Amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, a rare moment of hope and compassion emerged over Orthodox Easter, as both nations exchanged 175 prisoners of war each. The swap, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, also included the return of civilians on both sides. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that many of the freed servicemen had been held in captivity since 2022, having fought across key frontlines. Emotional scenes unfolded as returning Ukrainians were reunited with loved ones, some arriving frail and injured after prolonged imprisonment. While some families celebrated, others are continuing to wait in anguish for news of missing relatives. A short 32-hour Easter ceasefire accompanied the exchange, raising cautious hopes that such gestures could open the door to wider peace negotiations. Though previous talks have stalled, this humanitarian act stands as a reminder that even in conflict, mercy and reconciliation remain possible. For many, it was a deeply moving glimpse of restoration amid prolonged suffering.

The UK is strengthening its support for Ukraine with a major new package of military and financial aid, as international leaders meet to coordinate ongoing assistance. Rachel Reeves is expected to confirm a £752 million payment to Ukraine, part of a wider £3.36 billion loan, aimed at funding critical military equipment such as long-range missiles, air defence systems, and drones. Also, defence secretary John Healey has announced the UK’s largest-ever drone supply, with 120,000 units to be delivered. These include reconnaissance, strike, logistics, and maritime drones, many produced by British companies. As drone warfare increasingly shapes the conflict, Ukrainian forces have already demonstrated new tactical capabilities using drone technology alone. UK leaders have urged global partners not to lose focus in supporting Ukraine despite other international conflicts.

Ukraine is facing a severe shortage of critical air defence systems as Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that supplies of US-made Patriot missiles have reached a critical low. These systems remain essential for protecting cities from ballistic missile attacks amid ongoing conflict with Russia. Efforts are under way to develop domestic alternatives, but these are not yet operational, leaving Ukraine heavily dependent on international support. Meanwhile, JD Vance has said that ending US military aid to Ukraine is a key policy achievement, increasing pressure on European nations to provide assistance; there were further promises of assistance from them at a meeting in Berlin on 15 April (see ). The situation shows how global conflicts and shifting political priorities impact the flow of military resources and support.

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, leaving widespread power outages and civilian hardship. In Russia’s Belgorod region, around 450,000 people were left without electricity, with heating and water supplies also disrupted amid freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, about 150,000 residents lost power after damage to key facilities, with repairs delayed by ongoing security risks. Additional attacks in Odessa caused casualties and property damage, while a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire at a major Russian oil export terminal in Ust-Luga. These escalating attacks form part of a broader strategy to weaken energy capacity on both sides. As the conflict continues, concerns are growing over regional stability, especially after a Russian drone reportedly crashed in Latvia, raising fears of wider international escalation.

Iran has rejected claims by Donald Trump that negotiations are under way to end the conflict, with military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari accusing Washington of ‘negotiating with itself’ to mask failure. While US officials suggest progress and reports indicate a proposed plan involving limits on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, Iranian leaders insist no direct or indirect talks have taken place. Confusion persists as regional actors, including Pakistan and Turkey, reportedly act as intermediaries, passing messages in hopes of de-escalation. Meanwhile, hostilities continue, with Israel and Iran exchanging strikes and civilian casualties reported. The US is also increasing its military presence in the region, highlighting the tension between diplomatic signals and ongoing conflict, and underscoring the fragility of any potential path toward peace.

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could weaken his country’s ability to defend itself against Russia. He expressed concern that global attention and military resources, particularly from the USA, are being redirected, potentially leading to shortages of key defence supplies such as air defence missiles. Rising energy prices linked to the wider conflict are also adding pressure to Ukraine’s situation. He suggested that prolonged instability elsewhere could benefit Russia by stretching international support and delaying peace efforts. At the same time, he called for greater unity among Western leaders, urging stronger cooperation to maintain focus on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle. Diplomatic tensions between allies risk complicating that effort, even though leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. The challenge of sustaining attention, resources, and coordination has become increasingly complex, raising concerns about how long current levels of support for Ukraine can be maintained.

Israel’s assassination of Ali Larijani, a central figure in Iran’s political and security establishment, will be a devastating body blow to the country, probably even more than the loss of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the outset of the war. Known for his ability to bridge factions within Iran’s complex system, he played a key role linking military and civilian authorities while maintaining influence with international partners. His loss removes a figure seen as capable of navigating both internal divisions and external pressures. He had supported diplomatic engagement alongside firm internal control, positioning himself as a pragmatic voice amid hardline elements. His absence could strengthen more hardline forces, complicating any path towards stability or ceasefire. News update: on 18 March Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was killed in an air strike. See

On 5 March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged two hundred prisoners of war, with a further exchange of three hundred the next day. The swap, agreed during talks in Geneva in February, marks one of the latest humanitarian steps during the long-running conflict between the two countries. Volodymyr Zelensky said the return of the Ukrainian prisoners brought relief to many families who had waited months or years for news of their loved ones. Images released by officials showed returning soldiers embracing relatives and celebrating their release. Russian authorities also shared footage of their soldiers returning home. Prisoner exchanges have occurred periodically since the war began, offering moments of hope even while efforts to secure a broader peace settlement remain stalled amid disagreements over territory and security guarantees. More recently, Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has made significant gains in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, and that Russia is losing 35,000 soldiers a month: see

Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to international law after her remarks on 9 March about a changing global order sparked controversy. She had said that Europe could ‘no longer be a custodian for the old world order’, suggesting that shifting geopolitical realities require new approaches. Some supporters viewed the comment as a realistic assessment of global tensions, while critics feared it might weaken Europe’s defence of international rules. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez responded that the key challenge is maintaining an international order rather than allowing disorder. Von der Leyen clarified that recognising global changes does not lessen the EU’s principles. She emphasised that the EU remains committed to peace, multilateral cooperation, and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Her remarks come as European leaders are sharply split over the legality of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Egypt’s tourism sector has rebounded strongly in recent years, reaffirming its importance to the national economy. In 2025 the country welcomed nearly 19 million visitors, a 21% increase from the previous year, while tourism revenues reached €14.17 billion - more than 20% above pre-pandemic levels. This recovery follows the sharp decline in 2020 when travel restrictions caused revenues to fall dramatically. Authorities expect continued growth in 2026, supported by increased air travel, including a significant rise in charter flights, and the development of destinations such as El Alamein, Siwa and the North Coast. The government is investing in infrastructure, with plans for more than 200,000 new hotel rooms and expanded airport capacity. However, due to the new Middle East conflict many Egyptians are at present struggling with rising living costs: higher transport costs are pushing up food prices, leaving both vendors and families facing growing financial strain. See