The Taliban's so-called commerce minister announced Thursday that the regime is nearing a trade deal with Russia to bypass U.S. dollar transactions, while also pursuing similar arrangements with China. The deal comes after Russia officially removed the Taliban’s terrorist designation in April, paving the way for formal economic engagement.
Nicușor Dan, the centrist and pro-European mayor of Bucharest, has won Romania's presidential election, defeating right-wing nationalist George Simion with 53.8% of the vote.
Russia carried out its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, launching 273 explosive drones and decoys overnight into Sunday. The unprecedented assault followed failed peace talks in Istanbul between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which ended without a ceasefire agreement.
President Donald Trump announced he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in an effort to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, describing the mission as “STOPPING THE ‘BLOODBATH.’” The announcement, made Saturday via Truth Social, comes just days after failed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on Europe and the United States to prepare for a sweeping escalation in economic pressure against Russia, declaring that it is time to “suffocate the Russian economy once and for all.”
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he may attend a high-stakes peace meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, as both leaders prepare for direct talks aimed at ending the conflict. Trump emphasized the urgency of diplomatic engagement, saying he would fly to the meeting if it would help end what he called a “bloodbath.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on Thursday, following calls from President Donald Trump for immediate peace negotiations.
