Editorial 19.02.2025
UK newspaper front pages 19 February 2025 are dominated by the ongoing talks between Russia and the US over ending the war in Ukraine. The papers react with a sense of shock and horror over what appears to be the US president bowing to Russia’s terms regarding Ukraine.
The talks notably don’t feature Ukraine – or any European nation, including the UK, as they have been cut out of the discussions. It’s perhaps the clearest signal of what Donald Trump really thinks of Europe.
Away from the war, the UK front pages feature a variety of domestic stories ranging from the ongoing farmers’ protests to an exclusive interview with one of the parents of the Southport victims.
Showbiz gossip leads the tabloids with reactions to Meghan Markle’s latest business venture and an MBE for Strictly Come Dancing favourite Amy Dowden over her charitable efforts.
The right-wing papers take their usual aim at the out-of-work and those working from home, suggesting those who do not work in an office stay are lazy and stay in their pyjamas all day, and another publication attempts to anger the reader by claiming at least 3 million people claiming benefits are not actually looking for work.
The back pages sum up Celtic’s late loss to Bayern Munich (on agg) as heartbreaking as well as looking ahead at tonight’s match between Real Madrid and Manchester City (4-3 agg).
Russia and US begin negotiations to end Ukraine conflict
‘Fears Trump will settle conflict by agreeing to Moscow’s terms,’ says the FT.
The Financial Times says the negotiations between Russia and the US regarding an end to the Ukraine conflict is an “extraordinary turn of events in a matter of days.” The paper says the sight of Russian and US flags flying next to each other was “almost unthinkable even a few weeks ago.”
Ukraine and the EU states are fearing that US President Donald Trump will settle the conflict by agreeing to Moscow’s terms, according to the FT. The fears come after the US said Ukraine’s ambitions to join NATO and to reclaim land taken by Russia during the three-year war was “unrealistic.”
‘US and Russia agree Ukraine must hold election before peace deal is reached,’ says the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph claims that as part of the provisional agreement, the two nations have agreed that Ukraine must hold elections before any peace deal is reached. There’s no surprise that fears are growing Russia could use the election to oust Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and “install a pro-Putin candidate who would agree to peace terms favourable to Moscow”. The paper says some polls suggest voters’ support for Zelensky dropping to about 50% in late 2024.
‘Talks with Russia a clear break from Biden’s attempts to isolate Moscow,’ says The Guardian.
The Guardian says the talks between them have so far agreed to focus on the “economic and investment opportunities” that could come with ending the war. The paper also says the negotiations mark a “clear break” with the Biden administration’s attempt to isolate Moscow. The discussions between the US and Russia mark the most extensive talks since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
‘PM on collision course with Russia as British troops could be sent into Ukraine,’ reports the i.
The i newspaper focuses on Russia’s refusal to accept foreign peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of any deal. The suggestion had come from the UK and other European countries. It says the UK is on a “collision course” with Russia, according to the paper. PM Keir Starmer, who said he would consider sending British troops into Ukraine, is reportedly preparing to “double down” on his plans.
‘UK is exploring plans to be part of an air policing mission in Ukraine,’ reports The Times.
The Times however claims the UK is exploring different ways of providing security guarantees to Ukraine in any peace deal. A government source tells the paper that instead of sending large numbers of troops in, the UK could be part of an “air policing” mission. In theory, the paper says, dozens of Typhoon fighter jets could patrol Ukriane’s skies.
Badenoch row with judge
‘Badenoch hits back at judge saying politicians have a right to speak about the judiciary,’ says the Mail.
The Daily Mail focuses on the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and a row that has erupted between her and the most senior judge in England and Wales over comments she made about an immigration case. The judge, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr, said she was “deeply troubled” by the “unacceptable” remarks by Badenoch and Sir Keir about how a judge made a decision over whether to let a Gaza family stay in the UK. The paper says the Tory leader has now hit back saying politicians have a right to speak out about the judiciary.
‘Farmers say their blood is boiling after talks with government fell on deaf ears,’ highlights the Express.
The Daily Express leads on the latest in the ongoing row between farmers and the government over plans to change inheritance tax rules for farms. The paper says farmers are furious and say their blood was “boiling” after talks between unions and the Treasury took place on Tuesday. Farmers say the government were “deaf” to their concerns but the government says it “strongly believes this is a fair and balanced approach which helps fix the public services we all rely on”.
3M signed off not looking for work
‘3 million on Universal Credit not actually looking for work,’ claims The Times.
The Times claims three million people who are on Universal Credit are not actually looking for work. The paper says ministers want to remove incentives to being signed off sick and says new figures show that the system needs reform.
‘Half of people who work from home stay in their pyjamas all day,’ according to the Daily Star.
The Daily Star reports on a survey that half of people who work from home wear their pyjamas all day long. The paper also suggests that 60% of Brits change into their PJs as soon as they get home from work.
Elsewhere, other domestic stories feature on the UK front pages.
‘Thames Water wins approval to borrow £3bn rescue loan to keep it afloat,’ says the Metro.
The Metro leads on Thames Water winning the High Court’s approval to borrow a £3bn rescue loan to keep it afloat. The UK’s largest water and waste company was about to run out of cash by the end of March. The paper says it’s part of the “scandal of Britain’s waterworks,” saying three other water companies have separately asked the regulator Ofwat to let them raise bills again to help them fix their infrastructure.
‘Mum of Southport victim pays tribute to her daughter Alice,’ in an exclusive with the Mirror.
The Daily Mirror leads with an exclusive interview with the mother of Alice da Silva Aguiar – one of the little girls murdered in the Southport attack. The paper says her mum, Alex Aguiar, has paid tribute to her daughter in her first public comments since the attack.
Meghan in logo row
Several tabloids feature stories about the Duchess of Sussex this morning. Meghan announced, via social media, a new name for her lifestyle brand, set to be launching soon.
‘Spanish town stunned by Meg’s new logo and its similarities to their coat of arms,’ says The Sun.
The Sun says Meghan has been accused of copying the coat of arms from a Majorcan town for her logo. The mayor of Porreres was reportedly “stunned” by the similarities, telling the paper: “We will ask Meghan to remove the logo from their website.” “Duchess facing pain in Spain,” quips the paper.
‘Trademark As Ever is still pending,’ Daily Mail columnist offers up her opinions on Meghan’s new business.
Liz Jones shares her opinions on Meghan’s new lifestyle brand in the Daily Mail. “I can’t myself imagine the brand will succeed, given its chaotic birth… the jam… the dog biscuits. We can’t even be sure about the name because the trademark for As Ever is still pending.”