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18.02.2025

18.02.2025 โ€” Dance in Riyadh Without Ukraine

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This page is an archive of main headlines from the UK for 18.02.2025.

It displays 104 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

18.02.2025 โ‡ข Dance in Riyadh Without Ukraine
โŒจThe morning opened with US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, marking their first face-to-face meeting since Russia's invasion. Putin signaled readiness to speak with Zelensky "if necessary," while Lavrov met with Rubio.

By midday, both sides reported "positive" discussions, agreeing to appoint negotiating teams. Russia made clear its rejection of NATO troops in Ukraine "even under other flags" - a direct response to Starmer's peacekeeping proposal from yesterday. Zelensky canceled his Saudi trip in protest of being excluded from talks.

Evening brought news of Trump expressing confidence in a peace deal, while Zelensky demanded Kyiv's involvement in negotiations. The progression showed Russia leveraging European divisions exposed at yesterday's Paris summit, while the US maintained its position as primary negotiator despite European attempts to assert relevance through military commitments.
18.02.2025

02:18โ‡ขUpside Down Miracle in Toronto

โŒจThe newspapers extensively cover a Delta plane crash in Toronto where all 80 passengers survived despite the aircraft landing upside down (BBC, Daily Mail, Metro, Mirror). Meanwhile, European divisions over Ukraine strategy deepen, with Starmer emphasizing the necessity of US security guarantees as deterrent against Russia (Guardian, Independent, Sky). The Sun reports on government spending controversies regarding social projects.
06:29
BBC

US and Russia to begin talks aimed at ending Ukraine war

The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is "serious" about peace - but Ukraine has not been invited.
06:29
06:29
BBC

US and Russia to begin talks aimed at ending Ukraine war

The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is "serious" about peace - but Ukraine has not been invited.
06:29
06:29
BBC

US and Russia to begin talks aimed at ending Ukraine war

The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is "serious" about peace - but Ukraine has not been invited.
06:29
06:37
06:37
07:18
The Guardian

Ukraine war: Russian and US officials meet in Saudi Arabia for peace talks, without Kyiv

07:18
07:18

07:20โ‡ขUkraine Watches US-Russia Dance in Riyadh

โŒจThe newspapers extensively cover US-Russia peace talks beginning in Saudi Arabia, notably without Ukraine's participation (BBC, Guardian, HuffPost). European divisions deepen as Scholz criticizes Starmer's Ukraine troop commitment during a crisis summit (Daily Mail, Independent). The development marks a significant shift from the Paris summit, with Starmer calling for US security guarantees as a prerequisite for peace (HuffPost, Spiked).
08:01
BBC

US and Russia begin talks aimed at ending Ukraine war

The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is "serious" about peace - but Ukraine has not been invited.
08:01
08:04
10:31
BBC

Putin ready to speak to Zelensky 'if necessary', Kremlin says as US and Russia hold talks

The US says the talks are a first step to see if Russia is "serious" about peace - but Ukraine has not been invited.
10:31
10:42

10:44โ‡ขRussia Meets US While Europe Waits Outside

โŒจThe newspapers focus on US-Russia peace talks beginning in Saudi Arabia, with Putin expressing readiness to speak with Zelensky "if necessary" (BBC, Guardian, Independent). Russia signals no territorial concessions as Rubio and Lavrov meet (Breitbart), while Europe's exclusion from talks causes concern, particularly in Germany (Daily Mail). A significant Delta plane crash in Toronto ends with all passengers surviving despite the aircraft flipping (Metro, Sun).
12:37
BBC

Russia says talks with US on Ukraine were 'positive' after four-hour meeting

"A very positive, constructive dialogue has begun," a Russian delegate says after the high-level meeting in Riyadh.
12:37
12:37
The Guardian

Ukraine war: Russia-US talks โ€˜went wellโ€™ with early discussions on Ukraine, says Russian adviser

12:37
13:19
The Guardian

Ukraine peace talks must mean permanent end to war and be acceptable to all sides, US says after Russia meeting

13:19
13:19
Spiked

Apply now to become a spiked intern

13:19
13:56
BBC

US and Russia will appoint teams to negotiate ending Ukraine war, US says after talks

"A very positive, constructive dialogue has begun," a Russian delegate says after the high-level meeting in Riyadh.
13:56

13:58โ‡ขPeace Teams Emerge from Riyadh

โŒจThe newspapers report on US-Russia peace talks progressing in Riyadh, with both sides agreeing to appoint negotiating teams (BBC, Guardian, Independent). Russia signals positive dialogue while US emphasizes need for permanent solution (BBC, Guardian). Meanwhile, a British couple faces espionage charges in Iran (Metro, Sky), and Strictly's Amy Dowden receives MBE for Crohn's disease awareness (Mirror).
16:13
16:13
BBC

Russia won't accept Nato troops in Ukraine as part of any peace deal, says Lavrov

Russia's foreign minister was speaking after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia.
16:13
16:13
The Guardian

US and Russia to explore closer relations after Ukraine talks in Riyadh

16:13
16:13
Minister Reminds US Of Afghanistan 'Mistakes' As Ukraine Excluded From Russia Talks
16:13
16:13
The continentโ€™s future depends on outflanking America. British troops in Ukraine is the first step.
16:13
17:09
17:50
17:50
17:50

17:52โ‡ขZelensky Spurns Saudi Talks

โŒจThe newspapers report on US-Russia peace talks in Riyadh, marking their first face-to-face meeting since Russia's invasion (BBC, Breitbart). Zelensky cancels his Saudi trip, protesting negotiations held without Ukraine's presence (Sky, HuffPost). Meanwhile, Russia's Lavrov firmly states NATO troops won't be accepted in Ukraine (BBC), while both sides agree to work towards a Trump-Putin meeting (Breitbart, Guardian, Independent).
17:58
18:14
20:54
20:54
The Guardian

US and Russia agree to explore mutual opportunities of end to Ukraine war

20:54

22:13โ‡ขLavrov Slams Door on NATO Masks

โŒจThe newspapers report on US-Russia peace talks in Riyadh extending beyond four hours (Channel 4, Guardian), with Trump expressing confidence in a deal (Sky). Russia's Lavrov rejects Starmer's peacekeeping proposals, specifically opposing NATO troops under alternative flags (Daily Mail). Zelensky demands Ukraine's inclusion in negotiations (Independent). Six Hamas hostages are set for release (Jewish Chronicle), while Thames Water receives a controversial ยฃ3bn emergency loan (Morning Star).