Press review: EU seen as preparing for war with Russia while Zelensky threatens Belarus

Press review: EU seen as preparing for war with Russia while Zelensky threatens Belarus Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 22nd© AP Photo/ Virginia MayoMOSCOW, June 22. /TASS/. Iran and the United States discuss Lebanon, asset releases and oil sales during first round of talks, as Russia observes military preparations in Europe. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky issues threats toward Belarus over strikes. These stories topped Monday's headlines in Russia. Vedomosti: Iran, US hold talks on Lebanon, release of assets, oil sales The first round of US-Iran talks after the signing of a memorandum on a ceasefire in the Middle East started at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock on Sunday. The talks, initially scheduled for June 19, were postponed after an Israeli air raid on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The US negotiators included Vice President JD Vance, Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation comprised Speaker of the Mejlis (Iran’s unicameral parliament) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy Security Council Chairman Ali Bagheri Kani, Central Bank Chairman Abdolnaser Hemmati and Hamid Boord, Deputy Oil Minister and CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company. The meeting was also attended by Pakistani and Qatari officials acting as mediators. The parties primarily discussed the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and access to UN inspectors to Iranian nuclear facilities, Axios reported, citing sources. Read alsoPakistan, Qatar announce progress in first round of US-Iran talks The latest round came a day after Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz for shipping traffic amid Israeli strikes on Lebanon. The Iranian military leadership explained the move citing refusal by the Israeli army to withdraw from areas in southern Lebanon, while the republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release that the agreement to cease hostilities will be jeopardized unless the Americans persuade the Israelis to adhere to the Lebanon ceasefire. Israel cannot fully cease military operations in Lebanon either for military or political reasons, Lyudmila Samarskaya, a researcher at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ World Economy and International Relations Institute, told Vedomosti. "While a temporary ceasefire is possible, low-intensity clashes or even sporadic attacks will likely continue until a more or less acceptable for all political decision is finalized," the expert argued. Israel will likely try to disrupt the US-Iranian agreements by any means possible, agrees Doctor of Political Science at the University of Salzburg Kamran Gasanov. For the Israeli leadership, he noted, a potential deal does not serve their country’s interests, nor is it acceptable in terms of the domestic situation. "Closer to the October parliamentary election, the Israelis are likely to take any measures to play the card of a `sieged fortress’. And any hostilities, be it in the Gaza Strip or Lebanon, will negatively affect the American-Iranian talks," the political analyst believes. According to Gazanov, Iran protecting Hezbollah’s interests in the international arena is a matter of political prestige, aimed at maintaining its image as a defender of Muslims. "This is especially true in the context of Tehran's defeat in Syria. After the recent war, the Iranians feel empowered, especially against the backdrop of a not very stable situation in the United States. Amid the ongoing negotiations, the Iranians will try to make the most of this situation," the political scientist added. According to Ilya Vaskin, junior researcher at the Higher School of Economics’ Center for the Study of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia, Tehran will not agree to reopen the Hormuz Strait before the talks result in a long-term agreement, a scenario that he said is currently highly unlikely. In case of success, the expert in Iranian studies, concluded, Tehran could be ready to allow IAEA experts access to its nuclear facilities. Izvestia: Europe viewed as preparing for new war with Russia Russia is observing military preparations by NATO and the EU that increasingly resemble the German Barbarossa plan, the strategy by Nazi Germany to attack the USSR, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Izvestia. According to the senior Russian diplomat, the principal task of Brussels is to inflict a strategic defeat on Moscow. At the same time, the West believes that a military clash with Russia can take place at the turn of 2030. The assistance to Kiev and de facto approval of the neo-Nazi ideology pose a serious threat not only to Russia, but also to Europe itself, experts warn. Germany’s army chief, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, earlier stressed that according to intelligence agreed by all 32 NATO member states, Germany and its allies should be fully prepared to wage a conventional war with Russia by 2029. The leaders of the EU and NATO have intensified their coordination toward a plan of increasing military spending at an accelerated rate. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom announced an increase in expenditure to 2.5-3% of GDP, citing the potential risk of a clash with Russia in four years. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops have been playing the role of a battering ram against Russia. "Over recent decades, Western funds, including European, have actively invested in supporting radical nationalist movements, mostly in western and central Ukraine, as they formed a layer of Ukrainian nationalists who were actively transforming into neo-Nazi movements," Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large on Kiev’s War Crimes Rodion Miroshnik told Izvestia. Moscow has repeatedly warned of risks of supporting neo-Nazi manifestations in Europe, mostly in Ukraine and Baltic states since neo-Nazism poses a threat not only to Russia but also to neighboring European countries. Europe previously endorsed Nazism and it supports neo-Nazism that has gripped Ukraine today, Mikhail Myagkov, Scientific Director with the Russian Military Historical Society, maintained. "The main thing is there is an enemy’ in Russia. But our past history and the history of world wars of the 20th century, we know perfectly well what this led to. We are well aware of how England, France, and the United States embraced the policy of appeasing’ Hitler and the Nazis in the 1930s. They pushed Hitler's aggression eastwards," he concluded. Vedomosti: Why Zelensky issued threats toward Belarus Attempts by Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky to threaten strikes on Belarus mostly aim at exerting psychological pressure, while any large-scale invasion is seen as unlikely amid a shortfall of troops and the terrain in border areas. However, the threat of drone attacks is real, a source close to Russia’s security agencies told Vedomosti. On June 19, Zelensky first told President Nasry Asfura of Honduras and later took to his Telegram channel to warn that he would give Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko a week to authorize the withdrawal of Russian equipment being used to correct strikes on Ukraine. He also claimed that Belarus has been supplying Russia with fuel for use by the Russian Army while adding that Ukraine knows of Belarusian companies that collaborate with Russia’s defense industry. Such rhetoric can be interpreted as a threat to strike all these facilities, the source added. Lukashenko has yet to comment on Zelensky’s threats. The West is currently playing an active role in Ukrainian pressure on Belarus as it seeks to coerce Lukashenko into turning his back’ on Russia, Ivan Skorikov, head of the Ukraine section at the Institute of CIS Countries, told Vedomosti. However, the expert views a military escalation or a Ukrainian invasion of Belarus as unlikely. "There are impassible swamps that hampered the advance of Fascist German invaders during the Great Patriotic War on the border between Ukraine and Belarus. As a result, Zelensky will confine himself to various provocations in the form of the above-mentioned ultimatums or stray drone or missile incidents in Belarus. The ultimatum itself is an attempt by Kiev to strengthen its negotiating position and present itself as strong and victorious’ in the eyes of the US and EU leaders," Skorikov argued. This is especially important for the Zelensky government given Washington's position: US President Donald Trump has already stated that he is returning to resolving the Ukrainian conflict, so ahead of negotiations that are undesirable for Kiev, he is trying to escalate the process as much as possible, the expert concluded. Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Ruslan Pukhov told Vedomosti that recent statements from Zelensky are an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and its ally that our country needs so much. The Belarusian side will likely offer resistance in diplomatic terms, but overall it is not seeking to escalate things, the expert argued. Kommersant: Russian thermal coal shipments to India rise 16% in January-May As a key buyer of Russian fuel, India increased Russian thermal coal imports by 16% in the first five months of 2026. Overall, the South Asian nation cut its thermal coal imports by 12% over that period, and Russian suppliers have likely benefited from a discount. In January-May, Russia’s total coal exports rose by almost 5% year-on-year, but production has declined. In January-May, Russia increased its thermal coal exports to India by 16% to 3.7 million metric tons, BigMint has calculated, making it the fourth-largest supplier behind Indonesia (36.9 million metric tons), South Africa (14.4 million metric tons), and the United States (6.1 million metric tons). As regards export growth, Russia ranked second after Australia which raised its coal exports to India by 40% to 1.8 million metric tons. Alexander Kotovo, a consulting partner at NEFT Research, forecasts that Russia may increase its coal sales by 5% to 10% in the second half of 2026, with Turkey, India, and China having potential upside in coal demand growth by year-end. This, however, the expert continued, will largely depend on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East - the cessation of hostilities and the long-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. "Unless these conditions are met, exports will more likely stagnate instead of growing," Kotov told Kommersant. According to BigMint, the reopening of the waterway and falling oil prices should push freight rates lower. At the same time, BigMint added, limited supplies from Indonesia and uncertainty around its government’s plans to tighten export controls on this strategically important commodity will keep coal prices elevated. Media: Russia reverses course on ban of foreign neural