{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Middle East conflict

Erdogan ally once again calls to create ‘Jerusalem Agreement’ against Israel

Turkish Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli urged Syria, Iraq, and Egypt to join the agreement in 2024

ISTANBUL, June 2. /TASS/. Turkish Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli has once again called to create the ‘Jerusalem Agreement’ alliance to counter Israel’s expansion.

The Turkish politician first proposed founding such a regional military-political and economic alliance under Turkey’s leadership in 2024. He urged Syria, Iraq, and Egypt to join it.

"It is necessary to create ‘Jerusalem Agreement’ in order for the Islamic world to rise again, and the region to see sustainable peace and stability. It is time to take our August 5, 2024 statement on the formation of a regional alliance seriously. This alliance will encompass all areas of dialogue and cooperation. The Islamic world should rise up and show Israeli banditry its place. Palestine should be liberated. The Holy Land should see peace. The shadow of imperialism looming over the Islamic world should vanish forever," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s advisor said, speaking in the parliament.

Bahceli traditionally takes a harsh anti-Iranian position, accusing the country’s authorities of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Merz considers support for Kiev, sanctions to be 'right way' to end conflict

Germany will not weaken its efforts to support Ukraine, the German chancellor said

Romania incident after Zelensky's appeal to Trump no coincidence — Russian Envoy

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya noted that the drone incident occurred the day after Vladimir Zelensky's appeal to Donald Trump requesting missiles for the American Patriot air defense systems

UN, IAEA trying to play both sides on Zaporozhye NPP issue — Russian Envoy

Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that vague wording and unsubstantiated calls for peace are incapable of defusing the current intensity of escalation

AfD representatives to attend SPIEF to promote Germany’s economic interests

The party representative stressed that the lawmakers’ trip had been approved by the faction

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Russia’s hand-launched Sokol-I UAV interceptor destroys Leleka, Hornet drones

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the Sokol-I drone can be hand-launched in a matter of seconds, without the use of additional equipment

Ukraine jeopardizes international navigation in Black Sea — experts

The threat to merchant vessels in exclusive economic zones of Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia "is assessed as elevated and likely to persist through the summer operating season," the company said

FSB exposes scheme of wiretapping high-ranking Russian officials

The installation of spyware onto the phones of high-ranking Russian officials became one of the largest operations by foreign special services, an FSB operative said

Serbia could turn against Russia after elections — Vulin

Aleksandar Vulin expressed confidence that a government, formed by pro-Western forces, would do everything possible to destroy relations with Russia and become its enemy

IN BRIEF: What is known about France’s seizure of Tagor tanker in Atlantic Ocean

According to preliminary information, the captain of the Tagor tanker seized by the French Navy is a Russian citizen, the embassy in Paris said

Battlegroup Center downs approximately 600 Baba Yaga heavy drones

The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that the battlegroup's unmanned systems personnel support the offensive operations of its assault teams on a daily basis

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian attacks aftermath, fire at Ilsky oil refinery, 148 downed UAVs

Drone debris also fell on the grounds of a facility in Alekseyevka in the Belgorod Region, causing a building and the equipment inside it to catch fire

Serbian president says he has no plans to run for another term in office

Aleksandar Vucic said that he might return as the country's prime minister

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

What we know about Russia's delivering retaliatory strike on Ukrainian military sites

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the goals of the strike were achieved

Datacenters’ installed capacity to grow to 4.3 GW — article

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, power consumption by datacenters in Russia increases by about 18% every year

Russia’s victory to ensure full protection for Zaporozhye nuke plant — facility’s chief

According to Yury Chernichuk, all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the plant’s safety

Press review: Israel attack in Lebanon sparks war as Hormuz crisis may hit global finance

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 2nd

Kremlin says receives no reaction from Romania to Putin's comment about downed drone

Earlier, the Russian leader stated that Moscow would conduct an objective investigation if it got access to the wreckage in the incident

Ukraine fires artillery at Kursk border region 120 times over past 24 hours

In total, 111 enemy UAVs of various types were shot down

Trump says talks with Iran proceeding ‘at rapid pace’

The Iranian news agency reported earlier that Tehran had suspended indirect talks and exchanges of messages with US representatives

PM describes EAEU leaders’ resolution on referendum in Armenia as balanced one

Nikol Pashinyan noted that until Armenia officially applied for full EU membership, there was no real ground for a referendum

Industrial infrastructure sustains damage in Ukraine’s Odessa Region

The authorities did not disclose the exact location of the facility

Western special services can access smartphones, expert warns

Alexander Perelygin warned that after a smartphone has been tapped, a special technology can be used for processing huge volumes of data using artificial intelligence

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Lebanese parliament speaker tells US that Hezbollah is ready for ceasefire — media

US officials said they don’t think that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would agree on a total ceasefire

Russian diplomat draws UNSC attention to Romanian statements’ inconsistency

Vasily Nebenzya noted that initially Romanian officials spoke about an allegedly deliberate Russian strike on a civilian facility, but just a few hours later Romanian President Nicusor Dan adjusted his position

Iran not to tolerate further naval blockade, escalation in Lebanon — adviser to Khamenei

Mohsen Rezaee warned that the patience of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran was not unlimited

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Russia develops drone detectors for intercepting Ukraine’s Hornet UAVs — expert

There are already two detectors operating in the Hornet’s operating zone, Igor Potapov said

Power of fireball explosion over the US reaches 300 tons of TNT — NASA

An official at the authority says that the fireball broke up at a speed above 120,000 km per hour

Objective probe into Romania incident requires drone debris handover to Russia — envoy

"All the circumstances of the incident should have been established through a thorough, objective, and depoliticized investigation, primarily involving the Russian side," Vasily Nebenzya said

Kremlin comments on whitelists, tanker detention by France, visa issue with Serbia

Russia considers the detention of its tanker vessel by France as an illegal move akin to piracy, Dmitry Peskov stated

Russia strongly condemns Israel's aggression against Lebanon — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya noted that Moscow demands the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese lands

Iranian foreign minister urges public to ignore rumors about talks with US

Abbas Araghchi said that it is premature to draw any conclusions

US president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructure

Donald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hell

Putin’s instructions to the military following Staroblesk attack already there — Kremlin

The Russian president earlier said that "the Kiev leadership has decided to turn a new page in the series of its crimes"

Putin’s remarks on new nature of conflict, Russian strikes: new briefing from Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the conflict in Ukraine could be resolved by the end of the day if Vladimir Zelensky ordered his troops to withdraw from Russian regions

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

NATO seeks to change government in Serbia — former deputy PM

According to Aleksandar Vulin, NATO countries "would be very pleased and glad to see Serbia in ruins as a result of instability and shocks"

Putin’s call with Pashinyan, Lithuania’s statements on UAVs, SPIEF guest: Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow had never revealed the guest of honor and who will host the plenary session at SPIEF beforehand

IN BRIEF: What to know of attacks on Novorossiya highway, Donbass Dome, protection

Head of the Zaporozhye Region Yevgeny Balitsky said that the authorities had set up detours to bypass the Novorossiya highway

IN BRIEF: What to know of FSB exposed wiretapping scheme against Russian officials

According to the report, the spyware enabled hackers to wiretap calls and provided audio-and video-control near affected devices

Britain confirms it helped France seize alleged Russian tanker in Atlantic Ocean

According to the report, the UK provided support to the French Navy in "monitoring and tracking" the vessel

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

Group of mercenaries from Germany, UK destroyed in Zaporozhye Region — security forces

Among the dead are Jason Largan Jaycee, born in 2003, and Laterman Philippe Maximilian, born in 2000

Serbia will not drop plans to join EU, president says

Aleksandar Vucic noted that Belgrade will do its job to meet the criteria for accession

Ex-Polish Ambassador refuses Ukrainian Order due to glorification of Banderites

Bartosz Cichocki surrendered the Order of Merit, 2nd Class, which Vladimir Zelensky had presented to him in June 2022

UAC starts supplies of Tu-214 passenger jet

The Tu-214 is the Russian twin-engine medium-haul passenger airplane, designed to make flights to a distance up to 4,500 km.

Vucic says Serbia will not abolish visa-free travel with Russia

According to the Serbian President, even if someone makes such a decision, it will be immediately overturned

EU deliberately turning blind eye to crimes of Zelensky regime — Russian envoy to UN

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces have been launching strikes on the nuclear power plant and its satellite town of Energodar for a long time

Full ban on Russian oil will not be included in new EU sanctions package — Politico

Sources indicate that proposals for a full ban on Russian oil and maritime services restrictions do not yet have sufficient support among EU member states

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Trump says agrees with Israel, Hezbollah on ceasefire terms in Lebanon

The US leader had a very productive call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and highly placed representatives of Hezbollah

Fire breaks out at Ilsky oil refinery in Kuban after drone attack

According to preliminary reports, there are no casualties

Zelensky torpedoes Trump’s peace efforts while asking for more money — ex-spokesperson

According to Yulia Mendel, it’s typical of Zelensky to insult his "biggest donor," while asking for more financial assistance

Detained Tagor tanker to anchor in bay in West France - prefecture

The tanker will be placed in a no-flight area

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Russia to introduce restrictions on fruit imports from Armenia since June 2

Rosselkhoznadzor records more frequent instances of violations during supplies of Armenian fruits to Russia

Putin says those responsible for attack on Starobelsk won't escape punishment

The Russian leader asked the prosecutor general and the Investigative Committee chairman to report about the work to identify the criminals

Georgia plans meeting with Russia’s representative this week

The meeting will take place in a European country

US strikes Iranian radar, command posts — CENTCOM

According to CENTCOM, the strikes came in response to Iran’s downing of a US MQ-1 drone

Trump to continue blockade of Iran if talks terminated — TV

According to the US leader, this does not mean a resumption of hostilities

Russian troops liberate Tikhonovka community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,335 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Draft agreement with US provides for formalizing deal through UNSC — Iranian MFA

Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the sides are still at the stage of discussing basic principles

Kiev troops shell DPR nine times over past day

Reports were received on the killing of two civilians and the wounding of four others

Two Russian military-transport aviation regiments re-equipped with Il-76-MD-90A aircraft

Military-Transport Aviation Commander Lieutenant General Vladimir Benediktov added that previously commissioned equipment is also being modernized

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Russia launches massive attack on Ukrainian defense plants — top brass

The attack was launched in response to the Kiev regime’s terrorist acts

EU preparing for possible energy supply crisis due to conflict in Iran — Spanish newspaper

The EC assures that there is currently no risk to supplies, though markets are feeling the impact of rising Brent crude oil prices, which has led to higher gas and oil prices in Europe

Over 160 Kursk residents back home, meeting Ukrainian ombudsman: statements by Lantratova

The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner in Russia is clarifying the number of residents of the Kursk region who are being held on the territory of Ukraine

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Over one million people participate in United Russia primaries in Moscow agglomeration

10 million people took part in the preliminary voting overall

Press review: Iran, US struggle on deal as Russia warns of potential strike on Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 1st

Ukrainian attacks kill 35 Russians, injure more than 180 over week — diplomat

The largest number of civilian casualties was recorded in the Belgorod, Kherson, Zaporozhye Regions, as well as in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Rodion Miroshnik said

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

Seven Kiev neighborhoods damaged after series of explosions — mayor

In some places, fires ensued

Hezbollah says launched missile attack on Israel’s Tiberias

High-presidion missiles were used to hit enemy targets

Over 20 children killed in Ukraine’s attacks on Belgorod Region since 2022

"Since 2022, as many as 243 children have been wounded in the Belgorod Region," Alexander Shuvayev said

Drone debris damages home in Sevastopol as air defenses down seven UAVs

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said the Russian military repelled two Ukrainian attacks on Sevastopol last night

Lukoil, Rosneft may be included in new EU sanctions package — Politico

The publication notes that the European Commission may present proposals for the 21st sanctions package as early as next week

Iran-US agreement could be finalized next week — Trump

The American leader pointed out that he had not agreed to the previous version of the document because he still has to get a few more points" to be included in the memorandum

Trump faces mounting political crisis — CNN

According to the TV channel, one of the most serious problems remains finding a way out of the conflict with Iran

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Kremlin explains Putin’s words on Ukraine conflict acquiring new dimension

The Russian leader earlier stated that with their gravest crimes against children, "the Kiev leadership has opened a new page in their crimes, giving the Ukrainian conflict a new dimension"

France's statements on Tagor tanker are example of Europe's legal nihilism — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that international treaties do not provide for the possibility of forcibly rerouting a vessel and escorting it from the high seas to a port of the warship's country

French seizure of Russian tanker vessel illegal move that borders on piracy — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov called Paris's actions illegal

Russian Embassy in Paris doing everything to protect Russians on Tagor tanker — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that the vessel was "allegedly flying a 'false' flag"

Russian troops contribute to stability in Syria — diplomat

Georgy Borisenko stressed that Russian troops don’t carry out any military operations against other countries from Syrian territory

Romania convened UN Security Council to fuel another anti-Russian wave — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that Romania made unsubstantiated and biased accusations against Russia

Upper house speaker slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as geopolitical mistake

Valentina Matviyenko emphasized that this intervention has destabilized the Middle East, triggering an energy crisis, yet it ultimately changes nothing

Lithuanian charge d'affaires summoned to Russian foreign ministry, issued resolute protest

A protest was issued in connection with the latest barbaric plans of the Lithuanian authorities to dismantle a burial site holding Soviet soldiers and officers in the city of Vievis

Conflict may conclude by day's end if Ukrainian forces leave Russian regions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Zelensky must order his armed forces to withdraw from Russia to achieve this

NATO forces intercept missile presumably launched from Iran — Turkish Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, "all necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at Turkey's territory and airspace"

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire became cover for further aggression — Russian envoy to UN

According to Vasily Nebenzya, while the international community awaited the next round of talks scheduled, "the Israelis continued to methodically expand their occupation zone"

Moscow vows response to Romania's closure of Russian consulate in Constanta

"The unfriendly actions of the Romanian authorities will not go unanswered," Maria Zakharova stated

Analyst expects next phase of US-Iran conflict to be most tense

According to Marat Zembatov, the parties to the conflict "have obtained greater room for maneuver" following a pause

Su-75 Checkmate fighter developed for Russian Defense Ministry, foreign customers — UAC

According to CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, Vadim Badekha, the main advantage of the single-engine fighter is the lower cost of the aircraft itself and the costs of its operation

Air defenses destroy 33 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within 12-hour period

In particular, drones were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk Regions and the Republic of Crimea

US discussing additional deployments of nukes in Europe — FT

According to sources, the talks may not lead to any changes in nuclear-sharing agreements, as the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to show commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella to its NATO allies