BBC News Briefing

23 February, 2026

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck

Alex Binley

Hello. As we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the BBC's international editor Jeremy Bowen that World War III is already underway. In the US, we take a look at how Project 2025, an ultra-conservative roadmap for America, has influenced President Donald Trump's first year back in office. And in Italy, the bones of one of Christianity's most influential saints have gone on display.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Putin 'will not stop at Ukraine', says Zelensky

President Zelensky sits in a chair wearing a black shirt and staring to the right of the camera. He's sitting in front of a Ukrainian flag. He has short brown hair and a beard with some grey in it.

Zelensky said he would not give up land demanded by Putin, under the terms of any potential ceasefire. Credit: Fred Scott/BBC

Russian President Vladimir Putin has started a third world war and wants to "impose" a "different way of life" on the world, Zelensky has told Jeremy Bowen, warning that Putin "will not stop at Ukraine". He also insisted that Ukraine would end the war victorious. Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine tomorrow, Russia editor Steve Rosenberg reports from Lipetsk, near the border, that "Russians feel that life is getting harder". "Many people here are just hunkering down and waiting, hoping for better times," he says. You can read his report here.

Bowen's interview with Zelensky

In pictures: From civilians to soldiers: how four years of war have changed ordinary Ukrainians. Take a look.

War in maps: On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war, here are where the front lines currently stand.

Boris Johnson: The former UK PM has said the UK and its allies should deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine, to "flip a switch" in Putin's head.

WORLD HEADLINES

The burnt out shell of a bus still has a fire burning in it. Four firefighters are seen nearby.

Violence erupts in Mexico after drug lord killed

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", was the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation drug cartel.

What happened >

An aerial image shows a vast, sprawling mansion complex with a pool. It is surrounded by lawns and palm trees and another pool can be seen in the distance.

Man killed after entering perimeter of Mar-a-Lago

The man was carrying a shotgun and fuel can when he was stopped and shot, authorities said.

Read more >

A white show plough clears snow from a road outside a large glass building in Manhattan.

New York City bans most travel as blizzard hits

More than 5,000 flights in the US have already been cancelled for Monday, with up to 20 inches of snow forecast.

Get the latest >

A large grey military plane is seen on the deck of an aircraft carrier. A number of people are seen around the plane.

Trump curious why Iran has not 'capitulated' - US envoy

Steve Witkoff said the president is puzzled why Iran has not yet compromised in the face of a major US military build-up nearby.

Read more >

Kim Jong Un has short black hair and is wearing a black suit, white shirt and pale green tie. He is speaking into a row of black microphones in front of him and he is stood in front of a wood-pannelled wall.

Kim Jong Un re-appointed N Korea ruling party leader

The announcement by the rubber-stamp party congress comes as little surprise given the Kim family's grip since the 1940s.

More on this >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: The former prince charged taxpayers for massages and excessive travel costs as a trade envoy, whistleblowers claim.

Cold case: The family of a British girl who disappeared in Australia 56 years ago have welcomed prosecutors' consideration to reopen her case.

Baftas: From Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams going red carpet official, to Prince William's "I'm not calm" comment, these are the key moments.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

From Venezuela to immigration crackdown, Project 2025 provided Trump's roadmap

Trump wears a navy bluesuit jacket over a white shirt with no tie. He is speaking into a black microphone and is pointing with one arm. His mouth is open and he is wearing a read cap that says 'make America great again' in capitals on the front. People holding signs are seen behind him but they are blurred.

Proposals in Project 2025 that have been enacted include an immigration crackdown and a halt to billions of dollars in foreign aid. Credit: EPA

When Trump gives his State of the Union address on Tuesday, he's unlikely to mention Project 2025. The 2023 think-tank document laid out an ultra-conservative vision for how the next Republican president could govern. Despite publicly distancing himself from it, liberal groups say Trump has implemented about half of the ideas it set out. So, what could be next?

Find out