russia

Zelensky Warns U.S. Against Disengagement from Ukraine Peace Efforts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday issued a warning to the United States, cautioning that any withdrawal from peace efforts would play directly into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking after former U.S. President Donald Trump held calls with both Zelensky and Putin as part of a new initiative to end the ...

After Putin Call, Trump Says Ukraine Talks to Start 'Immediately'

US President Donald Trump said that Russia and Ukraine would immediately start ceasefire talks after he spoke with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, but the Kremlin leader fell short of agreeing to the unconditional truce proposed by Washington. Trump painted a more upbeat picture of the situation after the two-hour call, as he ...

Amnesty International Vows to Keep up Work after Russia Ban

Amnesty International said Monday that it would not halt its work after Russia declared the rights group an "undesirable organization," effectively banning its operations in the country and exposing supporters to prosecution. "This decision is part of the Russian government's broader effort to silence dissent and isolate civil society," Amnesty ...

Russian Ballet Patriarch Yuri Grigorovich Dies at 98

Legendary Russian ballet figure Yuri Grigorovich, who was for three decades the lead choreographer at Moscow's famed Bolshoi Theatre, has died aged 98. Born in the Soviet city of Leningrad to a ballet family, Grigorovich's career - as a dancer then choreographer - spanned 80 years. For much of it, he was the artistic powerhouse behind ...

Pro-EU Centrist Wins Tense Romania Presidential Vote Rerun

Nicusor Dan, the centrist mayor of Bucharest, won a tense rerun of Romania's presidential election on Sunday, beating nationalist George Simion in a vote seen as crucial for the direction of the EU and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine. The ballot came five months after Romania's constitutional court annulled an election over ...

Istanbul Talks End Quickly as Russia Makes "Unacceptable" Demands

Russians and Ukrainians sat face-to-face for under two hours Friday in Istanbul for the first direct talks in over three years aimed at ending their war, with expectations low for breakthroughs. Kyiv is seeking an "unconditional ceasefire" in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, which has also destroyed large swathes of Ukraine and ...

Zelensky Urges Strong International Response if Istanbul Talks with Russia Fail

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday called for a “strong response” from the international community if the planned talks with Russia in Istanbul fail. “If it turns out that the Russian delegation is only there for appearances and cannot deliver any results today, then everyone must respond,” he said from Tirana. “There ...

Ankara Calls for Ceasefire 'As Soon As Possible' in Ukraine at Talks with Russia

Ankara called on Friday for a ceasefire “as soon as possible” in Ukraine at the opening of Turkish-mediated talks in Istanbul between Kyiv and Moscow—the first such talks since the spring of 2022. “It is of crucial importance that a ceasefire be implemented as soon as possible,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, stressing that ...

Ukraine Peace Talks: What are Kyiv and Moscow's Positions?

Delegations from Kyiv and Moscow are in Istanbul on Friday, set to hold their first direct talks on the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine for more than three years. Expectations are low for the talks -- initially proposed by Vladimir Putin -- after the Russian leader declined Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a presidential summit in Turkey ...

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Turkey: What we Know

Ukraine and Russia plan on Friday in Istanbul to hold their first direct peace talks in more than three years. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky had travelled to Turkey but said he would not attend the talks, after his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin declined his calls for face-to-face negotiations. Tens of thousands have been killed ...