European leaders have condemned Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil.
Trump issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea in a bid to stabilise global energy markets.
Volodymyr Zelensky said the move could net Moscow as much as $10bn to support Vladimir Putin’s war on his country. European Council president Antonio Costa said the move was "very concerning" and German chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised it as the "wrong" decision.
Zelensky expressed frustration over waning attention on the Ukraine war amid the crisis with Iran, saying it was “understandable that the attention of the world is moving to the Middle East" but that "it's not good for us".
Zelensky also blamed the Middle East conflict for slowing down peace talks to end the Ukraine war, saying that American negotiators had told Kyiv the "security situation barred them from leaving the US" for the next round of talks.
Russia has said it doesn't want to take part in consecutive US-hosted meetings, effectively placing the process in limbo.
Putin gives Trump easy way out of confused Iran war strategy – and he might take it
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
The history of health claims that have dogged Vladimir Putin
Hungary’s opposition party sees lead narrow as critical election nears for Orbán
Key Points
- European leaders criticise Trump's decision to ease oil sanctions
- Zelensky: Dropping Russian oil sanctions is not helping peace
- How Trump’s bid to cut oil prices will fill Russia’s war chest with billions
- Trump approves buying oil from Russia
- EU warns US against lifting sanctions on Russian oil
European leaders criticise Trump's decision to ease oil sanctions
05:36 , Shweta SharmaEuropean leaders have reacted sharply to a US decision to temporarily ease sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil.
The waiver will allow countries to buy Russian oil already on vessels at sea but unsold due to sanctions.
European Council President Antonio Costa said the decision was "very concerning" as it "impacts European security".
"Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine," he wrote in a post on X.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said at a news conference the move could allow Russia to gain about $10bn, adding: "It certainly does not help peace.
"French president Emmanuel Macron, speaking alongside Zelensky, said the reported shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz "in no way" justified lifting sanctions.
Canada's prime minister Mark Carney said earlier that Canada's position was to "maintain sanctions on Russia".
German chancellor Friedrich Merz also criticised the decision, calling it "wrong" at a separate news conference.
How Trump’s bid to cut oil prices will fill Russia’s war chest with billions
05:30 , Shweta SharmaRussia could earn more than $10bn (£7.8bn) in additional oil and gas revenues to help fuel its war on Ukraine – thanks to Donald Trump, experts warn.
The US president lifted restrictions on countries buying Russian crude stranded at sea, after the closure of the key shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, due to the Iran war he started, sent prices soaring. A fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent claimed the 30-day waiver would “not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government”.
He said the “tailored, short-term” move would only provide Moscow with a limited financial boost from oil sales, adding that it would address the “instability posed by the terrorist Iranian regime”.
How Trump’s bid to cut oil prices will fill Russia’s war chest with billions
Starmer risks Trump’s wrath with split from US over lifting Russia oil sanctions
05:00 , Shweta SharmaSir Keir Starmer has risked a fresh rift with Donald Trump by confirming that Britain won’t be following the US in lifting sanctions on Russian oil, saying that the move risks helping Vladimir Putin’s “war machine”.
No 10 has instead urged its international allies to maintain pressure on Moscow, and to avoid inadvertently funding Putin’s war in Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil.
Mr Trump’s decision to issue exemptions for Russian oil already at sea has sparked fears that Putin could use the Iran conflict to boost Russia’s own war chest, with foreign secretary Yvette Cooper accusing Russia and Iran of attempting to “hijack the global economy”.
Starmer says UK will not follow US in easing Russia sanctions
Explosions heard in Kyiv
04:45 , Shweta SharmaExplosions have been reported in Ukraine's capital in the early hours of today, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground.
The blasts were heard at around 3.10am local time.
At around the same time, Ukraine's Air Force warned of the threat of Russian ballistic missiles.
Russia designates a US academic as a foreign agent
04:30 , Shweta SharmaRussia has designated a US academic as a foreign agent for disseminating false information about Russian policies and opposing Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of a former Soviet leader, is a professor at The New School university in New York and has continued to make research trips to Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The term "foreign agent" has connotations of spying that Moscow applies to people it views as engaged in anti-Russian activity.
Her ancestor Nikita Khrushchev led the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, when he was ousted by fellow members of the ruling Politburo.
Khrushcheva said she was not surprised at being added to Russia's "foreign agent" list, which as of Friday contained 1,164 names including politicians, journalists, artists, NGOs and media organisations.
"It would have been sloppy on their part not to do this sooner or later," she said, adding that it was too early to say what the practical impact would be.
"There is certainly historical irony but not anything shocking. When Stalin is up, Khrushchev is down," she said.
Khrushchev was the Soviet leader who transferred Crimea to Ukraine from Russia in 1954, an act reversed in 2014 when Russian forces invaded the peninsula and President Vladimir Putin declared its annexation.
Khrushchev is also remembered for facing off against US President John F Kennedy in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war.
People listed as foreign agents are subjected to onerous bureaucratic requirements and restrictions on their income in Russia. They are obliged to place the foreign agent label on social media posts or anything else they publish.
Some Kremlin critics have worn the label as a badge of honour, while others say it is a burden that hampers them in their work because it causes other Russians to shun them.
Zelensky says global focus on Middle East 'not good for Ukraine'
04:00 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration over waning attention on the Ukraine war amid the crisis in the Middle East as he denounced US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil.
"There is nothing good for Ukraine in the war in the Middle East. It is understandable that the attention of the world is moving to the Middle East. It's not good for us," Zelensky told students in Paris during a speech at the Sciences Po university.
He said the decision to waive oil sanctions was not helping to end the conflict in Ukraine as he sought reassurances of support in Paris.
