Friedrich Merz picks pro-Kyiv foreign minister and promises German support for Ukraine

Chancellor-designate vows to tackle Russian aggression and appoints Johann Wadephul, an ex-soldier, to key role

Inside Taganrog: beatings, electrocution and starvation at prison where Ukrainians were tortured

Russia is holding an estimated 16,000 civilians in arbitrary detention at 180 separate facilities. Taganrog was the most notorious.

US ex-ambassadors warn of slide into authoritarianism amid ‘climate of fear’

Four ex-heads of US embassies in nations that swung from democracies to dictatorships say landscape eerily familiar

US and Ukraine sign minerals deal to solidify US investment in Russia defense

Move seals a deal to create a fund the Trump administration says will begin to repay roughly $175bn provided to Ukraine

Release of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia key to any peace deal, rights groups say

Kyiv-based Centre for Civil Liberties says tortured inmates bypassed amid focus on territory and security guarantees

Ukraine extracts ‘fair’ minerals deal after holding the line with Trump

While details remain to be finalised, Zelenskyy appears to have secured a better agreement than first seemed likely

Trump administration readies first sale of military equipment to Ukraine

State department certifies licence for ‘$50m or more’ in defence hardware and services after minerals deal signed

Ultranationalist wins first round of Romania’s rerun presidential election

George Simion of far-right AUR party opposes military aid to Ukraine and calls himself Trump’s ‘natural ally’

Far-right first-round win of Romanian presidential election raises prospect of EU disruption

Trump admirer George Simion opposes Ukraine military aid and calls for ‘Melonisation’ of Europe

Reform accused of seeking ban on flying Ukrainian flags over council buildings

Hard-right party says only St George’s and Union Jack flags to be permitted on or in its English council properties

Mike Pence rebukes Trump over tariffs and ‘wavering’ support for Ukraine

Former vice-president says tariffs ‘not a win for the American people’ and predicts public pressure will grow

Ukrainian drones target Moscow for second night

Apartment building hit and debris falls on highway, according to reports, with major airports serving Russian capital temporarily closed

First Thing: Trump blocks grant funding for Harvard until it meets government demands

University told by education secretary research grants ‘will not be provided.’ Plus, 45% of Americans say third world war likely in five to 10 years

Pentagon stopped Ukraine military aid shipments in February without Trump’s approval

Order to cancel 11 military aid flights – which were quickly reinstated – originated in defense head Pete Hegseth’s office

Russian drone strike caused tens of millions worth of damage to Chornobyl

Exclusive: Attack damaged €1.5bn containment structure over nuclear reactor with repair costs likely to be borne by western governments

Biden accuses Trump of ‘modern-day appeasement’ towards Russia

In his first interview since leaving office, former US president told the BBC he fears for US-Europe relations

Xi Jinping begins four-day Russia visit as Ukrainian drones attack Moscow

Chinese leader will attend Victory Day parade and hold talks with Vladimir Putin

India’s Pakistan strikes show how warfare has been normalised again

All-out war is unlikely but shifting of goalposts amid Gaza and Ukraine conflicts suggests Kashmir crisis could escalate

Vance says Russia asking ‘too much’ in ceasefire talks with Ukraine

Trump says ‘it’s possible that’s right’ about the vice-president’s remarks amid frustrations with Russia

Europe marks 80 years since VE day as continent faces new security realities

Events to take place against backdrop of Ukraine conflict, rises in defence spending and US foreign policy shift