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Kwasi Kwarteng has become the second shortest-serving chancellor in UK history.

Just behind Conservative Ian Macleod, who died of a heart attack 30 days after he took the job in 1970, Mr Kwarteng lasted just 38 days in his role.

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The rise and fall of Kwasi Kwarteng

Unapologetic Truss says she ‘acted decisively’ – follow politics latest

Here Sky News looks back at his short time at Number 11 Downing Street.

6 September

After being elected prime minister by 57.4% of Conservative Party members the previous day, Liz Truss appoints Kwasi Kwarteng as her chancellor.

He was previously secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

More on Kwasi Kwarteng

Friends for over a decade and described by some as “ideological soulmates” and “Batman and Robin”, Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng even live on the same street in Greenwich, southeast London.

In 2012 they co-wrote a book called ‘Britannia Unchained: Global Lessons for Growth and Prosperity’ about the UK’s post-Brexit potential.

Political Book Awards 2013 at the Bfi Imax Southbank Kwasi Kwarteng and Elizabeth Truss

8 September

A House of Commons debate on the energy crisis is interrupted by news that the Queen is gravely ill.

Prime Minister Liz Truss and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are rushed out of the chamber.

At 6.30pm it is announced that the Queen has died.

Parliament is suspended and due to return on 21 September.

Plans for a so-called ’emergency budget’ earmarked for 19 September are delayed for the Queen’s funeral to take place.

10 September

The chancellor is among members of the cabinet to meet the new King at Buckingham Palace with the prime minister.

19 September

The Queen’s state funeral takes place at Westminster Abbey.

Mr Kwarteng is among the first recognisable faces to arrive but sparks outrage when he is seen laughing with colleagues ahead of the service.

21 September

When MPs return to the House of Commons, Liz Truss unveils her first major policy of her premiership – an ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ to help reduce people’s utilities bills.

Amid the cost of living crisis, Ms Truss caps energy prices per unit and claims the average household will not pay more than £2,500 a year in bills for the next two years.

She also lays out a six-month support scheme for businesses, which were previously unprotected by any cap.

The policy is estimated to cost £60bn, sparking concerns the government is borrowing too much money.

Mr Kwarteng says it will “bring security, growth to the economy and secure a better deal from consumers”.

23 September

The chancellor unveils his ‘mini-budget’ in the House of Commons. The government insists it is not a ‘mini-budget’ but a ‘fiscal event’. Mr Kwarteng refers to it as ‘The Growth Plan’.

Describing it as the “biggest package in generations”, he tells MPs he “won’t apologise” for trying to deliver growth with a series of dramatic tax cuts.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng

They are set to cost the public purse £45bn and include:

• Abolishing the 45% higher rate of income tax
• Cutting the basic rate of income tax to 19%
• Scrapping the planned increase in corporation tax from 19% to 25%
• Reversing Rishi Sunak’s National Insurance Health and Social Care levy
• Increasing the threshold for stamp duty payments to £250,000 – and £425,000 for first time buyers
• Scrapping planned curbs on banker’s bonuses

Mr Kwarteng claims the measures will “simplify” the UK tax system and make Britain “more globally competitive”.

The mini-budget is not accompanied by the normal costing plans from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as the government says it is not a traditional budget.

This means no one will know how it will be paid for until Mr Kwarteng’s next announcement on 23 November.

26 September

When trading resumes on global financial markets for the first time after the chancellor’s mini-budget, they react badly.

Experts claim this is because of a loss of confidence in the UK’s ability to pay its debts.

The pound falls by 5% to a record low against the dollar – at $1.0327.

Interest – or yields – on 10-year UK government bonds – or gilts – hit their highest since 2010 at 4.15%.

The Bank of England issues a statement saying it “will not hesitate to change interest rates as necessary”.

Mr Kwarteng says of the financial turmoil: “We’ve got to have a much more front-footed approach to growth and that’s what my Friday statement was all about.

