Russia has reiterated its willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukraine, but stressed that international recognition of its control over five Ukrainian regions, including Crimea, is "imperative" for any potential settlement of the conflict.
In an interview with Brazilian daily O Globo, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, “We remain open to negotiations, but the ball is not in our court. Kyiv has not shown readiness for negotiations so far.” Lavrov's comments came amid calls from U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire and suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might eventually be willing to concede Crimea as part of a peace deal — a proposal Zelenskyy has rejected in the past.
Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's stance that Ukraine must renounce its aspirations of NATO membership and adopt a neutral, non-aligned status as part of the final resolution to the conflict, which he argued should address Russia’s security concerns.
Since the war began in February 2022, Russia has claimed control over large parts of four Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia — in addition to Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014. These territorial annexations have been condemned by Kyiv, with Zelenskyy vowing to reclaim all territories occupied by Russian forces. The U.S., the EU, Türkiye, and numerous other countries have denounced Russia's annexation of Crimea as illegal, with no international recognition of the territory’s new status.
The ongoing war and Russia’s territorial claims continue to be key stumbling blocks in any meaningful peace negotiations, with international diplomacy still working to find a path toward resolution.
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova arrived in North Korea on Saturday with a large delegation, calling cultural ties between Moscow and Pyongyang stronger than ever.
Ukraine's Security Service carried out overnight airstrikes on a Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea, reportedly destroying three helicopters and a key air defense system.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 28th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A Russian drone strike on a residential high-rise in Odesa killed two people and injured at least 14, including three children.
The Kremlin has voiced strong concern over Estonia’s readiness to host NATO’s nuclear-capable F-35A jets, calling the move an immediate danger to Russia.
Uzbekistan’s gold exports rose by 54.8 percent in the first five months of 2025, reaching 6.49 billion U.S. dollars, official data shows.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will hold talks with Lotus after the carmaker moved to ease concerns over the future of its UK factory.
A notorious hacking group known as “Scattered Spider” has breached the networks of several airlines in the US and Canada this month, according to the FBI and cybersecurity experts.
Severe storms overnight triggered mass flight cancellations and delays at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, just as the busy 4th of July travel period begins.
France will impose its toughest outdoor smoking restrictions starting Monday, banning smoking at beaches, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
Severe storms overnight triggered mass flight cancellations and delays at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, just as the busy 4th of July travel period begins.
Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova arrived in North Korea on Saturday with a large delegation, calling cultural ties between Moscow and Pyongyang stronger than ever.
The U.S. Senate advanced President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill after Republicans resolved concerns over rural hospitals and state tax deductions.
Poland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council ends Sunday, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighting defence spending and migration policies as key outcomes.
Polish President Andrzej Duda made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Saturday, where he was awarded Ukraine’s Order of Freedom for his support during the ongoing war with Russia.
Uzbekistan’s gold exports rose by 54.8 percent in the first five months of 2025, reaching 6.49 billion U.S. dollars, official data shows.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will hold talks with Lotus after the carmaker moved to ease concerns over the future of its UK factory.
A notorious hacking group known as “Scattered Spider” has breached the networks of several airlines in the US and Canada this month, according to the FBI and cybersecurity experts.
Severe storms overnight triggered mass flight cancellations and delays at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, just as the busy 4th of July travel period begins.
France will impose its toughest outdoor smoking restrictions starting Monday, banning smoking at beaches, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
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