networks Russia has reconsidered its decision about banning foreign neural networks. The IT systems already using those can continue to work with them until 2032, according to the final draft law on AI, seen by Izvestia. Moreover, this involves only large language models and sensitive areas such as public administration and critical infrastructure. And businesses will retain the right to independently choose technological solutions that meet their needs, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko told Izvestia. Also, the requirement to train domestic large language models on Russian data only has been removed from the document. Otherwise, the introduction of AI in Russia would have come to a halt, experts say. The bill will pave the way to a legal framework for regulating this technology in Russia, Grigorenko explained. "First of all, the document introduces basic concepts, including artificial intelligence and large language models, into legislation. Today, such technologies are being actively embraced by thousands of companies and government agencies, but these have not been officially defined in the Russian legal field. In addition, the bill creates conditions for the priority development of domestic AI models," he noted. Roman Mezentsev, an independent IT and banking technology expert, told Rossiyskaya Gazeta that segregating sovereign and national models and allowing the latter to use open source solutions is key. This would reduce development costs and allow businesses to qualify for government support, he argued. The latest bill "is not more about a framework ban-it-all law which was extremely dangerous for the market and technology development but about supporting sovereign models, which is the right thing in strategic terms," Valery Sidorenko, Interium CEO and member of the Public Board at the Russian Digital Development Ministry, concluded. TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews Press review: Moscow sees no EU will to dialogue as Russia-ASEAN discuss cooperationTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 19thRead morePersian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - BloombergIran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the warRead moreRussia’s West battlegroup destroys 49 drone control posts, two Starlink stationsThe battlegroup also eliminated three ammunition depotsRead moreTrump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open straitTime is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President saidRead moreUS fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — mediaAccording to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearmsRead moreUS wants to monitor Iran’s spending oil proceeds — US diplomatOn June 14, official representatives of the United States, Iran, and Pakistan, which acts as a go-between, confirmed that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement to end the war in the Middle EastRead moreIranian delegation walks out of talks with US over Trump’s threats — TVUS President wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that the United States may deliver more strikes against Iran over the situation in LebanonRead moreWhat to know about Zelensky losing Order of White Eagle, threats to Polish leaderPolish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Vladimir Zelensky of Poland’s highest state award, the Order of the White EagleRead moreUkrainian forces attack ferry in Kerch Strait, killing one civilian and injuring anotherIn addition, the drone attack caused a fire at an oil terminal in the village of ChushkaRead moreUkraine’s former presidents prove themselves to be Nazis in matter of orders — MedvedevLeonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Pyotr Poroshenko announced their refusal of the Order of the White EagleRead moreNegotiating teams agree to involve Lebanon in conflict resolution effortsTechnical teams will continue consultations on a number of issues throughout the weekRead moreHistory of UPA glorification gives Warsaw legal grounds to keep Ukraine out of EURussian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik called a decision by Vladimir Zelensky, a number of Ukrainian officials, and former presidents to renounce Polish state awards a "theatrical demarche"Read moreRussian servicemen evacuate first residents from KonstantinovkaThere were six people in the first groupRead moreUkraine loses 9,500 troops, mercenaries in special military op zone in past week — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the upward casualty trend in the Ukrainian army has persisted for the fifth consecutive weekRead moreAt least 54 injured, 18 missing after explosion at Qatari plant — Interior MinistryThe incident occurred at the Barzan gas processing plant as a result of an operational errorRead moreIranian delegation refuses to continue talks in Switzerland — news agencyThe Iranian side protested US violations of commitments under the memorandum and stressed that negotiations on the nuclear program depend directly on compliance with the signed agreementRead moreRussian athletes not to take part in IWF World Championships in SeptemberThe IWF World Championships will be held in Riyadh on September 4 through 17Read moreEU aid to Ukraine frozen — BorrellThe ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against RussiaRead moreUS-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reportedThe Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incidentRead moreIranian delegations expresses protest to US side over Trump’s threats — TVAccording to the Press TV channel, Iran "is looking at options of an appropriate response" to US President’s threatsRead moreQatar announces start of US-Iran talks in SwitzerlandDoha expressed hope that these meetings "will lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement covering all aspects addressed in the memorandum of understanding" between the US and IranRead moreSyrian leader says ready to engage in talks with Hezbollah to save LebanonAccording to Ahmed al-Sharaa, Lebanon "needs a political consensus to get out of the crisis as the situation in the country will not withstand further polarization"Read moreRussia expects not implementation of Anchorage agreements, but victory — KremlinYury Ushakov noted that those who hope to defeat Russia "are mistaken"Read moreRussian forces strike Ukraine’s key energy sites in Kiev, Sumy, Chernigov regions, DPRThe Russian Armed Forces used Gerbera drones, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreIsraeli army storms Palestinian town of Tubas in West BankEarlier, the IDF press service reported the completion of a 60-hour raid in the city of JeninRead moreSpecial committee to oversee US-Iran talks to be establishedThe heads of the delegations are expected to report to it on a regular basisRead moreStarmer announces decision to resign as British PMKeir Starmer will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on the ninth of JulyRead moreStarmer’s team begins handing over responsibilities ahead of resignation — newspaperAccording to the newspaper, on June 20, Keir Starmer and his inner circle began drafting a speech in which the prime minister would announce his resignationRead moreTalks on US-Iran memorandum in Switzerland suspended — agencyAccording to the Fars news agency, the pause has been made to hold consultations within the delegationsRead moreKremlin closely following developments after US airstrikes in SyriaEarlier on February 26, the US carried out airstrikes near the Syrian-Iraqi borderRead moreIsraeli army eliminates two militants in West BankThe soldiers identified several terrorists who burned tires and hurled Molotov cocktails toward the community of Karmei Zur, the Israel Defense Forces press service saidRead moreFurther phases of BRICS expansion will follow, says South African presidentIt is noted that the membership will take effect from January 1, 2024Read moreWorld’s largest nuclear-powered sub takes part in Russia’s Northern Fleet drillsIts notional enemies were small missile ships Onega and Naryan-MarRead moreRoscosmos invites NASA chief to RussiaThe US Senate unanimously voted to appoint Nelson to the post of NASA chief in late AprilRead moreCuracao goalkeeper makes 15 saves in World Cup match against EcuadorEloy Room set a new record for matches decided in regulation timeRead moreSlovak PM backs European Council head in his attempt to establish contacts with RussiaAccording to Robert Fico, there are several prime ministers who share this viewRead moreDeal with US shows that Iran did not lose the war, but Israel will take revenge — MedvedevDeputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council noted that "the third participant - Israel - is offended in its expectations of the complete defeat of Iran's political regime, which means it will take revenge, and Trump cannot do anything about it"Read moreUkraine to repay about $1.5 bln to IMF by year-endOverall, the country owes the IMF more than $10 blnRead moreTanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTIThe change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, notedRead moreIran’s chief negotiator warns US against threatening TehranTrump wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that the United States may deliver more strikes against Iran over the situation in LebanonRead moreOne of sides unable to fulfill Anchorage agreements — KremlinОne party remains committed to the understandings discussed in Anchorage, Yury Ushakov statedRead moreIran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassadorTehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomaticallyRead moreFico says he will not miss opportunity to engage in dialogue with Russian presidentThe Slovak prime minister explained that the country "should be interested" in friendly and mutually beneficial relations with those who treat it in the same wayRead moreRussia sees no constructive role for UN in Ukrainian crisis — MFAKirill Logvinov, Director of the International Organizations Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that Moscow does not expect changes until a new Secretary-General is electedRead moreGeneral HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel AvivThe Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"Read moreHungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — OrbanHungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principleRead moreUS-Iran talks in Switzerland cut short over Trump’s threats — TVAccording to the Al Hadath television channel sources in the Iranian delegation, "Trump’s threats have cut short the talks in Switzerland."Read moreRussia liberates 94 buildings, destroys 95 Ukrainian soldiers in KonstantinovkaServicemen of Battlegroup West destroyed up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers and one Dzhura armored vehicle in the settlement of Krasny Liman in the DPR over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedRead moreUS