After months of stalling, Russia blames Ukraine, US for slow pace of peace talks
The Kremlin said the pace of negotiations hinges on Ukraine's position, the effectiveness of U.S. mediation, and battlefield developments.
United States
CIA says US strikes dealt years-long blow to Iran’s nuclear program, AP reports
CIA Director John Ratcliffe told U.S. lawmakers that most of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium likely remains buried under rubble at the Isfahan and Fordo nuclear sites, two of the three key facilities targeted by U.S. strikes.
US, Russian spy chiefs agree to keep direct line open, Moscow says
"I had a phone call with my American counterpart, and we reserved for each other the possibility to call each other at any time and discuss issues of interest to us," the Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin said.
'It's time to move your bill' — Senator says Congress will soon vote on new Russian sanctions after talks with Trump
"For the first time yesterday the president told me... he says, 'it's time to move your bill'," Graham said in an interview with ABC News, stressing that it would be Trump's purview as to whether the bill would ultimately be signed into law.
McDonald's to open 10 new restaurants in Ukraine this year, NYT reports
The 10 new locations will bring the total number close to 120 — more than were operating in Ukraine before the war.
Half of Americans support sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil and gas, poll finds
In a YouGov survey conducted June 12-16, 24% of U.S. adults said they "strongly support" sanctioning Russian energy buyers while 25% said they "somewhat support" secondary sanctions against these countries.
'Without question' — Trump says US would consider bombing Iran again, halts plans to ease sanctions
The United States would consider bombing Iran again if the country's nuclear program once again became of concern, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters during a press briefing on June 27.
Russia ready to hold third round of peace talks with Ukraine, Putin says
Russia is ready to hold a third round of peace talks on the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on June 27, without specifying if he would directly participate in the negotiations.
Ukraine seeks Zelensky-Putin meeting as next step in ceasefire negotiations
"After completing discussions on humanitarian issues, Ukraine plans to move forward to the topic of a leaders' summit for substantive dialogue," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said during a press briefing on June 26.
Trump wants to slash war crimes investigation funds, Reuters reports
One of the groups targeted for termination is Global Rights Compliance, which gathers evidence of Russian war crimes across Ukraine, including torture and sexual violence.
Trump vowed at NATO summit that Russia won’t attack alliance during his presidency, WP reports
U.S. President Donald Trump promised during the NATO summit in The Hague that Russia would never attack the alliance while he is in office, the Washington Post reported on June 26, citing three unnamed European officials.
Kyrgyz citizen pleads guilty to illegally exporting US firearms to Russia
"The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia," U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York said.
Trump gets king’s treatment at NATO summit while Ukraine sits on the sidelines
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — As NATO leaders convened in The Hague for a two-day summit on June 24–25, allies and Kyiv braced for the first annual meeting since U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office. With the Israel-Iranian conflict dominating the news and the summit agenda focused on
Taking lessons from Ukraine war, Trump's US defense budget prioritizes drones, missiles
The budget includes increased investment in small drones, a response to their proven battlefield value in Ukraine.
Meloni tells Trump US must show 'same determination' on Ukraine as with Iran
"I said the same determination is needed to achieve two other important ceasefires," Meloni said.
Diplomacy or deal-making? Unpacking the U.S.-Belarus prisoner deal
After a high-level U.S. visit to Belarus led to the release of 14 prisoners, observers have been left wondering what autocrat Alexander Lukashenko may have secured in return. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg’s visit to Minsk on June 21
Trump signals support for sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine
"They (Ukraine) do want to have the anti missiles. As they call them, the Patriots, and we're going to see if we can make some available," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
'It's possible' — Trump on Putin's territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine
"I consider him (Russian President Vladimir Putin) a person I think is misguided," U.S. President Donald Trump said speaking at a NATO press conference in The Hague on June 25.
Zelensky, Trump hold talks on NATO summit sidelines
"We covered all the truly important issues," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer."
'Crushing' Russia with sanctions would jeopardize Ukraine peace talks, Rubio says
"If we did what everybody here wants us to do, and that is come in and crush them with more sanctions, we probably lose our ability to talk to them about the ceasefire and then who's talking to them?" U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
US citizen wanted for child sex crimes arrested in Ukraine after 30 years on the run
According to U.S. law enforcement, the suspect worked as the director of a preschool in Pima County, Arizona, and committed a series of sexual offenses against four children aged 4 to 9 between 1984 and 1991.
'Treasonous' — Trump, Witkoff slam intel leak undermining US strikes on Iran, insist nuclear targets 'obliterated'
"It goes without saying that leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on, is outrageous. It's treasonous," U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said during an appearance on Fox News.
Lithuania signs memorandum with Northrop Grumman, Nammo amid Russian threat to regional security
Lithuania has signed a memorandum with American defense firm Northrop Grumman and Norwegian Nammo to secure the production of ammunition amid Russia's war against Ukraine, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced.
Strikes didn’t destroy Iran’s nuclear sites, US intel finds, contradicting Trump, CNN reports
The U.S. intelligence assessment, based on a battle damage report from Central Command, contradicts public statements by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who claimed the operation had "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
More empty threats from Washington, more deadly bombs from Russia
The ongoing and escalating slaughter of Ukrainian civilians depends on two preconditions: Moscow’s determination to erase Ukraine, and the tacit permission it receives from America and Europe. On Monday, a Russian missile tore through a residential building in Kyiv, leaving at least six civilians dead and over a dozen
Trump says Putin called him to offer help with Iran
"He (Vladimir Putin) said, can I help you with Iran? I said, 'no, I don't need help with Iran. I need help with you,'" Donald Trump said.
Iran strikes show peace can be achieved through strength, US Ambassador to NATO says
U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities demonstrated how precision military action can achieve rapid peace, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said.
Trump downplays Iran's missile strikes on US bases in Iraq and Qatar, calls response 'very weak'
At least 10 missiles were fired at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and at least one toward a base in Iraq, Axios reported.
Amid Iran-Israel tensions, Trump calls for action to keep oil prices down
The surge in oil prices risks undermining Western attempts to curb Russia's war funding, as the Kremlin relies heavily on oil revenues to sustain its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine calls for an end to Iran’s nuclear program in wake of US strikes
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said on June 22 that Iran’s nuclear program must be dismantled to prevent it from threatening the Middle East or the wider world, following U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran's top diplomat to meet Putin in Moscow after US air strikes on nuclear sites
"We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said with reference to Russia.
Ukraine evacuates 176 citizens, foreigners from Israel ahead of US strikes on Iran, Zelensky says
The foreign nationals evacuated by Ukraine included citizens of the U.S., Moldova, Latvia, Azerbaijan, and Estonia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
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