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Middle East conflict

Trump, Erdogan tried to set up meeting between US, Iran — news outlet

According to Axios, the attempt failed because the leaders could not contact Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his approval of the meeting

WASHINGTON, June 22. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan attempted to organize a meeting between high-ranking US and Iranian delegations in Istanbul last week, Axios reported, citing its sources.

According to the news outlet, the attempt failed because the leaders could not contact Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his approval of the meeting. Axios reported that the ayatollah is in hiding due to fears of an assassination attempt.

In addition, the news outlet noted that the potential meeting, which would have been attended by US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, should not have been made public. Trump insisted on holding the meeting and even offered to participate in the conversation himself, hoping to reach an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program and prevent US military intervention.

According to Axios’ source, Trump's offer was passed on to Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi after phone talks between Trump and Erdogan. They were unable to reach Khamenei for his approval.

The news outlet also said in the days that followed, Trump and high-ranking White House staff were losing faith in the possibility of a diplomatic settlement. They were becoming increasingly convinced that the US would be forced to carry out an operation to put an end to Iran’s nuclear program.

BRICS strengthens role of African countries in tackling global issues — Russian senator

According to Ivan Novikov, BRICS is a vivid example of how friendly countries of the Global South gain momentum and get more involved in the global agenda

Iranian president says Israel tried to assassinate him

According to Masoud Pezeshkian, the assassination attempt took place a week and a half ago

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

Russian forces move to flank Ukrainian troops in northeast of Donetsk area — analyst

According to Andrey Marochko, there are strategic heights near Dachnoye, where the enemy is "fiercely" resisting

Russia explains reasons for deplorable state of OSCE — Foreign Ministry

It said in a statement that the parties had discussed the situation in the organization

Ukrainian battlegroup trapped near Zelyonaya Dolina in Donetsk region — military expert

Even though the Ukrainian battlegroup’s positions are located on heights, Russian fighters deprived it of safe evacuation and retreat routes, squeezing the enemy forces from two sides, Andrey Marochko said

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Russia values UN role in Cyprus settlement — Russian ambassador

Murat Zyazikov emphasized that Moscow supports "a comprehensive, viable, and fair resolution to the Cyprus question within the established international legal framework outlined in UN Security Council resolutions"

EU to introduce toughest sanctions against Russia — France’s Foreign Minister

Barrot added that sanctions will affect Russian oil revenues, Russian financial players and intermediaries in other countries that help Russia to circumvent restrictive measures

West uses Ukraine in conflict against Russia to prevent its own collapse — Bolivia’s Arce

According to the Bolivian leader, the Ukraine conflict is taking place amid "the fight for geopolitical and economic control of the planet"

US must face reality of dollar’s diminished role globally — Russian foreign minister

Sergey Lavrov noted that the United States under its previous Democratic leadership began to "grossly abuse" the dollar's position in the global economy and the global financial system

Britain does not want peace in Ukraine because of its interest in Odessa seaports — expert

Vladimir Karasev further elaborated that the British authorities were also interested in Ukraine's resources, which have been handed over to them by Vladimir Zelensky under a 100-year agreement

Liberation of Krasnoarmeysk would be major strategic victory for Russia — expert

Andrey Marochko said that Krasnoarmeysk is the key transportation hub that previously connected routes across Ukraine

Israel’s position on humanitarian deliveries to Gaza stalls talks with Hamas — agency

According to the sources, Israel and Hamas have held one round of indirect talks on Monday and are expected to continue later in the day.

Non-oil and gas revenues of Russian budget up 12.7% in January–June 2025

Consistent positive dynamics is noted as regards the receipt of key non-oil and gas revenues by the federal budget and the budgetary system on the whole

Oil and gas revenues of Russian budget down 16.9% in H1 2025 — ministry

Russia's oil and gas revenues totaled 4.74 bln rubles ($60.2 bln)

Israel used record number of fighter jets in strikes on Yemen — Houthi representative

In the early hours of July 7, the Israeli Air Force struck Houthi-controlled targets, which account for about one-third of Yemen’s territory

Kiev rotating troops near Novogrigorovka in Lugansk region at nighttime — expert

Kiev is using light maneuverable vehicles for the transportation of fighters: the vehicles do not approach the engagement line closer than 3 km, Andrey Marochko said

Expert says Trump-Musk feud all big show

Earlier, Elon Musk announced the creation of the America Party political party, officially registering it with the US Federal Election Commission on July 6

