Ex-UK minister Robertson rubbishes Ukrainian claims he aided Russia’s Olympic return Sport Business Former Sports Minister Sir Hugh Robertson has shut down claims he was central to Russia’s readmission into the Olympic Games, telling City AM that claims he is a “Russian stooge” are “rubbish”. The former Conservative cabinet minister and the International Olympic Committee’s chair of the Working Group on the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, has described [...]
Donald Trump is creeping towards a shrewd sanctions policy Opinion President Trump is shifting toward a more solidly pro-Ukraine position which, while welcome, will require careful calibration to mitigate potential global trade disruptions and address corporate enablers of the Russian war effort, says Derek Grossman President Trump’s warm welcome on Tuesday to Volodymyr Zelensky, his Ukrainian counterpart, shows that he is moving, fitfully, toward a [...]
Exclusive: Russian ambassador was invited to box at Queen’s Club Wealth The Russian ambassador to the UK was invited to sit in a box at Queen’s tennis club during last week’s 2026 HSBC Championship, City AM can reveal. Andrey Kelin, who has been Vladimir Putin’s chief diplomat based in the UK since 2019, was photographed at the private tennis club in West London during the precursor [...]
Brentford in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League fixtures June 24, 2026 Brentford are among the clubs in talks to host Shakhtar Donetsk’s home fixtures in the Champions League next season. The Ukrainian club are prohibited by Uefa for safety reasons from staging their European games in the war-torn country and last season hosted teams in Krakow, Poland. But Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium has emerged as a [...]
Small businesses can help solve defence procurement June 17, 2026 A neutral vendor model for defence procurement will solve issues of scale, reduce bureaucracy and reduce the risks of engagement for all sides, says Rob Levene John Healey and Al Carns may have quit, but the final answer to the question that triggered their exits as defence secretary and armed forces minister has been left [...]
UK to join EU Ukraine loan talks in defence push May 3, 2026 The UK is set to begin negotiations to join the European Union’s €90bn (£78bn) loan scheme for Ukraine, as Keir Starmer steps up efforts to deepen defence cooperation with European allies. Speaking ahead of a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Yerevan, Armenia, the prime minister is expected to signal Britain’s intention to [...]
Ferrexpo: Miner taps Ukrainian oligarch for $100m equity lifeline April 28, 2026 Cash-strapped London-listed Ukrainian miner Ferrexpo confirmed today that existing investors are prepared to throw it a $100m lifeline as the former FTSE 250 stalwart scrambles to stay in business. It plans to issue new shares to raise the cash. But the time needed for the scheme will delay publication of its annual accounts for last [...]
14 charts reveal the massive challenges facing UK and NATO defence spending April 7, 2026 Defence spending is casting a shadow over Downing Street. Military officers are in a state of despair. The choices facing Sir Keir Starmer are stark. The political calculus for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has become more complicated than ever as the Iran war puts public finances in danger. Their difficulties go back to February 2025 [...]
Abramovich defies Starmer with new foundation plan for £2.4bn Chelsea funds April 1, 2026 Roman Abramovich has responded to Keir Starmer’s legal threats to claim the £2.4bn sum raised from selling Chelsea by taking steps to set up a new foundation. An application for the creation of the Foundation for Victims of Conflict will be made this week with the Charity Commission, without the permission of the government. No10 [...]
If defence is a priority, government must be honest about who pays February 24, 2026 America has made clear that Europe must stand on its own two feet when it comes to national security. But defence ambitions must be reconciled with balance sheets already stretched to their limits, says Helen Thomas The largest build-up of American military assets in the Middle East for two decades alongside last week’s Munich Security [...]