military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TVIran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operationRead moreUS president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructureDonald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hellRead moreUS, Iran discuss nuclear file in detail during talks in Switzerland — mediaAccording to the news portal, the parties had productive talks on implementation of the MOU and how to "make sure everyone is on the same page"Read moreIran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TVAccording to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"Read moreColombian presidential election proceeds smoothlyFar-right businessman and non-system politician Abelardo de la Espriella, who narrowly led candidate Ivan Cepeda of the ruling left-wing Historic Pact party in the first round, voted alongside his family in BarranquillaRead moreNATO forces intercept missile presumably launched from Iran — Turkish Defense MinistryAccording to the ministry, "all necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at Turkey's territory and airspace"Read moreTrump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new dutiesUS President said he was sure that the duties is an important tool in the foreign policy for his administrationRead morePezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogueIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorismRead moreUKMTO reports attempted tanker seizure off Yemeni coastThe Master of a product tanker reported being approached by a skiff carrying five armed persons who appeared to be attempting to board the vessel. In response, the vessel conducted evasive manoeuvres and altered course away from the skiffRead moreUkrainian forces carry out 11 attacks on DPR over past day, two people killedSix others were injured, including two childrenRead moreDuration of stay on Russian prospective orbital station limited to about 3 years — expertIn Vyacheslav Shurshakov' estimates, typical length of space missions to ROSS would be about 10-11 monthsRead moreIran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from regionIran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nationRead moreMore than 60 packages, suspected to contain cocaine, discovered along Fiji coastlineFiji police said they are continuing efforts to locate additional packages and are working with regional and international law enforcement agencies to determine their origin and intended destinationRead moreFar-right politician de la Espriella leads presidential election in ColombiaAfter 46.74% of votes counted, Abelardo de la Espriella received support from 50.52% of votersRead moreRussian Geran drones wipes out Ukrainian fuel depot in Dnepropetrovsk RegionThe strikes were followed by a strong fire, the Russian defense ministry saidRead moreIN BRIEF: Air defenses shoot down more than 300 Ukrainian drones over Russian regionsAccording to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, 80 drones heading for Moscow have been downed since midnightRead moreRussian forces crush larger part of Ukrainian troops in Konstantinovka, Krasny LimanMilitary expert Andrey Marochko said the Ukrainian defenses collapsed in some frontline sectorsRead moreRussia’s Iran tactics at UN helps prevent talks from collapsing — MFAAccording to Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, recent reports of an Iran-US deal on peace agreements confirm that Russia’s approach is correctRead morePutin to lay wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier on Day of Remembrance and SorrowThe Russian leader will also lay flowers at memorial signs dedicated to Hero Cities and to cities awarded the honorary title City of Military GloryRead moreInvestigative Committee opens case on Ukraine's terrorist attack on Kerch PeninsulaThe reason was a large-scale attack by Ukrainian armed groups on civilian infrastructure facilities Read moreIsrael, US attack amusement park in central IranNo information on casualties or damage has been reported yetRead moreThere can no longer be any rules against Kiev attacking cities in Russia — MedvedevDeputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council emphasized that "back then, it was not customary to steal or kill the leaders of even hostile countries"Read moreUS-Iran talks at political leadership level to conclude on June 22 — mediaThe talks will continue between technical teams that will likely stay in SwitzerlandRead moreRussian air defenses down 483 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past day — top brassThe Russian Armed Forces eliminated approximately 1,450 Ukrainian troops in the special military operation zoneRead morePakistan, Qatar announce progress in first round of US-Iran talksAccording to the mediators, the talks took place in a positive and constructive atmosphereRead moreNew UN chief must fix Guterres’ mistakes, end Western dominance — MFADirector of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry Kirill Logvinov believes that, first of all, the overrepresentation of the Western minority who have flooded the Secretariat must be addressedRead moreAnother strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in IranOne of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI saidRead moreNearly 170 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during dayRussian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 168 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the Black and Azov Seas, Crimes, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol, Rostov, Tver, Tula, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar RegionsRead moreEgypt claims first-ever World Cup match victory with win over New ZealandBefore this match, the Egyptians had played eight games at the tournament, recording three draws and five defeatsRead moreSeven earthquakes recorded off Crimea’s coast near SevastopolGovernor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that further tremors are possibleRead moreIsrael will stay in southern Lebanon, not let Iran obtain nuclear arms — NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister recalled that over the past year Israel has conducted "two monumental operations: Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion" against IranRead moreAccusations of neo-Nazism against Ukraine gaining new evidence base — Russian lawmakerHead of the Federation Council Commission on Information Policy Alexey Pushkov says Vladimir Zelensky risks "miscalculating" by publicly praising the UPA through his actionsRead moreIsrael waiting for opportunity to derail US-Iran talks — top Turkish diplomatTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recalled that after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum "some issues have been left to be discussed within the next 60 days."Read moreMassive explosion rocks industrial area northeast of Doha — Qatari interior ministryCivil defense forces are working to eliminate the consequences of the accidentRead moreCabo Verde, Uruguay share points in World Cup clashThe match marked only the second World Cup appearance for Cabo VerdeRead moreCrimea suspends fuel sales at gas stations — regional headSergey Aksyonov asked everyone to remain calm and to trust only official sources of informationRead moreSwiss talks produce mechanism to ensure safe passage of ships through Hormuz — BaghaeiIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman emphasized that Tehran considers a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, to be a key condition for working out a final agreementRead moreTrump says US may charge ships for passage through Strait of HormuzThe US president added that this would happen if Washington and Tehran did not reach final agreementsRead moreIranian delegation continues talks with US in Switzerland — mediaThe Iranian Al Alam television channel reported earlier that the Iranian delegation had walked out of the talks in protest against US President Donald Trump’s threats on renewed strikes against Iran over the situation in LebanonRead moreUpper house speaker slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as geopolitical mistakeValentina Matviyenko emphasized that this intervention has destabilized the Middle East, triggering an energy crisis, yet it ultimately changes nothingRead moreUS wants Iran to get Hezbollah stop attacking Israel — diplomatThe US side insists that "if Iran doesn't get Hezbollah under control to stop attacking Israel, that will be a violation" of agreements between Washington and Tehran, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz saidRead moreRussian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against IranAlexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent daysRead moreKiev increasingly relies on terrorist tactics amid battlefield losses, expert saysAndrey Marochko said the Ukrainian armed forces failed to make gains along the line of contactRead moreUS troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White HouseThe United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28Read moreWest mistaken in its hopes of defeating Russia — KremlinYury Ushakov noted that Western countries "are playing their own games, which are ultimately aimed at defeating us; everyone is talking about this"Read moreIranian delegation concludes its work, technical consultations to continue — MFAIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted that technical teams will continue their talks on June 22Read moreSu-34 hit Ukrainian points of drone deployment and control in DPRThe targets were destroyedRead moreTwo civilians killed in Ukraine’s attacks on Kherson Region in past dayNine others were injured, the region’s governor, Vladimir Saldo, saidRead moreMoscow faces one of largest drone attacks in two years — TASS estimatesThe latest reports say that air defenses have shot down 84 enemy drones heading for Moscow since midnightRead moreRussia talks with UN about Ukraine bias, but no one listens — MFAKirill Logvinov emphasized that that in recent years cooperation with senior UN officials has been difficult due to a "systemic inability of the Secretariat to act objectively and impartially in the context of the Ukraine crisis"Read moreUS-Iran talks in Burgenstock continued through the night — Swiss MFAThe Foreign Ministry said that Switzerland remains ready to support this process, in line with its tradition of good officesRead moreEU demands Turkey does not supply Russian gas to unionAs German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche noted, Turkey takes into account the great importance that the EU places "on weaning itself off Russian commodity supplies," but made it clear that replacing Russian supplies is impossible overnightRead moreIranian delegation to continue talks with US after Trump’s apologies — TVAccording to the Al Mayadeen television channel, the Iranian negotiators now "not only insist on the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon but demand that Israel withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon."Read more