ukraine

Trump Says 'Major' Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap 'Just Completed'

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a "major" prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia. "A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???" he said, without providing further ...

Kremlin Says No Agreement Yet on Vatican Peace Talks

The Kremlin said Thursday it had not yet agreed to peace talks with Ukraine at the Vatican, after US media reported the city state could host a meeting soon. Russian and Ukrainian officials held their first face-to-face talks on the conflict in more than three years last week in Istanbul, but did not reach an agreement on a ceasefire. The Wall ...

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Halt Flights at Moscow Airports

Air traffic around Moscow was disrupted on Thursday as the Russian capital came under attack, with the defense ministry saying 35 Ukrainian drones targeting the city had been downed overnight. "Air defense systems destroyed and intercepted 105 Ukrainian drones," of which 35 were heading towards Moscow, the ministry said in a statement. Moscow's ...

Iran Lawmakers Ratify Partnership Treaty with Russia

The Iranian parliament ratified a 20-year strategic partnership treaty with Russia on Wednesday, state media reported, consolidating closer ties between the two countries amid growing tensions with the West. The deal, which was signed by Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin in January, was already ratified by Russia's State Duma ...

Russia Says Intercepted 159 Ukrainian Drones

Russia intercepted 159 drones launched by Ukraine over 12 hours at several Russian regions, including Moscow, the military said in a statement on Wednesday. The drones mostly targeted Russian regions bordering Ukraine and were launched from 8:00 pm Moscow time (1700 GMT) Tuesday until 8:00 am on Wednesday, said a defense ministry statement. The ...

Canadian Host of G7 Finance Talks 'Optimistic' Despite Trade Turmoil

Canada's Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne expressed cautious optimism Tuesday at the start of a G7 finance leaders' gathering in his country, even as the advanced economies grapple with fallout from trade turbulence. His comments came as finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven economies -- the United States, ...

US Expects Russia Offer Soon as Zelensky Sounds Warning

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he expected Russia to present a Ukraine ceasefire outline within days that will show if it is serious, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of buying time. President Donald Trump spoke separately by telephone on Monday to Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin, after Russian and ...

EU Formally Adopts 17th Round of Sanctions on Russia

The EU on Tuesday formally adopted a new round of sanctions on Russia targeting its "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, and threatened more punishment for Moscow for not agreeing a Ukraine truce. "The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas ...

Zelensky Says Russia 'Trying to Buy Time' to 'Continue War'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday accused Russia of not seriously engaging in peace talks and of wanting to continue its three-year invasion, despite a US push for a ceasefire. US President Donald Trump held calls with both Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the war on Monday, and Russian and Ukrainian officials met in ...

EU Urges 'Strong Action' from US Against Russia if no Ukraine Truce

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday called for the United States to take "strong action" against Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. "America said that if Russia doesn't agree on an unconditional ceasefire, then there are going to be consequences. So we want to see those consequences, also from ...

China Says Backs Direct Talks Between Russia, Ukraine on Ending War

China said on Tuesday it backed direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, after US President Donald Trump announced the two would "immediately" start peace talks after he spoke with Vladimir Putin. "China supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. Trump framed his two-hour conversation on Monday ...

Zelensky Warns U.S. Against Disengagement from Ukraine Peace Efforts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday issued a warning to the United States, cautioning that any withdrawal from peace efforts would play directly into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking after former U.S. President Donald Trump held calls with both Zelensky and Putin as part of a new initiative to end the ...