Pentagon confirms US plans to send additional 'defensive weapons' to Kiev

Earlier, Donald Trump stated that the US would send Kiev "some more weapons"

Grenade goes off in Ryazan bar: What happened

The blast killed one person

Top Belarusian diplomat condemns unilateral economic sanctions

The minister emphasized that sanctions hamper access to investments and technologies that might be used to mitigate the impact of climate change, protect the environment, and fight against dangerous diseases

Shipments of some US weapons to Ukraine may resume after meetings in Rome, Kiev — Politico

According to the report, the US president’s Ukraine Envoy Keith Kellogg will hold a meeting with Ukraine’s defense chief, Rustem Umerov, at an international aid conference

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 78.72 rubles for July 8

The official yuan rate was set at 10.98 rubles, down a kopeck

Russia’s South battlegroup eliminates two Ukrainian Starlink terminals in DPR

South battlegroup’s operators also destroyed heavy drones near Chasov Yar

Trump announces 35% tariffs on imports from Serbia effective August 1

In addition, Trump has sent notifications regarding the introduction of tariffs to the leaders of several other countries

Putin’s BRICS Summit speech dominates front pages of Brazilian press

The Russian leader delivered his remarks via video link at the summit

Russia protests to Sweden over attack on trade mission in Stockholm — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, Moscow called for comprehensive measures to identify the perpetrators responsible for the ongoing attacks on Russian foreign institutions in Sweden and bring them to justice

Head office of Karapetyan’s Electric Networks of Armenia raided by security

Armenian media reported that law enforcement agencies are currently conducting a search operation in the home of Samvel Karapetyan’s nephew

Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Magic Seas ship in Red Sea

According to Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree, the ship was hit in the hull and the ship began to leak water

Trump’s threats to hit BRICS partners with tariffs irresponsible — Lula da Silva

"I do not think it is responsible and serious that the president of the country of such size as the United States threatened the world on the Internet," the Brazilian leader stated

Musk's political party could divide Republicans, tip midterms to Democrats — expert

On July 5, Musk announced he was founding a new political party after a poll he posted on his X social network page showed that the majority of people supported the idea

Netanyahu announces Trump’s nomination for Nobel Peace Prize

Israeli Prime Minister said that he highly values Trump’s efforts aimed at achieving peace and security in the world, and especially in the Middle East

Iran never tried to assassinate Trump, president says

According to Masoud Pezeshkian, this kind of talk is aimed at "dragging the US into forever wars and to bring more insecurity and stability and unrest to the whole region"

US company no longer searching for investors to fund Kiev — newspaper

According to the news agency, the company initially intended to create a multibillion-dollar fund and announce it at a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction in Rome on July 10-11

Russia’s ex-transport minister committed suicide, investigators say

According to official spokesperson of the Russian Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko, circumstances of the occurrence are being ascertained

Russian troops liberate first community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

WHO needs to be allowed to do its job, must not be swayed by powerful countries — Lavrov

According to the minister, it is important to promote various BRICS initiatives to the WHO, including the BRICS vaccine development center, and the development of public health research networks

Serbian party says country should join BRICS, save itself headache of joining EU

Currently, official EU candidate status has been granted to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and Montenegro

Moldovan authorities persecute opposition — MP

Vadim Fotescu said that it is impossible to bring together opposition activists in Moldova amid threats, surveillance, blackmail, and repression

Diplomat Potapov appointed Russia’s consul general in Sao Paulo — Foreign Ministry

It says Potapov has been in the diplomatic service since 1995 and worked in various positions in the central office of the ministry and abroad

Cuban president says BRICS is symbol of hope for chaos-free world

Miguel Diaz-Canel also noted that the United Nations "badly needs the sweeping reforms countries of the global South have been demanding for half a century"

Federal budget deficit totaled $46.9 bln in H1 2025 — Finance Ministry

The current level of the budget deficit is mainly driven by the advance financing of expenses in January 2025 and the decline in oil and gas receipts but it will not affect performance of target indicators of the structured balance for 2025 on the whole

UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Afghanistan, Russia abstains

The 67-point document was drafted by Germany, Ireland and Sweden and received 116 yes votes

Foreign ministers of Russia, Belarus discuss expanding diplomatic presence

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the parties confirmed "a consistent commitment to close coordination and mutual support on the international arena"

Putin highlights Russia’s contribution to US statehood

The two countries were able to find things that bonded them together, the Russian President said