"This single easing by the US could provide Russia with around $10 billion for the war. It certainly does not help to achieve peace," Zelensky told a joint news conference with French president.
Zelensky says US's pause on Russian oil sanctions 'not the right decision'
03:30 , Tom BarnesUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions amid the Iran war is "not the right decision" and will not help bring a stop to Russia's more than four-year-old invasion of Ukraine.
"This easing alone by the United States could provide Russia with about 10 billion dollars for the war," Mr Zelensky said on Friday.
"This certainly does not help peace.
"I believe that lifting sanctions will, in any case, lead to a strengthening of Russia's position."
"It spends the money from energy sales on weapons, and all of this is then used against us," Mr Zelensky said at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Paris.
"Therefore, ultimately lifting sanctions only so that more drones will later be flying at you is, in my opinion, not the right decision."
The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday a 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions.
The step aims to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war.
Analysts say that spiralling oil prices due to Persian Gulf production blockages are benefiting the Russian economy.
Russia-Ukraine talks in limbo as US negotiator refuse to travel amid Iran war
03:15 , Shweta SharmaPresident Volodymyr Zelensky says three-sided peace talks with Russia and the US are stalling after the Americans sought a postponement due to the war in Iran.
Zelensky, whose comments were quoted by various Ukrainian media outlets at the end of a visit to France, said the US side had indicated its negotiators were not permitted to leave the United States in view of circumstances in the Middle East.
He said discussions about the next round were akin to a soap opera "because of the war in the Middle East".
"The Americans said they were ready to meet, but only in America as the war and the security situation barred them from leaving the US," the state news agency Ukrinform quoted Zelensky as saying.
The Ukrainian delegation, he said, was ready to meet in Miami or Washington, but Russia rejected the proposal and suggested meeting in Turkey or Switzerland, a proposal ruled out by the US.
"We immediately said that we were ready for a meeting next week. We are preparing for a meeting in America, in Switzerland, in Turkey, and even, if they are not afraid, in the Emirates," Zelensky was quoted as saying.
Ultimately, he said, staging the next round of talks depended on the US side. Washington's negotiating team has been led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump's son-in-law.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Zelensky's remarks.
One killed, several injured in Russian attacks in southeastern Ukraine
02:50 , Shweta SharmaRussian shelling killed one person and wounded six in southeastern Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, the regional governor said on Friday.
Oleksander Ganzha, head of the region's military administration, said on Telegram that Russian forces attacked two sites in the region.
Further southeast, the governor of Zaporizhzhia region, Ivan Fedorov, said four people were injured in a Russian attack near the region's main town, also called Zaporizhzhia.
Just over the Russian border in Belgorod region, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one resident died in a Ukrainian strike on a village just inside the border.
Trump says US does not need Ukraine's help with drone defence
02:23 , Tom BarnesDonald Trump has said the United States does not need help with drone defence when asked whether Ukraine was helping providing such assistance, in an interview on Fox News Radio's The Brian Kilmeade Show that aired on Friday.
Why a coughing fit no one was meant to see spells trouble for Putin – and his enemies
01:52 , Tom BarnesAfter a video clip (quickly taken down) showed the Russian president spluttering, rumours of his ill health have circulated – but, writes Mary Dejevsky, tracking his potential demise doesn’t mean that whoever comes next will provide anything different for the rest of the world.
Why a coughing fit no one was meant to see spells trouble for Putin – and his enemies
US sought postponement of talks on war settlement, Zelensky says
01:15 , Tom BarnesVolodymyr Zelensky says the US had sought a postponement of the latest round of three-sided talks on a settlement to Ukraine's four-year-old conflict with Russia.
Zelensky, whose comments were quoted by various Ukrainian media outlets at the end of a visit to France, said the U.S. side had said its negotiators were not permitted to leave the United States in view of circumstances in the Middle East.
He said discussions about the next round were akin to a soap opera "because of the war in the Middle East."
"The Americans said they were ready to meet, but only in America as the war and the security situation barred them from leaving the US," the state news agency Ukrinform quoted Zelensky as saying.
The Ukrainian delegation, he said, was ready to meet in Miami or Washington, but Russia rejected the proposal and suggested meeting in Turkey or Switzerland, a proposal ruled out by the U.S.
"We immediately said that we were ready for a meeting next week, we are preparing for a meeting in America, in Switzerland, in Turkey, and even, if they are not afraid, in the Emirates," Zelensky was quoted as saying.
Ultimately, he said, staging the next round of talks depended on the US side. Washington's negotiating team has been led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US president Donald Trump's son-in-law.
The White House did not immediately respond to request for comment on Zelensky's remarks.
Russian attacks cause casualties, injuries in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia regions, local officials say
00:30 , Tom BarnesRussian shelling killed one person and wounded six in southeastern Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, the regional governor said on Friday.
Oleksander Ganzha, head of the region's military administration, said on Telegram that Russian forces attacked two sites in the region.
Further southeast, the governor of Zaporizhzhia region, Ivan Fedorov, said four people were injured in a Russian attack near the region's main town, also called Zaporizhzhia.
Just over the Russian border in Belgorod region, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said one resident died in a Ukrainian strike on a village just inside the border.
Trump admits that Putin could be helping Iran despite what his envoy claimed
Friday 13 March 2026 23:57 , Tom BarnesDonald Trump has admitted that Russian president Vladimir Putin could be helping Iran in its military efforts against the US, contrary to claims made previously by his envoy to the Middle East.
“I think he might be helping them a little bit, yeah, I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said, speaking to Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade in a Friday interview. “Yeah, we’re helping them also.”
Trump admits that Putin could be helping Iran despite what his envoy claimed
Trump rejects Ukraine's help with drones
Friday 13 March 2026 16:35 , Sam RkainaUS President Donald Trump said the United States does not need help with drone defence when asked whether Ukraine was helping providing such assistance.
Trump made the comments in an interview on Fox News Radio's "The Brian Kilmeade Show" that aired on Friday.
Team of Ukraine experts were sent to Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia earlier this week to give advice on how to combat drones, given their experience during the war with Russia.
Zelensky said his country had “the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones”.
Recap: EU warns US against lifting sanctions on Russian oil
Friday 13 March 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsThe president of the European Council has warned that increasing economic pressure on Russia is necessary to force the Kremlin into serious negotiations over Ukraine.
It comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Thursday that the US government had temporarily removed sanctions on Russian oil at sea to add oil to global markets.
António Costa said on Friday the decision was “concerning, as it impacts European security”.
“Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace. Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine,” he wrote on social media.
Recap: Putin’s ‘hidden hands’ may be behind Iran tactics, says UK defence secretary
Friday 13 March 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsVladimir Putin’s “hidden hands” may be behind some of Iran’s tactics in the Middle East conflict, the defence secretary has said, after the US downplayed reports Russia was helping the Tehran regime attack US bases.
John Healey visited the Northwood military headquarters in Hertfordshire on Thursday, where he was briefed on the latest updates on British operations in the region.
The UK’s chief of joint operations, Lieutenant General Nick Perry, told the defence secretary there were “definitively” signs of a link between Russia and Iran, including Iran’s use of drones “as learned from the Russians”.
Asked later by reporters for examples of such links, Mr Healey said: “We will update you and appropriately publish any findings from that when we’ve got them, but I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics, potentially some of their capabilities as well, not least because one world leader that is benefiting from the sky high oil prices at the moment is Putin.”
Three killed, 27 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine
Friday 13 March 2026 14:15 , James ReynoldsAt least three people have been killed and 27 have been injured in attacks across Ukraine in the last day, according to local authorities.
Two people were killed in Russian attacks in Kostyantynivka and Lyman, Donetsk oblast, on Thursday. Another six were injured during the day, according to regional governor Vadym Filashkin.
A 32-year-old man was also killed in a Russian drone attack in Sumy oblast, the regional administration said in a statement.
Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 126 drones against Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s airforce said, claiming to have taken down 117 drones.
The full story: Starmer risks Trump’s wrath as minister says UK will not follow US in easing Russia sanctions
Friday 13 March 2026 13:49 , James ReynoldsThe UK will not follow the US in easing sanctions on Russia amid soaring oil prices, a government minister has said, as Sir Keir Starmer risks being at odds with Donald Trump once again.
Energy minister Michael Shanks told Sky News the UK would not change its position on Russian sanctions despite the move from the US.
“The UK has been really clear that our sanctions on Russia stay in place,” he said.
“This is a moment where I suspect in the Kremlin they are looking at this as an opportunity to fix some of their ailing economy. That is a great shame, because we have to do everything that we possibly can to make sure that we are bringing all pressure to bear on Russia so that we can win this war in Ukraine.”
UK will not follow Trump’s decision to ease Russia sanctions, minister says
Zelensky: Dropping Russian oil sanctions is not helping piece
Friday 13 March 2026 13:46 , Sam RkainaPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said the US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil was not helping to end the war and achieve peace in Ukraine.
”This single easing by the US could provide Russia with around $10 billion for the war,” he said.
“It certainly does not help (to achieve) peace,” Zelensky, who is visiting Paris, said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Watch: Ukraine and Romania sign agreement on drone co-production, says Zelensky
Friday 13 March 2026 13:16 , James ReynoldsWhat will Zelensky discuss with Macron?
Friday 13 March 2026 12:45 , James ReynoldsVolodymyr Zelensky is in Paris today to meet with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
The leaders are expected to discuss how to pile pressure on Russia to agree to a just end to the war, with US-mediated talks on ice amid the war with Iran.
The talks will focus on targeting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers transporting oil in breach of sanctions. It comes as the US eased sanctions to curb the impact on oil prices of the war in Iran.
The Kremlin said earlier this week that the “very idea of trying to put pressure on Russia is absurd”, and claimed the meeting itself would disrupt peace efforts.
In pictures: Zelensky meets with Macron for talks on pressuring Russia as US relents on oil sanctions
Friday 13 March 2026 12:15 , James Reynolds
EU warns US against lifting sanctions on Russian oil
Friday 13 March 2026 11:45 , James ReynoldsThe president of the European Council has warned that increasing economic pressure on Russia is necessary to force the Kremlin into serious negotiations over Ukraine.
It comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Thursday that the US government had temporarily removed sanctions on Russian oil at sea to add oil to global markets.
António Costa said on Friday the decision was “concerning, as it impacts European security”.
“Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace. Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine,” he wrote on social media.
Russian drones attacked port in Ukraine's Odesa region
Friday 13 March 2026 10:45 , Sam RkainaRussian drones attacked port infrastructure in Ukraine's southern Odesa region late on Thursday, damaging a food warehouse at the port, a local official said on Friday.
A fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished, Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram, adding that no one had been injured in the attack.
Germany's Merz says easing Russia sanctions is wrong
Friday 13 March 2026 10:18 , Sam RkainaGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said it is wrong to ease sanctions against Russia, after the United States issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea.
Merz added that using oil reserves will help to control prices "to some extent".
Speaking on Friday, Merz added that he would like to know what the US motivation was in making the decision.
The history of health claims that have dogged Vladimir Putin
Friday 13 March 2026 09:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFor years, Russian president Vladimir Putin’s health has been the subject of speculation and rumours - with claims he is suffering from an array of different ailments.
A recent video of the 73-year-old having a coughing fit during a presidential address has renewed attention on his health.
