Trump’s ‘desire’ for Greenland still ‘very serious’ says Danish PM — Munich conference latest – UK Times

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday he was surprised that ⁠Russia had decided to change the leadership of its negotiating team ⁠for peace ​talks in ⁠Geneva next week, a move ⁠he said was ​designed to postpone ⁠any decisions.

Speaking ‌to journalists on the sidelines of the ‌Munich Security Conference, Zelensky ‌said foreign troops would be needed in Ukraine ⁠after a peace deal was reached to deter any future aggressions from Russia.

He said the US had proposed a security guarantee lasting for 15 years after the war, but Ukraine wanted a deal for 20 years or longer.

A group of British warships will patrol the Arctic, Sir Keir Starmer has said, following Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland after he cited concerns about its security.

The prime minister announced the British efforts to bolster security in the so-called High North at the Munich Security Conference, and said the US, Canada and other Nato allies would join the initiative.

Sir Keir also announced Britain will seek “deeper economic integration” with the European Union and to “move closer to the single market” in more sectors during his speech.

He insisted the EU-UK “status quo is not fit for purpose”, but he acknowledged there would be “trade-offs” as a result of the move.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called for a predictable and reliable partnership between the United States and its European partners, which he said had to build up their hard defence capacity.

Responding to Marco Rubio’s remarks earlier on Saturday, which criticised many aspects of what the international system had become, Pistorius agreed that institutions needed reform but said the answer could not be for a state to try to go it alone.

A government spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister met the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Munich today.

“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue work that will bolster our collective defences in the face of growing threats to European security.

“They agreed that Europe needs to step up and work towards becoming a more European NATO, while protecting our strong transatlantic ties.

“The Prime Minister shared his high ambition for the future UK-EU partnership. He set out his desire for further integration across the economy, defence and technology – in the interests of greater security, stronger growth and higher living standards for the British people. There is no question where the national interest lies and I will always fight for what’s best for the United Kingdom, he added.

“They committed to take forward further work ahead of the next UK-EU summit. They also agreed to double down on the existing negotiations to agree a food and drink deal which could lower prices, an emissions trading scheme which could lower bills, and a youth experience scheme to give our young people more opportunities to work and travel abroad.”

After a panel discussion which saw European powers discuss putting more pressure on the Kremlin, the EU Commission president wrote on social media: “Now is the time to raise the costs of Russia’s war higher than ever.

“To bring Putin to the negotiating table with genuine intent. Sanctions work. And they work best when coordinated.

“Europe’s 20th package of sanctions package will further tighten the pressure through measures on energy, financial services, and trade, and by cracking down on sanctions circumvention.

“We propose a full maritime services ban which can further isolate Russia and cut its fossil fuel revenue especially if coordinated closely with our G7 partners and the United States.”

Alexei Navalny’s widow said on social media: “Scientists from five European countries have established: my husband, Alexei Navalny, was poisoned with epibatidine — a neurotoxin, one of the deadliest poisons on earth. In nature, this poison can be found on the skin of the Ecuadorian dart frog. It causes paralysis, respiratory arrest, and a painful death.

“I was certain from the first day that my husband had been poisoned, but now there is proof: Putin killed Alexei with chemical weapon.

“I am grateful to the European states for the meticulous work they carried out over two years and for uncovering the truth.

“Vladimir Putin is a murderer. He must be held accountable for all his crimes.”

The Kremlin has always denied causing Navalny’s death, but the UK and its allies said that “only the Russian state had the combined means, motive and disregard for international law” to carry out the attack on the Russian opposition leader.

Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen says that if Putin “wanted peace, he wouldn’t do what he’s doing these days.”

She says Russia “will not change” and points to attacks on Ukraine energy systems in minus 25 temperatures as proof of a lack of appetite for peace.

“It’s so crazy that only Russians would do such a thing”, she adds.

Supporters of Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi rallied on the sidelines of the conference on Saturday, aiming to crank up international pressure on Tehran.

Banging drums and chanting for regime change, the large and boisterous demonstration in Munich was part of what Pahlavi described as a “global day of action” to support Iranians in the wake of deadly nationwide protests. Pahlavi also called for rallies in Los Angeles and Toronto.

“Change, change, regime change” the crowd chanted, bringing together many thousands of people and waving green-white-and-red flags with lion and sun emblems, which Iran used before its 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Pahlavi dynasty.

Some demonstrators sported “Make Iran Great Again” red caps, mimicking the MAGA caps worn by U.S. President Donald Trump ‘s supporters. Many waved placards showing Pahlavi, some that called him a king.

The son of Iran’s deposed shah has been in exile for nearly 50 years but is trying to position himself as a player in Iran’s future.

Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen is asked about Trump’s interest in Greenland and whether it has changed.

She says she believes Trump remains “very serious”, adding: “I think the desire from the US president is exactly the same.”

The president has pushed for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, since before he returned to the White House. Trump has claimed the country needs Greenland for “national security” purposes, warning that it is threatened by adversaries Russia and China.