Residents of Ukrainian-held territories share draft office locations with Russia

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian troops had hit a shopping mall, an assembly plant and storage facilities for attack drones in Ukraine within a day

Lavrov lists terms of peace treaty with Ukraine, including denazification

According to the Russian foreign minister, Moscow has remained open to a diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, but the talks should focus on a lasting peace, not a ceasefire

EU prepares tariffs on US goods worth 116 bln euro, still hopes for deal

The maximum package targets an additional 95 bln euro worth of goods and would cover all key categories of American exports, including Boeing aircraft, automobiles, and bourbon

Russian Railways appoints four more trains between Moscow, St. Petersburg

The company continues recording the high demand for tickets in the service of St. Petersburg - Moscow and back

Attacks on Ukraine’s military enlistment offices strategically sound — expert

Andrey Marochko stressed that today morale in the Ukrainian army is low

Lavrov notes growing differences within NATO

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that NATO’s expansion has done any good to no one

US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites underscore need to boost air defenses, expert says

Andrey Sushentsov pointed out that the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have seriously damaged the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its verification system

Russia’s West battlegroup eliminates 51 Ukrainian UAV command posts, 25 UAVs

At the same time, the group’s Tornado multiple launch rocket system crews struck a temporary deployment point of a Ukrainian mechanized brigade

Teenage Russian actress placed on Ukraine's undesirable persons database

The girl, only 14 years old, becomes one of the youngest individuals on the list

BRICS countries stand united that attacks on civilians unacceptable — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, such a commitment is not "something out of the ordinary, this is a mere reiteration of the commitment to the principles the international community approved by consensus a long time ago"

Lavrov, Fidan reiterate commitment to promoting political settlement of conflicts

The ministers discussed key issues on the bilateral agenda, including the implementation of energy projects

Transneft vice president Andrey Badalov dies in Moscow in apparent suicide

Law enforcement officials told TASS that the deceased had left a farewell note

IN BRIEF: What Lavrov said after BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro

The top Russian diplomat believes the UN Security Council’s current seat distribution is unfair and skewed in the West’s favor

Russian army gains control of five km of border with capture of Bessalovka — expert

Andrey Marochko suggested that in this way the Russian army is preparing a springboard for further advance at Bessalovka, which will allow the Russian army to push the Ukrainian troops away from the Russian border

Russian PM presents nomination to Transport Minister’s office to the State Duma

Andrey Nikitin was earlier appointed as the acting minister by Russian President Vladimir Putin

ByteDance has no plans to sell TikTok to American companies

On June 29, US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Fox News that a "group of very wealthy people" was prepared to acquire TikTok from ByteDance

Growing power struggles could trigger Ukraine’s collapse — news outlet

The publication notes that Kiev faces numerous military challenges, including the absence of a ceasefire agreement, Russian advances in the Sumy region and Donbass, as well as the halt of US weapons deliveries

Russian forces about to liberate Chasov Yar — DPR’s head

According to Pushilin, the operational situation in this front section is favorable

Death toll from Israel’s attack on Iran up to 1,060 — authorities

In the early morning hours of June 13, Israel launched a military operation against Iran

Russia has no intention to 'attack' or 'occupy' Europe — foreign minister

According to Sergey Lavrov, a narrative of Russia as a global threat is being deliberately constructed in Western countries

Russian authorities saw Trump's threats to impose tariffs on BRICS countries — Kremlin

Earlier, the US president warned that additional 10% tariffs would be applied to countries backing the BRICS policy

Death toll from Texas flooding exceeds 100

According to The New York Times, the victims include at least 28 children

EU protracting conflict in Ukraine to avoid painful truth behind misguided aid — opinion

Second, he went on, if peace is established in Ukraine, EU leaders will have to admit that everything they have been doing until this moment was wrong because peace is better than war

Ten people killed in anti-government rallies in Kenya

The largest clashes between protesters and security forces took place in the capital, Nairobi

Airlines cancel 485 flights in Russia over weekend amid restrictions

All airports are currently functioning normally, handling inbound and outbound flights

Trump says US will supply weapons to Ukraine

"We are going to have to send more weapons, defensive weapons primarily," the American stated

Lavrov invites BRICS nations to join international drills in Russia in September

The top Russian diplomat added that Moscow consistently supports developing nations in strengthening healthcare systems and boosting epidemiological security