“I think that if we can get some of the reforms… if we get business back on its feet, we can get this country moving, and we can grow our economy, and that’s what my focus is 100% about.”

28 September

The Bank of England makes the highly unusual move of agreeing to buy up UK government bonds for a set period of two weeks.

It says this is because if “dysfunction in this market continues or worsens, there would be a material risk to UK financial stability”.

Sky News’ economics and data editor Ed Conway claims that had the central bank not acted whole pension funds were at risk of dissolving by that afternoon.

Reports then begin to emerge of the PM being under pressure to sack her chancellor for causing market instability.

Liz Truss agreed to a government statement after a meeting with Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

29 September

The independent body responsible for economic forecasting, the OBR, confirms in a letter to the SNP’s Ian Blackford that it had offered a forecast for the mini-budget, but the chancellor did not commission one.

Mr Kwarteng also fuels speculation he may only uprate benefits in line with people’s earnings – not inflation – a manifesto promise of Boris Johnson’s.

He said: “We are talking about helping people in the round. It is premature for me to come to a decision on that. But we are absolutely focused on making sure that the most vulnerable in our society are protected through what could be a challenging time.”

A YouGov poll reveals Labour has surged to a 33-point lead over the Conservatives.

30 September

In The Daily Telegraph, Kwasi Kwarteng promises a “credible plan” to get government spending under control.

He reaffirms his commitment to a full OBR report on 23 November.

1 October

A new poll by Opinium shows Liz Truss is less popular than Boris Johnson, and that Labour is well ahead of the Conservatives.

According to the results, the Tories have just 27% of the vote, while Labour boast 46%.

2 October

The Conservative Party conference begins in Birmingham.

In an interview with the BBC, Ms Truss admits she and Mr Kwarteng “should have laid the ground better” and says “I have learnt from that”.

On uproar over the 45% top rate tax cut, she appears to blame her chancellor, saying it was a decision made by him and something he didn’t discuss with the cabinet.

Read more:
From Eton scholar to chancellor that went spiralling
Truss: I want to be honest, this is difficult

Michael Gove also appears on the same programme to say the top tax rate cut was a “mistake” and that he may not vote for it.

An article in The Sunday Times claims that Mr Kwarteng met hedge fund managers in London before his mini-budget where they “egged him on” to pursue his sweeping tax cuts that would benefit them. This is denied by the government.

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Kwasi Kwarteng’s party conference speech in full

3 October

On the day of his speech at the Tory Party conference, the chancellor tweets: “It is clear that the abolition of the 45p tax rate has become a distraction from our overriding mission to tackle the challenges facing our country

“As a result, I’m announcing we are not proceeding with the abolition of the 45p rate of tax.

“We get it, and we have listened.”

His speech sees him admit: “What a day, it has been tough but we need to focus on the job in hand.”

Referring to his earlier U-turn, he adds: “We need to move forward. No more distractions. We have a plan and we need to get on and deliver it. That is what the public expect from the government.”

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Moment Chancellor U-turns on tax rate

4 October

House of Commons leader and former Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt insists that benefits should be uprated with inflation after rumours swirled that the PM and chancellor could be looking at linking them to people’s earnings to save money.

Reports emerge that in one conversation the chancellor blamed the “pressure” of the Queen’s death for any mistakes made in government.

5 October

In her speech that closes the party conference, Liz Truss pays tribute to her “dynamic” chancellor.

“Whenever there is change, there is disruption,” she says.

6 October

The chancellor holds a meeting with executives from some of the biggest UK High Street banks, including Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest, amid soaring interest rates on mortgages and hundreds of deals being withdrawn over uncertainty in the market.

10 October

Kwasi Kwarteng confirms he is bringing forward his costing of the mini-budget from 23 November to 31 October.

In a letter to the chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, he says: “I have previously written to inform you that an economic and fiscal forecast will be published alongside the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on 23 November. I have decided to bring this date forward to 31 October.”

11 October

Appearing in front of MPs for the first time since his mini-budget, Mr Kwarteng promises his upcoming economic plan will be “relentlessly upbeat”.

He promises it will be an “absolute iron commitment to fiscal responsibility” and accompanied by a full OBR forecast.

On the same day, the Institute for Fiscal Studies publishes a report that says the government must save at least £62bn to restore market confidence.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng and Liz Truss

12 October

The chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tells Sky News that the mini-budget “complicated” the Bank of England’s plans to bring down inflation.

In her first Prime Minister’s Questions since the mini-budget, Ms Truss says that she will not cut public spending to balance the books.

13 October

Kwasi Kwarteng travels to Washington DC for talks with the IMF, which has called for the UK to focus on tackling inflation before it looks at growth.

But the chancellor’s trip is cut short, with sources claiming he needs to return early for discussions on his ‘medium-term fiscal plan’.

At home, Liz Truss faces mounting pressure to resign or sack her chancellor as more of her MPs threaten to rebel.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng (second left) arrives at London Heathrow Airport after travelling on a flight from the US ahead of schedule for urgent talks with Prime Minister Liz Truss as expectations grow that they will scrap parts of their mini-budget to reassure markets. Picture date: Friday October 14, 2022.

14 October

Friday’s edition of The Daily Telegraph sees Mr Kwarteng vow: “I’m not going anywhere.”

He is later seen entering Downing Street via a back entrance shortly before rumours he has been sacked are confirmed.

Mr Kwarteng issues a statement saying: “You have asked me to stand aside as your chancellor. I have accepted.”

He acknowledges “we have been colleagues and friends for many years” and stresses “your vision is the right one”.

Ms Truss replies: “As a long-standing friend and colleague, I am deeply sorry to lose you from the government.”

Newly-installed chancellor was questioned by journalists after he replaced sacked former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.

In contrast to his claims “you asked me to stand aside” she says: “I deeply respect the decision you have taken today.”

In a news conference hours after, she admits “this is difficult” and U-turns on her plans for cutting corporation tax.

Mr Kwarteng is replaced as chancellor by Jeremy Hunt – a former health and culture secretary.

:: The new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, will be speaking to Sky News from 7am today

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‘He was the light of my life and I lost him’: How a famous surgeon died in an Israeli prison after being taken from Gaza hospital

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'He was the light of my life and I lost him': How a famous surgeon died in an Israeli prison after being taken from Gaza hospital

As a famous orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Adnan Al-Bursh spent much of his career fixing broken limbs and broken bodies at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital.

One of the best-trained doctors in the enclave, a photo showing him covered in blood in Al-Shifa’s operating theatre went viral in 2018.

When war broke out last October, he worked around the clock. Pictures stored on his mobile phone show him standing in a hole, swinging a blunt-edged shovel as the hospital descended into crisis.

It had run out of fuel, food and basic pain relief and there was no more space to store dead bodies. Dressed in hospital scrubs, Dr Al-Bursh and his colleagues dug mass graves as the sound of explosions rang out behind the hospital’s walls.

Soon after the outbreak of the conflict, the surgeon, along with his wife Yasmin, realised that their world had changed forever.

“Adnan was needed every time there was a war,” she recalled. “So, I told him, ‘get ready, there will be lots of operations, they will need your help’. He went to hospital to receive the injured and stayed for 24 hours. He did not stop.”

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB - Wife and kids
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Dr Adnan Al-Bursh’s wife and children

Dr Al-Bursh spent his days in the operating room and slept in the staff room at night.

He also kept a diary of sorts with his mobile phone, documenting the increasingly desperate scenes unfolding around him.

“Despite the pain, we are steadfast,” he said as he filmed the scene in a crowded operating theatre.

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB - Staff room
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Dr Al-Bursh and others in the staff room

Israel said the foundations of Al-Shifa were laced with tunnels where Hamas operated a ‘command-and-control centre’, something Hamas denies.

