{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul

Russian side proposed POW swap at Istanbul talks, diplomat clarifies

Maria Zakharova pointed to the fact that several other significant agreements were reached at the Istanbul talks

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS/. It was Russia that proposed the idea of a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner swap during talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"I would like to emphasize once again and put all questions to rest: it was Russia’s initiative, proposed by the head of the Russian delegation, to exchange prisoners. I wouldn’t want anyone else to take credit for this initiative," she emphasized. "I reiterate: this is Russia’s initiative," Zakharova added.

The spokeswoman pointed to the fact that several other significant agreements were reached at the Istanbul talks. In particular, "the possibility of another Russian-Ukrainian meeting was noted."

Tags

Foreign policy Maria Zakharova

Russia to hold informal UNSC meeting on Ukrainian crisis on June 4

The topic is "Reflection on and elimination of ideological root causes of the Ukrainian crisis"

Hungarian PM expects Ukraine settlement to be part of major deal between Russia, US

Orban believes that "it’s only possible to reach an agreement through a deal between Russia and America, which would not be just about the war, territories and borders"

Ukrainian attacks on Russian military facilities aimed at disrupting talks — German expert

Sevim Dagdelen emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning that "celebrating or rejoicing is entirely inappropriate, especially given the specter of a potential nuclear response from Russia"

Russian forces launch FAB-1500 bombs to wipe out 20 Ukrainian troops in DPR — source

Twenty people were killed and ten were injured

Dutch government resigns after collapse of ruling coalition — prime minister

Dick Schoof said that he would immediately go to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands with a request for the resignation of ministers from the Party for Freedom

NATO no longer controlled by its allies, senior Russian senator argues

According to Konstantin Kosachev, NATO is something contrary to sovereignty that undermines the rationale and principles of international law

Moscow, Kiev show willingness to solve conflict, but conditions not ripe — Chinese expert

"Compared to the first direct contacts, significant progress has been made," Sun Qi said

After liberating Andreyevka, Russian forces now 20 kilometers away from Sumy — expert

The Russian army can technically use drones and artillery to attack the enemy in the city

US provides Ukraine with no intelligence to prepare drone attack on Russia — CBS

"Ukraine gathered its own information," correspondent said

US expert speculates about Biden administration’s role in Kiev attack on Russian airfields

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Kiev regime had launched a terrorist attack with FPV drones on airfields in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur Regions on June 1

Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes off Turkey’s coast

A tsunami warning was issued

Russia, Turkey seek to protect their interests and global security — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, cooperation between Russia and Turkey "has undergone a multi-year transformation - from common challenges that tested the strength of interaction and the first Soviet-Turkish agreements that laid the principles of good neighborhood to the latest long-term strategic initiatives"

Ukrainian attack leaves 100,000 people in Kherson Region without electricity

Power engineers are working to restore electricity supplies, Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo said

Kiev suffers immense losses by sending unprepared soldiers to frontline — politician

Vitaly Ganchev stressed that Ukraine’s political leadership was aware of the situation but "continues the deliberate extermination of its men"

IOC, not IIHF, decides on Russia's ice hockey participation at Olympics — chief Tardif

In early February, the IIHF Council ruled at its session to extend its sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian teams through the 2025-2026 season

Russia to hold informal UNSC meeting on Ukrainian crisis on June 4

The topic is "Reflection on and elimination of ideological root causes of the Ukrainian crisis"

In Istanbul Russia returns situation to norms of humanitarian law — MFA

Russia's proposals "included the transfer of the remains of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, humanitarian truces aimed at gathering bodies, and the exchange of the sick and wounded"

Kremlin explains decision to publish draft memorandum

The memorandum was initially handed over to the Ukrainian side behind closed doors

Traffic on Crimean Bridge is in standard operational mode — Russian Ministry of Transport

"Traffic on the Crimean Bridge was temporarily halted twice earlier in the day, but the closures did not cause serious difficulties for drivers," according to the statement

Residents of village near Irkutsk shot down about five Ukrainian drones

The exact number of UAVs involved remains uncertain

NYT sees Russia-Ukraine talks without ceasefire as Moscow’s ‘tactical win’

As for the progress of the talks in Turkey on Monday, expectations were low, according to the report

Kremlin urges waiting for results of investigation into Ukraine's attacks on Russia

Dmitry Peskov noted that President Vladimir Putin received information about the attacks online

Chechen head says eliminates Ukraine’s manpower, equipment on Orekhovsky direction