Iran can defend itself, Pezeshkian says when asked if it needs help from Russia or China

Masoud Pezeshkian also underlined that Iran does not seek to develop a nuclear weapon

US takes Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham organization off terrorist list — secretary of state

The revocation goes into effect upon publication, with the publication date being July 8

Seventeen Russian civilians killed, over 140 injured by Ukrainian attacks in one week

Over 140 people, including eight children, were injured, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry on the Crimes committed by the Kiev Regime Rodion Miroshnik told

Magic Seas ship sinks in Red Sea after Houthi attack

The Magic Seas was en route from China to Turkey, loaded with ferrous metals and fertilizers

Putin appoints Andrey Nikitin as acting transport minister

Andrey Nikitin served as deputy transport minister since February

Territorial integrity principle not applicable to Kiev — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also stressed that the use of the term "annexation" regarding Crimea, Sevastopol, the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, is incorrect and unacceptable

Putin signs law allowing non-Russians to enlist in military

Under the new law, stateless individuals and foreigners will be able to sign contracts and serve in the military until the end of the mobilization period, the termination of martial law or the expiration of wartime

Average Russians not itching to vacation in Afghanistan — expert

According to Oksana Adilova, bilateral tourism between Russia and Afghanistan has certain potential thanks to that country’s rich historical and cultural heritage and traditional ties with Russia

Perpetrators of attacks on Russian Railways facilities to be punished — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister described the attacks on railroad infrastructure and civilian trains as "truly egregious instances of a deliberate attack"

Top Turkish diplomat, UN chief discuss Ukraine, Gaza, Middle East security — sources

Sources didn't give any further details

Three Russians reach Wimbledon quarterfinals, most since 2006

Thus, Mirra Andreeva, Lyudmila Samsonova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova have all earned a spot in the final eight of tennis' most coveted Grand Slam

Lavrov does great work since Rutte even recalls Christ — MFA

Earlier, Mark Rutte awkwardly referred to the times of Jesus Christ in an attempt to discredit Sergey Lavrov’s lasting diplomatic career

Saving global economy requires expelling US from WTO — expert

Kristen Hopewell noted that while this procedure has never been used in the WTO’s history, the legal mechanism for such action exists

Police detain over 500 protestors in Kenya

Earlier reports put the number of detainees at 37

Press review: BRICS summit kicks off in Rio as Musk declares war on Trump and Democrats

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 7th

Recently dismissed transport minister Roman Starovoit found dead in his car: what is known

The death is preliminarily being called a suicide, while the Russian Investigative Committee is working at the scene to establish the circumstances of the incident

Most Russians would keep working even if they didn't have to — poll

According to the study results, Russians have developed a "special" attitude towards work

Trump says he would like to be able to lift US sanctions against Iran

US President also stated that he could hardly imagine a scenario in which the United States would need to resort to military force against Iran again

US-Iran talks may take place next week

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran asked for a meeting

US needs years to replenish weapons sent to Kiev, says former adviser to Pentagon chief

Dan Caldwell noted that Washington recently launched the largest salvo of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles in US military history to defend American servicemen in Qatar during Iranian retaliatory strikes

BRICS makes headway in using national currencies for trade — Indian MFA

According to Dammu Ravi, countries are looking for alternatives as they want to have faster payments for cross-border trade

BRICS' expansion does not make it weaker — Lavrov

"The media are probably projecting their own anxieties, having witnessed NATO’s expansion," the Russian top diplomat said

Belarus seeks full-fledged BRICS membership — foreign minister

Belarus was granted BRICS partner country status in January 2025

Russian forces consistently enveloping Krasnoarmeysk in Donetsk region — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stated that the envelopment of the city will eventually lead to its liberation

What is known about consequences of Ukraine’s overnight drone attack on Russian regions

Drone debris fell on railroad tracks in one of the Voronezh Region’s municipalities, causing several trains to be delayed, Governor Alexander Gusev said

Russia’s East battlegroup eliminates Starlink station, 16 Ukrainian UAV command posts

The group’s forces inflicted losses on personnel and equipment belonging to Ukrainian mechanized brigades, a marine brigade, and a territorial defense brigade

Putin dismisses Russian transport minister

Roman Starovoit was appointed to the post in May 2024

Ukranian Parliament member calls losses in conflict with Russia ‘crazy’

According to Anna Skorokhod, official casualty figures in Ukraine cannot be trusted