Russia

Zelensky Hails the End of Russian Gas Transit Through Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday hailed the end of Russian gas transit across his country as a significant "defeat" for Moscow amid its near three-year invasion. Flows of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine stopped on Wednesday morning after Zelensky refused to prolong decades of cooperation that had earned billions of ...

In Moscow, Russians Hope for Peace in 2025 but Avoid Talk of Concessions

Some Russians ushering in the New Year said they wanted the conflict with Ukraine to end in 2025 and for a return of "peace" and "stability". But on the streets of Moscow there was no mention of Russia withdrawing its troops or giving up territory seized during the nearly three-year offensive. "Of course, we would like the country to finally end ...

Zelensky Vows to Fight on "Battlefield" and "Negotiating Table" in 2025

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday vowed that his country would use 2025 to fight for an end to Russia's nearly three-year-long invasion by any means necessary. The Ukrainian leader's address caps a difficult year for the war-battered country, which has been fending off a better-resourced Russian army for nearly three years. "May ...

US Slaps Sanctions on Iran, Russia Groups over Election Interference

The United States unveiled sanctions Tuesday against Iranian and Russian organizations, alleging they had sought to interfere in the US election. The groups targeted are the Cognitive Design Production Center, a subordinate organization of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical ...

Russia Gains Nearly 4,000 Square Kilometres in Ukraine in 2024

Russian forces advanced by 3,985 square kilometres (1,539 square miles) in Ukraine in 2024, seven times more than in 2023, according to an AFP analysis of data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Much of the Russian gains came in the autumn, as they took 610 square kilometres in October and 725 square kilometres in November. ...

Russia Pledges to Punish Those Responsible for Azerbaijan Plane Crash

Azerbaijan said on Monday that Moscow had promised to punish those responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that Baku says was shot at by Russian air defences. The AZAL Embraer 190 jet crash-landed in Kazakhstan on December 25, killing 38 of the 67 people on board. The incident prompted several airlines to cancel flights to ...

US Announces $5.9 Billion in Military and Budget Aid for Ukraine

The United States on Monday unveiled almost $6 billion in military and budget aid for Ukraine, as Washington races to provide assistance before Donald Trump takes office next month. The imminent return of Trump, who has repeatedly criticized aid for Ukraine, has cast doubt on American support continuing at similar levels as under outgoing ...

Russia and Ukraine Exchange Over 300 POWs Ahead of New Year's Eve

Russia and Ukraine swapped more than 300 prisoners of war on Monday in an exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates ahead of New Year's Eve, officials from both countries said. The two sides have exchanged hundreds of captive soldiers since Russia began its military assault on Ukraine in February 2022, in one of the few areas of ...

US Announces $2.5 Billion Military Aid for Ukraine

The United States announced Monday a $2.5 billion security assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump's November election victory has cast doubt on the future of American support for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already ...

Azerbaijan Accuses Russia of Trying to Hide Causes of Plane Crash

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Sunday demanded that Russia admit that it fired at an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet before it crashed, accusing Moscow of initially trying to cover up the cause of the fatal disaster. Aliyev made the accusation in an interview to state media at Baku airport four days after the AZAL Embraer 190 plane ...

Georgia’s New President Sworn in Amid Political Showdown

Georgia inaugurated a ruling party loyalist as president in the midst of a political showdown on Sunday, moments after Tbilisi's outgoing pro-EU leader declared herself the "only legitimate president". The inauguration of former footballer Mikhail Kavelashvili is set to further escalate a months-long political crisis that has seen huge ...

Putin Denies Responsibility, Offers Apology to Azerbaijan After Fatal Plane Crash

Russian leader Vladimir Putin told his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, on Saturday that Russian air defense systems were active when an Azerbaijani Airlines plane attempted to land in Grozny before it crashed, according to the Kremlin. Putin called Aliyev as speculation grew that Russian air defense may have accidentally shot down the ...