Putin could be seen clearing his throat before having a coughing fit as he gestured towards his neck in the video, which was deleted by the Kremlin shortly after it was uploaded to the official Telegram channel.
More here.
The history of health claims that have dogged Vladimir Putin
Watch:Two people killed after Russian drone strike on Kharkiv
Friday 13 March 2026 08:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDrone found in Poland 'likely from September airspace incursion'
Friday 13 March 2026 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA military drone found in western Poland yesterday was probably one of the Russian drones that entered Polish airspace in September 2025, the defence minister said this morning.
“Most likely it is… a consequence of the provocation of the Russian Federation from last year,” Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told private broadcaster TVN24.
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
Friday 13 March 2026 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussia has blamed Britain for a deadly missile strike launched by Ukraine on a vital munitions factory, which reportedly killed seven people.
Kyiv claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack on one of Russia’s “most important military factories”, the Kremniy El plant in the border city of Bryansk. It said that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles had been used in the assault.
Local authorities said that at least seven civilians were killed and 42 were injured in the “terrorist missile attack”.
More here.
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
Fire at Russian oil depot estinguished - official
Friday 13 March 2026 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAn open fire at an oil depot in the Russian town of Tikhoretsk in the southern Krasnodar region has been extinguished, local officials said this morning.
Russia's Dmitriev says U.S. sanctions waiver affects 100 mln barrels of Russian oil
Friday 13 March 2026 06:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev has said that a US waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil would affect 100 million barrels of Russian crude.
“Against the backdrop of the growing energy crisis, further easing of restrictions on Russian energy supplies appears increasingly inevitable, despite resistance from some Brussels bureaucrats,” Dmitriev wrote on Telegram.
The US has issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, in what treasury secretary Scott Bessent said was a step to stabilise global energy markets roiled by the Iran war.
Putin’s ‘hidden hands’ may be behind Iran tactics – John Healey
Friday 13 March 2026 06:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarVladimir Putin’s “hidden hands” may be behind some of Iran’s tactics in the Middle East conflict, the defence secretary has said.
John Healey visited the Northwood military headquarters in Hertfordshire on Thursday, where he was briefed on the latest updates on British operations in the region.
The UK’s chief of joint operations, Lieutenant General Nick Perry, told the defence secretary there were “definitively” signs of a link between Russia and Iran, including Iran’s use of drones “as learned from the Russians”.
More here.
Putin’s ‘hidden hands’ may be behind Iran tactics – John Healey
Latvia says 2 people set fire to a train and rail equipment for Russia
Friday 13 March 2026 05:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA train and some railway infrastructure were set on fire in August in Latvia by two people acting in Russia's interests, Latvia's State Security Service said Wednesday, the latest in a series of warnings by Western officials who say Russia is attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.
The security service said the two people set fire to the train and some railway relay cabinets — boxes that contain equipment to control train movements — and also filmed the attack. The video material was later sent to the people who commissioned the arson who used it for propaganda purposes to claim the fires were in Ukraine, the service said.
The arson in August is one of аt least 151 incidents of sabotage and malign activity across Europe tracked by The Associated Press and linked to Russia by Western officials since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Officials say a goal of the attacks is to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear and discord in European societies and drain investigative resources. Russia often uses proxies for such attacks and some perpetrators say they have no idea they have been hired by Moscow.
More here.
Latvia's security service says 2 people set fire to a train and rail equipment for Russia
Putin's envoy says US 'better understands' importance of Russian oil
Friday 13 March 2026 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAn envoy of Vladimir Putin said Washington was “beginning to better understand” the importance of Russian oil after what he described as a “productive meeting” with US negotiators over the invasion of Ukraine.
“We discussed promising projects that could contribute to the restoration of Russian-American relations and the current crisis on global energy markets,” Kirill Dmitriev wrote on Telegram.
Hungary returns seized Ukrainian bank vehicles
Friday 13 March 2026 05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarHungary has returned two seized armoured bank vehicles to Ukraine but withheld cash and gold worth approximately $82m, citing an investigation into alleged money laundering, a move Kyiv has denounced as theft.
Relations between Hungary and Ukraine, already strained by Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban's close ties to Russia, reached a new low last week when Hungary detained seven Ukrainians transporting cash and gold.
Kyiv accused Budapest of taking the bank employees hostage in order to pressure Ukraine into restarting suspended oil shipments. It said the employees were engaged in a legitimate transfer.
Those detained were expelled by Hungary and crossed into Ukraine on Friday.
ICC opens probe into alleged crimes against humanity by Belarus
Friday 13 March 2026 04:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarProsecutors at the International Criminal Court said they had opened an investigation into whether the government of Belarus committed crimes that led to deportations of its opponents.
Belarus is not a member of the ICC, but the case was brought by Lithuania, which is a member. Prosecutors determined that at least part of the alleged crimes by Belarusian authorities were committed on Lithuania's territory, giving them jurisdiction.
The prosecutors said there was reason to believe the actions of Belarus were targeted against "actual or perceived opponents" of the Belarusian government.
"There is also a reasonable basis to believe that these crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population, considering their large scale, the number of victims, and the organised nature of the acts", they added.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she welcomed the announcement.
Explosions reported at Russian airfields
Friday 13 March 2026 04:14 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarExplosions were heard at Russian airfields in an apparent Ukrainian attack on military targets in the Black Sea region overnight, Kyiv Independent reported.
Several explosions were reportedly heard at the Khanskaya military airfield near the southern Russian city of Maykop in Krasnodar Krai during the early hours of today.
Shortly after, explosions were heard near Russia's Belbek military airfield and separately at the nearby Kacha airbase in Crimea.
Trump removes sanctions on oil from Moscow
Friday 13 March 2026 03:46 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US has issued a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, in what treasury secretary Scott Bessent said was a step to stabilise global energy markets roiled by the Iran war.
The move was the latest attempt by president Donald Trump's administration to tame energy prices after the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent response by Tehran widened regional tensions and paralyzed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting vital Middle East oil and gas flows and sending energy prices higher.
On Wednesday, Washington announced it would be releasing 172 million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve in an effort to curb sky-rocketing oil prices in the wake of the war in Iran. That release was part of a broader commitment by the 32-nation International Energy Agency (IEA) to release 400 million barrels of oil.
The IEA said earlier on Thursday that the war in the Middle East was creating the biggest oil supply disruption in history. The license issued by Washington on Thursday authorizes the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of March 12 and valid through midnight Washington time on 11 April, according to the text of the license posted on the Treasury Department's website.
The move reflects White House worries that the surge in oil prices after nearly two weeks of US and Israeli strikes on Iran will hurt US businesses and consumers ahead of the November midterm elections, when Trump's fellow Republicans hope to retain control of Congress.
Mr Bessent, in a statement on X released hours after benchmark oil prices shot above $100 a barrel, said the measure was "narrowly tailored" and "short-term" and would not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government.
"The temporary increase in oil prices is a short-term and temporary disruption that will result in a massive benefit to our nation and economy in the long-term," Bessent said in the statement, echoing Mr Trump.
Romania signs deal with Ukraine on joint defence production
Friday 13 March 2026 03:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe presidents of Romania and Ukraine signed a statement of intent on Thursday to produce Ukrainian defence systems including drones in Romania, they said after a meeting in Bucharest.
Romania, an EU and NATO member, shares a 650-km border with Ukraine, including along the Danube River where Ukrainian ports on the opposite bank have come under Russian attack and Russian drones have breached Romanian airspace.
After four years of fending off Russia's assaults, Ukraine says it has developed drone and counter-drone systems that can help protect NATO countries.
A statement signed by the two presidents said they had agreed to "enable the production of Ukrainian defence systems and capabilities in Romania with the purpose of strengthening the defence industries of Ukraine and Romania."
Last year, Romanian officials said they aimed to partner with Ukraine in building drones under a new EU defence funding mechanism, SAFE.
"We talked about our military cooperation and one of the documents we signed also includes cooperating on drone production," said Romania's President Nicusor Dan, a centrist who last year defeated a right-wing candidate sceptical of close ties to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine's expertise lay particularly in integrating drone software into a country's wider defense system.
Recap: Ukrainian drones strike major oil hub in Russia
Friday 13 March 2026 03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerUkraine struck an oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar region on Thursday, as Kyiv ramps up its attacks on Russian strategic infrastructure.
A large-scale fire broke out after the drone strike on Tikhoretsk, a Ukrainian security service official said, noting that the hub is the only supply route for petroleum products to the key Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
Russia's regional task force said no one had been injured in the drone strike.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that 80 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and destroyed over Russian regions overnight in a spate of attacks.
Watch: Ukraine's military hits Russian missile plant in Bryansk
Friday 13 March 2026 02:00 , Rebecca Whittaker‘I lost my husband in the Ukraine war - I came to Dubai to be safe’
Friday 13 March 2026 01:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
‘I lost my husband in the Ukraine war - I came to Dubai to be safe’
Recap: Polish police say drone found at mine in western Poland
Friday 13 March 2026 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPolice in western Poland were investigating the origin of a drone found by a worker at a mine on Thursday.
NATO member Poland has been on high alert for airspace incursions since more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on the night of September 9-10, and some of them were found in the east of the country.
"It doesn't look like a civilian drone, but there's no information about the model," Maciej Swiecichowski, a police spokesperson in the western city of Poznan told Reuters by telephone.
Local police said on X earlier they had been alerted to an "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle of the drone type" found by an employee in Galczyce, Konin County, on the premises of the lignite mine.
"At the scene, police officers from Konin and Poznan are securing the area," they added.
Trump officials point out ‘tactical error’ they made in build-up to Iran war: ‘This was it’
Thursday 12 March 2026 23:00 , Rebecca Whittaker.jpeg?trim=0,1,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Trump officials point out ‘tactical error’ they made ahead of Iran war: ‘This was it’
Watch: Two people killed after Russian drone strike on Kharkiv
Thursday 12 March 2026 22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerZelensky awaits sign-off on US drone production deal
Thursday 12 March 2026 21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerUkraine is awaiting approval from the White House for a major drone production agreement which was proposed by Kyiv last year, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The proposed US-Ukraine deal would cover various types of drones and air defences that operate as a single system capable of protecting against swarms of hundreds or even thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and missiles, Zelensky said in a message on social media.
"We have not yet had the opportunity to sign this document," Zelensky said.
We wanted to sign a big drone production deal with the United States, but we needed the approval from the White House. It was about different kinds of drones and air defense. They operate as one system and can defend against hundreds or thousands of Iranian “shaheds“ and… pic.twitter.com/KZX7MLcCZG
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 12, 2026
Recap: Zelensky arrives in Paris for Ukraine talks
Thursday 12 March 2026 20:00 , Rebecca Whittaker- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Paris for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron.
- The leaders are expected to address the current situation, France and European partners' support for Ukraine, and methods to increase pressure on Russia, including its 'shadow fleet'.
- Zelensky's visit follows his recent interview where he stated Donald Trump should apply 'more pressure on Russia, not on me'.
- He stressed the necessity of negotiations but expressed distrust of Russia, hoping for American support in pressuring Moscow.
- These comments came after Trump had previously suggested Zelensky should 'get on the ball' and negotiate a deal, believing Vladimir Putin was more inclined towards a truce.
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
Thursday 12 March 2026 19:05 , James ReynoldsRussia has blamed Britain for a deadly missile strike launched by Ukraine on a vital munitions factory, which reportedly killed seven people.
Kyiv claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack on one of Russia’s “most important military factories”, the Kremniy El plant in the border city of Bryansk. It said that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles had been used in the assault.
Local authorities said that at least seven civilians were killed and 42 were injured in the “terrorist missile attack”.
Read the full story:
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
In pictures: Storm Shadow strike on Russian munitions factory
Thursday 12 March 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds
Ukraine and Romania working on new energy routes and border crossings, says Zelensky
Thursday 12 March 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsUkrainian president Zelensky said on Thursday that his country would work with Romania to establish new energy routes and border crossings:
Ukraine’s low-cost killers draw both US and Gulf interest. A wartime ban blocks sales
Thursday 12 March 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsAs the conflict in the Middle East places increasing strain on US missile stockpiles, Ukraine is leveraging its wartime innovations – specifically, low-cost interceptors designed to counter Russian attack drones – into significant geopolitical influence.
Now a leading global producer of these interceptors, Ukraine is offering its expertise to the United States and its Gulf allies for use in the Middle East. In return, Kyiv hopes to secure the high-end weaponry it cannot manufacture domestically.
Read the full story:
Ukraine’s low-cost killers draw both US and Gulf interest. A wartime ban blocks sales
In full: Polish police say drone found at mine in western Poland
Thursday 12 March 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsPolice in western Poland were investigating the origin of a drone found by a worker at a mine on Thursday.
NATO member Poland has been on high alert for airspace incursions since more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on the night of September 9-10, and some of them were found in the east of the country.
"It doesn't look like a civilian drone, but there's no information about the model," Maciej Swiecichowski, a police spokesperson in the western city of Poznan told Reuters by telephone.
Local police said on X earlier they had been alerted to an "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle of the drone type" found by an employee in Galczyce, Konin County, on the premises of the lignite mine.
"At the scene, police officers from Konin and Poznan are securing the area," they added.
Romania signs new drone agreement with Ukraine
Thursday 12 March 2026 13:54 , James ReynoldsRomanian president Nicursor Dan says that he has signed a document with Zelensky about joint drone production in Romania.
Polish police say drone found at mine in western Poland
Thursday 12 March 2026 13:46 , James ReynoldsA drone found was found by a worker at a mine in western Poland on Thursday, police said, with a spokesperson adding that it "does not look like civilian drone" and that they did not have information about the model yet.
Ukraine still waiting for Trump to sign drone production deal, Zelensky says
Thursday 12 March 2026 13:10 , James ReynoldsUkraine is awaiting White House approval for a major drone production agreement proposed by Kyiv last year, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, as countries scramble to modernise their air defences after the Iran war exposed shortcomings.
The proposed deal with the US would cover various types of drones and air defences that operate as a single system capable of protecting against swarms of hundreds or even thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones and missiles, Zelenskyy said.
Russia has fired tens of thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones at Ukraine since it invaded its neighbour just over four years ago. Iran has responded to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes by firing the same type of drones at targets in the Middle East.
Ukrainian drones strike major oil hub in Russia
Thursday 12 March 2026 12:41 , James ReynoldsUkraine struck an oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar region on Thursday, as Kyiv ramps up its attacks on Russian strategic infrastructure.
A large-scale fire broke out after the drone strike on Tikhoretsk, a Ukrainian security service official said, noting that the hub is the only supply route for petroleum products to the key Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
Russia's regional task force said no one had been injured in the drone strike.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that 80 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and destroyed over Russian regions overnight in a spate of attacks.
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
Thursday 12 March 2026 12:13 , James ReynoldsRussia has blamed Britain for a deadly missile strike launched by Ukraine on a vital munitions factory, that reportedly killed seven people.
Kyiv claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack on one of Russia’s “most important military factories”, the Kremniy El plant in the border city of Bryansk. It said that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles had been used in the assault.
Local authorities said that at least seven civilians were killed and 42 were injured in the “terrorist missile attack”.
Russia blames UK for deadly Storm Shadow missile strike on munitions factory
The history of health claims that have dogged Vladimir Putin
Thursday 12 March 2026 11:30 , Shweta SharmaFor years, Russian president Vladimir Putin’s health has been the subject of speculation and rumours - with claims he is suffering from an array of different ailments.
A recent video of the 73-year-old having a coughing fit during a presidential address has renewed attention on his health.
Putin could be seen clearing his throat before having a coughing fit as he gestured towards his neck in the video, which was deleted by the Kremlin shortly after it was uploaded to the official Telegram channel.
The history of health claims that have dogged Vladimir Putin
Zelensky says weaponising culture never helps as Russia allowed to reopen pavilion for Venice Biennale
Thursday 12 March 2026 11:00 , Shweta SharmaVenice Biennale has come under scrutiny for plans that allow Russia to reopen its pavilion at this year's edition.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said, in an interview with Caolan Robertson: “We know the end of Hitler. We understand the end of Putin. Weaponizing sports, music, film and art festivals – like Venice Biennale – never helps.
“Across various cultural platforms – even during children's animation festivals – the Russians stuff their movies with propaganda to indoctrinate their society from a very young age. But it never helps. I'm sure their nation will face a tragic end.”
What is the Storm Shadow cruise missile that Ukraine is using
Thursday 12 March 2026 11:00 , Shweta SharmaStorm Shadow is an Anglo-French cruise missile with a maximum range of around 155 miles (250km). The French call it Scalp. After launch, the weapon, equipped with its navigation system, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking on to its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.
