Ukraine warns of ‘full-scale war’ with Russia
Trump threatens to cancel G20 meeting with Putin over ‘aggressive’ behaviour

Ukraine’s president has voiced his concern about a possible “full-scale war” with Russia, following the seizure of three of Ukraine’s naval ships by Russian forces over the weekend.
President Petro Poroshenko called the clash between Ukrainian and Russian naval forces an “extraordinary event”, adding that his country is “under the threat of a full-scale war with the Russian Federation”.
“Officially, without tearing off chevrons, without ‘green men,’ Russian troops in large numbers attacked the ships of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Poroshenko said, referring to the armed soldiers who wore green uniforms without insignias during the 2014 annexing of the Crimean peninsula by Russia.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
CNN reports that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has promised Ukraine “full assistance, including military assistance” following the events of the past few days.
The BBC reports that a Crimean court has since order that 12 of the Ukrainian crewmembers seized by Russian forces are to be “detained for 60 days”, while the fate of the other Ukrainians captured is yet to be decided.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has indicated that he may cancel a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the G20 summit due to be held in Buenos Aires later this week.
“Maybe I won’t have the meeting [with Mr Putin]. Maybe I won’t even have the meeting. I don’t like that aggression. I don’t want that aggression at all,” Trump told the Washington Post.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Trump also took aim at US allies in Europe, specifically singling out Germany for “not doing enough” when it comes to defence spending.
“Germany,” Trump said. “Absolutely not! Many of those countries are not doing enough toward Nato. They should be spending much more money.”
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Sudoku medium: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
What led to Poland invoking NATO’s Article 4 and where could it lead?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION After a Russian drone blitz, Warsaw’s rare move to invoke the important NATO statute has potentially moved Europe closer to continent-wide warfare
-
Poland downs Russian drones in NATO airspace
Speed Read Polish airspace was “violated by a huge number of Russian drones,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk said
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government building
Speed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?
Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted