
Kremlin says Putin and Zelenskyy can only meet as final step to peace deal
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it was unlikely that such a meeting could occur by the end of August, as Ukraine as proposed. He once again described the two sides' negotiating positions as 'diametrically opposed.'

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Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Russian and Chinese navies carry out artillery and anti-submarine drills in Sea of Japan
The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet was quoted as saying on Sunday. The drills are taking place two days after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in 'the appropriate regions' in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The maneuvers are part of exercises titled 'Maritime Interaction-2025' which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practice anti-submarine and air defense missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a 'no-limits' strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called 'highly provocative' remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war.


Al Arabiya
9 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Ukraine's drone attack sparks fire at oil depot in Russia's Sochi, governor says
More than 120 firefighters were trying to extinguish a blaze at an oil depot in the Russian city of Sochi that was sparked by a Ukrainian drone attack, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said early on Sunday on the Telegram messaging app. In the Krasnodar region on the Black Sea where Sochi is located, a fuel tank with a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters (70,000 cubic feet) was on fire, Russia's RIA news agency reported, citing emergency officials. The Russian defense ministry said in its daily morning report on Telegram that its air defense units destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one over the Krasnodar region and 60 over the waters of the Black Sea. The ministry reports only how many drones its units destroy, not how many Ukraine launched. Rosaviatsia, Russia's civil aviation authority, temporarily halted flights at Sochi's airport to ensure air safety before saying on Telegram that flights resumed as of 0200 GMT on Sunday. Reuters could not independently verify the reports. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. The attack, which Kondratyev said was in the Adler district of the coastal resort city, would be Ukraine's latest on infrastructure inside Russia that Kyiv deems key to Moscow's war efforts. A woman was killed in the Adler district in a Ukrainian drone attack late last month, but attacks on Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, have been infrequent in the war that Russia launched in February 2022. The Krasnodar region is home to the Ilsky refinery near the city of Krasnodar, among the largest in southern Russia and a frequent target of Ukraine's drone attacks. Also on Sunday, the governor of Voronezh region in southern Russia said four people were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike that caused several fires, while Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, according to the military administration of the Ukrainian capital. The Russian defense ministry said that its units destroyed 18 Ukrainian drones over the Voronezh region that borders Ukraine.


Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
India to keep buying Russian oil despite Trump remarks: Report
NEW DELHI — India will continue purchasing discounted oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that New Delhi would halt such imports, according to multiple media reports Saturday. The New York Times, citing two senior Indian officials, said India has no plans to stop buying Russian crude, while Russian state news agency Tass quoted a government source in New Delhi as saying there were 'no indications' of any policy change. The source added that Indian refineries would keep making purchases based on pricing and other economic considerations. Trump told reporters, 'I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step. We'll see what happens.' The U.S. president has repeatedly accused India of unfair trade practices and maintaining extensive energy and arms ties with Russia. On Wednesday, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Indian goods, escalating trade tensions between the two countries. — Agencies