As Israeli troops advanced towards the facility, Dr Al-Bursh captured the mood inside. Another video found on his mobile phone shows a colleague in the staffroom recalling a painful conversation with his wife.

“I remember that she only asked one thing of me, what do you think it was? That request was ‘just let me see you smile’.

“Smile. It’s the first thing I want to do after this war, if God saves us.”

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB - Evacuation
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Tens of thousands of people had to evacuate the hospital

By mid-November, Al-Shifa was under siege by Israeli troops.

A week later, patients, staff and some 50,000 displaced residents sheltering in the compound were ordered to evacuate.

Dr Al-Bursh captured the scene of long columns of people walking towards southern Gaza.

But the surgeon did not follow them. Instead, he went northeast to another facility – the Indonesian Hospital – still operating in northern Gaza. What he found on his arrival horrified him.

“I was shocked by the size of the catastrophe here,” he said in a video. “There are injured people who have been waiting for their operations for more than ten days. [Their] wounds were severely infected.”

On 20 November 2023, the Indonesian Hospital was surrounded by Israeli tanks and later that evening, projectiles were fired into the second floor. At least 12 people were killed.

Dr Al-Bursh survived with minor scrapes but the front entrance of the facility was torn apart. “The destruction is everywhere,” he said in another video.

A spokesman for the IDF denied that Israeli forces were responsible.

By early December 2023, Dr Al-Bursh had moved to a small hospital, also in the north, called Al-Awda.

A series of pictures, posted on the hospital’s social media page, show him examining patients with fatigue etched on his face.

These are the last known images taken of the surgeon.

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB - Last pic
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These are the last known images taken of the surgeon at Al-Awda hospital

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB - Last pic 1
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The last images were released on hospital social media

The Israeli military surrounded the hospital on 5 December, and the staff were worried about what the soldiers would do.

Dr Al-Bursh worked at Al-Awda alongside a friend and colleague, Dr Mohammad Obeid.

Eventually, the hospital’s director told them that they would have to leave the building.

“[The director] told us that the [Israeli army] have full data of all males aged between 14 and 65 at Awda hospital,” Dr Obeid said, tearfully. “They told him that if all men do not come down… they will destroy the Awda Hospital with all the women and children in it.”

We put this allegation to the IDF but they did not respond.

The men filed out of the hospital and five, including Dr Al-Bursh, were taken away.

“A soldier came up to us and called out Dr Adnan’s name, who was sitting next to me… I felt he was in a very difficult situation. The occupation soldier took him and the treatment was very rough.”

Read more:
A timeline of events in the year since 7 October
Video of Israeli hostage released

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB - SDE TEIMAN
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The Israeli military base, Sde Teiman, where Dr Al-Bursh was taken. Pic: Breaking the Silence

In a brief statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed to Sky News that Dr Al-Bursh was detained by its personnel. On 19 December 2023, it says the surgeon was taken to an Israeli military base called Sde Teiman, which has been used for processing detainees since the early part of the war.

Allegations of physical, mental and sexual abuse are rife. A former camp inmate, Dr Khalid Hamouda, believes many of the prisoners at Sde Teiman were medical professionals.

“In the camp where I was, there were about 100 prisoners. I think at least a quarter of them were involved in healthcare. Some of them were doctors, nurses and technicians.”

Dr Hamouda was put to work by the guards at the base as their helper or ‘shawish’, and remembers being told to fetch Dr Al-Bursh at the gate. When he collected him, his fellow doctor said he had been badly beaten and felt pain all over his body.

“He thought he may have broken ribs,” Dr Hamouda said. “He was unable to even go to the toilet alone.”

Israeli soldiers stand outside Ofer military prison near Jerusalem on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Friday marks the start of a four-day cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, during which the Gaza militants pledged to release 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
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Israeli soldiers stand outside Ofer military prison near Jerusalem. Pic: AP

The IDF told Sky News that after Dr Al-Bursh was processed, he left Sde Teiman on 20 December and became the “responsibility” of the Israeli Prison Service.

