Finlay Whiteford, researcher, looks at the top stories for the week ahead.
Three days after their initial meeting, and three years into the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump and Putin remain in the headlines today as leaders race to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy, accompanied by a squadron of EU leaders and Keir Starmer, will attempt to dissuade Trump from his suggestion that Ukraine should cede the eastern Donbas territories, rather than have a temporary ceasefire.
Zelenskyy told reporters in Brussels yesterday that territorial discussions would take place only at a trilateral meeting brokered by the US. Given the fiery nature of his last visit to the White House, tensions will no doubt be at fever pitch in Washington.
Enjoying the heat, though, was US vice president JD Vance, who left Prestwick Airport yesterday afternoon after a sunny five-day family holiday in Ayrshire. It wasn’t all smiles and sunshine for the Ohioan, who had to contend with persistent protests, putting problems, and putting foreign secretary David Lammy in hot water over fishing license rules.
Vance hasn’t been the only source of domestic political unrest recently. While rumblings over Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir continue, gender-critical campaign group For Women Scotland has said it will sue the Scottish Government (£) for a third time over gender guidance, citing policies in prisons and schools.
The weekend also saw Labour deepen its feud with Nigel Farage over the Online Safety Act, with a new attack advert linking Farage to Andrew Tate and a failure to protect women and girls. Farage, who opposes the law on freedom of speech grounds, was previously accused of siding with sex offenders by the technology secretary Peter Kyle.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
Edinburgh-based broadband firm GoFibre has raised £125 million from its most recent funding round, supporting delivery of high-speed internet across the east of Scotland. £45 million was provided by the Scottish National Investment Bank, with £80m from Hamburg Commercial Bank rounding out the deal.
Industry body Offshore Energies UK has warned of 1,000 job losses in the oil and gas sector every month until 2030, if government policies on windfall taxes and North Sea licenses remain. Its chief executive David Whitehouse urged a ‘pragmatic path’ to net zero which recognized the sector’s importance.
And if the Edinburgh Festivals have left you wanting more, £1.8m has been announced in Scottish Government funding to support arts and culture festivals, with a maximum allocation of £200,000 administered by Creative Scotland.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
- “Today’s meeting in Washington is one of the oddest in modern diplomacy. But European leaders can turn oddness into opportunity.” In The Guardian today, former permanent secretary to the Foreign Office Simon McDonald gives his advice for European leaders in Washington this morning: pick a lead speaker, stick to the plan, and build on the Alaska summit last week – no matter how painful it may be.
- The Herald on Sunday featured an open letter signed by 240 Scottish social care charities (£), warning of an ‘apocalyptic’ crisis in the sector. Addressed to the first minister, it highlighted SCVO data showing 81% of charities had significant financial challenges which put their services at risk, and called for a fully-funded recovery plan for third-sector health and social care organisations.
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In The Scotsman, Alexandra Colalillo discovered how performers are increasingly returning to the free-to-attend roots of the Edinburgh Fringe, regaining creative control and financial agency.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
Monday
- President Zelenskyy of Ukraine will meet US president Donald Trump at the White House, alongside Keir Starmer and various European leaders.
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Reports:
- Rightmove house price index
- UK Finance card spending statistics
- FTSE 100 CEO pay packages (High Pay Centre)
Tuesday
- Edinburgh TV Festival begins
- US Open tennis begins
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Reports:
- July corporate insolvency figures
Wednesday
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Reports:
- July CPI inflation rate data
- June UK House Price Index (including House Price Index Scotland)
Thursday
- High school pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive GCSE results
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Reports:
- July public sector finances data (including borrowing)
- Quarterly and annual UK government immigration statistics
- Reports:
- CBI Industrial Trends Survey
Friday
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Reports:
- GB retail sales figures for July
- GfK consumer confidence survey (UK)
Sunday
- Notting Hill Carnival 2025
- Ukrainian Independence Day