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Stephen Fry has warned of a growing global shift toward authoritarianism, calling it a “darkening shadow” over the world.Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (23 February), the British actor and writer said, “I’m deeply worried by the darkening shadow spreading across the world—the shadow of what we have to call fascism.” He described it as a “cult of power” that only engages with other power. Fry also claimed that Donald Trump, like Vladimir Putin, has “contempt” for British politicians, as well as French President Macron. More

French president Emmanuel Macron says he will tell Donald Trump to “not be weak” in the face of Vladimir Putin, when he travels to the White House to discuss America’s move to end Russia’s war in Ukraine on Monday.Macron shared his approach in a question and answer session on social media on Thursday (20 February), in which he said he would tell Trump showing weakness toward the Russian president is ‘not in his interest’.“How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin,” he added. More

Donald Trump has accused UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of “not doing anything” to resolve the war in Ukraine triggered by Russia, as the US president continues to defend his controversial remarks about the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky.After Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade mentioned upcoming visits to Washington by Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron, Trump criticised both of them for their responses to the conflict.”Macron’s a friend of mine and I’ve met the prime minister and he’s a very nice guy, but nobody’s done anything,” he claimed. More

UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson appeared somewhat awkward when asked about Donald Trump’s false claims Volodymyr Zelensky is a “dictator”.Lord Mandelson instead said Trump’s speech was “very interesting” and that he was “looking forward” to Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to the White House next week, when approached by Sky News on Wednesday (20 February).Mr Mandelson was leaving the Saudi-backed Miami conference where Trump doubled down on his attack on Mr Zelensky.In 2019 Mr Mandelson branded the president a “danger to the world” but retracted those comments ahead of his confirmation as ambassador earlier this year, calling his words “ill-judged”. More

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel defended Donald Trump over some of the comments he made during a social media attack on Volodoymyr Zelensky.Ms Patel said the US president has made “very significant points consistently”, stating Trump deserved credit for his involvement in Russia and Ukraine peace talks.Appearing on Sky Breakfast on Thursday (20 February), Ms Patel said: “He has made some very significant points consistently in all credit to President Trump about Europe, and Europe stepping up when it comes to defence spending.”When pressed about Trump’s false claims that the Ukrainian president was a “dicatator” for refusing to have elections, Ms Patel said he was not. More