In April, the surgeon was taken to an incarceration facility near Jerusalem called Ofer Prison.

He died shortly after his arrival. News of the surgeon’s death was announced in a statement from two Palestinian prisoner support associations at the beginning of May. The Israelis offered no explanation or cause of death.

Sky News has spoken to people who claim to have witnessed the moments before Dr Al-Bursh’s death.

A prisoner, who says he previously knew Dr Al-Bursh in Gaza, provided details in a deposition to lawyers from the Israeli human rights organisation HaMoked.

“In mid-April 2024, Dr Adnan Al-Bursh arrived at Section 23 in Ofer Prison. The prison guards brought Dr Adnan Al-Bursh into the section in a deplorable state. He had clearly been assaulted with injuries around his body. He was naked in the lower part of his body.

“The prison guards threw him in the middle of the yard and left him there. Dr Adnan Al-Bursh was unable to stand up. One of the prisoners helped him and accompanied him to one of the rooms. A few minutes later, prisoners were heard screaming from the room they went into, declaring Dr Adnan Al-Bursh (was dead).”

SPARKS GAZA FEATURE - DR AB
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Dr Al-Bursh treating a young patient earlier in the war

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While some people might suggest that Dr Adnan Al-Bursh was a terrorist, Daqqa said: “If you want to formally answer this question, he was not charged until now. And many of these detainees are not charged from Gaza.”

In a statement to Sky News, a spokesman for the Israel Prison Service said: “IPS is a law enforcement organisation that operates according to the provisions of the law and under the supervision of the state comptroller and many other official critiques.

“All prisoners are detained according to the law. All basic rights required are fully applied by professionally trained prison guards.

“We are not aware of the claims you described and as far as we know, no such events have occurred under IPS responsibility. Nonetheless, prisoners and detainees have the right to file a complaint that will be fully examined and addressed by official authorities.”

GAZA SPARKS
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Dr Al-Bursh’s family paid tribute to him

Sky News was told by colleagues and Dr Al-Bursh’s wife Yasmin that he was in good physical condition before his arrest.

“He was the light of my life and I lost him,” Yasmin said.

Dr Al-Bursh was prepared to risk his life to save others. This story is one of a countless number, now buried under the immovable weight of Gaza’s recent past.

But Dr Al-Bursh lived and lost his life in a manner that demands acknowledgement, his friends and family members say.

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Ukrainian frontline commander warns: ‘The world is scared of Russia and losing is not only our problem’

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Ukrainian frontline commander warns: 'The world is scared of Russia and losing is not only our problem'

In the courtyard of a farmhouse now home to soldiers of the Ukrainian army’s 47th mechanised brigade, I’m introduced to a weary-looking unit by their commander Captain Oleksandr “Sasha” Shyrshyn.

We are about 10km from the border with Russia, and beyond it lies the Kursk region Ukraine invaded in the summer – and where this battalion is now fighting.

The 47th is a crack fighting assault unit.

They’ve been brought to this area from the fierce battles in the country’s eastern Donbas region to bolster Ukrainian forces already here.

War latest: Russia ready to carry out ‘massive attack’

The captain known by his men as 'Genius'
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The captain known by his men as ‘Genius’

In the summer, Ukraine launched an incursion into Russian territory, in Kursk
Image:
In the summer, Ukraine launched an incursion into Russian territory, in Kursk

Captain Shyrshyn explains that among the many shortages the military has to deal with, the lack of infantry is becoming a critical problem.

Sasha is just 30 years old, but he is worldly-wise. He used to run an organisation helping children in the country’s east before donning his uniform and going to war.

He is famous in Ukraine and is regarded as one of the country’s top field commanders, who isn’t afraid to express his views on the war and how it’s being waged.

