Russia is the world's largest country by area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Known for its authoritarian governance, nuclear arsenal, energy leverage over Europe, and military interventionism. Recently, Russia has sustained intensive aerial and missile attacks on Ukraine while facing domestic energy disruptions, expanding Western sanctions, and ongoing diplomatic contacts with the U.S. Last updated 2 days ago
"I see so many comments from the Radical Left Morons and Lunatics that China and Russia are helping the “wonderful” Islamic Republic of Iran. If they are, it’s at a very low level, but I don’t believe they are at all. They have too much to lose, and we would know about it, and know about it very fast! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP".
Ukrainian officials were told by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that the U.S.-Russia diesel deal, which clears Moscow to export more than 2.25 million barrels, could soften the Kremlin and bring peace talks back. Washington separately pushed Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries. A source close to the Kremlin said Putin will only come to the table once he holds the remaining 11% of Donbas.
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war:
"We appreciate President Trump's involvement in trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war. But in Poland, we believe that it will bear fruit if you put pressure on the aggressor and not on the victim of aggression."
"Everybody understands that the prices of diesel don't depend on our attacks on diesel in Russia. Everybody understands that it depends on the blocking of Hormuz, the Strait of Hormuz."
Trump: ‘The European Union paid Russia 250 Billion Dollars for Energy, and the Fake News Media doesn’t want to get near that story. I made the right choice for the American People — ALWAYS, AMERICA FIRST! President DONALD J. TRUMP’
Ukraine is prepared to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Zelensky said in a renewed offer of an energy ceasefire. He added that he is not certain Putin is willing.
"We currently see no signs from Russia that it wants to end the war. We see no basic steps toward de-escalation. Everyone is talking about diesel and forgetting about grain. In a month or two, everyon...
Zelensky at the Warsaw Security Forum:
"We currently see no signs from Russia that it wants to end the war. We see no basic steps toward de-escalation. Everyone is talking about diesel and forgetting about grain. In a month or two, everyone will start talking about an agricultural crisis. There won't be enough food for countries across Africa, some Asian countries, and the Middle East, because we export millions of tons of grain to these very markets. And now Russia is blocking the sea."
"The United States isn't feeling the effects of this, which is why the focus is only on energy. This is another challenge. It's hunger. And it can affect many countries."
The head of the Czech security service warns that Russia could turn to riskier operations, including sabotage, inside NATO states in the coming months.
"Russia wants to dominate Ukraine, and we know that it will not stop there. Russia wants to reshape the security architecture in Europe.
Let's call it what it is. Russia wants to destroy the existing security architecture in Europe so that Russian dominance can return to what it was before 1989."
"This morning I spoke with Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. In both conversations, we focused on the rapidly evolving situation around energy and the war in Ukraine.
The new energy ceasefire being broke...
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney:
"This morning I spoke with Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. In both conversations, we focused on the rapidly evolving situation around energy and the war in Ukraine.
The new energy ceasefire being brokered by President Trump between Russia and Ukraine has the potential to significantly de-escalate the war and protect thousands of civilians from harm and hardship. Canada calls on Russia to uphold this agreement as we keep working with our Allies to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe."
Axios Report:The cost of Ukraine's refinery campaign is falling on Zelensky, not Moscow, according to White House officials. They warn the strikes on Russian oil refineries are hurting his relationship with President Trump more than they are hurting Russia.
Power plants in Kyiv and Kharkiv were struck by Russia following President Trump's announcement of an immediate energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. President Zelensky confirmed Kyiv received no prior notice of the announcement.
Two threats are on the table in the U.S. push to end Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure: cutting off intelligence sharing, and freezing the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, the main mechanism for procuring and fast-tracking American weapons for Kyiv. U.S. officials have pressed the warning on both Kyiv and European capitals, according to the Financial Times.
Five European intelligence services have warned defence company executives that Russia is stepping up attempts to assassinate them, part of a Kremlin order to expand sabotage and hybrid operations and weaken support for Kyiv in the coming months. Smaller firms making drones and drone components are also considered at risk.
