Roman Abramovich carried messages between Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky confirms The former Chelsea owner reportedly met the Ukrainian president in Kyiv. Evening Standard · Jun 8
With approximately 190 warheads, India widens nuke arsenal lead over Pakistan: SIPRI report The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for India's nuclear strategy as it ramped up its arsenal and introduced innovative delivery methods. The military confrontation with Pakistan in May highlighted an unprecedented use of cyber operations in warfare. The Economic Times · Jun 8
Pro-western but populist: how Nikol Pashinyan retained power in Armenia PM secured re-election despite devastating military defeat to Azerbaijan and political and economic pressure from Moscow The Guardian - UK · Jun 8
Armenia PM Pashinyan wins vote, cementing pro-Western shift Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's ruling party has won parliamentary elections, preliminary results showed on Monday, a victory seen as endorsement of the nation's pro-Western shift after threats from Moscow and claims of Russian interference. Radio France Internationale · Jun 8
While world makes beeline for Beijing, Xi flies to North Korea - Why China is worried about Kim Jong Un and Russia Chinese President Xi Jinping has landed in North Korea for his first overseas trip of the year. The Times of India · Jun 8
Drone from Russia shot down in eastern Latvia, says Latvia's Foreign Affairs Minister Europe has been on high alert for weeks after a string of drone flyovers into NATO airspace, prompting leaders to agree to develop a "drone wall" to better detect and intercept drones violating airspace. Euronews · Jun 8
Armenia’s pro-Europe party wins election and cements shift away from Russia Result strengthens PM Nikol Pashinyan’s drive for deeper integration with Europe despite warnings from Moscow The Guardian - UK · Jun 8
Newsletter: The EU’s battle of wills With two major elections taking place on the EU's periphery over the weekend, many have viewed them as a bellwether for future Russian intimidation efforts. Euronews · Jun 8
Nikol Pashinyan hails 'historic victory' in Armenia's decisive election Sunday's result gives Pashinyan a strong mandate for Armenia’s balanced pro-West course and peace with its historic rivals, but also signals Russia’s diminishing influence in a region it once dominated, despite reported threats from Moscow and claims of interference. Euronews · Jun 8
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv ‘recaptures area two times size of Birmingham’ as Zelensky calls Trump envoys Zelensky says he has held a 'positive conversation' with Witkoff and Kushner about ending Putin's invasion The Independent UK · Jun 8
France, UK, Germany back face-to-face Ukraine-Russia ceasefire talks The leaders of France, Britain and Germany said they support a proposal for direct ceasefire talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, following defence talks in London on Sunday. Radio France Internationale · Jun 8
Ukraine's €90bn EU loan is ready to roll out. But where will the money go? A massive European rescue package could help Ukraine defend critical territory more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion. Euronews · Jun 8
China's Xi hails 'new start' in North Korea ties ahead of summit Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting North Korea to strengthen ties. This visit occurs as North Korea increases trade and military cooperation with Russia. China aims to foster strategic cooperation and socialism. North Korea has showcased its military strength ahead of the summit. This marks Xi's first international trip this… The Economic Times · Jun 8
The Independent UK · Jun 8 As Ukraine fights off Russia's invasion, some regions see a rise in premature births A rising number of babies are being born prematurely in Ukraine, particularly in regions near the front lines
Euronews · Jun 8 UK, France and Germany back direct talks with Russia 'with active US and European participation' The leaders "supported the proposal for a direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, with active US and European participation, to bring about a ceasefire and support further negotiations", they said in a joint statement with Zelenskyy.
The Guardian - AU · Jun 8 Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says he met Roman Abramovich in Kyiv in backchannel to Putin Russian billionaire offered to take a ‘silent’ message on peace talks back to Moscow, Ukraine’s president says. What we know on day 1,566
The Guardian - UK · Jun 7 Xi Jinping arrives in Pyongyang on trip to revitalise China-North Korea ties Kim Jong-un welcomes Chinese leader on visit to renew relations strained amid Pyongyang’s closeness with Russia
France 24 · Jun 7 European leaders back Zelensky's call for direct Russia talks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky won support from the leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Sunday for direct ceasefire talks with Russia, as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. The appeal came as Russian strikes reportedly damaged a nuclear fuel storage facility near the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
France 24 · Jun 7 Nuclear powers increasing deployment of warheads, SIPRI warns The world’s nuclear-armed states are increasingly moving warheads from storage onto operational delivery systems, raising the risk of conflict despite a gradual decline in overall stockpiles, researchers warned on Monday. SIPRI said geopolitical rivalry and a new arms build-up could reverse decades of reductions in nuclear arsenals.
The Independent UK · Jun 7 Europe to ramp up defence against Putin’s hypersonic missiles after Ukraine strike The PM and Volodymyr Zelensky hold talks at No 10 together with Macron and Merz on how to deal with Putin’s war
Bangkok Post · Jun 7 China's Xi to visit North Korea after meetings with Trump, Putin SEOUL - Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to arrive in North Korea on Monday after hosting back-to-back summits with US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin last month.
AAP · Jun 7 E3 leaders push ceasefire talks between Ukraine, Russia The leaders of Britain, Germany and France have called on Vladimir Putin to agree 'an immediate and complete ceasefire' in Ukraine, after meeting in London.
The Guardian - UK · Jun 7 Zelenskyy discusses ‘urgent need to scale up’ air defences with key allies in London Keir Starmer hosts Ukrainian, French and German leaders in Downing Street after Russia fires hypersonic weapons at Ukraine
Euronews · Jun 7 Counting is underway in Armenia’s pivotal vote for the South Caucasus future Polls close in Armenian’s decisive election for the South Caucasus country and the region’s future, against the backdrop of a Russia-West clash