His nom de guerre is ‘Genius’, a nickname given to him by his men.

Captain Sasha Shyrshyn and Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay
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Captain Sasha Shyrshyn and Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay

‘Don’t worry, it’s not a minefield’

Sasha invited me to see one of the American Bradley fighting vehicles his unit uses.

We walk down a muddy lane before he says it’s best to go cross-country.

“We can go that way, don’t worry it’s not a minefield,” he jokes.

He leads us across a muddy field and into a forest where the vehicle is hidden from Russian surveillance drones that try to hunt both American vehicles and commanders.

Sasha shows me a picture of the house they had been staying in only days before – it was now completely destroyed after a missile strike.

Fortunately, neither he, nor any of his men, were there at the time.

“They target commanders,” he says with a smirk.

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‘The world is scared of Russia’

It takes me a moment or two to realise we are only a few steps away from the Bradley, dug in and well hidden beneath the trees.

The disguised American Bradley vehicle hidden in the forest
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The disguised American Bradley vehicle hidden in the forest

Sasha tells me the Bradley is the finest vehicle he has ever used.

A vehicle so good, he says, it’s keeping the Ukrainian army going in the face of Russia’s overwhelming numbers of soldiers.

He explains: “Almost all our work on the battlefield is cooperation infantry with the Bradley. So we use it for evacuations, for moving people from one place to another, as well as for fire-covering.

“This vehicle is very safe and has very good characteristics.”

The American Bradley fighting vehicle that Ukrainian soldiers have found vital in their efforts
Image:
The American Bradley fighting vehicle that Ukrainian soldiers have found vital in their efforts

Billions of dollars in military aid has been given to Ukraine by the United States, and this vehicle is one of the most valuable assets the US has provided.

Ukraine is running low on men to fight, and the weaponry it has is not enough, especially if it can’t fire long-range missiles into Russia itself – which it is currently not allowed to do.

If President-elect Donald Trump cuts the supply of military aid, the Ukrainians will lose – it’s that simple.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he meets with House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
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US President-elect Donald Trump has been clear he intends to change his nation’s policy on the war in Ukraine. Pic: Reuters

Sasha says: “We have a lack of weapons, we have a lack of artillery, we have a lack of infantry, and as the world doesn’t care about justice, and they don’t want to finish the war by our win, they are afraid of Russia.

“I’m sorry but they’re scared, they’re scared, and it’s not the right way.”

Like pretty much everyone in Ukraine, Sasha is waiting to see what the US election result will mean for his country.

He is sceptical about a deal with Russia.

“Our enemy only understands the language of power. And you cannot finish the war in 24 hours, or during the year without hard decisions, without a fight, so it’s impossible. It’s just talking without results,” he tells me.

Read more from Stuart Ramsay:
How Ukrainian units are downing Russia’s drones
Heartbreaking final moments of girl who tried to flee Gaza
Inside a brutal and deadly Mexican gang war

‘Losing will be not only our problem’

These men expect the fierce battles inside Kursk to intensify in the coming days.

Indeed, alongside the main supply route into Kursk, workers are already building new defensive positions – unfurling miles of razor wire and digging bunkers for the Ukrainian army if it finds itself in retreat.

Barbed wire rolled out in the Sumy region ahead of expected fighting
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Barbed wire rolled out in the Sumy region ahead of expected fighting

Tank traps in the Sumy region
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Tank traps in the Sumy region

Sasha and his men are realistic about support fatigue from the outside world but will keep fighting to the last if they have to.

“I understand this is only our problem, it’s only our issue, and we have to fight this battle, like we have to defend ourselves, it’s our responsibility,” Sasha said.

But he points out everyone should realise just how critical this moment in time is.

“If we look at it widely, we have to understand that us losing will be not only our problem, but it will be for all the world.”

Stuart Ramsay reports from northeastern Ukraine with camera operator Toby Nash, and producers Dominique Van Heerden, Azad Safarov, and Nick Davenport.

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Joe Biden welcomes Donald Trump at White House for transition of power meeting president was never offered

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Joe Biden welcomes Donald Trump at White House for transition of power meeting president was never offered

US President Joe Biden greeted Donald Trump at the White House saying “welcome back”, as the two political rivals met for the first time since a fiery debate in June.

Mr Biden and Mr Trump were seen exchanging pleasantries as they sat side by side in front of a roaring fire in the Oval Office today, in a meeting aimed at ensuring the smooth transfer of power from one leader to another.

It is the first time the president-elect has visited the White House since he left the Oval Office after being defeated by Mr Biden in the 2020 election.

“Donald, congratulations,” Mr Biden said, greeting Mr Trump with a handshake and adding that he looked “forward to a smooth transition”.

“Welcome, welcome back,” the president said.

Trump-Biden latest: Follow US election fallout live

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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The president and president-elect shaking hands. Pic: Reuters

The president-elect thanked Mr Biden for the invitation and for a peaceful transition of power saying it will be “as smooth as it can get”.

Mr Trump added: “Politics is tough, and it’s many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today, and I appreciate very much a transition that’s so smooth it’ll be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that, Joe.”

The last time Mr Trump and Mr Biden met in person was for the presidential debate on 27 June, when the Democrat’s gaffes cost him his candidacy.

Mr Biden dropped out a few weeks later in July, endorsing vice president Kamala Harris to run in the presidential race instead.

First lady Jill Biden also made an appearance at the meeting, greeting the president-elect as he arrived at the White House and giving him a “handwritten letter of congratulations” for his wife, Melania Trump, a statement from her office said.

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Mr Trump thanked the outgoing president for a smooth transition of power. Pic: Reuters

The letter also “expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition”.

The incoming first lady was invited to meet Dr Biden, but reportedly declined the invitation.

Read more:
Farage brings up Trump at PMQs
Trump’s hawkish cabinet picks signal tough stance on China

The meeting follows the longstanding tradition of outgoing presidents meeting their successors to discuss a smooth transition from one administration to the other.

However, Republican Mr Trump failed to give the same opportunity to Mr Biden in 2020 as he refused to accept his defeat against his Democratic rival.

Today’s nearly two-hour meeting between Mr Biden and the president-elect saw them discuss foreign affairs, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the safe release of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas during the militant group’s 7 October attack on southern Israel last year.

Mr Biden stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine as it fights off Russia’s full-scale invasion, the White House said, amid concerns that Mr Trump would follow through with threats to cut US aid to Kyiv.

The White House said Mr Biden’s team is open to working with Mr Trump’s on securing the release of Israeli hostages, which, along with a ceasefire in Gaza, has been the focus of negotiations between Israel and Hamas and their mediators.

It also said the Biden administration had secured extra commitments from Israel in the past couple of days over the situation in Gaza, where a 13-month war has caused the death of more than 43,000 people, Palestinian health officials say.

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‘It’s always nice to win’

Mr Trump, who previously won the keys to the White House when running against Hillary Clinton in 2016, will be sworn in as president on 20 January following his decisive election win against Ms Harris last week.

Sky News’ US partner network NBC News has projected the Republicans have retained control of the House of Representatives.

It means all levers of power in Washington are now under Mr Trump and his party’s control, having also secured the Senate.

They will also be backed by a Supreme Court with a 6-3 conservative majority, including three justices appointed by the president-elect.

Earlier today, Mr Trump met with billionaire Elon Musk earlier today before he celebrated his victory with Republicans in the House of Representatives.

“Isn’t it nice to win? It’s nice to win. It’s always nice to win,” Mr Trump said. “The House did very well.”

Mr Trump received a standing ovation from House Republicans, many of whom took videos of him as he ran through their party’s victories up and down the ballot, in what would be his final presidential election.

“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say ‘he’s good, we’ve got to figure something out’,” Mr Trump said to laughter.

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