First Thing: Trump calls Zelenskyy a dictator in unparalleled relations rift

<p>Attack follows Ukrainian leader’s claim Trump is in a Russian ‘disinformation bubble’. Plus, first Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb uncovered since 1922 </p><p>Good morning.</p><p>Donald Trump <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/ukraine-zelenskyy-says-trump-living-in-russian-disinformation-bubble">intensified his attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a> on Wednesday, labeling the Ukrainian president “a dictator” in an unparalleled deterioration of relations between Kyiv and Washington.</p><p><strong>How is this being received in Europe?</strong> The French prime minister, François Bayrou, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-trump-putin-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with:block-67b6f4318f087e0f012c797d#block-67b6f4318f087e0f012c797d">said on Thursday that</a> “the risk of war has never been so high since 1945”. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-trump-putin-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with:block-67b6d9558f087e0f012c78f1#block-67b6d9558f087e0f012c78f1">Denmark said it would rapidly</a> increase defense spending.</p><p><strong>What will happen to Gaza?</strong> Arab leaders will meet in Saudi Arabia on Friday to counter Trump’s plan for a US takeover of Gaza.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/20/first-thing-trump-calls-zelenskyy-a-dictator-in-unparalleled-relations-rift">Continue reading...</a>