukraine and Moldova where you can live like a king or queen for the day for around £11.

This unusual travel destination – known locally as Pridnestrovie – is a breakaway republic of Moldova but it doesn’t actually officially exist! It is in fact a self-declared nation that the rest of the world doesn’t officially recognise.

British content creator Kieran Brown, who recently spent a day there said it’s got Lenin statues, ramshackle restaurants run by babushkas, a ghostly railway station and streets that look like a time-warp to the past. But it comes with a warning – as some fear the Ukraine war is spreading amid mystery explosions in the contested Transnistria region.

And he also said it was a bargain trip as he spend the whole day sightseeing, eating and drinking for around £11 – and a big bottle of vodka costs less than £1!

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If you fancy visiting you’re best off taking cash and planning ahead – the only accepted currency is the Transnistrian ruble, valued against the Euro at 20 to 1.

“There’s not a tonne to do, it’s more about soaking up the weirdness of it all,’ Kieran, 29, told the Metro.”‘Hammer and sickle flags are still flying, and the ATMs don’t accept Visa or Mastercard.’

Transnistria broke away from Moldova in a short civil war in the early 1990s when, backed by Russia, it became an independent republic, with its own parliament, flag and national anthem.

The region has a complex history, with a large Russian-speaking population and a significant Russian military presence as peacekeepers.

Population estimates vary wildly, from 300,000 to 475,000 and the locals are somewhat friendly, if not a little suspicious of what tourists are doing there.

“People were generally stoic but polite, especially the older ones,’ he said. ‘Younger people often speak a bit of English and are curious why you’re there. One man in a tracksuit accused us of being spies as we had a camera but our driver sorted it out.”

Avid football fans may have heard of Transnistria – as it’s home to a football team that beat Real Madrid in 2021 – quite possibly the greatest upset in Champions League history.

To get there you need to fly to the Moldovan capital, Chișinău and take a bus or hire a car for the 90-minute drive to Tiraspol.

However, many countries advise against travel to Transnistria due to its proximity to Ukraine, and because it’s outside the control of the Moldovan government. The UK is one of them, so if you decide to travel, you’ll be doing so at your own risk.

Kieran says he felt completely safe, even at night and met solo female backpackers who had been there without an issue. “It’s very quiet, with a heavy police and military presence,’ he said. “As long as you don’t go filming military bases or causing a scene, you’re fine.”

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Most European nations welcome the deal, but some slam it as a capitulation before the EU’s largest trading partner.

The United States and the European Union have struck a wide-ranging trade deal, imposing a 15 percent import tariff on most EU goods, evading an all-out transatlantic trade war.

The deal was hashed out on Sunday between US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland, before an August 1 deadline for the introduction of steep tariffs.

Both Trump and von der Leyen lauded the deal as an important step, with the US leader hailing it as the “biggest deal” ever made, and the EU chief stating it will bring much-needed “stability” and “predictability”.

But what are European leaders saying about the deal with the EU’s largest trading partner? Here are some reactions:

Denmark

“The trade conditions will not be as good as before, and it is not our choice, but a balance must be found that stabilises the situation and that both sides can live with,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

Finland

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the agreement brings “much-needed predictability to the global economy and Finnish companies”. “Work must continue to dismantle trade barriers. Only free transatlantic trade benefits both sides the most,” he said.

France

“It is a sombre day when an alliance of free peoples, brought together to affirm their common values and to defend their common interests, resigns itself to submission,” said French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou.

Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the agreement has “succeeded in averting a trade conflict that would have hit the export-orientated German economy hard”. “This applies in particular to the automotive industry, where the current tariffs of 27.5 percent will be almost halved to 15 percent.”

A government spokesperson told the Reuters news agency that Berlin sees the need for further negotiations. “It is certainly no secret that in the steel and aluminium sector … We see a need for further negotiations,” the spokesperson said during a news conference in Berlin. He added that details of the deal remained to be worked out, and that “the EU Commission and the German government are now fully committed to this.”

Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban slammed the deal. “This is not an agreement … Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast, this is what happened, and we suspected this would happen as the US president is a heavyweight when it comes to negotiations, while Madame President is featherweight,” he said.

Ireland

Irish Trade Minister Simon Harris said the deal provides a “measure of much-needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world”.

“While Ireland regrets that the baseline tariff of 15 percent is included in the agreement, it is important that we now have more certainty on the foundations for the EU-US trade relationship, which is essential for jobs, growth and investment,” he said.

Italy

“I consider it positive that there is an agreement, but if I don’t see the details, I am not able to judge it in the best way,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Speaking at a summit in Ethiopia, she said a “trade escalation between Europe and the United States would have had unpredictable and potentially devastating consequences”.

Meloni – a Trump ally on many issues – had warned earlier this month against a “trade war within the West”.

Romania

In a statement, the Romanian government’s press office said Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan “salutes that a trade agreement was reached and … feels it is a good omen”. “It eliminates present unclearness which caused disruptions and uncertainties in transatlantic trade relations,” it said.

Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he backed the deal but “without any enthusiasm”.

“I value the constructive and negotiating attitude of the president of the European Commission. In any case, I support this trade agreement, but I do so without any enthusiasm,” he told a news conference.

Sweden

“This agreement does not make anyone richer, but it may be the least bad alternative. What appears to be positive for Sweden, based on an initial assessment, is that the agreement creates some predictability,” said Swedish Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa.

July 27 (UPI) — President Donald Trump on Sunday announced 15% tariffs on most goods from the European Union, down from the threatened 30%, as part of a trade agreement with the 27-nation bloc.

Trump announced the deal at his Turnberry Isle Country Club in Scotland after his public session with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump said the EU won’t impose new tariffs on U.S. imports.

During the meeting with the media, both leaders said the chance of a deal was 50-50.

“You’re known as a tough negotiator and dealmaker,” von der Leyen told Trump, with reporters on hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2w3imNVMSM

Leyen said the agreement “will bring stability. It will bring predictability. That’s very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Trump said the deal was “satisfactory to both sides” in a second press conference that followed their talks.

The EU is the largest U.S. trading partner with $605 billion in goods yearly. The products are mainly drugs and pharmaceuticals, primarily from Ireland, as well as aircraft and heavy machinery, mainly from France and Germany.

The 50% tariffs on steel, like for most other nations, would remain, and more duties could be imposed for pharmaceutical products, as well as semiconductors. Trump has also threatened a 200% tariff on any drugs imported to the United States.

Trump said that in the deal, the EU has agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and invest $600 billion into the United States more than they are currently investing, which wasn’t detailed. The EU is opening the bloc to trade for zero tariffs, and it will purchase “a vast amount” of U.S. military equipment, though the exact amount was yet to be determined, Trump said.

Trump also added that the deal will have a great impact on the U.S. car industry, noting that few American vehicles had previously been sold on the continent.

“So, I just want to congratulate you,” Trump said to von der Leyen. “I think it’s great that we made a deal today instead of playing games and maybe not making a deal at all.”

Von der Leyen added that the deal means that “basically, the European market is open.”

“It’s a good deal. It’s a huge deal. It was tough negotiations. I knew it at the beginning and it was indeed very tough, but we came to a good conclusion for both sides.”

On April 2, he said he would impose a 20% duty against the EU, with most trading nations imposed a baseline of 10%. He paused the retaliatory tariffs on April 9 for 90 days.

In a letter to EU nations on July 12, the U.S. president threatened 30% retaliatory tariffs to take effect on Friday.

“Imposing 30% tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” von der Leyen said after Trump’s letter.

Letters to other nations, including Brazil, have threatened tariffs as high as 50%.

The Trump administration has been negotiating with other nations, including reaching deals with China (30%), Japan (15%), Indonesia (19%) and Vietnam (20%). Britain, which is not part of the European Union, has a reduction in some tariffs of 10% on up to 100,000 vehicles and 25% on steel and aluminum.

Last year, the average U.S. tariff on imports from the EU was 1.2%, according to Capital Economics’ chief Europe economist.

The deal with the European Union is part of a broader trade agreement. The EU had a $58.7 billion overall trade surplus with the United States in 2024. For goods, it was $168.6 billion but the deficit was $126 billion in services trade.

In 2024, the bloc bought nearly $400 billion in goods.

Michael Brown, a senior research strategist at British-based Pepperstone brokerage, told The New York Times that U.S. defense companies likely will emerge as winners from the deal.

Iranian diplomats are meeting their counterparts from Germany, the United Kingdom and France for renewed nuclear talks, amid warnings that the three European powers could trigger “snapback” United Nations sanctions outlined under a previous 2015 deal.

The meeting, which is under way in Turkiye’s Istanbul on Friday morning, is the first since Israel’s mid-June attack on Iran, which led to an intensive 12-day conflict, with the United States militarily intervening on Israel’s behalf and attacking key Iranian nuclear sites.

Israel’s offensive – which killed top commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of civilians, as residential areas were struck, as well – also derailed US-Iran nuclear talks that began in April.

Iran said on Friday that the meeting is an opportunity for the so-called E3 group of Germany, UK and France to correct their positions on Iran’s nuclear issue. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in an interview with state news agency IRNA that Iran considers the talk of extending UN Security Council Resolution 2231 to be doubly “meaningless and baseless”.

The resolution, which cemented the 2015 deal Iran reached with world powers, under which it curbed enrichment in return for much-needed sanctions relief, is due to expire in October. It enshrines the big powers’ prerogative to restore UN sanctions.

Since then, the E3 have threatened to trigger the “snapback mechanism”, which would reinstate the sanctions on Iran by the end of August, under the moribund 2015 nuclear deal which US President Donald Trump unilaterally torpedoed in 2018 during his first term.

The option to trigger the snapback expires in October, and Tehran has warned of consequences should the E3 opt to activate it.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who is attending the talks Friday, alongside senior Iranian diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi, warned this week that triggering sanctions “is completely illegal”.

He also accused European powers of “halting their commitments” to the deal after the US withdrew from it.

“We have warned them of the risks, but we are still seeking common ground to manage the situation,” said Gharibabadi.

Warning from Tehran

Iranian diplomats have previously warned that Tehran could withdraw from the global nuclear non-proliferation treaty if UN sanctions are reimposed.

Restoring sanctions would deepen Iran’s international isolation and place further pressure on its already strained economy.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged European powers to trigger the mechanism. Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran came two days before Tehran and Washington were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of nuclear negotiations.

On June 22, the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.

Before the conflict, Washington and Tehran were divided over uranium enrichment, which Iran has described as a “non-negotiable” right for civilian purposes, while the US called it a “red line”.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran is enriching uranium to 60 percent purity – far above the 3.67 percent cap under the 2015 deal, but well below the 90 percent needed for weapons-grade levels.

Tehran has said it is open to discussing the rate and level of enrichment, but not the right to enrich uranium.

A year after the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, Iran reportedly began rolling back its commitments, which had placed restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Israel and Western powers accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons – a charge Tehran has consistently denied. Both US intelligence and the IAEA said they had seen no evidence of Iran pursuing a nuclear weapon in the build-up to the June conflict.

Enrichment is ‘stopped’

Iran insists it will not abandon its nuclear programme, which Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called a source of “national pride”.

The full extent of the damage sustained in the US bombing remains unclear. Trump has claimed the sites were “completely destroyed”, but US media reports have cast doubt over the scale of destruction.

Araghchi has noted that enrichment is currently “stopped” due to “serious and severe” damage to nuclear sites caused by US and Israeli attacks.

In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and reiterated that its nuclear programme will continue within the framework of international law, adding the country had no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Since the 12-day conflict, Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA, accusing it of bias and of failing to condemn the attacks.

Inspectors have since left the country, but a technical team is expected to return in the coming weeks, after Iran said future cooperation would take a “new form”.

Israel has warned it may resume attacks if Iran rebuilds facilities or moves towards weapons capability. Iran has pledged a “harsh response” to any future attacks.

Capri without the crowds, Italy

Procida, in the Bay of Naples, is not as famous as nearby Capri and Ischia, but is all the more appealing for it. Not a tourist trap but an island where people actually live, it’s a delightful slice of unhurried Italian life. The island is small enough to be explored on foot or by bicycle, though there is a bus service too. There are many pretty little beaches for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking – our favourite was Il Postino, where scenes from the movie of the same name were filmed. As people still fish for a living, there’s no shortage of wonderfully fresh seafood in the restaurants. A local delicacy is lemon salad, made from the enormous, thick-skinned lemons unique to Procida. Villa Caterina B&B’s orchard of lemon and orange trees provides fresh juice and marmalade for breakfast, and the rooms have wonderful views of the island and the bay, with Vesuvius looming in the distance and Naples only 45 minutes away by ferry.
Bernie G

Seafood and sunshine in Sweden

When life gets too much, I dream of Styrsö in the Gothenburg archipelago. Big open skies, nature trails and heaps of swimming spots make this car-free island the perfect summer escape. It’s topped off by a brilliant seafront restaurant, Tångbaren, where you can have a plateful of fresh seafood and a cold glass of wine, and watch the sea bob away.
Hannah

Tranquillity among the dunes, Germany

I was 21, living in Germany for a year to improve my language skills, and decided on a whim to visit the tiny East Frisian island of Spiekeroog (yes, it was the fantastic name that first attracted me to the place). I spent a happy couple of nights at the Hotel Inselfriede, a small family-run hotel just a 10-minute walk from where the ferry arrives from the mainland. The island is car-free and a beautifully peaceful place to explore the dunes or simply sit with a coffee and watch the sea.
Lizzy

A Balearic beauty

Sa Dragonera is a tiny but utterly beautiful uninhabited island that lies just south-west of Mallorca in the Balearics. It is brimming with history (there are 18th-century watchtowers built to observe pirate activity). Supposedly named after the lizards that inhabit it, the island is a hugely popular walking and birding spot, and is only accessible by small ferries from the nearby Sant Elm. It is best to go first thing to beat the heat and pedestrian traffic – you won’t regret it when you see the views from the top.
Tom

A tiny Greek island with great beaches

Everyone knows that Greece has some of the most beautiful Mediterranean islands. But few foreign tourists have heard of Kythira and that’s just the way the locals like it. For most of the year only about 3,500 people live on the island. In summer, however, thousands of Greeks come for holidays, many back to homes that have been in their family for generations. There are no major tourist resorts – it’s a Greek island rich in history and tradition, with dozens of beautiful beaches.
Andy Moffat

Explore old world Ireland in Galway Bay

Inisheer (or Inis Oírr), one of the three spectacular Aran Islands in Galway Bay, is my favourite small island by far. The ferry from Rossaveel on the mainland takes just under an hour, but you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time – this is a tiny island of stone walls, fishing boats, old cottages, and more ponies and traps than cars. You can walk or cycle across the island in an afternoon to explore shipwrecks and ancient ruins. At the end of the day, enjoy some traditional music in the charming pub. You can camp almost on the beach for a good price.
Eleanor

Peace (and sheep) in the middle of Helsinki

Kuusiluoto is a gem in the heart of Helsinki, only reachable on foot across rickety wooden duckboards that make it feel like you’re walking on water. Setting foot on the island, you’ll meet a welcoming committee of friendly sheep. The only indication you’re in a bustling European capital is the skyscrapers across the water. To get to Kuusiluoto, start from the city’s technology museum (itself well worth visiting, and just a short bus journey from the city centre) and walk a couple of miles along well-marked paths through reed beds. The island has a sauna, woodland trails, free postcards and those most valuable attributes – peace and quiet.
Arran

Snorkel in the coves of Silba, Croatia

I didn’t know much about Silba before I arrived – it’s a small, car-free island with no hotels, just family-run guesthouses. The catamaran from Zadar takes roughly 90 minutes, with several sailings a day during summer. Once there, you can walk on shaded paths through olive groves, find quiet pebble coves with clear water for swimming, and climb the Toreta tower at sunset for great views of the Adriatic. My tip: bring a snorkel, stay at least two nights, and make sure you book your return ferry in advance as the schedules are limited.
Elaine

Stunning vistas in Scotland’s Hebrides

On the community-owned Isle of Eigg, the constantly changing light is so enthralling that you don’t need to do anything else during your stay but say “Look!” and point out beautiful variations of rainbows, sunbursts or cloud formations. Stay at the Laig Beach Bothy and gaze out of the beautiful big windows at the sky, sea and mountains. As Virginia Woolf wrote: “One should not let this gigantic cinema play perpetually to an empty house.”
Anna

Winning tip: France’s wild west

The island of Ouessant (Ushant) is the most westerly point of metropolitan France. It’s a short ferry ride from the mainland, and as wild as it gets. Visit for a day as part of a longer holiday, or stay on the island for your entire trip. You can hire bikes as soon as you step off the ferry. There are beautiful beaches, such as Plage du Prat; impressive lighthouses; and bars and restaurants in the main village of Lampaul.
Airelle

Ruben Amorim’s side need to improve on their 24-25 performance, when they finished 23 points behind seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, who took up the last of the European qualifying places based on a league finish.

United have already spent more than £125m to bring in forwards Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

They also continue to be linked with strikers, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins’ the most recent subject of speculation following suggestions of a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

Both rumours involved out-of-favour winger Alejandro Garnacho going the other way.

United sources are adamant no deal is imminent, with Villa privately saying Watkins is going nowhere.

The club have travelled to the Unired States for their three-match Premier League Summer Series campaign featuring games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton.

In the meantime, Garnacho and fellow outcasts Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are training with club staff at United’s Carrington training complex.

Real Betis are still keen to bring Antony back to the club after last season’s successful loan spell, while Juventus are keen on Sancho but need to create room in their squad before they can pursue any deal.