In focus: Putin’s spring offensive in Ukraine has begun. Experts warn Trump has given Russia a window of opportunity
With Russia funding its war effort through financial gains from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and amping up attacks while Trump’s eye is turned towards the Middle East, experts tell Maira Butt that this is a very delicate moment for Ukraine:
James Reynolds26 March 2026 13:15
Rutte calls for Nato allies to outline path to 5% defence spending
In his annual report published on Thursday, Rutte hailed progress in alliance defence spending, but urged members to outline a path to five per cent.
“I expect Allies at the next NATO Summit in Ankara to show they are on a clear and credible path towards the 5% objective,” he wrote, adding that “a strong transatlantic bond remains essential in an age of global uncertainty”.
NATO leaders agreed at a summit last year to spend 5% of GDP on defence and related investments by 2035.
Three NATO countries – Poland, Lithuania and Latvia – already exceeded the new 3.5% target last year, according to the report’s estimates.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a press conference in Brussels today (REUTERS)
James Reynolds26 March 2026 12:47
Flow of aid from US to Ukraine via Purl initiative ongoing, says Rutte
Mark Rutte also says the Purl Initiative continues to deliver military aid from the US to Ukraine.
Nato’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List was set up last summer to finance and deliver US-made equipment to Ukraine.
It lets other Nato members buy US materiel to pass on to Ukraine, addressing the most in-demand needs.
Nato said in December that Nato allies and partners have funded over $4bn USD in critical military equipment and munitions through the scheme.
James Reynolds26 March 2026 12:46
Rutte defends Trump’s pressure on Nato to spend more on defence
Rutte also defends Donald Trump’s push to get European Nato members to spend more on defence.
“Without the present administration in the United States and the present president, I don’t think you would ever have reached this commitment to spend 5% of our GDP on defence, including the 3.5% on core defence [either],” he says.
“For too long, European allies and Canada were overreliant on US military might. We did not take enough responsibility for our own security,” he argued.
James Reynolds26 March 2026 12:35
All Nato members meet 2% defence commitment for first time, says Rutte
Nato chief Mark Rutte, presenting the alliance’s 2025 annual report, says that for the first time, all members have met the goal agreed in 2024 to invest at least two per cent of GDP on defence.
“We saw a 20 per cent increase in what Europe and Canada spent on defence in 2025 as compared with 2024,” he said.
James Reynolds26 March 2026 12:30
Russia ‘almost certainly’ trained and gave intelligence to Iran ahead of conflict, says Healey
Russia ‘almost certainly’ trained and gave intelligence to Iran ahead of conflict, says Healey
Shweta Sharma26 March 2026 11:30
Ukraine war roundup – what we know on Thursday 26 March 2026:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky says negotiations with Russia have stalled, with a fourth round of US–Russia–Ukraine talks postponed due to the Iran conflict.
- Zelensky said Washington is pushing for a quick deal and may link security guarantees to Ukraine giving up the eastern Donbas region. Key issues remain unresolved, including who would fund Ukraine’s long-term defence and how allies would respond to any future Russian aggression.
- European allies are urging the US not to force Kyiv into an unfavourable settlement and are calling for tougher sanctions on Moscow and continued military support.
- Zelensky said Moscow expects Washington to lose interest if talks drag on and eventually walk away.
- Russian strikes have killed two civilians in Kharkiv and damaged energy and port infrastructure, including in the Danube port of Izmail.
- Ukraine has stepped up drone strikes inside Russia, including in the Belgorod region, where Moscow says civilians have been killed.
- A sanctioned oil tanker linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” was reportedly struck in the Black Sea near Turkey, underscoring growing risks to maritime traffic.
Shweta Sharma26 March 2026 11:00
‘I survived 471 days in an underground bunker fighting for Ukraine against the Russians. This is my story’
A Ukrainian sergeant spent 16 months in a frontline bunker underground, often unable to breathe and near starving.
He told his story to world affairs editor Sam Kiley in Sloviansk
Shweta Sharma26 March 2026 10:30
Watch: Moment Russian drone hits 17th century medieval UNESCO site in Lviv
Moment Russian drone hits 17th century medieval UNESCO site in Lviv
Shweta Sharma26 March 2026 10:00
British forces will start seizing Russia’s shadow fleet, PM announces
Britain’s commandos will be able to board and halt Russia’s shadow fleet vessels if they pass through UK waters, the prime minister has announced.
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK would join northern European allies in intercepting the tankers, in an attempt to “go after” the sanction-breaking ships “even harder”.
The prime minister has given approval for the UK to start seizing shadow fleet vessels as he travels to Helsinki, Finland, for a summit with national leaders from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
The JEF, a military coalition of 10 northern European countries led by the UK, aims to defend against Russian incursions.
It also includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Moscow’s shadow fleet is reported to be made up of more than a thousand ageing tankers.
They illicitly ship oil and other goods out of Russia by flying the flags of other countries, with the aim of evading sanctions imposed by the West since the invasion of Ukraine began.
JEF countries Finland, Sweden and Estonia have recently intercepted suspected shadow tankers travelling through the Baltic.
Shweta Sharma26 March 2026 09:30
