Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations plan to tighten sanctions on Russia at their summit in Japan this week, with steps aimed at energy and exports aiding Moscow’s war effort, said officials with direct knowledge of the discussions. New measures announced by the leaders during the May 19-21 meetings will target sanctions evasion … Read moreG7 leaders to target Russian energy, trade in new sanctions steps
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday Kyiv and its allies could make a Russian defeat “irreversible” as early as this year as he secured a bumper new military package on a trip to Germany. The visit formed part of a whirlwind weekend tour of several key European allies to drum up military and financial … Read moreZelenskiy in Berlin: we can make Russia’s defeat ‘irreversible’
Moscow has acknowledged that its forces had fallen back north of the battlefield city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, in a retreat that the head of Russia’s Wagner private army called a “rout”. The setback for Russia comes after reports of Ukrainian advances around the city and suggests a coordinated push by Kyiv to encircle … Read moreRussian troops ‘fall back to regroup’ north of Ukraine’s Bakhmut
Iran has released two French citizens, Bernard Phelan and Benjamin Briere, from a prison in the northeastern city of Mashhad, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. “We will continue to work towards the return of those of our fellow nationals who are still detained in Iran,” Macron said on Friday on Twitter. Ties between France … Read moreTwo French citizens leave Iran after release from prison: Paris
Turkey’s voters head to the polls on Sunday in an election that will not only determine the country’s domestic policies but could also influence Sweden’s NATO membership. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Finland and Sweden abandoned decades of military neutrality and applied a year ago to join the world’s largest military alliance in an effort to … Read moreWhat Turkey’s elections mean for Sweden’s NATO membership
Russia has denied that Ukrainian forces have made a breakthrough in the bloody battle for the city of Bakhmut while the United Kingdom has become the first country to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles. Ukraine has for months requested long-range missiles from its Western allies but has only received shorter-range weapons as supporters feared … Read moreRussia denies Ukraine push in Bakhmut, UK to send cruise missiles
French journalist Arman Soldin, who worked for the AFP news agency, has been killed in a rocket attack in Chasiv Yar, near the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, the 16th journalist to be killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Soldin was with a team of AFP journalists travelling with … Read moreFrench journalist killed in rocket attack in Ukraine
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne powered home a rasping low shot from distance in the 67th minute to earn his side a 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in their Champions League semifinal first leg. City dominated the match on Tuesday in the early stages but it was Real who took the lead as Vinicius … Read moreKevin De Bruyne strike earns Man City 1-1 draw at Real Madrid
Victory Day was one of the most important celebrations across the Soviet Union. Moscow chose to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 on May 9, a day later than the West, because it was already past midnight in the Soviet capital when the instrument of surrender was signed in defeated Berlin. For Russian … Read moreThis Victory Day, Putin has no victory to celebrate
British police have expressed regret over the arrests of the leader of an anti-monarchist group and five others at the coronation of King Charles, following criticism that the security response was heavy-handed. London’s Met Police said they were sorry that six of those arrested at the event were prevented from protesting during the coronation on … Read moreUK police ‘regret’ coronation day protests amid rights concerns