Leaders of eight EU countries bordering Russia will demand targeted defense funding in the next long-term budget of the bloc at a summit in Helsinki. This is due to growing concerns about Russia's aggressive actions, which are testing their borders.
Russia continues a large-scale campaign to falsify historical memory, using pseudo-historical "research" for informational influence on neighboring states. In particular, in 2025, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations published a 400-page "History of Lithuania" with a preface by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov effectively rejected seven points of the 28-point peace plan proposed by the United States. This includes points regarding territorial exchange based on the line of contact and providing reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia submitted additional proposals to the US on collective security guarantees. He emphasized that the guarantees cannot be limited to Ukraine alone.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated the need for security guarantees for all parties in the war in Ukraine. He also noted that Donald Trump sincerely seeks to resolve the conflict through political and diplomatic methods.
Sergei Lavrov's report to the Federation Council showed that the Kremlin is ready to speak only the language of threats. He accused the West of "animalistic Russophobia" and threatened war for "hostile steps."
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, stated that Russia "is working for peace, not a truce. " He emphasized that "stable, guaranteed, long-term peace" is an absolute priority for the Russian Federation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced an alleged "agreement" with the US to continue working on ending the war in Ukraine. He positively assessed US President Donald Trump's "peace plan."
The Russian Foreign Ministry once again stressed that they do not plan to agree to new terms of the peace plan, but remain committed to the agreement in Anchorage and the plans for the "SVO".
Changes to the US peace plan, which emerged after meetings between American and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva, could force Putin to reject the proposal. Russia will resist any deviation from the maximalist positions that were in the original plan.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held successful talks with Russian officials in the UAE. Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov is also in Abu Dhabi for meetings.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Europe should not count on negotiations with Russia, as its elites seek Russia's "strategic defeat. " He also noted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his entourage are making contradictory statements regarding the US peace plan.
The Kremlin consistently reaffirms its initial war demands, which include Ukraine's "neutrality," the removal of legitimate Ukrainian authorities, and the establishment of a pro-Russian government. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the war in Ukraine is intended to "reliably guarantee Russia's security" and "thwart NATO and EU plans" to turn Ukraine into a "puppet state."
Former President of Georgia and ex-head of the Odesa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili appealed to Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a request to include him in the list of civilian prisoners of the war against Russia. Saakashvili, who is a citizen of Ukraine, claims that his persecution is related to the war, and that his poisoning and imprisonment were demanded by Putin.
The defense of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk region continues, Russian occupiers have no success in the offensive on Rivne. The spokesman for the Russian dictator and the Russian foreign minister are asking Trump to return to talks with Putin about peace.
Emails confirm Jeffrey Epstein's attempt, a month before Trump's meeting with Putin in 2018, to pass information about Trump to Russia's top diplomat. He also corresponded about the US president's political decisions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Moscow's readiness to act within the framework of obligations stipulated by agreements with Venezuela. This comes amid the US modernization of a military base near Venezuela and Russia's activity in the region.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine are mandatory conditions for ending the war. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine called these words confirmation that Russia's goal is the destruction of Ukrainian statehood.
Sergei Lavrov risks losing his post as Russian Foreign Minister if he fails to prevent the strengthening of the US position in relations with Russia. The recorded absence of the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry at important events may indicate disapproval in the Kremlin of the "deterioration" of relations with the Trump administration.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated his readiness to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but insisted on taking into account Moscow's interests during the discussion of the war in Ukraine. He also touched upon the issues of resuming air travel and returning diplomatic property.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov denied media reports that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov had lost Putin's favor, stating that the minister continues to lead Russia's diplomacy. However, Lavrov was absent from an important meeting in Moscow, and the 75-year-old minister will not attend the G20 summit, which was previously his prerogative.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called for Putin to be told to stop the war, reacting to Russia's statements about continuing negotiations in the "Istanbul format. " The Ukrainian delegation previously visited Istanbul for negotiations, but the Russian side put forward ultimatums.
The planned summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest has been canceled due to Russia's tough demands regarding Ukraine. The decision was made after a tense conversation between diplomats.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó was in Minsk on Tuesday, where he used Russian in his speech during the Eurasian conference. The Budapest representative met with the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, after which he announced Russia's openness to a summit with the United States.
According to analysts, the Kremlin is intensifying cognitive warfare to force the US to make decisions favorable to Russia regarding the war in Ukraine, accusing them of inability to negotiate. Russian officials accuse Donald Trump of obstructing peace talks by refusing Russia's maximalist demands.
The statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about Putin's readiness to accept the US concept for Ukraine is a manipulation. The Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine states that Moscow is imitating peaceful intentions without practical actions.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that relations with North Korea are "going according to plan" during a meeting with DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that readiness for a meeting between Putin and Trump remains, although the dates have not been set. Earlier, a meeting in Budapest was canceled due to unsuccessful preparatory talks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy predicts that new US sanctions against Russian oil companies could cut oil exports by 50%, leading to Russia losing up to $5 billion monthly. He also notes the rise of anti-American rhetoric in Russian media after these sanctions were imposed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Vladimir Putin was ready to end the war in Ukraine based on the American concept. This statement was made during a meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska.
