Contents tagged with Putin

  • Zelensky blames Putin-Trump call for massive Russian airstrike on Ukraine

    Following a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian forces launched a massive airstrike on Ukraine, with Kyiv as the primary target. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as one of the most significant and cynical since the full-scale war began, closely timed with media coverage of the call.

    In a series of overnight assaults on June 3rd and 4th, Russia launched 550 targets across Ukraine, many of which were …

  • German Chancellor Merz rejects dialogue with Putin, citing ineffectiveness in resolving Ukraine conflict

    Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has stated he’s not planning to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin anytime soon, marking a shift from previous leadership approaches. Merz believes direct talks with Putin hold little promise and aims not to repeat his predecessor's missteps. According to DW, past interactions with Putin have failed to ease tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.

    In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merz pointed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's …

  • Putin highlights Russia's nuanced position in Israel-Iran conflict

    In a statement made during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum on Friday, June 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin shed light on why Moscow has not lent support to Iran against Israel. Emphasizing Russia's "traditionally very good, friendly relations" with the Arab and Islamic world, the Kremlin leader pointed out the substantial Russian-speaking population in Israel—nearly two million—or about a fifth of the nation's populace.

    "We must show solidarity with Iran, but conflicts are unique in …

  • Putin calls Russians and Ukrainians 'one people,' asserts possible expansion beyond occupied regions

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his belief that Russians and Ukrainians are "one people," suggesting that in this sense, all of Ukraine is part of Russia. However, Putin acknowledged current realities, stating that some people desire sovereignty. "We have never denied the Ukrainian people's right to independence and sovereignty. But the principles of sovereignty imply that Ukraine is a non-aligned, non-nuclear, and neutral state," said the Russian leader, according to reports by …

  • Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu visits North Korea for high-stakes talks

    In a strategic move directed by President Vladimir Putin, Sergey Shoigu, the Secretary of Russia's Security Council, touched down in North Korea on Tuesday, June 17. According to the Russian state agency Interfax, Shoigu is set to conduct negotiations with the North Korean leadership, including Kim Jong Un. The dialogue, which stems from an understanding forged during a previous visit on June 4, will pursue the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed on June 19 …

  • Zelensky condemns Russian proposal to swap POWs for abducted Ukrainian children

    In a statement highlighting the complex nature of diplomatic negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of suggesting a prisoner swap—Ukrainian children abducted by Russia in exchange for Russian POWs. Speaking at a joint press conference with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna on Monday, June 16, Zelensky emphasized that such an exchange is "absolutely unjust." "Frankly, it's madness, the idea that was, by the way, proposed by the Russians: we give …

  • Putin breaks silence on health issues, reveals vision problems

    During a reception at the Kremlin, Russian president Vladimir Putin, 72, unexpectedly opened up about his health issues under the influence of champagne. Discussing regular health checkups, he admitted to dedicating two full days each year to medical examinations and acknowledged problems with his vision. These revelations afford a scarce glimpse into the health of the aging autocrat whose well-being has long been a matter of public speculation.

    Captured in a video by Kremlin reporter Pavel …

  • Turkish Foreign Minister confirms future Zelensky-Putin meeting

    The Turkish Foreign Minister announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin will eventually have to face each other at the negotiation table. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that both Ukrainian and Russian delegations have reached an understanding for another round of talks, although a specific date has not yet been set. According to Fidan, the war in Ukraine has taken on a global dimension as other nations align with either Ukraine or …

  • Putin's helicopter caught in epicenter of Ukrainian drone attack during Kursk visit

    Russian President Vladimir Putin was aboard a helicopter caught in the "epicenter" of efforts to repel a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack during his visit to the Kursk region on May 20, reported Russian air defense division commander Yuri Dashkin.

    According to Dashkin, the president's helicopter was "literally at the epicenter of countering a massive enemy drone attack." He stated, "The intensity of the attack increased significantly as the helicopter of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief flew …

  • Kyiv: Ukraine seeks expanded peace talks with Russia

    Ukraine is gearing up for a potential meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

    Sybiha stated that Kyiv is considering an expanded format for talks, potentially with international mediators. "We allow for the possibility of this meeting being in an expanded format. We would very much like President Trump to join it, and we have always insisted that Europe must be at the table of possible future …