India and Philippines boost trade and naval cooperation
India and the Philippines are deepening trade and defense ties, with both countries set to fast-track a preferential trade agreement and boost maritim...
In a significant development toward de-escalating the ongoing war, Russia on Monday formally presented Ukraine with a comprehensive peace proposal, outlining steps for a full ceasefire and a long-term peace agreement, according to Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation.
Speaking after the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, Medinsky described the draft memorandum as consisting of two core sections—one focused on immediate ceasefire mechanisms, and the other outlining a broader framework for lasting peace. “The document includes multiple scenarios to achieve its goals,” he noted, adding that the Ukrainian delegation received it for detailed review.
Temporary Ceasefire for Humanitarian Efforts
As part of the discussions, Russia offered a temporary ceasefire lasting two to three days along select areas of the front line to facilitate retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies. Both Moscow and Kyiv reportedly agreed to this localized truce, marking a rare moment of humanitarian cooperation amid the protracted conflict.
Medinsky also confirmed Russia’s unilateral plan to return the bodies of 6,000 identified Ukrainian soldiers next week. He described this as a gesture of goodwill intended to ease suffering on both sides.
Ukraine, for its part, acknowledged the limited ceasefire and is said to be preparing a broader proposal to institutionalize such humanitarian pauses.
Major Prisoner Exchange Agreement Reached
The talks also yielded what could become the largest prisoner exchange since the war began. Both parties agreed to an "all-for-all" swap, initially covering:
A joint commission will be established to manage the exchange of seriously injured prisoners, with the goal of minimizing political interference and expediting humanitarian relief.
Addressing Civilian Concerns and Child Reunification
On the sensitive issue of children separated by the conflict, Medinsky denied allegations of abduction, calling Ukraine’s claims “a show for compassionate Europeans.” He said Kyiv had provided a list of 339 children it considers affected. “We return children when their parents or legal guardians are located,” he stated, framing the issue as a humanitarian, not political, matter.
Talks Mark Second Türkiye-Hosted Round
The Istanbul session followed an earlier round of negotiations held at Dolmabahçe Palace on May 16, and reflects a renewed diplomatic momentum driven in part by Turkish mediation. Türkiye has continued to position itself as a neutral host for peace efforts, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently proposing a summit involving Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Though no immediate breakthroughs were announced, the agreements on humanitarian ceasefires, body retrieval, and prisoner exchange signal a cautious but noteworthy step forward in confidence-building between the two warring nations.
Observers say much will depend on Ukraine’s response to the Russian proposal and the political will on both sides to sustain and build upon these initial points of convergence.
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.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
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.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
India and the Philippines are deepening trade and defense ties, with both countries set to fast-track a preferential trade agreement and boost maritime cooperation.
India slammed Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Russian oil imports, sparking rare unity between political rivals and fueling a growing trade rift with Washington.
Japan has secured a significant $6.5 billion defence deal with Australia to build next-generation warships, the Australian government announced on Tuesday.
In a historic first, China has deployed a Kilo-class submarine to dock in Vladivostok as part of the ongoing 'Joint Sea-2025' naval exercises with Russia. The move marks a deepening of military ties between the two nations and highlights their growing alignment amid heightened global tensions.
Deep funding cuts are pushing a generation of children in Sudan to the brink of irreversible harm, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, as humanitarian support is scaled back and malnutrition persists across the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment