Wall Street ends mostly flat after records, logs third winning week
U.S. markets closed mostly flat Friday, capping a third winning week out of four....
Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled conditional support for a U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that while the idea was "correct," it must address the conflict’s root causes. U.S. President Donald Trump called Putin’s response "very promising," but Kyiv dismissed it as a delaying tac
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow supports a U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine in principle but insisted on addressing the war’s underlying causes before agreeing to a truce. His remarks came after talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow.
"We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities," Putin told reporters. "But this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis."
While his comments signaled an openness to negotiations, Putin listed several clarifications needed before Russia could commit, making an immediate ceasefire unlikely.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Putin’s statement, calling it "very promising" but emphasizing that Moscow’s commitment would soon be tested. He confirmed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Moscow for direct talks.
"Now we're going to see whether or not Russia is there, and if they're not, it'll be a very disappointing moment for the world," Trump said.
Trump also revealed that discussions included territorial adjustments and control over a major power plant, likely referring to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Putin’s response, accusing him of stalling.
"That's why in Moscow they are imposing conditions, so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.
Ukraine has already backed the U.S. ceasefire plan, while Russia continues to demand that Kyiv permanently cede territories occupied by Russian forces— a stance Ukraine rejects.
Despite the ceasefire discussions, fighting has intensified. Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine and has advanced further since mid-2024. Moscow’s forces are also engaged in a counteroffensive in the western Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian troops had launched an incursion last year.
Putin, who visited the frontline in Kursk this week, raised concerns over how a ceasefire would be enforced in active battle zones.
"If we stop hostilities for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone who is there will leave without a fight?" he asked.
While Putin signaled he might call Trump to discuss the issue, the number of conditions he raised suggests a breakthrough remains distant.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
Nepal has banned access to the Telegram messaging app, citing its role in a growing number of online fraud and money laundering cases across the country.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment