World News

17:08 13.06.2025

New U.S.-Russian Talks Coming ‘Very Soon,’ Deputy FM Says Текст: Russian and U.S. officials could meet “very soon” for another round of talks aimed at restoring the operations of their diplomatic missions, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei RyabkovsaidTuesday. Officials from the two countries met for embassy talks on Feb. 27 and April 10 in the Turkish city of Istanbul after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18. “The third round of bilateral consultations on irritants is approaching. It’s too early to talk about a specific date, but I hope the discussions will take place very soon,” Ryabkov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. He said Moscow will seek “clearer answers” to its proposal toresume direct flightsbetween Russia and the United States, as well as for Washington toreturnsix Russian-owned properties that were seized between 2016 and 2018 in response to alleged election interference. Russia first raised the possibility of restoring direct flights during talks with American officials in Istanbul on Feb. 27 as the incoming Trump administration sought to begin mending relations with Moscow. U.S. officials apparentlysaidthat the restoration of direct air travel with Russia would be contingent on progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. Ryabkov said Tuesday that the third round of talks with the United States would also touch on larger international issues. “This includes major topics: the Middle East and, of course, discussions on the Iranian nuclear program,” he told reporters. U.S. President Donald Trump said after a call with President Vladimir Putin last Wednesday that the Russian leader had offered to “participate” in talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. The Kremlin said Putin was ready to “help resolve” the standoff after Trump accused Iran of “slow-walking” its response to an offer of a deal. Ryabkov said: “We receive instructions after each phone conversation in the form of direct directives.” Later on Tuesday, Russia’s Ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiyev,toldTASS that the next round of talks between the two countries would take place in Moscow. There was no immediate response from Washington about the reported upcoming discussions.

Russian and U.S. officials could meet “very soon” for another round of talks aimed at restoring the operations of their...

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15:07 13.06.2025

Shlosberg Placed Under House Arrest Pending Trial Текст: A court in the northwestern city of Pskov has placed opposition politician Lev Shlosberg under house arrest pending trial on charges of “discrediting” the Russian military, independent media reported Wednesday. Shlosberg, a senior member of the liberal party Yabloko, wasarrested and chargedwith Russia’s wartime censorship offense on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Pskov City CourtorderedShlosberg to be placed under house arrest until Aug. 8, according to independent outlets RusNews and Sotavision. The hearing was held behindclosed doorsat the plaintiffs’ request. Yablokosaidparty chairman Nikolai Rybakov was present to support Shlosberg. Authorities accuse Shlosberg, who has remained in Russia despite his opposition to the war, of calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a debate with historian Yury Pivovarov in January. A video of that debate was published on the Russian social media website Odnoklassniki. In January, law enforcement authorities pressed criminalchargesagainst Shlosberg for failing to comply with Russia’s “foreign agent” law. He could face up to two years in prison if convicted of those charges. Shlosberg, who used to head Yabloko’s Pskov region branch, regularly condemns Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, having called it a “tragedy” on social media. Some exiled opposition figures have criticized Shlosberg for not taking a harder line against the war. Russia’s Justice Ministrylabeledthe opposition politician a “foreign agent” in June 2023. Under the “foreign agent” law, individuals must include a lengthy disclaimer on all of their public statements, including social media posts.

A court in the northwestern city of Pskov has placed opposition politician Lev Shlosberg under house arrest pending trial on...

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13:06 13.06.2025

Russian Drone Strikes Kill 1, Hit Maternity Hospital in Odesa Текст: Russia launched drone attacks on Kyiv and the southern port city of Odesa early Tuesday, killing one person and damaging a maternity hospital, Ukrainian officials said. A 59-year-old man was killed and at least four others were wounded when Russian drones struck residential buildings in Odesa, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said. The Russians hit a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward and residential buildings, Kiper wrote on Telegram, adding that the hospital had been evacuated in time. In central Kyiv, an AFP journalist reported hearing at least a dozen explosions, anti-aircraft fire and the buzzing of drones. Stay in shelters! A large attack on the capital continues, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned on Telegram. Around 3 a.m. local time, he said a new swarm of drones is flying toward the capital. Four people were wounded in strikes that hit at least seven districts of Kyiv, Klitschko said, with buildings and cars reported on fire. Russia has continued its aerial assaults on Ukraine, while Kyiv has managed to carry out strikes deep inside Russian territory. Direct peace talks held over the past month have failed to produce a breakthrough toward ending the war, now in its third year. Aside from an agreement to exchange prisoners of war, negotiations have stalled, and Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire. Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day, said Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office. Time to impose sanctions. Time to support Ukraine with weapons. Time to prove that democracy has power.

Russia launched drone attacks on Kyiv and the southern port city of Odesa early Tuesday, killing one person and damaging...

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