Ramzan Kadyrov said that the enemy column was detected in a timely manner, trying to covertly change positions

Ukraine no longer capable of launching large-scale counterattacks due to losses — expert

In particular, the enemy suffered heavy losses in the Krasnoarmeysk area and was forced to withdraw a number of units from four Ukrainian brigades

EU unlikely to prepare new sanctions on Russia by mid-June — media

According to the media outlet, the US bill that calls for 500% tariffs on all imports from buyers of Russian goods could also damage European countries

Over 200 inmates escape from prison during earthquake — TV

One inmate died and a prison employee and three servicemen were injured in the resulting chaos

Press review: Russia, Ukraine exchange memorandums and London unveils defense overhaul

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 3rd

Consent to brief 'frontline lull' to show Kiev's readiness for peace — legislator

Leonid Slutsky reaffirmed that Russia’s primary objective remains unchanged: "to address the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and to guarantee Russia’s national security"

Any compromises in Ukraine settlement talks to remain confidential — Kremlin

The memorandum by Moscow suggests two options to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine

Biden thought that Russia should be destroyed — Brazilian leader

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva noted that "Europe, which held a middle-ground position for some time, finally sided with Washington and now is spending billions to rearm itself"

Industrial facility in Ukrainian city of Chernigov suffers damage

The air raid warning remained in effect for about two and a half hours

New swaps, exchanging memorandums: Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul

The parties exchanged settlement documents and also agreed on new prisoner exchanges

Lee leads South Korean presidential election as 50% of ballots counted

With 17.6 million ballots tallied so far, almost 49% were for Lee Jae-myung and 42.6% for his main competitor Kim Moon-soo

Ukrainian myth about 'kidnapped' children busted by Istanbul talks — Russian diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said that Kiev kept pumping the numbers up "with the goal of accusing Russia of near-genocide of Crimean children"

TASS photo exhibition dedicated to late Pope Francis opens in Moscow

TASS General Director Andrey Kondrashov, First Deputy General Director Mikhail Gusman, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Apostolic Nuncio to Russia Archbishop Giovanni d’Aniello took part in the exhibition opening

Enemy activities observed near Crimea in Black Sea waters — authorities

"Along with enemy activity off the coast of Crimea in the Black Sea, there is also an information attack," adviser to the Crimean head Oleg Kruchkov said

Ukrainian drones carried up to 25 kg of explosives each in recent raids, analyst says

According to Vitaly Kiselyov, the attack could have targeted Crimea

List of children wanted by Ukraine calls ICC decisions into question — Russian diplomat

"These 339 names could have been thoroughly researched within a few months, including identification, verification, and proper documentation," Rodion Miroshnik stated

Trump itching to move off Ukraine, hone in on China — Axios

According to the report, Kiev finds itself in a bind, as Washington and EU capitals have hesitated to send more air defense systems to Ukraine

Lavrov, UN relief chief discuss situation in Ukraine

Russian embassy firmly rejects London's 'fabricated, absurd accusations' of attacks

"Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom and its people," the diplomatic mission underlined

MAGA supporters condemn Kiev’s terrorist attack on Russian airfields — Axios

The portal noted that MAGA followers have for years seen Vladimir Zelensky "as a 'globalist' puppet and Ukraine as a backwater of corruption," opposing any Ukrainian military operations against Russian forces

Russian forces advance roughly 1 km near Grigorovka, Kalinovo in DPR in past days — expert

As regards the neighboring town of Chasov Yar, Andrey Marochko added, Russian troops have advanced in its northern and central sectors

Ukraine, Europe must recognize their capabilities in conflict are limited, says expert

Regarding the second round of talks between Moscow and Kiev, Wang Wen noted that the negotiations did not yield negative results

Ukrainian troops attack administrative building, school, community center in Kursk Region

The buildings sustained damage, preliminary, there have been no casualties, acting regional Governor Alexander Khinshtein said

Mistake for US to leave Ukrainian settlement process, expert warns

Director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Anatol Lieven said that without "a strong US intervention," "there will be no peace settlement in Ukraine"

Bridge blast incidents in Kursk, Bryansk Regions classified as terror attacks

Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said that investigators have seized parts of explosive devices, as well as other material evidence, interviewed witnesses, victims, and railway workers

Russia didn't kidnap any children, only saved them from warzones — chief negotiator

Vladimir Medinsky added that Russian social workers are now engaged in returning the kids to their families

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport

According to the Houthi spokesman, the airport suspended operations after the attack

Zelensky drags US into conflict by ordering drone strikes deep into Russia — ex-adviser

"We are being sucked into a kinetic World War III right now that is going to dwarf the 20th century World Wars I and II," Steve Bannon said

Ukraine's neutrality, recognition of Donbass, Novorossiya: key ideas of Russian memorandum

The first section of the document contains the "basic parameters of the final settlement", the second section of the document, devoted to the terms of the ceasefire, contains two scenarios the events might follow

Ukraine gave Germany no forewarning about drone attack on Russia — cabinet

German Cabinet Spokesman Stefan Cornelius added that Berlin did not believe Kiev was under any obligation to provide such information

Multilayered protection gives Russian tanks advantage against western ones

According to Rostec, there are numerous examples when domestic tanks preserved combat capability despite numerous hits by antitank weapons

Russian troops advance along 25-km wide frontline in Sumy Region — military expert

"The advance is currently underway along a broad section of the front, from Kondratovka to Yunakovka," Andrey Marochko noted

Kiev increases its 'drone terror' against residents of Russia — diplomat

"By carrying out daily raids the Kiev regime is seeking to exert psychological strain on Russian citizens," Rodion Miroshnik noted

Macron statue stolen from wax museum in Paris — media

According to preliminary findings, early in the morning, two women and a man, disguised as museum employees, seized the statue and carried it out of the building through an emergency exit, wrapping it in a blanket

Kiev unable to carry out attacks on Russian airfields without US intel — military expert

"This is possible and conceivable only with satellite communications support," Guillaume Ansel said

Kiev stages attacks on airfields in five Russian regions — Russian defense ministry

"No casualties were reported either among servicemen or civilians," Russian defense ministry said

Kiev did not notify Trump about plans to attack Russian airfields — White House

When asked about the US administration’s position on Kiev’s attacks on Russian airfields, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that she would prefer the president to express it

Top Belarusian diplomat to visit Russia on June 9-10

Maxim Ryzhenkov will meet with the Russian foreign minister; a number of other events are also expected to be held

Press review: EU eyes clash with Russia as Taurus missile strikes expected by July

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 28th

EU’s irrational policy may lead to armed conflict with Russia — European Parliament member

Fernand Kartheiser highlighted the need "to at least try to prevent an arms race and do everything possible to counter the arguments of warmongers"

Russian army dislodges main Ukrainian forces from Stupochki in Donetsk region — expert

Andrey Marochko said that consistent efforts were underway to mop up adjacent territories

Next round of US-Iran talks may not happen at all — TV

According to the broadcaster, Iran considers Washington’s new nuclear deal proposal to be "incoherent and disjointed, very unrealistic, and with excessive demands"

Ukraine must implement measures for ceasefire or withdraw Armed Forces from four regions

The second section of Russia's memorandum, dedicated to the conditions for a ceasefire, outlines two possible scenarios

Russia’s memorandum for Ukraine aims to find compromise, analyst says

According to Vladimir Zharikhin, the greatest resistance from Kiev should be expected in the matter of recognizing Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya as parts of Russia, and also the idea of dropping its ambition to join NATO

Explosions reported in Ukrainian cities of Poltava, Odessa

Earlier, a blast was reported in the Sumy Region

Ukrainian army suffers heavy losses on junction of DPR and Zaporozhye Region — expert

Andrey Marochko said earlier that despite the resistance of Ukrainian forces, Russian units are advancing in the area on a stretch of the frontline more than 30 kilometers wide

Ukraine says Russian fighter jets outmatch F-16s

Yury Ignat added that Russia has powerful air defenses, which work in tandem with aviation

What we know about power outage in Kherson, Zaporozhye Regions due to Kiev's drone attack

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky noted that the power outage affected more than 600,000 residents

US won’t let Iran enrich uranium under potential agreement, Trump says

According to the US leader, Joe Biden "should have stopped Iran a long time ago from 'enriching'"

Expert says Kiev to benefit more from exchange of wounded soldiers

According to Andrey Marochko, the swap will primarily include severely wounded and sick soldiers, as well as service members under the age of 25

Russian troops liberate Andreyevka community in Sumy Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 230 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed eight enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: West’s reaction to attacks in Russia and new Moscow-Kiev talks confirmed

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 2nd

Pentagon to include Greenland in US Northern Command’s zone of responsibility — newspaper

According to the report, this clearly is going to worry Europe

Russia strikes Ukrainian attack UAV assembly workshops over past day

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,430 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours, according to the latest data released by Russia’s Defense Ministry

