- PM steps up as US leadership falters
- The King enters the world of politics
- Woman arrested as arson attack kills child
Today’s Top 3 UK News Headlines at 6 am
What’s happening in the UK today? Here are today’s top 3 UK news headlines. From the ongoing Ukrianian crisis to the suspected murder of a child in Manchester.
PM announces four-point plan for Ukraine
The prime minister has announced a four-point plan to work with Ukraine in ending the war and defending them from Russia.
The meeting of European leaders – and the announcement of this plan – comes off the back of a contentious bust-up Zelensky had with Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.
The ‘coalition of the willing’ appears to be a direct dig at the US president amid talks that the US could be considering leaving Nato and the United Nations.
The leaders agreed:
- Keep military aid flowing into Ukraine, increasing economic pressure on Russia
- Any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty; Ukraine must be involved in peace talks
- in the event of a peace deal, to boost Ukraine’s defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion
- to develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee peace afterwards
The PM also announced an additional £1.6 bn of UK export finance to buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
Zelensky meets the King at Sandringham
Just days after Donald Trump received a letter from the King inviting him for another state visit, the Ukrianian president met with the monarch at his Scottish home.
The meeting was requested by Zelensky and with the agreement of the UK government. “I’m very grateful for this meeting and for how His Majesty helps Ukraine and supports us,” he told reporters. “He’s met our warriors here, being trained in the UK, and we’re very thankful to the Royal Family for their support.”
Trump and Zelensky met at the White House on Friday and had a major bust-up in front of the cameras. Talks of Zelensky signing a minerals deal with the US (to end the war) came to nothing. The Ukrainian president flew into the UK following his trip to the US.
Donald Trump is a known royalist, and his invite from the King is thought to have played a role in helping the UK prime minister secure his backing over the Chagos Islands deal. The role of the monarch in this situation could be seen as trying to coax Trump into providing an American backstop to the war.
Girl, 4, dies and woman arrested after suspected arson attack
Manchester Police have said a four-year-old girl has died in a suspected arson attack at a house in Manchester. The child was found injured in the house and taken to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
A woman, 44, who was known to the child, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Police say they will “leave no stone unturned” as they try to establish what happened. They have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.
In pictures
Reaction on social media
Only 48 hours after Trump's hard turn toward Russia, an emergency meeting of NATO countries, plus Ukraine, WITHOUT the US.
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) March 2, 2025
The world is moving on without the US. pic.twitter.com/fdqLeaFU4Y
And this is how is the public reacting!
— Oriannalyla 🇺🇦 (@Lyla_lilas) March 1, 2025
London today. Same in Dublin. 💛
Thank you for standing with Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/F4SyIIebwn
Just drove down the road to get groceries for my family in Western North Carolina.
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 2, 2025
Don’t you dare tell me I have to continue funding a war in Ukraine when my town looks like this. pic.twitter.com/k6IzkZzZhW
The summit in London has begun.
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) March 2, 2025
European and NATO leaders have gathered to discuss the future of humanity and Ukraine, without the United States. This is the largest reconfiguration of nations since World War 2. pic.twitter.com/jEpB1NXbBH