On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead. Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300kg Storm Shadow travels at speeds of more than 600mph, is just over five metres long and has a wingspan of three metres.
The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May 2023, for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.
Then defence secretary Ben Wallace had touted that the weapons would give Ukraine the “best chance” of defending itself. Ukraine has deployed Storm Shadow missiles on several occasions during the war.
Storm Shadow missiles have also been used by British and French air forces in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya.
Zelensky says Trump needs to put more pressure on Russia not Ukraine
Thursday 12 March 2026 10:30 , Shweta SharmaIn an interview with Politico, Volodymyr Zelensky said Donald Trump needs to put “more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
“We need negotiations. We support them,” he told the outlet. “We don’t trust Russia, but I think, and I trust that Americans really want to finish with this war. I hope that they will help us, but we need more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
The comments come a week after Trump expressed renewed frustration with Zelensky, saying Ukraine’s leader needed to “get on the ball” and strike a deal, and suggesting he believed Vladimir Putin was more ready to negotiate a truce.
Zelensky said talks with Trump’s envoys in December suggested the US could offer some form of security guarantee for Ukraine as part of a peace deal, but details remain unclear.
“President Trump told me, ‘Do you trust that our security guarantees can be stronger than Nato?’ I said, ‘Yes, it depends on you for today. It depends on you, Mr president. God bless if we will have stronger security guarantees than Nato. But what will be after you? And what will be after me?'” Zelensky said.
ICYMI: Kremlin says Britain was involved in Ukrainian missile strike on Russia
Thursday 12 March 2026 10:00 , Shweta SharmaThe Kremlin said on Wednesday it was clear that British specialists were involved in a deadly Ukrainian strike on the Russian city of Bryansk using Storm Shadow missiles.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Russia’s “special military operation” would continue to prevent what he called such “barbaric” attacks.
A Ukrainian strike on Tuesday using Storm Shadow missiles on Bryansk killed at least seven people and injured 37 more.
Ukraine has not denied carrying out the attack, saying it struck a key factory producing components for Russian missiles, and therefore a legitimate military target.
Russia's Gazprom says overnight attacks on two gas pumping stations were foiled
Thursday 12 March 2026 09:52 , Shweta SharmaRussia’s energy giant Gazprom said that two of its gas pumping stations, Russkaya and Beregovaya, were targeted by air strikes overnight but the attacks were foiled.
The Russian defence ministry said earlier that Ukrainian drones had attempted to attack the Russkaya station overnight.
The stations are part of a network that sends gas via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines to Europe.
EU threatens to pull Venice Biennale funding over Russia's return
Thursday 12 March 2026 09:36 , Shweta SharmaThe EU has threatened to withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale if organisers go ahead with plans to allow Russia to reopen its pavilion at this year’s edition.
Russia’s pavilion at the art fair was closed after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to Russian artists and institutions being excluded from major European cultural events.
“Member states, institutions and organisations must act in line with EU sanctions and avoid giving a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine,” an EU statement said.
It added that the Commission would examine further action, “including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation”, which organises the contemporary visual arts event that runs from May to December in Venice’s historic shipyards, known as the Arsenale.
Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco described the festival as “a space of coexistence for the whole planet” without censorship that should remain open even to countries in conflict.
However, Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli said the government disagreed with the Biennale Foundation’s “entirely autonomous” decision.
Prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been a staunch supporter of EU sanctions against Russia, although before the invasion the co-ruling League party had close ties with Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and deputy prime minister Tetyana Berezhna urged the international art community to remain vigilant over Russia’s use of culture as a tool of propaganda.
“The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most authoritative art platforms, and it must not become a stage for whitewashing the war crimes that Russia commits daily against the Ukrainian people and our cultural heritage,” they said.
Ukraine’s low-cost killers draw both US and Gulf interest. A wartime ban blocks sales
Thursday 12 March 2026 09:00 , Shweta SharmaMidway through last year, the Trump administration reportedly brushed off an offer from Ukraine for assistance in strengthening defense systems against a lethal, widely used Iranian drone.
Now, with Iranian drones having killed multiple US troops, American officials consider ignoring the initial outreach a major misstep.
"If there's a tactical error or a mistake we made leading up to this [war in Iran], this was it," a US official told Axios.
Last August, Ukrainian officials reportedly tried to sell the U.S. battle-proven technology to take on Iran’s low-cost, unnamed, one-way Shahed attack drones, which Russia has made a major part of its arsenal for the war in Ukraine.
Trump officials point out ‘tactical error’ they made ahead of Iran war: ‘This was it’
Ukrainian 'machine gunner robot' sees off waves of Russian attacks
Thursday 12 March 2026 08:30 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian defence technology company DevDroid's Droid TW-7.62 robotic platform was used by soldiers from the Disney Squad unit during an engagement in which Russian infantry attempted to advance on Ukrainian defensive positions.
According to DevDroid, the system first detected two Russian drones positioned near a road leading to the Ukrainian position. Described as "waiting drones", they were destroyed before the robot opened fire on approaching infantry.
The company said the system then identified two Russian soldiers moving towards Ukrainian lines. One was killed by machine-gun fire and the other was wounded during the exchange.
Russian forces subsequently shelled the area with artillery in what appeared to be an attempt to destroy the robotic platform.However, DevDroid said the system remained operational and fired at another group of Russian troops advancing towards the position, forcing them to withdraw and allowing Ukrainian forces to hold their ground.
The Droid TW-7.62 is a reconnaissance and strike unmanned ground system designed to carry a KT-7.62 machine gun. The platform includes a ballistic computer intended to improve accuracy and incorporates elements of artificial intelligence capable of detecting, tracking and engaging targets.