UK threatens to sue Abramovich if doesn’t use Chelsea sale money to help Ukraine — Reuters

According to the report, the government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine

Ukrainian special services agent who built powerful bomb detained in Crimea — FSB

According to the report, the man retrieved components from two hidden caches and assembled an IED consisting of over 1.2 kg of explosives, an electric detonator, a homemade electric radio receiver, an electronic transmitter, and destructive elements

Russia calls for withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass, Novorossiya within 30 days

The memorandum also noted that after the initiation of work on the text of a peace treaty, a two-to three-day truce will be declared to collect the bodies of the deceased from the neutral zone

EU may fall apart — prominent economist

Jeffrey Sachs suggested that the EU might even expel or strip Hungary of its voting right because of Budapest's honesty in saying that "the war in Ukraine should stop and the EU should stop being warmongers"

US nuclear deal offer allows Iran to enrich uranium — media

The media outlet points out that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt "did not deny any of the details of the proposal described to Axios"

Hungary not to refuse from ties with Russia — top diplomat

"Hungary will not refuse from its peacekeeping position, we will not refuse from energy cooperation with Russia and we will continue supporting Donald Trump’s peace plan," Peter Szijjarto said

Zelensky says Ukraine has invitation to attend NATO summit

He said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga will now be talking with his counterparts about "infrastructure and what the results of this summit in The Hague could be"

Russia to unilaterally transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian service members — Medinsky

Russia is ready to receive the bodies of Russian servicemen, if the Ukrainian side has them, Russia’s chief negotiator said

Iran set to reject US nuclear deal proposal — report

According to the diplomatic source, the proposal is a "non-starter" that fails to address Tehran's interests or soften Washington's stance on uranium enrichment

FACTBOX: Moscow court bans World of Tanks publisher’s operations

The Russian Office of General Prosecutor earlier filed an action against Lesta and Lesta Games Agency to prohibit their operations in view of their extremist activity in the form of support for the Ukrainian army

Expert puts odds of Kiev abiding by three-day ceasefire as fifty-fifty

"It’s hard to say how things will go, especially because intense fighting is underway along the line of contact", Andrey Marochko said

Almost 90 Russians injured, eight killed over week due to Ukrainian strikes — diplomat

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the Ukrainian armed forces fired almost 1,900 various munitions at Russian territory over the past week

Lavrov stresses importance of direct dialogue between Pakistan, India

Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi gave a briefing about Pakistan’s position on the situation in Pakistani-Indian relations

Russian senator calls for rewarding those who tried to prevent drone attack in Siberia

"They are real heroes," Natalya Nikonorova stressed

Russia demands withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye, Kherson regions

Other parameters of the settlement also include Ukrainian neutrality, implying its renunciation of accession to military alliances and coalitions, along with a "prohibition of any military activities by third states on Ukrainian territory and the deployment of foreign military formations, military bases, and military infrastructure"

MAKS air show deferred until next year — Rostec CEO

The event was not held in 2023 and 2024 as well

Ukrainian officials arrive in Washington for talks — head of Zelensky’s office

Andrey Yermak announced meetings with representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties and US President Donald Trump's team

Russia’s Battlegroup West makes Ukraine lose up to 210 troops

According to battlegroup spokesman Ivan Bigma, air defense units shot down 13 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Ukrainian authorities evacuate children from conflict zone to Europe — Russian lawmaker

Viktor Vodolatsky noted that Moscow and Kiev will soon engage in a children swap

NATO to reassess weaknesses after Ukraine’s strike on Russian airfields — NYT

The newspaper notes that the massive June 1 attack will not stop Russia from continuing offensive operations

Former German foreign minister elected president of 80th UNGA session

Some diplomats expressed concern that her appointment could cost Germany votes, particularly from countries in the Global South

Switzerland sides with EU in expanding anti-Russian sanctions

Seventeen individuals, 58 organizations, 189 ships and 31 enterprises were blacklisted

Russia's memorandum aims to address Ukrainian conflict's root causes — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov underlined that the settlement topic is utterly complex

West is using Kiev’s strikes on Russia to exert pressure in negotiations — expert

"This suggests that none of our demands outlined in the memorandum will be fulfilled," Vitaly Kiselev said

UK getting ready for war, PM says

Keir Starmer outlined the UK's commitments to NATO, including the commitment of nuclear capability

	
		OSZAR »