Russia

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, in the first talks at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a notable thaw in contacts between Moscow and a leading European Union power, coming as diplomacy over the war and its aftermath draws renewed attention at the United Nations.

A long-standing dispute dating back to World War II is straining an alliance that Ukraine considers pivotal to its defense, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report highlights how historical grievances between partners supporting Kyiv are complicating cooperation at a time when Ukraine depends heavily on unified Western backing to sustain its war effort against Russia.

Ukraine has carried out what reports describe as its largest drone attack on Moscow, striking on the day of Russian elections. DW News reports fires burning across the Russian capital, calling it a record attack. The strike coincides with voting in Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win another term. The timing has drawn wide attention, highlighting Ukraine's ability to hit targets deep inside Russia and casting a shadow over the vote.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Russia have met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a rare direct encounter between the two governments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine strained ties. Contacts between Berlin and Moscow at ministerial level have been almost nonexistent in recent years, making the meeting notable for diplomacy watchers, though details of what was discussed remain limited.

Ukraine says it hit six strategic oil refineries in Russia in a single week, with targets located up to 1,600 kilometres behind the front line. Kyiv's defence officials describe the facilities as key suppliers of fuel to Russia's occupation forces and defence industry, framing the campaign as a direct answer to Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Diplomats gathered in Switzerland earlier this month to negotiate the first international treaty on lethal autonomous weapons. According to sources, US and Russian delegates pushed to remove draft provisions requiring human review of AI-selected targets, though neither government has confirmed the proposed changes. The talks mark the most serious attempt yet to regulate killer robots, and the reported resistance from major powers is drawing attention to how difficult agreement will be.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in the first meeting of the two countries' top diplomats since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Defending the talks, Wadephul said 'you have to negotiate with opponents', arguing that diplomacy must remain open even with adversaries. The meeting has drawn attention as a notable diplomatic signal between Berlin and Moscow.

The European Union has removed sanctions from Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, and Russian opposition commentator Maxim Katz has published an explainer on the reasons behind the delisting. The move has sparked debate over whether the two businessmen still hold influence in Russia and why the EU chose to ease restrictions while the war in Ukraine continues.

US intelligence has reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks against targets in Southern Europe. According to Spanish daily El Mundo, the intelligence was shared with European governments following communications involving the CIA Director. The report is drawing widespread attention across France, Italy and Spain, with governments facing questions about the threat and preparations for possible drone incidents.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the creation of a new Eurasian security architecture, urging that regional arrangements replace existing frameworks. His remarks, delivered in a United Nations context, renew Moscow's long-standing push for a security order in Eurasia that would reduce the influence of Western-led alliances such as NATO and reshape regional cooperation arrangements.

Ukraine carried out drone strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is seeking another term. The attacks on the Russian capital on election day are being widely discussed as a symbolic show of force, undermining the Kremlin's narrative of normalcy and control while voting takes place during the ongoing war.

European governments and NATO are stepping up preparations for the possibility that the war in Ukraine could expand into a broader confrontation with Russia. The discussion centres on how European militaries are reassessing readiness, defence spending and contingency planning in case hostilities spread beyond Ukraine's borders, a scenario officials increasingly treat as one that must be planned for rather than dismissed.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have held a rare direct meeting at a time of sharply elevated tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Direct high-level contacts between the two governments have been scarce since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, so the talks draw attention as a possible channel for diplomacy, even though no major breakthrough is expected from a single conversation.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on Saturday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, in the first meeting at that level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The talks mark a rare diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power and are drawing attention for what they may signal about the state of relations between Russia and the West.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have met for the first time since 2022, holding talks on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in relations.

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare direct encounter since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, urging Russia to abandon what she called a dangerous escalation of the war. The meeting stands out given the near-total freeze in high-level diplomatic contacts between Berlin and Moscow, and it signals continuing Western efforts to keep channels open even as fighting intensifies.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first talks since 2022, marking a thaw in contacts frozen by the war in Ukraine. The meeting signals a possible opening in Moscow-Berlin relations under Germany's new government, though no agreements have been announced. Analysts are watching whether the exchange points to broader diplomatic re-engagement or remains a one-off courtesy meeting on the margins of the UN.

Russia's Foreign Minister addressed reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, using the traditional press briefing to lay out Moscow's positions to international media. The appearance drew attention as it came amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over the war in Ukraine and broader disputes between Russia and Western members of the Security Council. Observers are watching for signals about Russia's negotiating stance and its relations with the United Nations.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, is warning European leaders against conceding to Russian demands in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Kallas grew up in Soviet-occupied Estonia, and she argues her personal experience of Soviet rule informs her view that appeasing Moscow would only invite further aggression.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met at the United Nations for their first talks since 2022, marking the highest-level direct contact between the two governments since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting signals a possible thaw, or at least a channel of communication, between Moscow and Berlin at a time when European capitals remain divided over how to engage with Russia.

The Ukrainian Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time while also moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned Western countries against rewarding what she described as a Russian intimidation campaign. The Estonian former prime minister argued that yielding to Moscow's pressure would only encourage further aggression. She urged Europe and its allies to stay united and respond firmly rather than accommodate Kremlin threats.

Turkiye has called for the abolition of the veto power held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, reviving a long-running debate over reform of the body. Critics argue the veto paralyzes the council on major crises, while the permanent members — the US, UK, France, Russia and China — have shown little appetite to give it up.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus delivered an address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly during its general debate in New York. The statement comes as member states gather to set out their foreign policy positions before the assembly. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, typically draws attention for its stance on the war in Ukraine and wider East-West tensions.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have met at the United Nations, a rare face-to-face encounter between the two governments amid deep strains over Russia's war in Ukraine. Direct talks between Berlin and Moscow have been almost entirely frozen since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, making even a brief meeting on the sidelines of the UN notable. Observers are watching for any sign of a shift in diplomatic contacts.

Up to €20 billion in unallocated funds from the EU's SAFE defence instrument could be directed to Ukraine, according to TVP World reporting. The Security Action for Europe programme, a €150 billion loan facility for joint defence procurement, has seen slower uptake by member states than planned, leaving surplus cash that Brussels is considering channeling toward Kyiv's defence needs as the war with Russia continues.

European officials are pushing to impose sanctions targeting Russian influence activities, aiming to act before such operations cause further political damage inside the EU. The effort reflects growing concern in Brussels and national capitals over disinformation, covert funding and political interference linked to Moscow. Debates continue over what legal tools would allow the bloc to sanction influence campaigns proactively.