Putin gives Trump easy way out of confused Iran war strategy – and he might take it
Thursday 12 March 2026 08:00 , Shweta SharmaDonald Trump has shrugged off Russia supplying intelligence to his enemies in Iran and rewarded the Kremlin with the option of lifting oil sanctions against Moscow. The latest moves by the US president beg the question “whose side is he on” – and not for the first time.
The most recent concession to Vladimir Putin came after the first telephone call between the two presidents this year – one that the Kremlin says was initiated by the Oval Office to the Russian president.
With an eye on the oil markets, Trump said that he thought the war against Iran would end soon, adding it was “very complete”, before declaring hours later that the fight would continue as we “haven’t won enough”.
His “secretary of war”, Pete Hegseth, then had a go at clearing things up, promising that Tuesday would see the heaviest strikes by the US and Israel so far and warned that Iran would suffer catastrophic consequences if it throttled Gulf oil exports.
Putin gives Trump easy way out of confused Iran war strategy – and he might take it
Hungary accuses Zelensky of lying over visit
Thursday 12 March 2026 07:30 , Shweta SharmaHungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of lying after the Ukrainian president said he did not know what a Hungarian delegation was doing in Ukraine.
Hungary’s foreign minister said on Facebook that Kyiv had been officially informed about the visit in advance.
“Zelensky claims he did not know about the arrival of the Hungarian delegation in Ukraine because the Hungarian government did not coordinate the visit with Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But what is the reality? Yesterday we officially informed the Ukrainians that a Hungarian delegation led by Deputy Energy Minister Gabor Czepek would visit Ukraine to inspect the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline, and we also requested a meeting with Ukraine’s energy minister,” Szijjarto said.
He also shared a document dated 10 March showing a request from the Hungarian embassy in Kyiv to Ukraine’s foreign ministry stating that the delegation would be in the capital on Thursday and Friday. The embassy asked Ukrainian authorities to help arrange a meeting between the delegation and Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister and energy minister.
He further accused Ukraine of blocking oil supplies to Hungary at a time when maritime oil transport faces major uncertainty, arguing that the only alternative to the Druzhba pipeline is sea routes.“Therefore, the Ukrainian oil blockade is nothing less than a grave crime against Hungary,” he said.
Earlier, Zelensky said that as far as his administration was concerned, the Hungarian officials were visiting in a "private" capacity.
Zelensky says Trump needs to put more pressure on Russia not Ukraine
Thursday 12 March 2026 07:00 , Shweta SharmaIn an interview with Politico, Volodymyr Zelensky said Donald Trump needs to put “more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
“We need negotiations. We support them,” he told the outlet. “We don’t trust Russia, but I think, and I trust that Americans really want to finish with this war. I hope that they will help us, but we need more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
The comments come a week after Trump expressed renewed frustration with Zelensky, saying Ukraine’s leader needed to “get on the ball” and strike a deal, and suggesting he believed Vladimir Putin was more ready to negotiate a truce.
Zelensky said talks with Trump’s envoys in December suggested the US could offer some form of security guarantee for Ukraine as part of a peace deal, but details remain unclear.
“President Trump told me, ‘Do you trust that our security guarantees can be stronger than Nato?’ I said, ‘Yes, it depends on you for today. It depends on you, Mr president. God bless if we will have stronger security guarantees than NATO. But what will be after you? And what will be after me?'” Zelensky said.
Witkoff says he met Putin's envoy Dmitriev
Thursday 12 March 2026 06:57 , Shweta SharmaA senior envoy for Donald Trump said he had met a Russian delegation led by an aide to Vladimir Putin, in a rare high-level contact between officials from the two countries as diplomatic efforts to address the war in Ukraine continue.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, said last night that the meeting took place in Florida with a Russian delegation headed by Kirill Dmitriev, who serves as Putin’s envoy.
Posting on X, Witkoff said the Russian delegation met a US team that included himself, Jared Kushner and White House senior adviser Josh Gruenbaum.
“Today in Florida, the Russian delegation led by Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with the US delegation, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and White House Senior Advisor Josh Gruenbaum,” Witkoff wrote.
He did not provide details about the discussions, limiting his statement to a brief summary.
“The teams discussed a variety of topics and agreed to stay in touch,” he added.
The meeting comes as Washington signals growing interest in reviving diplomatic channels related to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Zelensky arrives in French capital, sources say
Thursday 12 March 2026 06:20 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Paris today to meet French president Emmanuel Macron, sources at the French president’s office said.
“The two leaders will discuss the current situation, the support of France and European partners to help Ukraine defend itself, and ways to increase pressure on Russia, particularly by targeting its shadow fleet,” the source told Reuters on Thursday.
South Korea pledges to accelerate crackdown on illegal car exports to Russia
Thursday 12 March 2026 05:48 , Shweta SharmaSouth Korea’s customs authorities said on Thursday they would step up a crackdown on illegal car exports to Russia after discovering a growing number of vehicles being sent via third countries such as China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Illegal vehicle exports from South Korea to Russia jumped more than five-fold to 149.2bn won ($100.78bn) last year compared with 2024, when Seoul tightened export restrictions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Korea Customs Service said in a statement.
Some traders falsely reported to customs that the cars were being exported to neighbouring countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan even though the final destination was Russia, it said.
Others bought new cars, “disguised” them as used vehicles and shipped them to Russia through third countries.
A customs official said many of the vehicles were German premium brands imported into South Korea. Since 2024, Seoul has required vehicles with engines larger than 2.0 litres to obtain a permit before they can be exported to Russia.
Those who break the law face a prison term of up to seven years or a fine of up to five times the value of the goods.
Tens of thousands of cars are being exported from China to Russia under grey-market schemes that often circumvent Western and Asian government sanctions and automakers’ commitments to exit the Russian market, Reuters reported in February.
